BMW R1200

[crane]

anybody have any advise on these bikes? i see alot of them on the road but wanted to know how they perform on dirt. better years than others?

we are thinking of doing a multi week tour of baja with alot of dirt roads. any advise please.

also, paniers. saw somebody riding with rocket boxes as paniers and thought that would be a great way to save some money, but may have to fabricate a rack system. does anybody know of a good rack system to modify?

[h20shed]

The R 1200 GS looks like a lot of bike. I would think something smaller would be more appropriate for baja. I have a 650 and it's plenty of bike to move around on back roads and still handles alright on pavement. Try ADV rider for more information on enduro and sport touring motorcycles than you need.

GSpot - ADVrider

[possumturd]

Originally Posted by crane

anybody have any advise on these bikes? i see alot of them on the road but wanted to know how they perform on dirt. better years than others?

we are thinking of doing a multi week tour of baja with alot of dirt roads. any advise please.

also, paniers. saw somebody riding with rocket boxes as paniers and thought that would be a great way to save some money, but may have to fabricate a rack system. does anybody know of a good rack system to modify?

Wait for the new R800GS. It will be the hot setup.

[Awoody]

The only situation that I can see the need for larger bore bikes (950's, 990's, 1200's etc) is for riding double or for mostly road miles. For everything else I think a 650 is going to be immensely better of an off road machine and still capable of terrifying you with speed and acceleration. Suzuki DRZ 400's and Honda XR 650's seem to be some of the best options that I've had a chance to ride for riding a mixture of dirt and road but leaning toward the dirt end of the spectrum.
More toward the road end of things, but still with great dirt capabilities, I have a KLR 650 which has always treated me well and logged quite a few foreign miles in Baja and elsewhere without the slightest hitch. 90% of the bikes on tour that I've seen in Central America were KLR's. They aren't the sexiest, but go with what works.
I have 20mm ammo cans set up as panniers on a Happy Trails rack. The cans work great, I've layed my bike over on them numerous times and they do a great job of protecting the rest of the bike. They're easily lockable, perfect size and long lasting. They are heavy though, over 15lbs each and not too quick to remove. But $10 each is pretty attractive compared to $500 plus for aluminum cans. For ease of removal and weight savings soft luggage would be good explore with keeping lockability and capacity in mind.
If you have Baja in mind, especially trying to ride quite a few dirt miles, you want a light bike, there's a shitload of sand and loose terrain that my KLR loaded down was pretty squirrelly on while my buddie's DRZ flew through no prob. Also you want A LOT of fuel capacity (300+ mile range) unless you want to hassle with a jerry can. But mostly you need to be worried about getting a surfboard down there.


Have fun!

[dograft83]

First off If you want to see what it might be like to ride 1200gs then on thursday at the southland mall they are having a movie called the long way down. Its hould be a great film. My dad and i are going to it. Let me know if you want more info on it.

Baja has alot of sand and you will fall!!! Trust me I have been down there alot on rides. The gs is one hell of a bike it will last and you can put all kinds of shit on it, gps, lights to make it look like day, bags so you can load for a trip around the world if you want. The only bad thing about the 1200 gs is that when you tip over it is hell to lift that bike. So be readyfor that. They also have a rather tall seat hight but you can get a seat that i think makes it around 33inches tall. If i were sticking to te more pack sand/dirt roads then Yes I would take the 1200 gs over the xr650. Go down to the bmw motorcycle store off of havana and parker rd by the landrover store and sit one, they are BIG. Turd Is right the 800 will be by far the best bike for your needs but I think it does not come out till early spring?
If you are going after more single track and almost roads then I would get on the xr650. That is a great bike it is bullet proof. The bad thing is that it is hard to put bags on them. I have always had used a 2000cu. in. pack to fit my stuff in when i was down there on the xr650. 650 is lighter to pick up will not dent but you just cant put more lights, gps, and bags.

Yes there is a company that makes hard cases and the mounts for them you can weld on ammo cans. The name has sliped my mind but I will get that to you soon.
Let me know if there are any question you have cause this is my dad and my hobby right after boating
Jake

[arkriverrat]

Don't get me wrong, I love BMW's (am proud owner of a '76 R900). However, had a friend who rides BMW's religiously get a KLR for a tip to south america... You will drop any bike in the sand at least once, and parts are much more readily available for the Jap bikes than they are for the Germans... Though I dream about a GS... Just factor in all of the places you might want to take it, and the availability of major service is my advice... Have fun!
Tim

[Repa]

I must admit that I am riding with the prevailing wind on this thread. The 650 is the way to go, and if I were going to Baja and beyond it would be a KLR. I own a BMW 650 Dakar and love it but to tell the truth if anything went wrong down south and I were forced to fixed my bike with bailing wire gorilla tape and an arc welder I'd be fucked. The KLR is cheaper to buy and fix, easier to work on, acceptable performance (dirt and slab) on and so far as I can tell very reliable. You won't be winning any races on it but it will get you there and back. I know the Bimmer is slick but half of the money you spend on the BMW is pure image. Unless this is a midlife crisis and you need a new girlfriend too, buy the KLR.

[david23]

My dad's got a GS. They are badass machines.

There's a great article in American Motorcyclist this month about Ewan Macgregor and a buddy of his doing these long adventures. They rock the 1200 everywhere they go. I'd say it depends on your experience. If you're comfortable on the bike and realize that dumping it once or twice is inevitable, go for it! It is your most comfortable option, not to mention it's shaft driven (major +++ for reliability)

That 800GS looks awesome, but you have to beware of new bikes. There's always going to be some kind of problem with first year bikes.

The 2008 KLR650 looks sweet too. I dont think a DR650 or whatever Honda makes would be comfortable enough for a long trip like yours.

[possumturd]

Here is an alternative if you are an experienced rider and plan on doing more than just Baja. I have owned the KLR and the GS Paris Dakar and both have +/-. Taking into account my own requirements I would surely consider the R100gs. I am a fan of larger platforms for long hauls. The GS provides more stability and comfort under load. But if you are going off road technical then the GS becomes less attractive. But with an aggresive tread pattern and a decent pilot a GS will handle almost any 4wd road. I road mine across Pearl Pass loaded with multi day gear and bags. The bike is simple to work on and mine was completely bullet proof.

If you do opt for the KLR take the $$ you save and buy a real rear shock and some front fork springs and put a front brake on that actually works.





The KTM 640 is another solid mount but hard to find

[ravenchaser]

I own a 1200gs, and I've upgraded a few things to make it more of an off-road machine...that said, I'm 6'5" and can handle it a bit more like a dirt bike. Even so, the sheer size and weight of a 1200 limits most trips to tarmac and mellow dirt/gravel roads...you would have more route options, better fuel efficiency, and less of a wrestling match with a smaller bike...and though I have friends with BMWs who make yearly trips to baja, the easier part/repair scenario with other bikes is worth considering. My experience is that BMWs don't break down as long as they are maintained...they are glorious workhorses...the variable is when you lay it down and break something. Good luck.