New blood

[Kestrel]

Hello GSer's. I'm a newbie to the bike lover scene. I'm still on a CBT at the moment but ever since I started riding in August 2012 I have fallen in love with the two wheeled freedom machines and I now have big plans for the future.

I'm 19 and hope to take my A2 license before Christmas. My big question is, if I get a GS, which one is the most sensible choice? I know I want a dual sport motorcycle because I want to travel off road and on for long distance trips around Europe. If I get a GS I want to get a big 'un. Of course I'll need to get it restricted so the other question is, will a BMW run with a restrictor kit @ 47 bhp?

Now, there's something about the 1200 that just doesn't sit right with me. It looks too flashy, too techno, and I simply don't trust it. But then I'm just an L plater who's never ridden anything with more than 200cc's! If nothing else, the price of a 1200 is what takes it out of the equation for a poor student like me.

Really it's between the 1100 and the 1150 Adventure (gotta go full Monty!). If I get the 1150, it won't be until May next year because that's how long it will take to save up. If I get an 1100, I could have it by Christmas. The other option is to get something cheaper and smaller like a Honda Transalp 600 or a Triumph Tiger 900 and wait until I'm 22 and have a full A license.

What do you all recommend?

 

[freeloader]

Welcome to the institution that is UKGSer...

I recommend that at 19 you're too young for a BMW, I'm 3 times your age and am only on my second one.

However, hopefully an adult will be along soon to give you a reason why you SHOULD get one...

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Hi welcome to the forum. Having owned all sorts of bikes including r1150gs adv, transalp 650 .....

Transalp is a better bet in your situation than the big bmw imo. Its lighter, fast enough, cheap to run, cheaper to buy, probably better on trails. Look after it and bought right you can sell it on for what youve paid if you decide to swap it to a bmw later. It really is a lovely bike with a sweet little engine.

 

[Jurassic Mark]

Have a look at a Yamaha 660z Tenere, should be about there on power, serious on/off road tourer and cheap to keep/maintain. Look goog too. Second hand they should be within in price range and cheaper insurance.

 

[seahorse]

Don't discount the BMW 650 singles, plenty of them about. Don't know a lot about them myself but there will be plenty on here that do.

Oh, and welcome and good on yer. Always nice to see youngsters getting in to bikes. Doesn't happen so often these days. Someone has to keep it all going, not just us old geezers!

 

[Dustcap]

I can vouch for the Yammy XTZ660. I rode to Mongolia in 2006 on an R plate which cost me a grand at the time. Great bike, quick enough, great off road and on black top. So easy to service too. The only issue I found with it was the range in the tank but in Europe that wasn't to much of a problem. Great bike for the money but hey, I can see why u want a BMW.


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[Fanum]

Someone's got to say it......

The "bike lover scene"?

 

[Tricky]

Someone's got to say it......

The "bike lover scene"?

Gnarley section.

 

[Fanum]

Gnarley section.

Well they do appear to be having a love-in over their birthday cakes in there at the moment....it's like a parallel universe