BMW R1150 GS Adventure or XRV750 Africa Twin
Discussion
A brief overview - my personal circumstances have dramatically changed, and now I want to use my new found time.
I fancy an adventure. A long ride out through Europe, through Turkey, into Turkmenistan, then back up through Russia.
I won't have an infinite amount of time, so I can't afford to be broken down for long, or afford to cruise at 40mph.
I'm fairly big bloke, in my riding gear, probably 19 stone / 120 kgs.
I don't want to spend any more than £4k on the bike, if possible.
1150 GS? 750 AT? Something else?
I fancy an adventure. A long ride out through Europe, through Turkey, into Turkmenistan, then back up through Russia.
I won't have an infinite amount of time, so I can't afford to be broken down for long, or afford to cruise at 40mph.
I'm fairly big bloke, in my riding gear, probably 19 stone / 120 kgs.
I don't want to spend any more than £4k on the bike, if possible.
1150 GS? 750 AT? Something else?
It would all be down to the road conditions for me. The XRV is ooooold now and I'd be looking for something a bit newer.
If you're likely to do more off-road due to bad roads then something as capable off-road as possible makes sense. But for generally decent roads or just gravel stuff then go with whatever is comfortable, does over 200 miles to the tank and still has plenty of parts availability.
Maybe an F800GS or an XT660..? The 1150 GS would be great if the roads are decent.
If you're likely to do more off-road due to bad roads then something as capable off-road as possible makes sense. But for generally decent roads or just gravel stuff then go with whatever is comfortable, does over 200 miles to the tank and still has plenty of parts availability.
Maybe an F800GS or an XT660..? The 1150 GS would be great if the roads are decent.
Thank you for the replies so far fellers.
I know my choices are older. There's a point to reducing computerisation - less to go bad, and easier fixes when it does go bad.
I'm a classically trained mechanic, and there's not much I can't bodge together to get out of a tight spot. The bodges are easier, quicker, cheaper and more reliable on older stuff than new.
No idea on road quality, but there's a few thousand miles of sealed roads to navigate between here and the real adventure.
Thanks all for suggestions.
Currently I'm leaning towards a tidy 1150 GSA. Pretty simple, pretty robust, fairly widespread parts availability, fairly simple.
Would love a 450 thumper, but it's uncomfortable to travel so light while rough / wild camping and highways would kill it (or me!
).
Alternatively, shipping to a more fun destination to start is expensive, and I don't have a route in place, so can't say how much open highway I'll be navigating in Western Asia, when I get there.
I'm coming in to bike buying with completely open eyes to my compromising, and contradictory requirements...
I know my choices are older. There's a point to reducing computerisation - less to go bad, and easier fixes when it does go bad.
I'm a classically trained mechanic, and there's not much I can't bodge together to get out of a tight spot. The bodges are easier, quicker, cheaper and more reliable on older stuff than new.
No idea on road quality, but there's a few thousand miles of sealed roads to navigate between here and the real adventure.
Thanks all for suggestions.
Currently I'm leaning towards a tidy 1150 GSA. Pretty simple, pretty robust, fairly widespread parts availability, fairly simple.
Would love a 450 thumper, but it's uncomfortable to travel so light while rough / wild camping and highways would kill it (or me!
). Alternatively, shipping to a more fun destination to start is expensive, and I don't have a route in place, so can't say how much open highway I'll be navigating in Western Asia, when I get there.
I'm coming in to bike buying with completely open eyes to my compromising, and contradictory requirements...
I can say now I wouldn't be buying a £4000 1200GS. Can-bus, questionable shaft drive reliability and early model issues. A £4000 R1150GS would probably get you on an adventure model. Big tank, deserved reliability record and a lot lot less to go wrong. Far easier to fix an 1100 or an 1150 by the road as well.
Jazoli said:
I'd be looking at a 650 V Strom, you don't need a 270kg bike to travel, the lighter the better if you are going off road, relatively simple things too, plus £4k will get you one that is a couple of years old rather than a 15 year old knacker.
How are they on the highway? Even with a pretty light load, with me (heavy rider), it would be up to around 150kg load.How do they handle heavier loads?
TobyLerone said:
How are they on the highway? Even with a pretty light load, with me (heavy rider), it would be up to around 150kg load.
How do they handle heavier loads?
I know a guy who has one, he must be 100kg, and his wife not far off, they do a lot of bike rallies and its taken them all over Europe laden with kit and its coped perfectly well at everything they have thrown at it.How do they handle heavier loads?
I have ridden a couple on the road and they really are good bikes, the engine is perfectly suited to the bike and doesn't feel lacking at all, they also do a DL1000, which has the grunty and very reliable TL/SV engine, but it is significantly heavier, you could also consider a 650 Versys, I had one and that coped really well with me and the wife and panniers full of luggage on a trip we did, as I said, you don't *need* a GS or XRV, they are just the default choice for many and not always the best choice.
I’d look at a F800GS, good simple robust bike, chain drive so can be fixed anywhere, the Rotax twin is punchy, strong and reliable. Plenty have been used for similar trips. Loads of luggage options for them, plus they’re light, manoeuvrable and easy to pick up when you drop it (which you will)
Kawasaki KLR 650.
If you want a bike with enough go to do the job and enough simplicity to be easy to keep going, this is the bike.
The US Marine Core use them and with a few little trinkets for long haul riding they are superb.
These and cockroaches will survive the next nuclear holocaust...
If you want a bike with enough go to do the job and enough simplicity to be easy to keep going, this is the bike.
The US Marine Core use them and with a few little trinkets for long haul riding they are superb.
These and cockroaches will survive the next nuclear holocaust...
Edited by Steve Bass on Sunday 25th February 20:21
When I retired I did nearly the same as you on an 1100GS. They do have a few design faults but are fundamentally an ideal bike for the that sort of trip. Sort out the bits that can fail and keep your fingers crossed. Also the GSA has a huge tank - a good thing. But if something does go horribly wrong it's not always a road side job. Try changing the clutch on a GS...
My full size alternative suggestion would be a V Strom or Varadero.... If you are looking at something a bit smaller then a Trans Alp.
I think that whether you choose a Honda Cub or an Ultra Glide the most important thing is that you get on and do it. I loved it. Breakdowns and all.
My full size alternative suggestion would be a V Strom or Varadero.... If you are looking at something a bit smaller then a Trans Alp.
I think that whether you choose a Honda Cub or an Ultra Glide the most important thing is that you get on and do it. I loved it. Breakdowns and all.
Felters said:
My full size alternative suggestion would be a V Strom or Varadero.... If you are looking at something a bit smaller then a Trans Alp.
The Transalp is a really good shout. Very basic but a rock solid bike. 2009 bikes in your budget with luggage.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bikes/motorcycles/hon...
I've had an 1150, moved to a 1200, both non adventure models.
Prices of the 1150 seemed to be at a high this time last year, and were selling for more than 1200s - thus I sold mine and picked up a newer, less mileage 1200, and had beer money left over.
The 1150 was good, although looked and felt old, it had 66k miles on it.
My 1200 in comparison is much comfier and the wind protection is much better, I had CONSTANT buffeting on the 1150 no matter what I tried.
The only time the 1150 let me down was in Belgium, the alternator belt went, other than that it was perfect.
For 4k you can get a very good 1200, with luggage, the vario panniers are very good.
My 1200 is on 58k now, a friends R1200GSA is on 140k....
If you want to arrive in comfort, get a 1200, if you want to use and abuse some big off road sections, either be prepared to pick the bike up a lot or get something lighter.
Prices of the 1150 seemed to be at a high this time last year, and were selling for more than 1200s - thus I sold mine and picked up a newer, less mileage 1200, and had beer money left over.
The 1150 was good, although looked and felt old, it had 66k miles on it.
My 1200 in comparison is much comfier and the wind protection is much better, I had CONSTANT buffeting on the 1150 no matter what I tried.
The only time the 1150 let me down was in Belgium, the alternator belt went, other than that it was perfect.
For 4k you can get a very good 1200, with luggage, the vario panniers are very good.
My 1200 is on 58k now, a friends R1200GSA is on 140k....
If you want to arrive in comfort, get a 1200, if you want to use and abuse some big off road sections, either be prepared to pick the bike up a lot or get something lighter.
Re the V Strom, I did 7000 miles in 5 weeks on my SV650s, which is fundamentally the same bike, albeit ever so slightly detuned, and it was flawless. Enough go with me and all my luggage. Albeit I'm lighter than you. I have used and abused it for three years and it has just need a battery and new tyres. I love it and am taking an age to sell it because I just don't want to.
Sign up at UKGSer, pay the subs, you'll get access to more than a few 1150/1200 GSs for sale that have been owned by people who usually know them inside out and which, more importantly, have been properly maintained by acknowledged specialists - or the owners themselves, as a lot of stuff on a GS is sortable at home. Most of the bikes that crop up for sale on there will have been owned long(ish)-term and will be properly sorted.
The 1200 has its known issues, but don't let them put you off what is a very, very capable bike - just make sure you know what the issues are and budget for sorting them out before a trip if they've not been fixed in previous ownership. I've had a 1200ST for 6/7 years, same running gear as a GS - I carry spare stick coils and a spare fuel pump controller, both items that are known to fail occasionally, but which are easily fixable at the roadside with basic tools. Alternator belts are good for 30/40k miles, easy enough to replace at home before a trip - I carry my old one as a spare, but wouldn't fancy doing it at the roadside if I'm honest (although all you need is a couple of Torx screwdrivers and a big adjustable spanner!), its more so I'm not stuck waiting for one to be brought to wherever I am. Rear drive bearings have been known to give problems, they can be checked for play easily enough - too much, and a rebuild is due, around £300 I think, and once done it should be good for a long time. ABS can fail - I bought a bike without - which is fixable for a price, or removable by one or two specialists (I think some owners have done it themselves) for around £300, from memory. I've not heard of CANBUS problems as such, there may be some of course, but they don't seem to figure very much on various forums. Fuel 'strips', used instead of a proper float sender, fail regularly - mine went last year - an annoyance more than a problem, and a disproportionate £200 or so to fix as the new part needs calibrating once fitted, meaning a trip to a dealer or an indy.
I'd avoid the ESA models personally (unless someone's just forked out a fortune on replacements/rebuilds just prior to selling! ESA's a very nice gadget to have, suspension adjustment by button, until it goes wrong....which it often does at around the 30k-miles mark. Very, very pricey to sort it out!
Pete
The 1200 has its known issues, but don't let them put you off what is a very, very capable bike - just make sure you know what the issues are and budget for sorting them out before a trip if they've not been fixed in previous ownership. I've had a 1200ST for 6/7 years, same running gear as a GS - I carry spare stick coils and a spare fuel pump controller, both items that are known to fail occasionally, but which are easily fixable at the roadside with basic tools. Alternator belts are good for 30/40k miles, easy enough to replace at home before a trip - I carry my old one as a spare, but wouldn't fancy doing it at the roadside if I'm honest (although all you need is a couple of Torx screwdrivers and a big adjustable spanner!), its more so I'm not stuck waiting for one to be brought to wherever I am. Rear drive bearings have been known to give problems, they can be checked for play easily enough - too much, and a rebuild is due, around £300 I think, and once done it should be good for a long time. ABS can fail - I bought a bike without - which is fixable for a price, or removable by one or two specialists (I think some owners have done it themselves) for around £300, from memory. I've not heard of CANBUS problems as such, there may be some of course, but they don't seem to figure very much on various forums. Fuel 'strips', used instead of a proper float sender, fail regularly - mine went last year - an annoyance more than a problem, and a disproportionate £200 or so to fix as the new part needs calibrating once fitted, meaning a trip to a dealer or an indy.
I'd avoid the ESA models personally (unless someone's just forked out a fortune on replacements/rebuilds just prior to selling! ESA's a very nice gadget to have, suspension adjustment by button, until it goes wrong....which it often does at around the 30k-miles mark. Very, very pricey to sort it out!
Pete
Edited by milleplod on Thursday 1st March 14:05
Edited by milleplod on Thursday 1st March 14:09
Edited by milleplod on Thursday 1st March 14:26
Felters said:
My full size alternative suggestion would be a V Strom or Varadero.... If you are looking at something a bit smaller then a Trans Alp.
There is a very good reason why there are loads of low milage and low cost Varaderos & V Stroms for sale and yet even high mileage XRV's are like hens teeth 
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