View Full Version : Bike recommendations
allantheboss
04-01-16, 02:44 AM
Hey superteam. I'm looking at a new BMW R1200GS Adventure as my next bike.
Reasons being:
1. I'm 6'6" (at least) so need the bike to be as physically large and tall as possible.
2. I plan on doing some touring around Italy + Europe every long weekend I get. The adventure has better wind protection than the standard GS and a larger tank.
3. Strong suspension and wheels are a MUST because of how atrocious Roman roads are (I live in Rome). I'm not exaggerating, especially regarding the cobbled roads in the centre. My XJR1300 developed permanent fork leaks!
4. For reasons in 3, plus the worst driving standards I've ever been exposed to, chances of an accident or a wheel slipping out (cobbled roads have zero grip when wet) are very high. The GS Adventure comes with engine guards standard, and I imagine the pannier racks would do some protecting too. The bike also looks pretty sturdy anyway.
Cons:
5.Don't plan on going offroad so that's something the bike is equipped for which is wasted on me.
6. The weather protection means that the bike is very wide. Considering how hectic and unbelievably tight filtering is in Rome, that is one huge issue (and you have to filter).
7. Bike sounds lame. That's a pretty big deal breaker for me.
8. Comes in boring colours.
9. Old fogies will come up to me and talk to me about the bike and any relationship they've ever had with one.
Can anybody think of other options? Africa Twin looks cool but way more off-road-prepped than I will even need it to be, at the expense of being less comfy on motorway. Multistrada is a short person's tall bike but seems great in every other respect, except I'd feel like a bit of a pontz driving one and I don't want anything delicate. How about the Super Tenere? Anybody tried it? The forks look too slim.
No sports-tourers please. Not appropriate for Rome in any way and I'm not at *that* age yet. ;)
Price not an issue, but I don't want to buy bike "X" and do any modifications beyond accessorising.
Specialone
04-01-16, 06:31 AM
If you're not going off road, the triumph explorer is cheaper, more powerful, narrower and looks better in my opinion.
I've just sold mine after nearly 3 years of ownership, fantastic bike.
I'd also consider the ktm 1190, it will have top notch suspension that will handle the crappy roads.
Littlepeahead
04-01-16, 08:01 AM
How about the F800GS. I know it's another BMW but not quite so obese. Tall, spoked wheels, and if it's anything like my F650GS you can get decent engine bars and the Vario panniers and top box. Opened out you'll be as wide as a Fiat 500 but you'll get enough kit on there for a week, including hair straighteners and 5 different face creams (I am a women, I don't travel light).
Color schemes - well I like the triple black version but I'm sure they do others.
I swapped the standard 650 screen for the standard 800 one and it offers really good wind protection. Givi do an even taller screen.
Tiger 800 xcx or Explorer if you are doing big tour regularly.
maviczap
04-01-16, 08:43 AM
In Italy it would make sense to go with an Italian bike. Duke multistrada
Specialone
04-01-16, 09:10 AM
In Italy it would make sense to go with an Italian bike. Duke multistrada
He wants it to ride Mav not look at :smt081
Red Herring
04-01-16, 10:10 AM
Don't overlook the Suzuki V-Strom 1000. You can almost buy two of them for the price of a GS, it's an excellent tourer, has half reasonable suspension (it's a least as good as a GS) and it's considerably narrower especially without the panniers.
The Yamaha MT09 Tracer is up there as well, stoking engine!
allantheboss
04-01-16, 10:31 AM
If you're not going off road, the triumph explorer is cheaper, more powerful, narrower and looks better in my opinion.
I've just sold mine after nearly 3 years of ownership, fantastic bike.
I'd also consider the ktm 1190, it will have top notch suspension that will handle the crappy roads.
I'll check it out. Why did you sell? And any cons to the bike?
I've checked out the KTM but it is too low-seated now. They tried to make it more average-friendly and it's cramped for me. The bike actually sits very low, too. Shame though, suspension seems to be the best.
How about the F800GS. I know it's another BMW but not quite so obese. Tall, spoked wheels, and if it's anything like my F650GS you can get decent engine bars and the Vario panniers and top box. Opened out you'll be as wide as a Fiat 500 but you'll get enough kit on there for a week, including hair straighteners and 5 different face creams (I am a women, I don't travel light).
Color schemes - well I like the triple black version but I'm sure they do others.
I swapped the standard 650 screen for the standard 800 one and it offers really good wind protection. Givi do an even taller screen.
But it seems like apart from being thinner, it offers nothing better for me over the 1200. It is lower, suspension weaker, no weather protection, smaller tank, not comfy for pillion, slower, etc. Besides, I'm on an XT660X right now so a switch to an F800 would just be a brand change with many of the things I'm looking to move away from!
In Italy it would make sense to go with an Italian bike. Duke multistrada
If you ever lived in Italy, you'd see that even Italians avoid Italian things because they know how sh*t they are at everything except football. Also, I would NEVER (again) buy a bike in Italy because their beaurocracy is so f*cked up. Last bike took 2 months from complete purchase to being able to ride, and that's pretty standard. Also, despite 5 years NCB, 3rd-party insurance (not fire+theft) on an XT660X was 1050 euro. That's why everyone drives scooters here. The "motorbiking" capital of the world discourages motorbikes to an extreme extent. Same issues with cars. I've lived here for 1.25 years and seen 1 exotic Italian car, which was Swiss registered.
He wants it to ride Mav not look at :smt081
Just like with my Italian women.
allantheboss
04-01-16, 10:34 AM
Don't overlook the Suzuki V-Strom 1000. You can almost buy two of them for the price of a GS, it's an excellent tourer, has half reasonable suspension (it's a least as good as a GS) and it's considerably narrower especially without the panniers.
The Yamaha MT09 Tracer is up there as well, stoking engine!
But they both seem more cramped than the GS. Are they? I have sat on the tracer and it looks cool, but I can't help but get the apprehension that every time I'm riding it I'll be thinking "but this isn't the best bike I could have gotten" or "man, I need to get a bike which does *this* better, next time". Do you know what I mean? Seems like a plan-B bike for me, like there are compromises but I can't see them yet. Maybe it's my mind playing tricks because of all the plastic I see... haha
Littlepeahead
04-01-16, 10:48 AM
We also have the KTM 990 Adventure S at home and it is tall, very tall. My husband is 6'2" and even with his long legs he got the low seat on it after nearly dropping it a couple of times. It's comfy for a pillion especially if you have the top box on. Not sure on tank size, but it is quite thirsty.
A colleague also had one and he's 6'4" or more and loved it.
Specialone
04-01-16, 11:14 AM
I sold my explorer as I don't ride that many road miles and wanted something cheaper to take off road, so bought a ktm 950 adventure :)
allantheboss
04-01-16, 11:55 AM
We also have the KTM 990 Adventure S at home and it is tall, very tall. My husband is 6'2" and even with his long legs he got the low seat on it after nearly dropping it a couple of times. It's comfy for a pillion especially if you have the top box on. Not sure on tank size, but it is quite thirsty.
A colleague also had one and he's 6'4" or more and loved it.
EXACTLY the bike I wanted but they stop making them :(
Such a stand-out bike and they drifted towards copying the BMW Adventure...
allantheboss
04-01-16, 12:37 PM
Vstrom is much lower than the GS, significantly slower and not as cheap as you say £10k vs 13k for the BMW)
Tiger's world ride on the 800 forum .
he's a member on there..http://www.tiger800.co.uk/index.php
Red Herring
04-01-16, 01:30 PM
But they both seem more cramped than the GS. Are they?
Everything is more cramped than the GS, which is exactly the point.....they are HUGE! If you want to ride around on a bus, even a very capable one as it is, then fine but I though you were looking at alternatives that might be a bit handier in real life traffic.
Just picking up on your comments around Italian bought bikes and it leading into Italian insurance.... are you considering buying in the UK and keeping it on GB plates in Italy, covered on a UK policy? If so it might be worth reading the small print.....
Red Herring
04-01-16, 01:38 PM
Vstrom is much lower than the GS, significantly slower and not as cheap as you say £10k vs 13k for the BMW)
My local dealer has a brand new one with all the "Desert" extras including panniers, crash bars and spots for 9k.
What does a GS cost with that spec?
Performance, GS has marginally more power and considerably more weight. You make your choices, I'm sure you're be happy with whatever you decide. Good luck.
MattCollins
04-01-16, 02:30 PM
A GS is only as wide as the bars if you forego the side cases or buy/build some skinny cases. But yeah, standard cases means no/limited filtering...
Littlepeahead
04-01-16, 05:34 PM
A GS is only as wide as the bars if you forego the side cases or buy/build some skinny cases. But yeah, standard cases means no/limited filtering...
Yes and you have to remember that. My panniers are wider than my bars. So far I've hit a car (gently and it was a BMW) and nearly knocked a mate off as I pulled along side him at the lights and forgot my luggage was so wide that I clunked my panniers into his soft luggage. It's like being a cat with your whiskers trimmed. On the upside you can fit a LOT of cheese into them.
No chance of getting a second hand well cared for KTM? Stu's one had done not many miles for the age, the guy who owned it ran a business in very very expensive classic cars and when we bought it it was in a climatically controlled showroom surrounded by a few million worth of beautiful Porches, Aston Martins, Jaguars and a former F1 car. He'd only used it to do a few big trips round Europe and the rest of the time it had sat in that garage. I'm sure a few people buy them just for that purpose.
Vstrom is much lower than the GS, significantly slower and not as cheap as you say £10k vs 13k for the BMW)
The GS has more advanced suspension but it's pretty much the same speed as the V-Strom in a straight line. In fact when I was with my mate in France I would sometimes win the toll booth drag race.
I got my V-Strom adventure for £8000 with luggage and it was 0% for 4 years with £1 deposit.
You can get a raised seat for a V-Strom, standard spec they are about the same height though.
A similarly specced GS would have been 15k
To be honest mate you're not going to get an answer form someone else, only way you'll make your mind up is to get some test rides done.
allantheboss
05-01-16, 06:21 PM
I have already gotten lots of answers! I want people's experiences with different bikes. Saves me going to a dealership!
allantheboss
05-01-16, 06:24 PM
My local dealer has a brand new one with all the "Desert" extras including panniers, crash bars and spots for 9k.
What does a GS cost with that spec?
Performance, GS has marginally more power and considerably more weight. You make your choices, I'm sure you're be happy with whatever you decide. Good luck.
Very strange, suzuki's own site says the Desert V-Strom is £10,699. Last time I saw a deal that good, it was because it was too good to be true.
allantheboss
05-01-16, 06:28 PM
Just picking up on your comments around Italian bought bikes and it leading into Italian insurance.... are you considering buying in the UK and keeping it on GB plates in Italy, covered on a UK policy? If so it might be worth reading the small print.....
Thanks for the advice, already got that covered! I might be unconventional, but I am always legal! (Except exhausts)
allantheboss
05-01-16, 06:33 PM
Yes and you have to remember that. My panniers are wider than my bars. So far I've hit a car (gently and it was a BMW) and nearly knocked a mate off as I pulled along side him at the lights and forgot my luggage was so wide that I clunked my panniers into his soft luggage. It's like being a cat with your whiskers trimmed. On the upside you can fit a LOT of cheese into them.
No chance of getting a second hand well cared for KTM? Stu's one had done not many miles for the age, the guy who owned it ran a business in very very expensive classic cars and when we bought it it was in a climatically controlled showroom surrounded by a few million worth of beautiful Porches, Aston Martins, Jaguars and a former F1 car. He'd only used it to do a few big trips round Europe and the rest of the time it had sat in that garage. I'm sure a few people buy them just for that purpose.
I don't know if you watch Baron Von Grumble on youtube but that reminds me of their Eurotour 24 episode 2 "Pannier Problems".
I'll try to find a used, but if I buy used I have to drive back to the UK once a year to get an MOT and stuff which is quite inconvenient, whereas if it's new I can be abroad for up to 3 years, theoretically.
STRAMASHER
08-01-16, 07:56 PM
Hello Allan,
Think you are in the right area for your height as regards a GS Adventure/KTM for the really tall seat heights but if you fancy more of a supermoto...
I'm afraid its another "I recommend the bike wot I got." Or at least a prompt to get a test ride on one.
I test rode a Honda Crosstourer DCT (a VFR1200F on stilts) for a day. Town and country and did not want to give it back, 300mile later I signed up for my own and traded my GSX1400 of 11year and 70k. Apart from the looks, no regrets. I wanted a something different but still a comfy 2-up tourer, cantered the Pyrenees for two weeks. I had it down to a CT or S10. No test rides on the S10, more spendy, low power and lots of bits I did not like the look of. (Exhaust, panels, wheels, shaft....aye I'm a bike tart.)
Pro's
Monster engine. 110bhp+ at the wheel maybe but its the torque that I really love. Blats like a twin from 1500rpm, creamy woosh of a midrange and then if you hang on, oh looky looky a top-end! Perfect fuelling.Its a four but does not feel like one. Narrow engine means narrow frame and waist.
Shaftie! A consistant connection between throttle and wheel. No more crawling about the ground at the end of the day with a can of lube/selection of spanners.
Rare in a sea of GS's and Tiggers.
The noise. Exhaust and shocking volume of the airbox honk. Its no 90deg V4 750/800 (my favourite although never had one) but I have never heard anything like it. Its no sewing machine, plays quality tunes on the throttle.
8000mile service intervals (valve check alternates), 3yr warranty.
Build quality and finish is typical Jap built Honda. Can't pick a hole in it anywhere. Uses no oil. Oil looks new.
Cheap tyres cos they are so skinny.
Comfort. More upright though than a XJR/GSX. More legroom. 34" sticks myself and 6'2".
Intergrated luggage hangers. No scaffolding. Narrower than the bars. 39L and 35L I think.
DCT gearbox. Sensible head says its fantastic for pillion work, big daftie heid on and its a revelation in town whazz away from the lights with coffee in hand or a tab on, like a scooter (if you like)... gotta be good for Rome?
But for razzing about its a wonder. Simply, its just faster. Mechanically and for my wee brain to process leaving more time for lines and where I'm going and that razzing up and down. (Auto-blips at high revs when thumbing fast down changes.) I'm always in manual unless I'm knackered, trigger finger for up, thumb for down.
7/10th riding in Auto/Sport is intuitive, Auto/Drive for the motorway.
No fore and aft movement going up and down the gears just solid stability and constant drive forwards.
Its done by Honda so its stupid proof. Can't stall. Can't arrive at the lights in the wrong gear. Can't be in the wrong gear, even in full manual mode.Can't blow it up or lock up the rear if you are getting too giddy. Can't upset the bike mid corner changing up or down.
Cons
Its a Honda. If it matters to you.
Looks. Adv bikes are not "classically" pretty.
Front suspension is definitely road only. Bit crashy when the road is really rough. No compression damping.
Rudimentary traction control. A joykiller in the dry but luckily one press of a big button switches it off any time you like. Upgraded last year and possibly this years too.
Wind noise. Had to change helmet and get a touring screen to stop the wind noise from 40mph! onwards. An ADV bike trate it seems.
Fading forearm and neck muscles after years of nakeds. So weak handshake and headbanging-lite.
Should have left it at get a test ride but you did ask, and the black sheep of the adv world hadnae had a mention yet! Good luck and might bump into you whatever you are on (hmm, maybe not a GS) in the Alps/Dolomites end of June.
My Pretty Picture:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/stramasher/P1030995_zpskytxgicb.jpg (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/stramasher/media/P1030995_zpskytxgicb.jpg.html)
My Tunes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aX-LSO_dAI
More Owners:
http://www.crosstourer.com/index.php?action=forum
Sounds lovely with that can on it even in auto mode :D
carelesschucca
08-01-16, 09:05 PM
Sounds lovely with that can on it even in auto mode :D
I can second that, STRAMASHERS sounds lovely every time I hear it. The bike fair shifts too. But the rider is a little mental (I think that's why I like him)
Presumably you've done all your reading of BMW owners' forums with the various reliability/recall issues. Providing you're aware of what can/does go wrong.
I'll just throw in a new Africa Twin for good measure. Seems to be liked by the reviews so far. Similar ballpark pricing.
I have a DCT NC700, and it's a brilliant bit of technology, supposed to be even better in the new AT (3rd gen DCT).
allantheboss
09-01-16, 08:40 PM
Thanks for the detail Stramasher! You're right, the looks don't do it any favours and I don't care for automatic stuff because gear changes is what gets the ladies wet, but I will definitely give it a test ride. After all, with an Adv bike I'm obviously not going for form over function! I think the Africa Twin looks cool but I don't know why. I'll try it and see how I feel. Those two and the GS are the only ones on the list so far! I sat on the GS yesterday, here are some pics of me (and I'm hunching a bit!) and one of my girlfriends on the bike
https://scontent-ams2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/12493723_10153224285185614_5625022616499990108_o.j pg
https://scontent-ams2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/12509188_10153224285170614_6438329262043515750_n.j pg?oh=3765a4224f38930f9ff0cabb04fecfb7&oe=57442BD7
https://scontent-ams2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/10414534_10153224285315614_8848131319435570434_n.j pg?oh=1af3144dc6b03a7374f9cf2d54aaf293&oe=57478875
https://scontent-ams2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/12494743_10153224285715614_2670266084340503823_n.j pg?oh=9d689a8f743dae09722c39c194e49c95&oe=5748C217
Single sided swing arm bmw have an issue with eating rear wheel bearings and thisbyear turn can eat the rear different gears.
I'd get-away TDM or suchlike.
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