For 2 up riding, with the occasional foray on the dirt tracks :woohoo: you will have to go a long way to beat the GSA (1150 or 1200)
The 1150 certainly looks the sturdier of the two, if it is anything like as good as the 1200 it would make a great allrounder
Just my twopenneth,
For 2 up riding, with the occasional foray on the dirt tracks :woohoo: you will have to go a long way to beat the GSA (1150 or 1200)
The 1150 certainly looks the sturdier of the two, if it is anything like as good as the 1200 it would make a great allrounder
Just my twopenneth,
I do agree that the older oil-heads were great bikes. I didn't mention them as they are a bit long in the tooth, but if older models are an option, then defo, the 1150 or 1100 are well worth a look!!
I'm having exactly the same dilema at the mo. Perhaps I'll wait and let you do the leg work. I'm drawn to the 990adv & smt as it seems to be easier to rectify their faults than the 1200gs. Although the 800gs is interesting but is it limited two up? What we really need is Honda to bring out a proper modern AT 1000.
The secret of a long life is knowing when its time to go.
Nothing wrong with the current Honda 1000, the Mighty Varadero. Beats the BMW in a couple of things that I can think of,,, speed for one! Price for another, reliability,,,, I'll stop there!
Value for money, two up comfort, good weather protection, plush suspension, the best value for money two up adventure tourer on the market. I've thrown mine up a track, crash bars are a must! Nothing a spot of satin black paint can't put right! I love mine!
This is the search for the Holy Grail.... the perfect bike, no such beast. You get ya pride and joy and go and get it blooded in a battle with the mountains, desert, rocks and mud , you sit back admiring your bike with the newness kicked out of it , and think yessss what a beast what a day and then you hear a strange buzzing noise it gets louder and louder and then some little shit on a 125 comes trundling past with all his luggage flattening the rear tyre and he tells you he has just crossed Asia or come up from South Africa on it.
You look embarressed at the amount of money you spent on the bike and the bells and whistles and you make some excuse about being fat and old ..
The thing is if the bikes good for you, it's good .
I have serious doubts on all this electronic stuff , but hell it will do me as i carry far to much gear, worse case scenario at the end of the day a nice roomie tent , comfortable mattress and a down square sleeping bag and inflatable breasts as a pillow ahhh the creature comforts a large bike lets you take !!
Thanks for all the replies. Okay so let's look at the choice. First up it's got to do the business well two up and when packing all the gear. I'm ruling out anything below 1000cc or there abouts and I'm happy enough with a 5 year old bike that's been well looked after.
So, are these the choices I'm left with?
BMW GS(A) 1150 and 1200
Honda Varadero
Ducati Multistrada?
Yamaha Tenere 1200
Suzuki V Strom 1000
Anyone care to add any more before I go to phase 2 (phase 2 is the off-road thing – 'thing' being a carefully chosen word)?
Here's how I see them, but I will admit this is only my opinions and, like arseholes, everyone's got one!
BMW GS(A) 1150 and 1200
Not for me, too expensive for what you get. Also don't appeal to me.
Honda Varadero
Got one, on my 2nd, value for money, excellent two up tourer, Honda build quality.
Ducati Multistrada?
Sexy, but Ducati motor with Italian electrics, either the belts will break or it'll rain and the electrics will fail! Exotic, high maintenance.
Yamaha Tenere 1200
Too expensive! Great bike, good build quality, stunning looker, but £13,000?
Suzuki V Strom 1000
Another good value for money two up tourer, reports of surging in urban use? Some say not up to Honda build quality but a slicker gearbox you'll not find!
End of the day, you pays your money. Even if I had the money I would rule out the panzer, The Yamaha would be of more interest if money no object but I'd rather wait see what Honda come up with 1200 Varadero-wise. Triumph may also have a big ADV bike but not for a couple of yrs yet. I'll keep my Mighty Varadero for now and wait see what comes along!
I also first thought the Yam was far too expensive, but when you take into account all the extra's that come with this first edition Super Ten then its comparable pricewise to the Beemer. They will be bringing out a base model later.
More of an issue to me is the 260 kilo weight of it, but i've not had chance to ride one yet and it may carry its weight well.
with the occasional foray on the dirt tracks :woohoo: you will have to go a long way to beat the GSA (1150 or 1200)
with the occasional foray on the dirt tracks :woohoo: you will have to go a long way to beat the GSA (1150 or 1200)
ahhh the creature comforts a large bike lets you take !!