Paging the BMW and touring-isti: R1200GS or other tourers

K's BIL has just asked me about a suitable bike for riding across Oz.
He asked specifically about the R1200GS, which I have a vague idea is
not a good choice from a reliability POV. ISTR also that some modern
BMWs are a bit buzzy.

He wants an upright riding position; no Sprots bikes. He'll be
ridining about 8 days (I guess each way) and will also want it for the
odd commute (he lives in Perth).

 

BSA Bantam

 

Weren't the R1100GS and R1150GS more robust?

Something even older, like an R80GS or R100GS may be even more suitable,
as they can be repaired with nothing more than a hammer and adjustable
spanner.

 

You have me confused with someone else, sir.

As a hardened Guzzisto, I would have suggested a Stelvio but I don't
know enough about their reliability.

 

I should point out that the chap in question isn't really a garage
monkey.

 

I wouldn't take an R1200GS on such a journey. They have reliability issues
and, due to complex electronics, are less easy to fix with a bodge compared
to earlier variants.

The newer F800GS seems to be just as bad. All sorts of problems reported on
UKGSer.

Get him to do like the Wellers did for their marathon trip around Europe.
Buy as late a model R1150GS he can find that does not have EVO brakes[1].
Relatively simple technology that most competent DIY mechanics can fix on
the rare accasion it goes wrong. There is a wealth of information on the
web for every conceivable fault as the bike has been around since 1999. You
can even get a gizmo to read the not very complex electronics
http://www.hex.co.za/gs911/index.html with a bluetooth phone.

In Oz, I think the Honda Afrika Twin was a big seller. This would be good
too. Maybe an Yamaha XTZ660 if he wants something newish.

[1] on EVO bikes the brakes won't work if the electronics fail. On earlier
bikes, if the ABSII system fails then the brakes will still work in a
conventional manner.

 

I'll go for the usual trick and suggest a Yamaha Tenere.

They're a lot cheaper than the GS and unless he wants to go for a
fairly high touring speed it'd do the job for the touring and the
commuting. I don't know how good they are for riding long distances on
less than brilliant road surfaces but according to the owners forum
everyone who's got one likes it.

 

I'd agree on the 1150GS if he wants a BMW.

That's not quite correct. The EVO brakes will still continue to work but
they will need more effort than it takes Nige to stop swearing. This
isn't hearsay btw, I've had the electronics switch off the rear servo on
the GSA.

 

An old, old bike now, though, so many will be tired.

Already got my vote

 

Tenere.

 

<sniffs bait>
<swims away>

He needs a comfortable cruiser with the biggest possible tank range.
A Dullville with a few extra cans in the panniers would probably be
OK, the biggest problem is that fuel supplies are a long way apart so
litrebike thirst is a bad idea.

 

My recollection of most non-giant traillies is a narrow seat though.
Is this likely to be a problem on these?

 

I've heard a few complaints about the Tenere seat but I've not had a
problem with it. It's got a 200 mile range and riding it that far
without stopping isn't a chore.

I've put a taller screen on mine to remove the buffeting that was
present with the standard one but most other riders seem happy with
the standard one so it's probably just me.

 

He *is* one of the locals. Well, he is now.

 

I'm in Perth and selling my 650 V-Strom. : )

You can't go wrong with the GS but it is costly bugger.

Fraser

 

A friend of mine has done the Nullabor 5 times on his SV1000 but he is a bit
mad. Fuel range was only an issue on one leg and he was 1 litre short so
carried a 5 litre fuel can.

Fraser

 

Bit old though. By going old you need something easy to work on because it is
more likely to break.

Fraser

 

Africa twins are pretty rare here. Most touring type ADV bikes are V-Stroms,
Beemers, KTMS, Teneres or Versys.

Fraser

 

No kidding. The nullabor is the most boring piece of road on earth. 2000ks of
salt brush, emus and kangaroos that are intent on killing you.

Fraser

 

So if a con rod broke you'd use the adjustable spanner as a makeshift
replacement?

Suitable beaten into shape by the hammer?

Which you could then use to seal the hole in the crank case by takng the head
off, beating it into shape using two rocks, chewing the wooden handle into a
paste to glue things together...