Big trip, but which bike?.

[Captain Black]

Hi, Just after some advice and thoughts please as to the best bike to do a long haul trip on?. My first Beemer was my 2002 GS 1150 which i bought new, it's still only done 25k miles but has been great on Euro trips/Morocco in the past. It also has some nice add ons like the touratec ally panniers/hard part for the steering/sump plate/headlight cover/rack/ etc etc. Would anyone think it needs anything major prior to say a world trip or 10/15k mile trip around Europe? I know the obvious service items, i was thinking more like clutch/engine/ gearbox/drive shaft/fork oil and seals etc. I would take the original shocks off and fit some Ohlins as the old bird has carried some big weight over long distance (not me my camping shite) in the past, and its been sat on the factory shocks for 8 years now. My line of thinking is that the more modern bikes in far away places (outside europe) and the potential of problems with the electronics/fuel injection systems etc etc, could cause issue where the older stuff is not so high tech. Thats why i am thinking maybe more old school would be easier to live with day to day. I also have a small collection of airheads, my favorite being the Kalahari GS 80, a simple, lighter, and more revy bike, better fuel economy i think than the 1150 also. This would be more suited to solo riding on big trips, and the 1150 better for two up/heavier loads. I am planning something for next year and just want to choose my weapon with some care if possible. I guess its hammer and chissel technology which can be fixed anywhere, against the semi impossible electronic failures of the more modern stuff. I'm sharing my thoughts as i cant decide which way to go bike wise. Here's the choices 1150, Kalahari 80GS (favorite) 100 GSPD 1989, R110R Classic (to small me thinks) 100GS (In need of some tlc though). Thanks for any thoughts people. Steve.

 

[Captain Black]

Dont know how my posted got here? I was in the Beakchat and Bollocks section, then woosh i ended up in the Go on, you know you want one, department.

Could a MOD please move me as i'm to high up the page here and i feel dizzy. Thanks.

 

[Shurv]

Your 100GSPD has the larger tank,and a bit more top speed that the 80,may be the better bet. For a 10,000 mile jaunt I'd take the 1150 if it was me.

 

[Norm]

Hi, Just after some advice and thoughts please as to the best bike to do a long haul trip on?. My first Beemer was my 2002 GS 1150 which i bought new, it's still only done 25k miles but has been great on Euro trips/Morocco in the past. It also has some nice add ons like the touratec ally panniers/hard part for the steering/sump plate/headlight cover/rack/ etc etc. Would anyone think it needs anything major prior to say a world trip or 10/15k mile trip around Europe? I know the obvious service items, i was thinking more like clutch/engine/ gearbox/drive shaft/fork oil and seals etc. I would take the original shocks off and fit some Ohlins as the old bird has carried some big weight over long distance (not me my camping shite) in the past, and its been sat on the factory shocks for 8 years now. My line of thinking is that the more modern bikes in far away places (outside europe) and the potential of problems with the electronics/fuel injection systems etc etc, could cause issue where the older stuff is not so high tech. Thats why i am thinking maybe more old school would be easier to live with day to day. I also have a small collection of airheads, my favorite being the Kalahari GS 80, a simple, lighter, and more revy bike, better fuel economy i think than the 1150 also. This would be more suited to solo riding on big trips, and the 1150 better for two up/heavier loads. I am planning something for next year and just want to choose my weapon with some care if possible. I guess its hammer and chissel technology which can be fixed anywhere, against the semi impossible electronic failures of the more modern stuff. I'm sharing my thoughts as i cant decide which way to go bike wise. Here's the choices 1150, Kalahari 80GS (favorite) 100 GSPD 1989, R110R Classic (to small me thinks) 100GS (In need of some tlc though). Thanks for any thoughts people. Steve.

Sell them all and get a 12

 

[Captain Black]

Sell them all and get a 12

Funny you should say that i almost bought a 1200 in 2008. I stuck with my 1150 and did my trip to Maratech on it. On route i saw 3 1200 GS's broken down 2 with huge electrical problems with the onboard tech stuff, and 1 with catastrophic gearbox/final drive failure. It could have been pure chance, but it kind of stuck with me, especially when the german guy in Morocco said it was the biggest heartache he had ever bought. I do like them though, but i am a bit old school at heart as i prefer older cars to. Should have mentioned my GS 1150 has the adventure tank on it, and the Kalahari and 100GSPD both have the bigger tanks, not the HPN stuff though. I do love the 1150, but its a big lump unlike the older airheads which are light and nimble like me....ha ha.
I reckon you could almost always find a fix for the airhead stuff, where the 1150 could leave you stuck in some outback place, which is the sort of place i want to head for in the east. My problem is to many choices, which isnt always good as sometimes you cant see the wood for the tree's. Shame i cant speak to someone who's done something on both over a fairly big distance.

 

[elefantman]

If your 1150 is running sweet at 25k and you only plan on going to europe then i'd just give it a good service or maybe even put it with a good indie bike tech for one,new tyres and go,why spend money on what might break,wait and see if anything does,then repair as required.
You can have parts mailed quite quickly and cheaply even to the most far flung parts of europe in a couple of days and there's always someone who can do the work if you can't,just go for it

 

[Captain Black]

If your 1150 is running sweet at 25k and you only plan on going to europe then i'd just give it a good service or maybe even put it with a good indie bike tech for one,new tyres and go,why spend money on what might break,wait and see if anything does,then repair as required.
You can have parts mailed quite quickly and cheaply even to the most far flung parts of europe in a couple of days and there's always someone who can do the work if you can't,just go for it

Thanks elefantman. Europe is easy, its the further i go that has me thinking about reliability, but your right no point in looking for something to fix that aint broke. I'm not sure what the 1150 clutch is good for in terms of miles? I am still on the original at 25k, although its never been abused as such. I t maybe a good idea to have a punt over to euroland in Sept on my Kalahari and see how i feel on it. Ive really only used the older bikes for days out on fairly short rides. At least i know what the 1150 can do, and what i am like on big miles as i have coverd 1000 miles in 24 hours. My arse was fine it was my head that went numb!!

 

[richie]

Sell them all and get a 12

Rubbish.

Sell them all and get a 800GS, serious piece of do anything bike

I like it I like it a lot, and I don't even own one....

 

[Captain Black]

Rubbish.

Sell them all and get a 800GS, serious piece of do anything bike

I like it I like it a lot, and I don't even own one....

I would add one at the drop of a hat...if it had shaft drive. I aint going back to that chain and sprocket routine!

 

[david a hall]

1150 has very little to go wrong that would be my choice

 

[richie]

I would add one at the drop of a hat...if it had shaft drive. I aint going back to that chain and sprocket routine!

Why not? mine has 20k on it no problems, and no leaky final drive

 

[fuddy]

its the further i go that has me thinking about reliability






Its thinking about it which spoils the trip,just get your bike serviced
and go for it.

 

[Micky]

I would add one at the drop of a hat...if it had shaft drive. I aint going back to that chain and sprocket routine!

They all say that

If the shaft drive or any of it's oil seals and components 'lets go' you're fecked

I can repair/renew my chain and sprockets in the desert with the tools under the seat... well almost

44,000 miles on the F800GS so far, with 18,000 miles on the DID (with new BMW sprockets) most of that on crap roads and it's only been adjusted the once

 

[Thunder]

My personal preference would be something which you have the chance to fix should there be a problem on route, if the 1150 electronics are concerning you why not ditch them, ABS servo unit removal is a common mod for many on here and ditching the fuel pump, throttle bodies motronic unit for a set of carbs would be something to consider

 

[Captain Black]

My personal preference would be something which you have the chance to fix should there be a problem on route, if the 1150 electronics are concerning you why not ditch them, ABS servo unit removal is a common mod for many on here and ditching the fuel pump, throttle bodies motronic unit for a set of carbs would be something to consider

Thanks Thunder. It does'nt have ABS thank goodness. I could never get my head around that on a bike anyway. I am wanting to do a RTW trip at some point, either next year or not long after that. At the very least i want to do a good long trip in Europe. Ive done all or most euroland places on my 1150 and its been very very good with not a single issue. I think the potential for getting stuck is if you go further afield and outside the main routes in the east etc. I would love to do a big trip next year even if it is'nt the whole 9 yards around the planet, maybe China/Mongolia. I dont want to start stripping the bike and adding carbs to be honest. Maybe with just 25k miles on it i am not showing enough faith in the bike. Perhaps the change of shocks and a good health check and service will surfice. Just trying tocover any possible hassle if i can. Maybe change the clutch and just go for it. Truth be known i dont think i could abuse my Kalhari in the same way as the 1150, its just to much of a nice bike to kill on a big trip....or is it?. To much choice which is my own daft fault i guess. Steve.

 

[Colban]

You've got a low mileage 1150.With servicing it will go on forever.
Mines got 79K on the clock and has just done a 6500mile trip across the US with no problems whatsoever.Have it serviceed properly by someone who knows what they are doing;not by some menu driven plank at a stealer and ride the bloody thing.

 

[Captain Black]

You've got a low mileage 1150.With servicing it will go on forever.
Mines got 79K on the clock and has just done a 6500mile trip across the US with no problems whatsoever.Have it serviceed properly by someone who knows what they are doing;not by some menu driven plank at a stealer and ride the bloody thing.

Right i will then. Going to get some new shocks (ohlins) and some michelin anakees and ride this sucker. Ive already done loads on it so i will show the faith. It's a heavy lump though next to my GS 80 Kalahari, but heay I'm a man and this is what men do! (and chics on occasion)...

 

[illustratedman]

1150

if i were to do a rtw with my 1150 i would take the large bevel bearing and seal and a hall sensor and thats it. If either of those go its a showstopper oh and the oil level sight glass

 

[Deleted account 240901001]

Anyone of those bikes is more than capable of doing a "big trip" if prepped right. Depends how you like to travel, I suppose. It's been done on pretty much every size bike there is...down to a C90 I believe. Just pick one, sell the others to finance it and have fun....

 

[Goughie]

Thanks Thunder. It does'nt have ABS thank goodness. I could never get my head around that on a bike anyway. I am wanting to do a RTW trip at some point, either next year or not long after that. At the very least i want to do a good long trip in Europe. Ive done all or most euroland places on my 1150 and its been very very good with not a single issue. I think the potential for getting stuck is if you go further afield and outside the main routes in the east etc. I would love to do a big trip next year even if it is'nt the whole 9 yards around the planet, maybe China/Mongolia. I dont want to start stripping the bike and adding carbs to be honest. Maybe with just 25k miles on it i am not showing enough faith in the bike. Perhaps the change of shocks and a good health check and service will surfice. Just trying tocover any possible hassle if i can. Maybe change the clutch and just go for it. Truth be known i dont think i could abuse my Kalhari in the same way as the 1150, its just to much of a nice bike to kill on a big trip....or is it?. To much choice which is my own daft fault i guess. Steve.

Mate, its a no brainer, the 1150 of course!! Service it and go. Enjoy your trip.