BMW R1100/1150/1200GS

[Rick1970]

Any BMW GS owners here? What do you think of them?


I'm currently on a Hyosung GTR650 after a long time off a bike. It dosen't really suit my purpose (having 10km of dirt road to my driveway doesn't help matters), and finding the mix of low bars and old back a bit tiring at legal speeds.


Really looking for the ideal mix of gravel road friendly, but still retain a bit of on road fun factor when required, something 2 up friendly and something that the thought of a 500km trip wont make my wrists sore just thinking about it.


Seat height may be an issue (i'm about 5'8"), but I believe a lower seat is available for them. SWIMBO is closer to the 5' mark tho!


Budget would prob be closer to the average km R1100 side of things, but you never know.


How do they take to higher km's? How many is to many on a well serviced bike? You seem to see a lot for sale with 130-150k on them....


Cheers
Rick

[V8Ian]

Sounds like you need a Goldwing. ;)

[p38arover]

Have you considered a Suzuki V-Strom? There's a DL1000 and a DL650. I had a 650 and really liked it. I'd still have it except I can't afford 2 bikes.

I fitted lowering links to mine.

Have a look at For Suzuki V-Strom Enthusiasts (http://www.stromtrooper.com) (I'm a Moderator there).

Some of the owners have 200,000 MILES on theirs. The 650 is probably more reliable than the 1000.

Re long distance, the longest I've done is 750km (Bright-Temora-Sydney) in day and I had a sore backside by the time I got home.

Price? A new one might cost you less than a secondhand BMW and be more reliable.

Edit:
Vee = pre-2014 DL1000
Wee = pre-2012 DL650
Glee = 2012- DL650
Vee2 = 2014- DL1000

[spudboy]

Yeah - I've got a 2006 (?) GSA. Magic bike for long distance touring.

Really crap in sand. Just too heavy. I've had trips where it went down in sand 4 or 5 times in a couple if KMs, and on a hot day you're buggered by having to lift it back up again.

Riding position is super comfortable. We rode from Adelaide up to Lake Eyre in 2 days, mostly on "B" roads and dirt roads, with no aches or pains.

On a cold morning, the heated handgrips are gold!

It will be a massive improvement on a Hyosung :D

[Redback]

Yep me too, have two F650GSs one 650 single and the other is an 800 twin, the 800 twin is the better of the two, much smoother. any of the GS range are good bikes, really good on long hauls, and as spud said, not good in sand, but you have to expect that because of the weight, the F series are the lightest, coming in at 173kg dry, with a seat height of 790mm.

I'm looking at an R series GS soon, but that's away off at the moment, got an old H2 triple to restore first.

[Rick1970]

Yeah have considered the V-Strom 650. There is a close relationship between its motor, and the Hyo 650 twin, which is far and away the best bit of the Hyosung. Would like to get a test ride on one actually. Ditto the F series BMW's. Lower rego costs are bonus with the 650's too.


Still liking the idea of the big twin tho, guessing its torque delivery would be a lot flatter, and better suited to 2 up riding, than the 650's.


Sand isn't a real issue, just something that can handle a fast dirt/gravel road if/when needed. The 10km of dirt at my front gate really puts me off riding the Hyo as much as I would like atm....


SWIMBO wants a (blue) sports bike, but thinking R1 v's dirt road will end badly :p

[kenleyfred]

For several years I had a 1150GS. Absolutely loved it. I only sold it to put a deposit on my new Defender.
Super comfortable for long rides and a fuel tank to match. As said the heated grips are a treat. I did very little off road with it, the occasional soft patch scared the **** out of me, but that was more my lack of ability than the bikes. I did manage a fair bit of gravel without a problem. It's the same bike they used in "The long way round "
It's a powerful torquey engine that's very easy to ride, no need for constant gear changes.
If you get one I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Kenley

[SouthOz]

Ive got a R1100 not GS but S. Done 160,000 km without any more than regular maintenance. I will be in the same position as you soon, moving to a block with a dirt road and will be sad to see the R1100S go. Will be looking at a F800GS as a replacement. Be good to find a replacement with shaft drive but havnt found one yet although I havnt really looked too hard.

Dave

[spudboy]

...Would like to get a test ride on one actually. Ditto the F series BMW's. Lower rego costs are bonus with the 650's too.


Still liking the idea of the big twin tho, guessing its torque delivery would be a lot flatter, and better suited to 2 up riding, than the 650's.



I've got a 650 GS over in Amsterdam, and it's fitted with 3 big ali boxes and a good sized windshield (so not all that aerodynamic), and it hasn't got the grunt for long distance/high speed travel. By the time you load it up with a sleeping bag, toolkit, water, tent, etc it's a lot of weight to try and move along.

Compared to the 1200 it's not nearly as easy to tour on. Fuel economy's not even much better.

It's fine for pootling along backroads, but not much good if you want to do big distances at higher speeds (over 100).

[Redback]

I would recommend the F650GS(800 twin) 2008 to 2013 or the F700GS, F800GS, 2013 to the present.

I have to say my 650 single GS is down on grunt fully loaded and uses more fuel than my daughters F650GS 800 twin, the 800 seems to handle the extra weight a lot better.

I'd be happy with this:D
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/03/399.jpg