So go rid of the Beemer :D re purposing another bike for distance work classics? or a new bike

[adventure steele]

Thanks placky, yep use them quite a bit for stuff Andover seem to have the stuff that actually fits for the commando though and Norvil for the 650ss great that these places are still going, Rgm do some nice cafe racer bits my bikes are totally original though

[Oop North John]

Anyone had a vstrom 650 and a 1000 which did you prefer

I think the 650 is a better road bike. Went down to Split on the 650, two up with full luggage and only rarely wanted /needed some extra grunt.The 1000 does have very addictive grunt, but on balance I much preferred the 650's engine. Probably best to test ride the two back to back.

[adventure steele]

Cheers mate yep I'm gonna pop down and check some out over the weekend that 250 looks a Nifty little base

[gspod]

I've had an 1100 gs for nearly 20 years - got it when GSs were an unloved ugly duckling :cheer:

It's very easy to service yourself and the engine has never been touched - 160K miles. It's been used as my daily transport and been really reliable. I fitted a £50 gsjohn chip (see UKGSer) and get btw 50-57 MPG depending on speed and load carried - 250 mile tank range.

Get a post 1997 with the gearbox upgrade and it will last forever. At the moment the 1150s are very sort after as people like the 6 speed box but personally I prefer the 5 speed and think the 1100s will start appreciating like old airheads soon - very sort after in USA at the moment.

However - I'd still go for an old Guzzi :laugh: :laugh:

[ChasF]

Modern Guzzi - the Stelvio NTX has a 32 litre tank, still has buckets of Guzzi character and charm and most servicing is easy. Don't buy new unless you like depreciation but a 2013 or 2014 can be had for reasonable money.

[adventure steele]

they do look bullet proof those 1100's from what i've read in the past worth a look

Guzzi looks a good bike to few bargains around the 6 k mark, guzzi, few v-strom 1000's
1150 gs's not sure if id go for a gsa with the darn seat height do fancy something a little lighter than the big beemers though

[adventure steele]

So sorta narrowed it down a bit

1150gsa

1200 twin cam Rallye but that means a fair bit of finance

Or a 1200 adventure twin cam Vs hexhead?

800 tiger need to do some reading up on these

Few questions how do you tell the difference between the two adventure tanks on the GSA 1150

Sure i read there was two different sizes

Did anyone do lowered seats for them?

An on the twin cam is it a cabled throttle rather than fly by wire ?

Thanks in advance

[Nikonnigel]

Tiger 800 road 2011 owned from brand new until a year ago. No problems absolutely sweet engine and gearbox no corrosion and it lived outside. so you ask why did I change it,
1 the original heated grips were rubbish
2 the main dealers were very poor, 3x in dorset were better but too far to go
3 main dealer servicing expensive
4 had a exploder 1200 for the day whilst mine in for service it was pants swopped with a mate and his gs lc was nice and so I test rode one it was better but I don't know quite how!!
I now have a gs that's had a new engine gearbox swing arm and bevel drive due to corrosion!!!! the dealer(Bahnstormer Alton) are fantastic the bike is nice but I do miss that triple engine! Would I go back to another? possibly but it would have to have aftermarket heated grips, cruise control and better suspension.

[Paul-S]

Africa Twin. There are still guys doing RTW trips on 27 year old bikes and riding them hardcore too, mostly off tarmac

[macvisual]

I'd say a V-Strom 1000, you can pick up these from 2004 onwards at not bad prices etc.

Unburstable