GS VS ADV
Hi everyone, just signed up to the forum.
My name is Alan and I am from Perth Western Australia.
I couldn't help but notice throughout the Standard GS vs ADV comparo no oone has seemed to comment or mention the biggest factor I believe separates the two.
The different gearing of the first gear on both bikes make them both distinctively different. Especially if you are considering going off-road as mentioned. The ADV has a huge advantage when descending steep hills on loose ground.
I must agree with Simon however that neither are 'off-roaders' and the advertising may have you think, but more of an 'overlander'. You don't need to be an expert to work out that around 260kg wet is not an ideal set up for a serious off-road bike.
I recently returned from completing the Australian BMW Safari and have come to the conclusion that there is a far greater selection of motorcycle brands that produce more ideal and better suited off-road bikes but none with the same 'on-road' comfort in between and character. The finish of the BMW range is second to none.
However considering nearly 200 riders participated in the off-road section to begin with, but only about 30 of those 200 riders could honestly state that they completed the whole 2500km off-road route says something.
Nearly all participants fell off at one stage being from either a major 'write off bike' and 'serious injury' crash to a minor 'lay down' The majority of bikes that went over were either GS'S or ADV'S. Hard ground seemed to be okay but as soon as we had a sniff of sand or slight gravel build up all but the experienced riders ran into trouble.
I myself came away unscaved but not without a few scares I must admit. The trip enforced one train of thought I had prior to attendance, BMW F650GS Dakar all the way!!!!!!!
For pictures and future info feel free to look up the web page at
www.bmwsafari.com