Not knocking GS owners ....

[GerryB]

Not knocking GS owners ......

But when I was coming back from Spain on monday, There were 23 bikes on the ferry, 16 of them BMW GS variations , mainly 1200 Boxers.

5 Sports bikes , and 2 proper tourers ....

An aged Africa Twin , and a DR400 Suzuki .

The BMWs without exception had every thing out of Touratech catalog, some even had 2 GPS / Satnavs !!!

All the BMWs were relatively clean , and dust free, indicating to me , they'd not been in the dirt much, if at all .

However , the 2 proper bikes, had soft bags , and were filthy.
Not one single bit of catalogue equipment.

I spoke to the owners, they'd been touring in Morocco , 3 weeks , mostly camping !

Over 3000 miles .

I had to take my hat off to them , true adventurers . One GPS in the pocket , in case of real loss , otherwise, used maps , as they said, the maps give a far better feel for where they are going , plus all the interesting stuff, monuments , etc that don't appear on the sanitised Satnav screens .

I didn't talk to any of the GS owners, sadly they were very aloof and remote

[Blackal]

A lot - are..............

You should instinctively avoid the ones wearing the "twat-suit" - as they think they are akin to Ranulph Fiennes or Roald Amundsen............



You may find the choice of "touring machine" is dictated by disposable income, or how much the person can justify spending?

Al

[metropolis2k]

Tell me about it, that's the bad thing about owning a GS - being associated with that group!

I'll have you know mine is old, dirty, corroded and the only mods are ones that are actually useful (Nitron shocks, de-cat, Touratech single seat)

[dave the german]

I fail to understand this "proper tourer" - mate of mine went all over Europe on an old GSXR 1100 slabsider - wouldn't call it a tourer but he did tour. I toured Scotland on a 250 Superdream cos it's what I could afford.

As Al says, a lot is down to disposable income - I'll be putting about 6000 miles on my GS over the summer in Europe as well as the get to work miles - it isn't equipped from the Touratech catalogue and it wont be going off road but I find it very comfortable and able which is why I bought it.

I agree with comment about the aloofness of a lot of GS owners - there were some right knob$ when I went to Motorrad Days in2013 and mostly they were snobs on GSs

Surely the most important thing is to get out on the bike and ride?

[SP250]

Stick with the 12S Dave - much more approachable lot we are!

[Herb]

I want a "twat suit".

I'd look double twat on my 1200s but fantastic in Waitrose.

[tanneman]

There are very few bikes on this planet that can beat the do-it-all GS or in my case the Adventure. It is an fantastic bike, but regardless of on what bike you travel, you should engage with the surroundings and people. That is what makes a tour or holiday.

[dave the german]

There are very few bikes on this planet that can beat the do-it-all GS or in my case the Adventure. It is an fantastic bike, but regardless of on what bike you travel, you should engage with the surroundings and people. That is what makes a tour or holiday.

I agree entirely - I do see what the OP was saying - and I know many, upon first sight, will think I belong to the "GS brigade" (except I haven't got the BM suit - yet)


- but I'll talk to anyone so that means I can't join their club

[dave the german]

Stick with the 12S Dave - much more approachable lot we are!

Got the best of 3 worlds John

I love riding all 3 of my bikes but the 12S just has something about it. Not sure how long I'm going to keep my BCR for but I have had thoughts of replacing it with another 12S!! Now I know that is just plain stupid but maybe it's a reflection on me!!

[SP250]

Yeh

You an' me both Dave - I even have a mark 1 "twat suit" bought cheap for riding the F650 off road cause I don't want to ruin my Rukka.
But I don't have a GS and probably never will.

[boxerscott]

Each to there own. It does come down to disposable income and freedom of choice. I am a poor boy, would not be seen dead on a gs or riding a sports bike in "Gay leathers" Could not afford to buy a new panni or a s1000rr am happy to moan about why I shouldn`t but truth is if I could afford it I probably would.

But there is no way I would choose to be main stream.. either way. Free spirit for me . So someone riding this or that in whatever fashion or garb is a choice they have. Up to them and good luck.

BTW Gsesses sell well because they are a good product.

[leasky]

I am on my second GS Adventure and my second Twat suit too.

The bikes (and the suits) are very well made. Having come off my first GSA two years ago (in a pretty big way and writing off the bike in the process) I can vouch for the effectiveness of the Twat suits.

Having said all that, I do hear that people can buy "designer mud" to chuck over bikes to give the impression that you have been to Outer Mongolia before lunch....

[BMWR1150RS]

Having said all that, I do hear that people can buy "designer mud" to chuck over bikes to give the impression that you have been to Outer Mongolia before lunch aka Waitrose Car Park

[dave the german]

Can you get it on eBay or Amazon?

[GerryB]

Trust me , I like the GS , no knocking the bike ....

But sadly , like the big lumbering agricultural machine ... H-D , they seem to have attracted a lot of people who consider that they pee au-de-cologne

I did meet a brilliant Scot on a GS , yes , he was semi touratech equipped , but was out there riding it , every where .

I tend to respect the guys who ride , what ever , where ever.

When I'm scooting around Wales on my R1100S , I've never ever had a wave or head nod from a GS rider ...

I wonder to myself ... Why ?

We are all 2 wheel mounts , whether its a scooter, a moped or a H-D or GS , we are still out there riding , and I happily acknowledge every one on 2 wheels .

I ride a lot on Spain on my motard , and strangely in the hills where I play , its generally Brit plates that don't acknowledge or return a greeting ....