Some advice if you please....

[Craven Moorehead]

Gentlemen, greetings. I spotted your forum whilst Googling the BMW 1150GS ADV and I spent the next hour checking out your bikes and your posts. I thought I'd ask for some information from some folks who already have what I'm thinking of getting. I currently ride a Harley Davidson Heritage Softail 1991 which I purchased new 14 years ago. The bike has about 44,000 miles on it and still runs great. I've been considering getting another bike to ride in addition to the Hog, and the BMW 1150GS appeals to me greatly for a number of reasons, off-road capabilities for the most part, looks and reputation close seconds. I don't know anyone in the US that owns one. I plan on visiting a BMW dealership over in New Jersey, but in the intervening time I'd like to get your input on why the bike is worth having. I'd like to use it for lots of highway travel, but also for riding in the woods of Pennsylvania, or which there are many, and for longer trips to camping and backpacking destinations. How does it handle? Perform? Is it truly a reliable machine? Do you do your own oil changes and light maint.? Please let me know anyhting you think worth imparting about the bike. Thanks!

 

[Gas'd Off]

why the bike is worth having?.............Take a test ride, you`ll soon find out.
How does it handle?..............Very, very well.
Perform?...........Quick enough to put a smile on your face and embarrass sport bike riders.
Is it truly a reliable machine?.......Mine has been ok so far, 45k miles. Winter corrosion is it bit rough in places. few minor problems but generally reliable.
Do you do your own oil changes and light maint.? .........Yes, Very easy to do.
anything you think worth imparting about the bike.....Make sure you take a good long test ride as it does take some getting used to. If you are used to a Harley I expect you won`t find it so strange, unlike those coming from sport bikes. Enjoy

 

[Pukmeister]

for longer trips to camping and backpacking destinations.

Thats what I have used my GS for, and I can think of no finer machine for the job, especially with hard luggage and satellite navigation fitted.

 

[Kropotkin]

I don't know anyone in the US that owns one.

I strongly suggest you check out the Adventure Rider site (http://www.advrider.com/), as there are lots of GS riders from around your neck of the woods on that site. Plus, you might get more US-specific answers to your questions.


But buy the GS anyway!