Assuming you 'know' all these bikes, and taking everything into account, like current used prices, resale value, maintenance costs, dealer support, performance, what bike would you buy if you wanted a 2nd touring (camping) bike (90% pavement, 10% dirt/gravel roads) used for less than $10,000?

for example, you can find these deals today:
10,000 mile 1150gs for <10k
30,000 mile 1200gs's for <10k
7000 mile 950's for <10k
haven't seen any 990's for less than 10k yet, but some real close.


mitt

The 1200GS is an awesome ride as is the 990adv pending their FI is smooth long term.  Personally though, all the bikes are a tad heavy for me.  I love the light weight and nimbleness of my KLR650 but when I hit the highway I really miss the power of a big bore.  I rode my KLR from Vegas to Banff NP last summer and had a blast.  The only thing is I rode with two other guys on Vstrom 1000's and I really had to push the bike to keep up.

Just out of curiosity have you checked out the F800GS?  I'm really excited about this release personally since I think it will fill a gaping whole in the ADV market.

I'd probably lean a bit toward the 1200GS if I had to pick one.  I love the 990adv but I've seen the 1200GS in action by guys out here who can really make her sing.

R1200GSA

8.7 gallons of fuel, what's not to like?

I'm going for a ride...

(Post card arrives from Mexico)

Quote from: gnostic203 on July 22, 2008, 08:07:39 PM


Just out of curiosity have you checked out the F800GS?  I'm really excited about this release personally since I think it will fill a gaping whole in the ADV market.

800GS is too much dirt for me, it should be named 800GSA.  But it would be interesting to see bmw come up with a pavement 800GS more like the 1200GS.

mitt

I don't have any experience with KTMs but I've ridden both the BMWs listed on road (neither offroad). The 1200GS is far and away the better bike for onroad riding. Much sportier feeling. Smoother. More power. Lighter handling. Excellent pillion seat. Probably as good offroad unless you're comparing the standard 1200GS with the 1150 Adventure model which has lower gearing and more bash plates. I voted the 1200GS.

Mitt, try out the 1200GSA and the 990 ADV. If KTM had better reliability and after sales support here in Spain I would have bought one. Then again, my soon to arrive 1200GS Adventure just looks bad ass. Small trucks move out of the way, that is impressive being an all year biker who does 600km minimum a week commuting and up to 500km on the weekend.
I can´t wait!



BTW: Try out a HP2 Enduro with SM rims. Gives a new meaning to the term "Hooligan".. I thought the Hypermotard made me act like a hyperactive monkey, well the HP2 takes it to another level.

Quote from: NuTTs on July 23, 2008, 07:21:36 AM
BTW: Try out a HP2 Enduro with SM rims. Gives a new meaning to the term "Hooligan".. I thought the Hypermotard made me act like a hyperactive monkey, well the HP2 takes it to another level.

I haven't ridden an HP2 yet but I really really really want to.  Slightly blows the price range though of the other bikes.

I've spent a good deal of time riding with a 950adv and now a 950SM and I really like the SM best of all.  It handles VERY well and will just haul ass, technical term.

Having said that, a friend with a 1150Adv, I call it Panzer, gets through tight mountains turns in these Blue Ridge Mts. in a way that is just majic.

It's amazing what both the BMer and the 950SM bike are capbale of in the right hands.

LA 

I want a GS or ADV so bad I can taste it.  Too bad the cost would require selling the Duc, which ain't happenin.

Cagiva Gran Canyon FTW. 

(Sorry, I don't know enough about the bikes in the poll to give you a straight answer.)

Quote from: Speeddog on July 25, 2008, 10:09:32 AM
Cagiva Gran Canyon FTW. 

(Sorry, I don't know enough about the bikes in the poll to give you a straight answer.)

An elefant or Canyon would be an option, but the shims are different than my 1000ds, so it is like having another bastard bike.  So far, my closest ktm dealer just quit carrying ktms, so that option is less attractive. 

mitt

If you're going off the poll, you'll probably be wanting to find a strip club soon.

Quote from: mitt on July 25, 2008, 12:24:03 PM
An elefant or Canyon would be an option, but the shims are different than my 1000ds, so it is like having another bastard bike.  So far, my closest ktm dealer just quit carrying ktms, so that option is less attractive. 

mitt

Just shoehorn a DS mill in one.
That would be fantastic, and you'd be set on shims. 

BMW and KTM are bastardly too. 

I love my GS, but there are things to consider...

How far into the woods do you want to go?

Obviously for cargo capacity, the 1200GS or GSA, but once loaded, you are well over 850 lbs - and taking a lot of skills when the roads get technical.  Even on well maintained, yet unpaved roads, when you're packed, you can get pucker moments

The 800GS will have the same hp and a few more ft/lbs than the 1150 did, and over 100 lbs lighter.

Seat hight is an issue.  Even lowered, if you are vertically challenged, you will be challenged on any of the big dual sports.

If you do not plan on going into technical terrain, just sticking to unpaved and forrest service roads, look at the Multistruddle.  A very good bike for highway touring, and with the right tires, very capable when the pavement ends (but can still be called a road)

Also, post this same poll over at www.advrider.com - much more of a knowledge base for dual sports.

hey mitt, don't know if you've seen the videos of ewan mcgregor's epic trips around the world on the GS's?
in case you haven't...

http://www.longwaydown.com/
http://www.longwayround.com/html/lwr_dvm.html

[moto]