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23 Feb 2018
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You didn't mention your budget ?
I hate to say it. But you can do far worse than an older R1200GS.
You can get a mint ten year old bike for under £5000. As long as it's been cared for (most have), then it will serve you well.
I used to slate the 1200GS's on here until I went out and finally bought one for my Two-up touring needs.
Mine is ten years old with 60,000 miles. I bought it from a dealer with an AUB warranty and EVERYTHING is covered on it. You even get 18 months Euro cover which includes breakdown and recovery. They'll even give you a hire car/bike.
I don't think id own one without a warranty as when they do go wrong, there is no such thing as a cheap fix on a GS. But get one with a BMW warranty and stay within Europe and there is very little to beat it.
I would NEVER own one as a solo rider, but for a bike that can carry two people and their luggage in a great deal of comfort with plenty of grunt and power, it really is a hard bike to beat.
I never thought Id ever write this post... 
P.S. I've had a 650 V-strom. Good bike. But for two up it was a bit cramped and didn't have the grunt of the bigger bikes It's certainly no featherweight either. But it will certainly handle your trip .
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23 Feb 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
P.S. I've had a 650 V-strom. Good bike. But for two up it was a bit cramped and didn't have the grunt of the bigger bikes .
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Cramped ??? come on, wheel base of R1200GS is shorter, 1507mm vs 1555mm on v-strom. Suzuki seat is huge, I believe even bigger then on GS. My wife said it's like a sofa 
BTW suggesting GS you are kidding, are you? 
Although for Europe trip you are close to service shop all the time 
Last edited by tremens; 24 Feb 2018 at 00:46.
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25 Feb 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tremens
Cramped ??? come on, wheel base of R1200GS is shorter, 1507mm vs 1555mm on v-strom. Suzuki seat is huge, I believe even bigger then on GS. My wife said it's like a sofa
BTW suggesting GS you are kidding, are you?
Although for Europe trip you are close to service shop all the time |
I'm dead serious. BMW's have their limitations of course. But I've yet to own a better two-up European touring bike. And I've owned about 100 bikes over the last few years. Especially if you have the BMW warranty/breakdown cover.
Im no BMW fanboy. That's been obvious from my posts on here over the years. But I've also been a BMW tech for five years and my opinion has been changed a lot. But not entirely.
Those oil cooled 1200 motors are incredibly robust. If you know the bike well and it's maintained and checked before you leave, it will be just as reliable as any Jap bike.
Or just throw an AUB warranty on it, don't leave Europe and put your feet up in a 4 star hotel while BMW fixes your bike or gives you a replacement. They certainly know how to keep their customers happy in Europe.
Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk
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Did some trips.
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25 Feb 2018
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Europe touring
From what you initially posted it seems that most if not all your riding will be on road, if so why on earth would you want a trail/dual purpose bike? After riding many styles and sizes of bikes i'm now riding a BMW 2012 1200RT. It is a good size, enough power for all day cruising and able to carry a load and can handle lite dirt roads. Also, being in Europe, BMW's are serviced all over.
Just my 2 cents.
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25 Feb 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
Or just throw an AUB warranty on it, don't leave Europe and put your feet up in a 4 star hotel while BMW fixes your bike or gives you a replacement. They certainly know how to keep their customers happy in Europe.
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ok, but all that insurance coverage cost money doesn't it? and OP was talking rather about budget solution if I am not mistaken. Even though, I rather be riding then waiting with my girlfriend for assistance vehicle to come over, usually it takes time anyway.
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25 Feb 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tremens
ok, but all that insurance coverage cost money doesn't it? and OP was talking rather about budget solution if I am not mistaken. Even though, I rather be riding then waiting with my girlfriend for assistance vehicle to come over, usually it takes time anyway.
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If he bought an older 1200 from a dealer it would come with the AUB warranty and be fully serviced. Budget is subjective to an individual. But yeah, he'd be paying a minimum of £5000.
You can buy a BMW a lot cheaper privately and buy BMW Insured warranty and breakdown which I 'think' starts at around £350. All done online.
Check a bike is eligible before buying it though. As older models aren't always.
A 650 Vstrom from £2000 will also serve him well too as you say.
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Did some trips.
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Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
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26 Feb 2018
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Cheers everyone for the informative and prompt responses!
I think the main takeaway here is to avoid the KLR and lean towards the V-Strom out of the two I talked about initially, while doing a bit more research on other options such as the Transalp. The fact that the VStrom has a lot of (cheap?) part availability seems like a massive plus in it's favour.
Regarding options such as the BMW, I'm trying to get the most value for money and try to keep the costs low as I'll be heading to Europe with a set amount of savings, so everything I don't spend on the initial bike purchase I can spend on the trip itself + repairs and services. I'm planning on putting some serious mileage on this thing so might see a bit of wear and tear, and have hopes of getting off main roads and into the backcountry to do a bit of village hopping. £3,000 would be approaching my absolute maximum if within reason.
For a bit more background I'll be travelling over from New Zealand (@RichM hope you had a great time here BTW!) with a lot of family in the UK, so I'm hoping I can use their addresses for the purchase and insurance and the like.
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26 Feb 2018
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For 3000 Quid you would probably get a well running 1150 GS, so I personally wouldn't consider the 1200 GS. The old Beemers are reliable and easy to service, no hassle with the chain, lots of space for two, sufficient grunt and good to handle even on dirt roads.
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26 Feb 2018
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R.I.P. - 2020
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I am assuming you may want to sell the bike at the end of your trip. It's not as easy as it used to be to buy a bike and take off. You can probably buy a bike in London, but it may be difficult to register in your name and insurance to take it out of the country on an overseas driving licence is virtually impossible if you are not a resident. You may find insurance but the cost will be very high, especially with 2 up. Why not go for a purchase and sell back in the EU with a registered company? I've recommended this guy before, because I've known him for several years, he's well known to HU and he's totally legit with an excellent reputation. He'll find what you want in terms of a bike, like a V strom or a TDM or a BMW or whatever, buy it for you within your budget, and register it in your name at his business address in France. It will be prepared and serviced, & he can arrange European Insurance. At the end of your trip , he'll buy it back at an agreed value. Contact Laurent Dozias at Ride -in -Tours, he speaks fluent English.
Motorcycle travel agency in France - Ride in Tours introduction
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29 Apr 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
I'm dead serious. BMW's have their limitations of course. But I've yet to own a better two-up European touring bike. And I've owned about 100 bikes over the last few years. Especially if you have the BMW warranty/breakdown cover.
Im no BMW fanboy. That's been obvious from my posts on here over the years. But I've also been a BMW tech for five years and my opinion has been changed a lot. But not entirely.
Those oil cooled 1200 motors are incredibly robust. If you know the bike well and it's maintained and checked before you leave, it will be just as reliable as any Jap bike.
Or just throw an AUB warranty on it, don't leave Europe and put your feet up in a 4 star hotel while BMW fixes your bike or gives you a replacement. They certainly know how to keep their customers happy in Europe.
Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk
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What is an AUB warranty? 
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29 Apr 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by floyd
What is an AUB warranty? |
Approved Used Bike.
Lots of BMW riders in the UK won't use one of these machines without that warranty scheme sold to customers by BMW - to cover the cost of repairing the final drive alone.
(was about 20 GBP per month last time I heard talk of this).
As an aside, sales staff in the showrooms of all manner of vehicle dealers are paid on the results of selling financial products as much as they are paid to sell the base vehicles.
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