If A Fellow Wanted to Sample the Kool-Aid

[Old Michael]

'Cause I trust so many opinions here.

Whaddya think?

Too much? Bad year?

(I know it's not "rare".)

A friend is wondering. Wants to ride gravel roads, ...far away.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

'Cause I trust so many opinions here.Whaddya think?

He'll need to get a CDL to drive that truck...

 

[dcarver]

Don't know, OM. If you're serious I'll call my bud the BMW tech at Fresno BMW..

 

[SkooterG]

You know OM, I was recently looking for this EXACT bike. An 02-05 GSA in the silver.

But then I rode a 1200GS again, and a few who have owned both or know the bikes told me to hold out for the updated 1200GS. It's that much better. More power, lighter weight.

Perhaps a good thing for your friend, because a week ago I might of grabbed this. Now I will wait (which could be a while) for the right 1200GS I can afford.

For example, here's one with almost the same price. Similar miles, but at least it's the newer 1200GS:

05 1200GS for sale.

Why would he want the GSA over the GS?

 

[FJRBluesman]

OM - First problem you screwed up, you trusted us.

Now, for my unworthy opinion.

I think it's pricey to say the least. I owned a K1100 not a GS. I will never buy a BMW again. Too pricey and too much going wrong for the alleged "best engineered German bike".

There are those that love them and would disagree with me, and that's fine, it's just my opinion FWIW.

 

[Bugnatr]

IF I were to buy a Beemer I'd look at the GS 800. About the same power as the 1150 and 100 lbs lighter.

 

[SkooterG]

IF I were to buy a Beemer I'd look at the GS 800. About the same power as the 1150 and 100 lbs lighter.

If riding dirt was the goal, perhaps.

Otherwise I'll take the all-day comfort, shaft drive, and fancy suspension of the 1200GS.

 

[Dr. Rich]

This and a Red Bull and you are set to go "big guy"! Just my humble opinion as asked!

That BMW has lots of storage space for that funny tobacco!

 

[Silver Penguin]

All depends what you want the bike to do. Notice that the seller 'wants to get out of street riding, and get more into dirt riding'. The big GS's are very capable brutes but they are big and heavy. If you want to ride around the world, the bike will do it. If you want to go play in the desert. you'll hate the bike every time you have to pick it up. MCN has even referred to the GS as a capable sport tourer but it's not a dirt bike.

For poor quality roads, fire roads etc the bike is great. For serious off roading you want something much lighter. OTOH, if you want to go a long distance to said fire roads. the GS will take you there in comfort.

Andy and I each have a GS. He has the 1200 and I have the 650. For our off-road riding, we each have a much smaller bike. His 1200 will keep up with the FJR on the highway.

The way that traffic is going in CA, Andy and I have agreed that riding off-road is far more enjoyable than fighting the crowds on the freeways. Perhaps you're thinking the same way?

 

[painman]

How about dealer availability if needed for service or repair? I know several Yamaha dealers have shut down because of the economy but thought BMW dealers were scarce even before the decline. Only thinking out loud here but good luck with an adventure ride OM. Take care, PM. <><

 

[beemerdons]

Brother Mick, If you want a truly honest appraisal of the BMW R1150GS Adventure, trust a Paddie and a Paddie only! Not any Fecking Outsiders! I've sent you an e-mail with all of the information for our Fellow Hibernian: Seamus MacTreinfhir. Seamus is currently working and riding off road in Oman in the Middle East. Seamus is a tough cookie (of course, he's Irish)!

Seamus takes his big trailie up and down single tracks like you can't believe. Please check out Castle Hot Springs Arizona pics in the slideshow! MacTreinfhir has also conquered Mexico!

Seamus has take SkooterG up our Arizona dirt roads that had him peeing his pants and crying like a little girl! Was Freaking Pathetic!!!

https://s72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/sea...ly%2026%202009/

'Cause I trust so many opinions here.Whaddya think?

Too much? Bad year?

(I know it's not "rare".)

A friend is wondering. Wants to ride gravel roads, ...far away.

Roger and Roundel , thank you for joining this morning.
We really like your X Challenge Geoff.....Extremely ambrosial so it is.

We departed at 7.30am and had a quick sweet run round the Castle Hot Springs route. This route is getting easier and easier.

The weather was not too harrowing and were back on the I-17 heading home at 10.15am.

Attached some pics from today.

Seamus

https://s72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/sea...mview=slideshow

 

[beemerdons]

Old Michael, is this for a young guy such as yourself, or for an Old Fart, like our very own Dr. Rich?

This and a Red Bull and you are set to go "big guy"! Just my humble opinion as asked!

That BMW has lots of storage space for that funny tobacco!

 

[SkooterG]

Whoa there mi bastard step-pappy! Seamus is not like most people. While he is most capable with the big brute of an 1150GSA off-road, I would say he is the exception rather than the rule.

I still say a used 1200GS (not GSA) would be the better choice for most.

 

[beemerdons]

Whoa there mi bastard step-pappy! Seamus is not like most people. While he is most capable with the big brute of an 1150GSA off-road, I would say he is the exception rather than the rule.
I still say a used 1200GS (not GSA) would be the better choice for most.

As much as it truly pains me to have to agree with SkooterG, GregM is correct. Seamus MacTreinfhir is absolutely a different breed of cat; if you can afford a R1200GS, please go for it!

 

[Old Michael]

Thank you all for the enlightening, thoughtful, and entertaining ([SIZE=8pt]bastards[/SIZE]) responses.

Some good points.

(Hope to meet Seamus one of these days, Don. He's not an Orangeman, I hope. :huh: )

Wasn't thinking I'd want to do anything crazy. But, just thinking how many very

interesting, inviting, unpaved roads a person passes whilst riding his cruise missile

FJR. Almost painful, sometimes.

Wouldn't want to be standing on pegs, or any of that freaky stuff. Just dirt roadworthiness,

without losing the option of going 100 mph "when you need to". ...And these GS Adventures

just look like big, fun, toys, don't they?

Obviously, I must further educate myself on what's out there, what's practical,

and what will carry the most ganja. (Kidding aboot the ganja.)

Something durable, with a few inches of travel, a big motor, comfy ergos, and cheap.

(Sorta narrows it down. Older GS or DL1000?)

Can't have a second bike draining me.

(You know, I'm not addicted or anything, but I could look at Craig's List motorcycle ads for hours.)

 

[HotRodZilla]

Donno what Skooter is talking about, but if you do decide to get one of these, go for the GSA. They come with all the crash protection and better factory farkles. PM Patch308. He loves that when his GSA falls down and goes boom, it gets back up without any damage. Pretty impressive for such a big bike.

Oh...And I have a buddy that may be selling his V-Strom here real soon. Its the big one. 1000? I don't remember.

 

[Tyler]

'Cause I trust so many opinions here.

Didn't even ask me... in person.

 

[gregory]

All I can say is 990 adv......

Jes sayin......

If OM goes DS, can you imagine the RR's???

OH THE HUMANITY!

OM...happy shopping........

did ya ever read the electric kool acid test?

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

OM,

Once the dual-sport bug hits you, you'll want a lighter bike.

Just as you now say, "I wonder where that old road goes?" You'll be saying at the end of the gravel, "I wonder where that gnarly trail goes?" That's when you'll wish you had something more nimble.