Am I about to do something dumb/commit heresy?

APHezzer

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Hello,

I currently own what many might consider the ultimate BMW GS (1250 GSA) ... sure that would generate plenty of debate but not the thrust of my post. Having done a couple of the BMW off-road skills courses, enjoyed them immensely and found I am reasonably competent I would like to develop my skills further and increase my off-road mileage in the UK and further afield.

Option 1. Keep it .. for: use the GSA as 'intended' and I know it's capabilities which are very high, against: my GSA is very shiny, still has good value and has not been used off-road, it's a big old unit (I am fit but 5' 7") to muscle about ... basically I know it will get dropped if used and will lose a load of value (perhaps I should have bought an older bike but I did the courses 'post purchase')

Option 2. Sell it and buy a smaller/middleweight (I have an option on an F900 GS Trophy) .. for: lighter, more off-road oriented but I could still tour and commute .. it's a better fit for my size against: at some point I will burst into tears and wonder at my stupidity

Interested in viewpoints ...
 
When you see how much your bike is worth to what you will be paid made be the final deciding factor

Keep the bike.....I did the Wales Rally 500 (60-70% off road) and plenty of guys on big bikes flying past me.

I think you are talking yourself down a bit and just need some more confidence.
 
Just my view but.....

If money is not an issue re any damage to the GSA / its value and your happy with its limitations then option 1.

or

I'd consider another, keep it for road / touring and buy a much cheaper second hand smaller machine that's designed to do exactly what you want (and probably more fun), there's a few around that will do the off road very well. I've seen a few for sale on here.
 
Buttertub said:
Just my view but.....

If money is not an issue re any damage to the GSA / its value and your happy with its limitations then option 1.

or

I'd consider another, keep it for road / touring and buy a much cheaper second hand smaller machine that's designed to do exactly what you want (and probably more fun), there's a few around that will do the off road very well. I've seen a few for sale on here.
Click to expand...

as above
option 3 buy a cheaper smaller more dedicated off road/enduro machine and have some fun without the worry of running out of talent and bashing it
 
APHezzer said:
Hello,

I currently own what many might consider the ultimate BMW GS (1250 GSA) ... sure that would generate plenty of debate but not the thrust of my post. Having done a couple of the BMW off-road skills courses, enjoyed them immensely and found I am reasonably competent I would like to develop my skills further and increase my off-road mileage in the UK and further afield.

Option 1. Keep it .. for: use the GSA as 'intended' and I know it's capabilities which are very high, against: my GSA is very shiny, still has good value and has not been used off-road, it's a big old unit (I am fit but 5' 7") to muscle about ... basically I know it will get dropped if used and will lose a load of value (perhaps I should have bought an older bike but I did the courses 'post purchase')

Option 2. Sell it and buy a smaller/middleweight (I have an option on an F900 GS Trophy) .. for: lighter, more off-road oriented but I could still tour and commute .. it's a better fit for my size against: at some point I will burst into tears and wonder at my stupidity

Interested in viewpoints ...
Click to expand...

Definitely “Option 2” (or even a third like a 650 V Storm or 700 Tenere).
There’s a general consensus amongst the sporting world both on and off road that you should always start with the smallest (lightest), least powerful until you can dominate the bike………..then gradually upgrade.
There’s also an argument at 5’7” the 1250GSA might be too big for you in all situations, but that’s another discussion for another day


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…………wouldn’t overlook an orange Austrian either


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What is limiting you to one bike?

You can ride a wider range of terrain on a lighter, specialist off road bike on proper knobblies rather than the inevitable 80/20 or 60/40 tyres compromise on the 300kg GSA.

If you sell the GSA now you will suffer massive depreciation as already mentioned. Should you change your mind and want a GSA again, you might have to pay a dealer's retail price to get a decent one.

If you buy a smaller capacity off road bike for a few thousand you can dabble in the new hobby. You can hone your skills on this machine and maybe upgrade after a period of time where you have been able to save up some cash. If it does not work out you will probably be able to sell it for a similar price to your purchase price. You will still have the GSA for other riding needs.
 
Buy a hexhead or TC, spend a little to get it right and sack of the new one

easier to fix, and off road patina is food for many campsite discussions
 
Ive recently replaced my GS with a GSA, I have absolutely no intention of taking a GS off-road. Now I appreciate it’s I long way down on power but I also own a Himalayan and I absolutely love it. It’s more capable than me off-road, costs peanuts to run and is a real giggle.
I’ve done a few weekends away on it and find it adds a whole new dimension to riding.
There's the 450 now but I’m not planning on changing.
 
wessie said:
What is limiting you to one bike?

You can ride a wider range of terrain on a lighter, specialist off road bike on proper knobblies rather than the inevitable 80/20 or 60/40 tyres compromise on the 300kg GSA.

If you sell the GSA now you will suffer massive depreciation as already mentioned. Should you change your mind and want a GSA again, you might have to pay a dealer's retail price to get a decent one.

If you buy a smaller capacity off road bike for a few thousand you can dabble in the new hobby. You can hone your skills on this machine and maybe upgrade after a period of time where you have been able to save up some cash. If it does not work out you will probably be able to sell it for a similar price to your purchase price. You will still have the GSA for other riding needs.
Click to expand...
LOL - I have two other classic bikes and 2 classic cars, my very patient wife may change here attitude if I increase the bike count further
 
APHezzer said:
LOL - I have two other classic bikes and 2 classic cars, my very patient wife may change here attitude if I increase the bike count further
Click to expand...

time to get rid of one of those 5 things
 
When I did offroading I kept my GSA for touring and bought a used KTM450EXC, which was still a heavy pig of a thing to drag out of ditches and sand pits.
 
My last enduro race bike was a KTM 450 EXC and that was heavy enough!
 
I have used my hexhead off road and it can do a job with right tyres. I dropped it and smashed the valve cover last time out and decided no more.

It really is nowhere near a much fun as a more off road oriented bike (KTM EXC 200 in my case). And unless you are really loaded it will feel horrible messing up a nice shiny 1250.

If you feel comfortable on 1250 off road imagine what you could do on a lighter bike?

Enjoy whatever you decide.
 
I'd keep it and buy a light/middle weight enduro for trail riding. No one bike does it all well. The other thing, is you don't want to be dropping, and potentially causing a lot of ££££ damage to your main bike. That or buy a smaller main purpose tourer/commuter plus a smaller fun bike.
 
Life is too short, scratch the itch. Riding off road is fun !

Get a 21" front wheel, and enjoy the ride. My middleweight adventure bike has a 21" front wheel, heated seat and grips, cruise and I love it.
 
... just in case anyone is vaguely interested ... I had a great ride out at the weekend .. long Saturday morning ride with Alton Bahnstormer as the halfway point, which gave me time to think and size up the options. Result is that I have decided to hang on to the GSA as my 'do it all' bike as I have some 'long distance' plans, and will look to buy a much lighter off road bike to compliment it. Both will get used off road but I am hopeful this combination gives me the best of either end of the off road spectrum.

So at some point I will be popping off down to the motorbike shop .. just to have a look, of course ..
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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