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16 Sep 2006
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by max66
I figured that they were right, but it's nice to get it confirmed. I've been offered a kawasaki ER-5, which is the bike I learnt on, so I'll stick with that for 12 months.
Thanks.
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Near enough a perfect bike........ only thing better would be a 350cc Enfield in a grass field.
and if you get the chance do some riding in a field somewhere ( get permission from the landowner) What you learn there will likely prolong you life considerably. try figure of eights, fast and slow ( walking pace) learn to feel the rear wheel spin/slide and control it. What you learn early on is what your reactions will be later. always wear a helmet...
If water feels like concrete at 100mph, what does concrete feel like ??
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28 Sep 2006
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Just to let you know that it is possible to go straight onto a big BMW.
I have held a car licence for 10 years and, after watching the LWR i decided to buy a bike and copy the LWR.
5 minute decision....5 days of lessons and 55 minutes after passing my test i rode my GS to get it MOTd and then spent the sumer terrorising the UK countryside!!
Yes, i dropped it once or twice....yes, i put it in a ditch off road.....and being 10 stone and 5'10" did build up a sweat moving it around car parks. But you soon learn where not to park it, how to pick it up.
Then....i went and did it.... www.etribes.com/markstowe
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3 Oct 2006
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I went to try the BIG BMW.
i went to try the 12GS, it is big, i am 6"4', 30 years old, have some experience with scooters and smaller bikes, but i like the big GS, it's heavy but not so much more than the F650gs dakar. I would like to use it for a two up touring. i think it's comfortable, but at the same time there's the KTM which is nice too.
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5 Oct 2006
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Patrick,
i understand, but the guy in this thread was asking if the BMW R1200GS was too much for a new rider. I am not the most, off-road experienced rider, i went and tried the KTM 950, which i think is really really nice, cheaper too, but the BMW has comfort, the support in some ways and if you buy new,
the bike has roadside assistance, that in many cases is a good thing. ABS, maybe is just piece of mind.
I still haven't decided, but i didn' really like the Suzuki that much, don't know, i guess i have to try one more time. It definitely felt cheap.
Thanks,
FR
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5 Oct 2006
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Location: Cape Town, South Africa
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beginners bike
IMHO and out of my experience some good beginners bikes:
Honda CB 250RS (build 80 to 84) light, easy to maintain and they come at the price of three big macs. Get one from the scrapyard and spend $ 500 and you will have a new bike. I had one as a commuter in Munich for three years. Now upgraded with XT / FT 500 power plant, M-bars and rear set. 131kg and 36hp of pure fun. Avoid the useless and brittle e-start version.
Suzi GS 500, Kawa ER5, Honda CB500. Very nice and very cheap bikes. Always liked the GS 500 (unrestricted) for its sporty character. Also great bikes are the older CB 400N (although a bit heavy) and Yami SRX 600.
Any 250 semi offroad if that's what your heart desires. Does not really matter what you get as long as you have the spirit already. I travelled on my CB250RS (roadbike) from Munich as far as Lago di Garda, all over Switzerland and Osnabrück. Others go RTW on a scooter or to the North Cape on a stepthrough. Bigger semi offroads (650) are fine as long as they can take "a drop" without disintegrating and are not too high. Avoid BMW F's (too pretty) and go for something like DR650SE (very light and can be set low without sacrificing suspension quality.
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6 Oct 2006
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So the answer is....
no.
for what everyone says here, don't get a 1200GS as a first bike. is that right?
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6 Oct 2006
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No
Yep. You would also rather start driving cars in a Series 1 Golf than in a 911 Carrera Turbo?
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6 Oct 2006
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But, is the weight similar to the f650gs or not? then, if you want to ride two up, what options do you have apart from the v-strom 650? what gives you the comfort and capacity of a 1200? i would like a F800gs if there was one.
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6 Oct 2006
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Flying Gringo
Get a Hayabusa or one of the new ZX-14s. Now that's a man's bike. They're not "cheap", and you can go around the world extremely fast. Great beginner bike, you won't get bored and have to get something bigger later.
You might want to put off any decision as to a new bike anyway. I hear there is a new Moto Guzzi adventure tour bike in the works. And I'm sure you know that it's not whether or not the Guzzi is right for you, it's whether or not you're right for the Guzzi.
Are you right for a Guzzi? Or is something wrong with you?
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Are any details available anywhere on the new Guzzi ?
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
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6 Oct 2006
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Patrick said ----- "I'd love to see them do an adventure bike"-----------
Yes , so would I .
Guzzi's have a style of their own ,which I find very appealing - especially in red !
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
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6 Oct 2006
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R.I.P.
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The answer is ....Maybe!
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Falcon Rust
no. for what everyone says here, don't get a 1200GS as a first bike. is that right?
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Basically, yes. But there are always exceptions.
If you go back to the beggining of this thread you'll see the original poster
is not a raw begginer. He's been riding an ER-5 Kawi. Also, if you read
previous replies, you'll see the pros and cons of buying a new R12GS as
a first bike. For some guys the bike would be fine. But its a big ticket item and other cheaper choices may make more sense. All this is gone over ad nauseum
in earlier posts.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Falcon Rust
But, is the weight similar to the f650gs or not? then, if you want to ride two up, what options do you have apart from the v-strom 650? what gives you the comfort and capacity of a 1200? i would like a F800gs if there was one.
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Do you mean is the BMW F650GS close in weight to the DR650? The answer is
the DR650 is about 65 lbs. lighter than the BMW. There are plenty of other
Adventure bikes that work beautifully two up. CapoNord, Tiger, Varadero,
Navigator, Vstrom and KTM 950. If you go with a more standard bike you
have even more choices.
BTW, BMW are working on the F800GS as we speak. But its still a long ways
off. Look for it in the EU in late 2007. In the US, spring 2008. They may even
have a prototype at the Munich show (Cologne?) in just a few days.
Patrick
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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!
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7 Oct 2006
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Mot Guzzi Stelvio
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Originally Posted by mollydog
The Gringo is probably right about an Adventure Guzzi although
I've not seen any direct links to a new adventure bike from them.
In the last couple years Guzzi have been doing some remarkable things.
With the two new Breva's (750 and 1100), Griso and the latest
Norge touring rig.
I'm a long time Guzzi fan having owned a '84 LeMans lll and a V-7 Sport.
A couple years ago I tested the Cafe Sport, an evolution of the V-11 sport. Nice bike but full of the usual Guzzi quirks. Guzzi's really grow on you.
The Guzzi motor has a magical character about it, I think it would make
a great adventure bike. The early attempt in this niche from Guzzi, the
Quota, was seriously flawed with many uncharacteristic cheap
fasteners and components and a swingarm that looked like it came
off a Kymco 150. Funky is the word I would use to describe
the bike. They also had a lot of old world problems, something most
of the new Guzzi's have left behind. We beat the snot out of the Cafe
Sport and couldn't break it. No oil leaks either. (many Guzzi's leak oil)
I'd love to see them do an adventure bike.
Patrick |
It's called the Stelvio. They've built one in Mandello. Here is a link to a decent photo from a magazine...
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113158
The original Guzzi NTX was fairly decent adventure tour bike, with a large gas tank and the 650 or 750 motor.
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...50_rally89.htm
The Quota is quirky, but has a 100 percent successful ride completion rate in the US to Ushuaia ride. The 1000 was a much more purpose built bike than the 1100, but was not sold in great numbers or imported into the US. There were probably a total of 400 Quotas built, and it's hard to achieve perfection with such a small production run.
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7 Oct 2006
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Thanks for the pics of the Stelvio 1200! Very cool looking bike! 
Man, I hope they actually build the thing.
A friend is a long time Guzzi dealer. He had a Quota on the work
stand, so I got to watch him going through it.
It was a trade in being fixed up for re-sale. He knows Guzzi's
pretty well and pointed out some of the flaws on the Quota.
The owner traded it for a new Tiger. So I have no direct experience
with the Quota, never ridden one. But I'm not surprised it made the Usuhaia run without major probs. The basic running gear is beyond repproach....better than BMW IMHO. Guzzi are still the great undiscovered brand. With a few
updates the Quota could have been great.
Perhaps if Piaggio can continue to funnel R&D money into Guzzi and
actually PAY suppliers and make payroll, they may actually build some
world class bikes. It is Piaggio now, right? Hard to follow Italian Corporate
shenanigans. 
Can you post some pics of your Quota in RTW guise? I'd love to see
it!
Patrick
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8 Oct 2006
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Patrick...
what do you ride again?
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10 Oct 2006
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The Guzzi Legacy
Quote:
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Originally Posted by mollydog
Guzzi are still the great undiscovered brand. With a few
updates the Quota could have been great.
Can you post some pics of your Quota in RTW guise? I'd love to see
it!
Patrick |
Great bikes, lousy owners. They've been on the verge of bankrupcy for more than 85 years.
I am trying to upload photos but they are WAY too big. Any suggestions? I have them posted on my blog at http://motovista.blogspot.com
Last edited by Flying Gringo; 10 Oct 2006 at 17:34.
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
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What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
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"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
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Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
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