Interesting perspective of one BMW GS owner
- Thread starter Fred W
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Same guy... different bike
RJAMT
Well-known member
Yeah, that's halfthrottle. I love his Youtube channel.
Started following it because he lived in Panama at the time (I'm considering retiring there) and has tons of great videos riding his KLR650 all over the country.
The R1200GS is his "true love" and this video is him poking fun at the stereotype. He rode one from Utah down to Panama and back before moving there and getting the KLR. You should really see his anti-Harley video. It's hilarious!
Started following it because he lived in Panama at the time (I'm considering retiring there) and has tons of great videos riding his KLR650 all over the country.
The R1200GS is his "true love" and this video is him poking fun at the stereotype. He rode one from Utah down to Panama and back before moving there and getting the KLR. You should really see his anti-Harley video. It's hilarious!
Klubis
Well-known member
RJAMT, tell us about retiring to Panama! I want to hear the pros and cons, if you're OK with sharing!
RJAMT
Well-known member
I doubt many of the forum members are interested but if you want to PM me I'll be glad to discuss.
El Toro
Innocent Bystander
I had to have an R1200GS. In 2009 MAX BMW in NH was blowing them out. I bought one and had it shipped to me in Tennessee.
I paid cash. No need for payments.
No, I did not discover any new Mayan Temples.
I thought the bike sucked. It was top heavy. I was not a fan of the boxer engine configuration. It was NOT fast. The seat was lousy and it scrunched my nuts worse than any other bike I can remember ever owning.
I kept it for 4000 miles and traded it for .... a 2010 BMW K1300S. The K1300S was my all time favorite (I owned three of them over the years) up until I discovered the ZX14R. The ZX14R is now my favorite.
As for R1200GS Adventures lost, I recently acquired a Triumph Tiger Explorer .... and I think that bike may become my new all time favorite. Right after the Triumph Rocket III Touring.
The half throttle guy's drop of the R1200GS reminded me of a million clips from Ewan McGregor's adventures with his R1200GS. I would not buy another one on a bet.
I paid cash. No need for payments.
No, I did not discover any new Mayan Temples.
I thought the bike sucked. It was top heavy. I was not a fan of the boxer engine configuration. It was NOT fast. The seat was lousy and it scrunched my nuts worse than any other bike I can remember ever owning.
I kept it for 4000 miles and traded it for .... a 2010 BMW K1300S. The K1300S was my all time favorite (I owned three of them over the years) up until I discovered the ZX14R. The ZX14R is now my favorite.
As for R1200GS Adventures lost, I recently acquired a Triumph Tiger Explorer .... and I think that bike may become my new all time favorite. Right after the Triumph Rocket III Touring.
The half throttle guy's drop of the R1200GS reminded me of a million clips from Ewan McGregor's adventures with his R1200GS. I would not buy another one on a bet.
NMRoadRunner
A Bulls work is never done!
My son in laws Dad lives in Panama now about 6 months a year and loves it. He is in Panama City and golfs everyday and says he goes down to the corner bar, has some beers, buys a couple for others, drops $20 on the bar and it covers the tip as well.
I used to consider retiring to Costa Rica but then they negotiated extradition treaties with the US so it had to come off the table.
RJAMT
Well-known member
Yeah, I can see how extradition laws could be a concern for some of our fellow forum members.
Laser Dude
Well-known member
Klubis
Well-known member
Well, I've been to Costa Rica, and I loved it. But that was nearly 20 years ago. I have often thought about retiring there, but it was a long time ago that I was there, and I don't know what has changed. And I've never done any serious research on it. And I've since then heard about many other nice places in Central America. I'm past the age where I feel impelled to have to invent the wheel myself, so if somebody else already has it figured out, then I'm happy to learn. Please chime in.
But back to topic. I've always ridden Japanese machines, including bikes. But it seems like they're never perfect out of the box, including bikes. You gotta do this, or you gotta do that. After all the mods are done, could one actually save money by purchasing a more expensive BMW that is essentially right from the start? I hear a lot about the lack of BMW reliability, but I've heard some differing opinions, too. I need to figure it out before I get too old to ride anything, no matter the nationality!
But back to topic. I've always ridden Japanese machines, including bikes. But it seems like they're never perfect out of the box, including bikes. You gotta do this, or you gotta do that. After all the mods are done, could one actually save money by purchasing a more expensive BMW that is essentially right from the start? I hear a lot about the lack of BMW reliability, but I've heard some differing opinions, too. I need to figure it out before I get too old to ride anything, no matter the nationality!
HotRodZilla
GOD BLESS AMERICA
What makes you think a BMW is going to be "right" out of the box? There built for the "average" person, whatever that is. Unless you're that guy, guess what...
My brother has a GS-A, and has modified as much or more than I've done to my FJR.
My brother has a GS-A, and has modified as much or more than I've done to my FJR.
Klubis
Well-known member
I guess that's why I posed it as a question. Seats, suspension, wind protection, etc., do these all need to be modded on BMWs to the extent as on an FJR?
El Toro
Innocent Bystander
I did all kinds of mods on my R1200GS and could never get it right enough to enjoy it. I've never had to do much at all on FJRs.
There are nearly as many farkles out there for BMWs as there are for HD. There's a reason.
In my old age, I have decided that instead of trying to change the bike, I evaluate the bike. If I can adjust myself, through diet and exercise, that's what I do.
I'm still a sucker for taller wind screens and wider seats, but even those items are getting less important to me.
As for suspensions, they are always an expensive
upgrade. I'd rather pick a bike with a good one for its purpose. Spend the time to dial it in.
We fool ourselves more than half the time when we farkle.
There are nearly as many farkles out there for BMWs as there are for HD. There's a reason.
In my old age, I have decided that instead of trying to change the bike, I evaluate the bike. If I can adjust myself, through diet and exercise, that's what I do.
I'm still a sucker for taller wind screens and wider seats, but even those items are getting less important to me.
As for suspensions, they are always an expensive
upgrade. I'd rather pick a bike with a good one for its purpose. Spend the time to dial it in.
We fool ourselves more than half the time when we farkle.
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I was mentioning this back in the 80s.Someone's been watching too many episodes of "Narcos" on Netfilx
The new place seems to be Belize. They have very strict immigration laws though. Even after several tiers of extended visit visas, you have to prove income stream (no burden on the country), and a laundry list of other requirements including something like 5 or 10 years of contiguous visitor resident status without "issues". If you can get past them though, I hear it's verah nize.
On topic would be that the COLA is nice so that more disposable income would be available for me to buy a newer FJR.
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