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New 1200 GSA from US to South America or beyond? New 1200 GSA from US to South America or beyond?
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 29 Aug 2016
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hookeniggy View Post
Thanks very much for your comprehensive explanation Ted....actually i was thinking about getting a GSA, but then again, i have to sell some stuff, lots off stuff actually, no deep pockets here, so would the GS be a better bike? is it less complicated?
Or how about a HP2 enduro, the seem to be more affordable where i live, i like travel of the beaten path, the longer the better.
I already have the bike i love, but have to go through it completely to get it travel ready and not sure if i want to ship it again to North America, and there's no parts for it there.

Thanks for sharing your experience
Its just a lot lighter and do everything a GSA will do. The final drive gearing is a little different though..

If you haven't got a blank cheque I'd be looking at something a lot cheaper and simple. Especially as you say you want to go off the beaten track in South America.

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Originally Posted by Massive Lee View Post
Hi Hookeniggy

The 1150GS is bulletproof if previously well maintained. It is simple and has no electronic gizmos (just get one without the servo. The weak points are known and easily fixed. Final drive crown bearing, final drive pivot pins. But damn they are heavy, especially if you have a GSA. Remember how Ewan and Charley suffered with theirs. So much that Boorman had to fake shoulder muscle problems when they did the Summer Road to Madagan and then put the bikes on a truck. South America's wet jungle roads will be worst. In short, BMWs are reliable bikes if you know how to work on them. I sold my 2006 R1150GSA SE (the white one) with 240,000km and the buyer told me it sounded much better than his other 80,000km GSA.

As I said before, an old Africa Twin will do the job to go around the world. A KLR will also go a long way, but you won't attract as many chicks as with a shiny BMW...
Don't forget that dreaded Hall Effect sensor. Carry a spare. And lower coils if you have a twin spark. I'd carry a spare bearing and seals for the rear too. There are people in South America who can fix them. Like Javier at Dakar Motos.

Proper heavy bike though isn't it. And the stock rear shock is junk...

Quote:
Originally Posted by hookeniggy View Post
.........haha, you might be right Massive Lee, just sat on a plane just a couple of weeks ago next to a bunch of Spanish beauties, they all agreed they just loved a GS....quite an eyeopener...

i don't have the RD07 anymore, just two very dirty super tenere's left, of which of one i completely wore out in the Maritimes.
"No money, No Honey" kind of girls ??? haha.

If a women is more into a Shiny bling than the character and charms of a weathered and well travelled trail bike, then she ain't no woman for me
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Old 30 Aug 2016
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ted what do you think about the sertao?water pump?any other problem?
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Old 30 Aug 2016
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ted what do you think about the sertao?water pump?any other problem?
Well tested motor and its a good one. Water pump os no different as far as im aware but i haven't seen any bad ones brought into our place. Excellent economy and light weight machine.

However... Its built very cheaply. Wheels, suspension, bars, chain etc are all budget rubbish.

It could make a good foundation to improve on.

Why not look at an x-country or x-challenge if you like the BMWs. Same engine but better made.

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Old 31 Aug 2016
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thanks ted,i don't like the beemers at all,sevral years ago i had the dakar which was great bike ,next year i'm going to ride from usa-alaska to south america & i'll just wait for the new xtz 700 or buy a wee xt(i own now 2012 wee)which is a great all arounder bike. i was looking for efi thumpers but the options from ktm- husky- bmw or swn means less realibilty on the way.
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Old 31 Aug 2016
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How about buying a bike in Texas and riding it down there ??
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Old 31 Aug 2016
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why not,are you a dealer?
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Old 31 Aug 2016
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why not,are you a dealer?
Heh heh heh. Excellent idea, Ted: why not a new life selling Beemers in Texas?
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Old 1 Sep 2016
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Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
Its just a lot lighter and do everything a GSA will do. The final drive gearing is a little different though..

If you haven't got a blank cheque I'd be looking at something a lot cheaper and simple. Especially as you say you want to go off the beaten track in South America.



Don't forget that dreaded Hall Effect sensor. Carry a spare. And lower coils if you have a twin spark. I'd carry a spare bearing and seals for the rear too. There are people in South America who can fix them. Like Javier at Dakar Motos.

Proper heavy bike though isn't it. And the stock rear shock is junk...



"No money, No Honey" kind of girls ??? haha.

If a women is more into a Shiny bling than the character and charms of a weathered and well travelled trail bike, then she ain't no woman for me
Yeah, don't know, kinda new to me, lots of GSA's where i live, most girls, females don't like them, think, mostly get most compliments on my 03LD, or previously on the RD07, or HD electra glide, that wasn't mine though, but my employers bike, which i could use commute back and forth to work, lovely bike once you get used to it
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