Hi from Ireland.

[irishguyonabike]

Hi there,

First post on here so just a quick intro. Long time trail bike rider with itchy feet

I get around, between my own trips and running a few tours for the less adventurous. I regularly take trips to The Alps and the Pre-Alps areas of France, still some fantastic unspoiled areas, and it's usually nice and warm in the summer. I love the remoteness of northern Scandinavia, Finland still has some of the best true wilderness left in Europe and lots of proper trails. The wildlife (in particular the insect population) can be the deterring factor here though...

Currently trying to wear out a BMW 1200GS Adventure having put 95,000 miles on a 2005 model 1150 Adventure without complaint... the 1150 was by far the superior bike but the 1200 is working on me.

That's it for now,

Cheers.

[Alun]

Nice first post. That's a fine job you've got..

Totally agree about Finland, fantastic country with huge areas of wilderness and probably the most ferocious mossies I've ever come across – the little buggers even come out in hurricanes. I've spent a lot of time in Finland including a month hiking around the Halti region wishing I'd brought the bike rather than the hiking boots.

It's also a great country for canoeing and the only place where I've come across pubs with grab handles on the ceilings to help keep the locals from falling off tables when partying.

I'd be interested in why you think the 1150 is so much better than the 1200, I can see you have some strong views there.

[irishguyonabike]

Hi Alun,

It looked after me so well through hell and high water lol, it just felt good and had character I dare say the 1200 will work its way under my skin given time, but I don't talk to it yet... I only have 10,000 miles on it so far... hardly run in. It does the job very well but it lacks the feel of the 1150, just a bit bland as it does everything so well. No breakdowns yet (fingers crossed).

Coming from an engineering background the 1200 is not nearly as attractive as the 1150 when it comes to field repairs and getting by with what you have, the can-bus electrical system is all very well while it's working and allows a lot of wiring to be dispensed with (attractive to the manufacturer), but would be a nightmare to fault-find on without access to specialist equipment. I don't think it has the same build quality as the 1150, I see some early signs of corrosion starting already and it was hardly out during the depths of winter.

Time will tell. I love my Tenere though, brilliant fun :woohoo:

J.

[Alun]

I see some early signs of corrosion starting already

How old is your 1200 and where/what's corroding? I've been toying with the idea of getting a second hand GS for some time and it's almost inevitable that I'll have an unplanned, on-the-spot buying frenzy in the not so distant future. So any info I can pick up on stuff like this is of value.

I'm currently talking to 2 Tigers and a Sprint