Overlanding with a 12

[nickt]

I'm an F650 owner who's done a bit of travel with it and my Land Rovers. I'm checking out 4 bikes at the minute, the 12, the Adventure, F650 Dakar and I'll look at the KTM Adventurer too.

Anyway, the 12 is looking like the favorite, but I'm wondering if anyone has any good/bad experiences in the back of beyond - specifically the single wire system worries me, I don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere without a bodge.

I'm reasonable comfortable with modern electronic systems, although I'll admit my Land Rovers are the last of the non-electronic lot!

I know the Adventure is a great bike too, but it seems a bit heavy for me when I'm out and about solo.

Cheers,
Nick.
www.exerro.com

 

[Mouse]

I don't think the 12 is radically different from any other fuel injected bike. If the main control unit that controls the FI fails on anything, there's no way you could bodge it.

Despite what you may hear about the wingle wire bus, most of the wiring on the bike in conventional. The SWS only connects the various control units, and the instrument display, I believe.

And I don't think I've heard of a single alleged failure of this part of the bike - people complain about the servo brakes, the top box falling off, the rear wheel bearings failing - when these are all very very uncommon issues. So if there was any hint of touble with the SWS, I'd have expected to hear at least a rumour via the internet.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

There was a thread a few weeks ago when someone who knew what they were talking about reckoned the 650 Dakar would be the one to go with out of your selection. But if the 1200 appeals, I'm sure it will do you proud.

Not very precise I know; if I come across the thread I'll try and post it.

Paul

 

[Fanum]

If I were planning a serious overland trip from scratch I'd probably take a 650 dakar....and looking down the list of bikes on Horizons Unlimited, most are that sort of size or smaller, not bigger, with the exception of a fair few 100gs's.

There are one or two 1100's and 1150's, but I suppose it depends on what sort of terrain you're going to do.

Having said that, and having an ADv outside, I'd still do it on that if I could

 

[nickt]

Yeah, on the HUBB F650 GS Dakars are the beemer of choice, KTM 640 Adventure seems a good out of the box alternative, particularly with the big fuel tank as standard.

I went for a test ride on the 12 at the weekend and really liked it! It's much smoother than the 650 and seems smaller than the 1150, particularly the Adv.

Mebbe I'll roll the dice and buy 2x 5l jerries and just get the 12! Decisions, decisions!

Nick.

 

[laughingBob]

I wouldn't consider taking my 12GS on a long overland trip. IMHO I think it's to complicated and there have been to many problems with the 12. My own bikes ignition system developed a fault a few weeks ago and it took a BMW dealer a week to find it with the aid of a diagnostic computer. Imagine something like that occuring in the middle of knowhere and no AA to bail you out.

I'm off to Morroco in five weeks but, I'm travelling in a small group so help and a lift are always at hand.

If I were going on a long overland trip again I would take another airhead or an Africa Twin, or if travelling solo, a KTM 640 Adv, Dominator or XT600.

 

[bigbike2004]

it's to complicated and there have been to many problems with the 12

Should they not replace GS with a U/S sticker on it instead if it can't do the job it was intended for? Bit of a con otherwise.

 

[bigbike2004]

KTM...don' ttake my word for it..just found this post by BLUE(UK)

''Just to say i have a 950adv......great bike if you want HUGE smiles....reliability isn't an issue......2year warranty just in case......2year breakdown cover.....again just in case.....being totally honest i think ANY bike should be good enough for riding......hell my old ZX6 did 20,000miles without needing anything besides oild changes and NEVER failed to turn over......ok 20,000miles aint much but how many of you guys do serious miles??3% i'd bet.

Back to the 950.......the seat is good enough to ride 200miles i have found up to now(yes i will do many more miles in one sitting......just had an operation on my knee so aint managed to do serious miles yet).

Ps....i aint here to argue about which bike is better......i'm a biker and i am happy on just about any bike.''

 

[Jimb]

Dakar

The 1200 Gs is definitely not an off road bike, nor is the 1150, the 1150 ADv is but its way too big & heavy, the 650 Dakar is big by off road standards but it is about half the weight of an ADV and is reliable and fixable in the field, that would be the best choice by far.

The 1200 is aimed at the Ducati Monster market, its low seat height suits girls and those with shorter legs, so the ground clearance and suspension travel is limited and you'll need long travel suspension.
The 21" front wheel makes a big difference as well, its remarkable how it pops out of ruts when a 19" just won't.

 

[laughingBob]

Re: Dakar

The 1200 Gs is definitely not an off road bike, nor is the 1150, the 1150 ADv is but its way too big & heavy, the 650 Dakar is big by off road standards but it is about half the weight of an ADV and is reliable and fixable in the field, that would be the best choice by far.

The 1200 is aimed at the Ducati Monster market, its low seat height suits girls and those with shorter legs, so the ground clearance and suspension travel is limited and you'll need long travel suspension.
The 21" front wheel makes a big difference as well, its remarkable how it pops out of ruts when a 19" just won't.

I rode my R100GS off-road and have ridden my 12 off-road and the 12 is a far better bike off-road than the 100 but, I don't think that's an issue with regard to the use of the 12 as an adventure/overland bike. The 12 would be an absolutely fantastic overland bike if the reliability were better.

There really is some rubbish talked on this site, which is part of it's appeal but to say the 1200 is aimed at the 'Ducati Monster market' is complete bollocks IMHO.

 

[split28]

Yeh but the bit about it suiting girls is spot on

... I'm only jealous

 

[Paul Wakefield]

its low seat height suits girls

Not sure where that leaves the 1150 then as the 1200 is the taller (though not as tall as the Adventure).

Paul

 

[Mouse]

Dry weights:

F650 Dakar = 177kg
R1200GS = 199kg
1150 Adv = about 250 ?

 

[HMR]

Dry weights:

F650 Dakar = 177kg
R1200GS = 199kg
1150 Adv = about 250 ?

Dry weight of the R12GS is about 220 kg.

 

[laughingBob]

Dry weight of the R12GS is about 220 kg.

Where did you get that figure from?

 

[DaveGSCymro]

Factory figures say "1200 25kg lighter than 1150"

 

[BLUE(UK)]

Just to say.......i dont think the 1200 was made to replace the 1150........more of a way of tapping into the market to tempt people who want to get off sports bikes but still want some 'fun' factor.

 

[laughingBob]

The official figures shown on the BMW site show the dry weight for the 1200GS as 199kg and 1150GS Adv 232kg. It also gives a fully fuelled weight for the Adv of 253kg.

 

[Vampire]

If you can get a copy of the Aussie Side Track magazine, there is a good story of an R1200GS doing the Canning Stock Route, one of the nastiest pieces of dirt in the country. Most 4WD owners will only tackle it in a group. The GS did it well with a VERY competent rider on board.
I just did a weekend dirt skills course for riders of large adventure bikes, and was amazed at what the instructor could do on the R1200GS, he made it look like a 250 trailie.
So ..... I think the moral of the story is that the bike is way capable, and unless you are likely to thrash in unmercifully, it will most likely go the distance without problems.
But you must expect that any model can have the occasional fault or failure.
I have both the F650 Dakar and the R1200GS, and would choose the 1200 for longer trips.