BMW, Triump, Honda, Yamaha Camping

Question

Looking for recommendations. I know I’ll have all sides of views. Been a rider for 30+ years, always wanted a BMW adventure bike but never owned one. Currently have it narrowed to BMW, Triump, Honda, Yamaha. Will be doing lots in the Pacific Northwest. Anyone have pros and cons of any of these you’d like to share?

3 years 0 Answers 2144 views 0

Answers ( No )

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    I have a 1998 BMW R1100 GS, but my fantasy bike is a KTM Super Enduro.

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    I’ve always called my Vstrom a reliable poor man’s BMW. The new ones bring a lot of great things to the table with reliability to boot.

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    At least Harley-Davidsons not on your list! I’ve had Honda, KTM, Kawasaki but my BMW, it’s my favorite! If I ever get another bike it will be a BMW. Fits me and is easy to ride, Find one that fits you.

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    Had the same dilemma ,been contemplating a GS for years ,I’m now on my 2 ND TIGER this bike is a 18 XCA and it’s been great, comfortable and loads of power it’s like a sport bike

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    Yamaha or Honda has my vote. I am hoping Honda follows through with rumors of an Africa Twin 800, the Yamaha Tenera 700 looks very promising also, I just feel the build quality and reliability on metric bikes is hard to beat.

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    You didn’t mention whether you wanted a middleweight or big bike – IMHO you have to be a pretty skilled rider to handle a big bike in many of the WABDR-type roads and trails.

    Tell us more about where you plan to ride?

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    Tiger 800 xCx for me. Power, great handling, features, comfort (with some mods). Dealer network is poor so I bought new, so far zero issues.

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    I’ll echo the advice about the availability of service and repair. My next bike will be an Africa Twin, partly for the above reason. I definitely love the BMW, and Triumph models, but I have to vote for the Honda.

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    Super Tenere or Africa Twin

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    I have owned a KLR 650 and a BMW R1200 GSA
    The KLR is a great bike for one up will go everywhere add luggage and your on your way
    The KLR travels at highway speed all day
    You will get use to the vibration and you will need to get a better seat.
    At speed the range is not great.

    R1200GSA
    Well great bike two up or only one
    I did the same roads and trails as I did on MY KLR
    I had to upgrade the seat,
    No chain adjustments
    More power
    Great on highway some vibrations
    Range great

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    I’ve had great luck with a "scramblerized" Triumph Bonnevilel T100. Now have over 103,000 miles on the clock and the only thing I’ve had to fix was a brake light switch. I’d say that’s reliability. Also, I found the Triumph very easy to work on myself. I am looking around for a more ADV oriented bike now and am pretty sold on Triumphs. I plan to ride a new Tiger 900, hopefully tomorrow, which seems to be the best candidate. Will also ride the ADV Scrambler for comparison. In the end a lot of this is up to personal likes. There are lots of good options nowadays, and it is hard to get a bad bike. See if you can ride a few and then decide. You may find some too tall and others may just not float your boat. Good luck!

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    Vstrom!!

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    BMW maintenance is crazy expensive. I went with the Kawasaki KLR for the simple fact the made them virtually unchanged for over 30 years. Lots of after market parts and the maintenance is for the most part drop dead simple. And a low mileage used one can be picked up for $3000-3500.

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    Don’t write off the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 DL….I had one for almost 8 yrs & loved it……I went and sold it & have been kicking myself every time I throw my leg over a bike now !!

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    Odd idea….if you live anywhere near where hwy patrol or local Leo uses BMW bikes, you’re probably close to a place where you can get a higher mileage well maintained BMW for cheap. Buy one and ride it a few months as a longer term test, then flip it and buy newer one, or if you don’t like it, then choice two. On the Triumph, I have a Sprint and have dealt with the #1 dealer in US for years. However, if I leave southern California it’s a days ride to next dealer or more, so the folks who mentioned convenient location as weakness are right. If you’re 90u0025 road, I would certainly ride the big Tenere for the shaft drive and the two grand or more you save on new BMW. I have a V Strom and am 90/10 road and it’s been cross country twice with 80 lbs of gear and me easily. The question of what to get is easier answered after where do you want to ride carrying how much is resolved. Riding fifty years and gone through several iterations as you have. Hang in there.

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    What do you want to do with the bike, on- road mainly or off road mainly? How tall are you? What’s your skill level and experience? Aside from those questions you need to sit on the bikes and ride them if possible. You’ll quickly find out what is most comfortable for you.

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    Personally, I may add one if these to the stable next year… but I’ve been a Guzzi fan for a long time, so not much of a hard sell for me

    https://www.motoguzzi.com/us_EN/moto/Touring/V85/V85-TT-Adventure–US/

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    You should realistically define what sort of "Adventure" riding you will really do. For some, it’s 90u0025 pavement, 10u0025 easy gravel roads. For others, it’s 90u0025 challenging technical off pavement, 10u0025 pavement and of course everything in between. One up? Two up? With full camping gear, or motels? Defining those things will narrow it down. If you plan on much off pavement, weight Is a big consideration. Personally, I bleed orange a d love my KTM 990 for two up camping 50/50 paved/off pavement, with frequent bits of sorta technical off pavement. My next ADV bike will be something along the lines of a 790.

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    All good bikes. Probably around the same cost new. I look at service cost and parts availability and price.

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    Any of the bikes you mentioned will do the job. However, If you always wanted a BMW, maybe that’s what you should get.

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    KTM

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    I love my little tractor

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    Honda will probably provide you with the most reliability of those that u mentioned.

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    Offroad beasty…

    If I were more interested in on road touring or 2 up, GSA 1250….

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    BMWs of late have some of the worst reliabity ratings. Most are due to the electronics and the fact that diagnosis of them is proprietary.

    Get a Honda or KTM

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    I was in the same boat – never owned but always wanted a GS. In 2017 I bought a new R1200GS Adventure. I’ve put 33,000 miles on it so far (would be more if not for COVID). It’s been a great bike and I’ve not had any problems. Maintenance costs are a bit more but bought a GS-911 to be able to diagnose and reset maintenance code. I don’t regret the purchase. I was considering a Yamaha or Honda but kept going back to BMW. Not sure what my next bike will be but I wouldn’t be afraid of another BMW.

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    Honda vfr1200 crosstourer

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    I think that you are asking an open question, with several factors to consider. What is your primary use for the bike? Pavement? Back-roads? A bit of off road, forest roads? Do you perform your own maintenance, or use a nearby dealer? ADV bikes typically range from 650cc – 1200cc. My BMW does everything that I need – it is my first choice for long hauls. My Honda ATAS does well in everything ( except long trips). My 650 is like a Swiss Army Knife, weighs less and goes most anywhere, but not good for woods nor single track.

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    I’ve been to several classes and ridden with a number of guys in different big off road bikes. Number one pro of BMW is minimal engine heat. The only hot spot on a GS/GSA is the right heal near the exhaust. There are things you can do on other bikes to minimize engine heat on legs and crotch.

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    Find a 2016 KTM 1190 Adventure or Adventure R. More capable/fun than a GS and waaaaaaaay cheaper

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    Have owned two GS’s, a 2004 R1200GS and currently a 2016 R1200GS LC. Also owned a 2001 BMW K1200LT (Shaft driven sport tourer) I ride the hell out of them. I stay up on oil and filters changes etc.. and the bikes are bulletproof. Rough off-road is doable, I do a lot of it. They are not tiny bikes, but they are more than able to comfortably cover gravel and double track easily, Sandy or mud rutted wet single track is fine as well. Just can be tiring to pick up if your over fifty. Never had any clutches go, no drive gear issues, nothing else has ever gone wrong. If you can afford it be sure and add engine upper and lower crash bars. I upgraded the 04 stock adventure bash plate after a clever stone poked a hole in my oil filter. If you’re going to play rough it’s a good idea to buy the kickstand sensor cover and headlight and rad grills , especially if you’re in a pack of roosters. I highly suggest riding them all. I find the BMWs brilliantly engineered. You can feel it in everything you touch. I had been on my GS for a few years when I had a chance to try out the new Africa Twin . It was nice, it’s half the cost of a GS and you can feel it. But it’s half the price, you can do a lot of traveling with an extra fifteen thousand in your pocket. The BMWs are in my humble opinion one of the best all round motorcycles available. Yamaha has nice visual design cues from the rally bike world, it looks as durable as the AT Honda. The AT Honda is a great bike as well. Both have tons of dealer support. I haven’t needed dealer support while traveling on the BMWs. I also get my BMW servicing done at a local shop, not a BMW shop. The BMW’s are much more bike but obviously for that quality it’s a higher price. They are all great bikes. I put over 100,000 miles in the 2004 R1200GS, maybe 77,000 on the K1200, and about 20,000 on the current R1200GS which I bought used late last fall. I bought the other two as second owner as well. BMW folks tend to take great care of their bikes. Good luck! Can’t really compare the bikes fairly.

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    Most adventures are encountered on a Trumpy. And you don’t even have to leave town.

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    What are your finances like? If you can maintain the BMW great.

    On road or off? If you’re going to be more on road and want a 1200 the Yamaha super tenere has most of the features of a BMW buy is heavier.

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    HD PAN AMERICAN

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    Vstrom, drive your BMW off the lot and it just deappreicated 5000 ride it a year 10,000 get a Vstrom I’ve seen them with 200 thousand get a wee

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    I ride a F800GS – fully equipped – love it . Never any issues . But work is very busy and considering selling . If anyone’s interested then shoot me a message .. thinking around $8k with all the gear . Only 9,800 miles or so

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    I just bought a used VStrom with BMW roundels on it, they guy was hilarious I asked what’s that about, he was like Rodney Dangerfield I don’t get no respect.

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    I am on my second Tiger 800 and wouldn’t have bought the second one if I didn’t love the first one. I also have a Triumph Scrambler that is incredible.
    I have done some LOOOOONG trips on both of them and have not had one single issue…These things have been flawless.
    I have ridden the KTM, BMW, Ducati and African Twin, to name a few and none of them perform like the Triumph. I have 7 other bikes and can ride what I want so, it’s not like I am stuck with a Tiger.
    The Tiger is smooth, nimble, fast and comfortable….I regularly do 5-600 mile days…I did an iron butt on my 2014 and it was a piece of cake.
    Just do yourself a favor and ride the Tiger before you buy anything else….You will be glad you did.

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    Just finished a 3k mile loop with my 16 Tiger and trailer.
    And YES, I wear protective gear.
    This was just for the picture.

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    I saw a guy riding a wee Strom pulling a loaded trailer with 177,000 not KM but miles no engine bolts ever broke

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    Motoguzzi

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    If you can find one, the Yamaha T7 is a great option.

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    BMW. I’ve put over 50,000 miles on them. I’m in the middle of a 7,000 miles trip, a mix of off and on road. Just ran the Macgruder corridor on it with no problems. It has never disappointed. Service intervals at 6k and you can do a lot of it yourself. And you can find support around the country.

    Handles great fully loaded up to 100 mph, and I’m pretty sure any vibration is from my 50/50 tires.

    Plus the thing is a tractor. Low end torque for days. Can rip a wheelie in 3 gears. You won’t need a trailer cuz it can haul everything you need.

    Either way, it’s a great problem to have!! Most importantly: ride as many as you can and pick the one that works for you.

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    BMW. Period

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    BMW F 800GS. If you will do off road, hard to beat. Easily run the pavement at 85.

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    KTM 1290

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    R1200GSA LC and don’t look back

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    Include the KTM adv bike in your review. The Super Adventure 1290 is a beast. I too am in dual sport investigation mode

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    BMW GS 1200 R LC I have tried hard to break it. Look at how many people ride this bike to curcumnavigate the world. Or have been riding it for years at every day. You tube Tim Collins FTA he just posted a review on his bike at 100,000miles hope this helps.

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    I like my 2006 KLR 650
    gen 1
    Easy to work on~ it can be push started with a
    No kidding NO headlight dead battery

    Save your money and buy another pistol ; )

    Wolves ud83dudc3a and coyotes were howling up a storm on the other side of the lake
    My 15 shot 9mm cz75 p01 felt real good

    Those wolves freaked out my girlfriend and her Siberian Husky
    She had my Walther PPK .22

    I would have felt under gunned with only a .22

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