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Hilde44
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  		   Posted 4/23/2008 1:04 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
The most popular bike in BMW's stable gets a few tweaks for the new year and we sorted them out in Arizona for a couple days.
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Desmolicious
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  		   Posted 4/23/2008 1:50 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Bloody Basin? I remember taking my Jeep on trails out there. Did you guys ride the old Senator Hwy through Bumblebee, Crown King and into Prescott?
Man, that is some beautiful and wild country.
The GS is great, but is seems that the KTM 990 (with the new improved seat) is quite it's measure w/o having the sword of Damocles dangling over that shaft drive...

Which one would you pick? KTM 990 or BMW?

Børk! Børk! Børk!

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sfarson
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  		   Posted 4/23/2008 6:11 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.

Many fine bikes have come and gone through the barn here but a GS has always remained and probably always will.  An article in the UK challenged assumptions and called it the best "sportbike" for the road.  I probably have more memories from the sadlle of a GS than any other bike.  It takes me places I wouldn't take the race replicas to or the cruisers.  Friends and I call the GS "squid bait".  Last year the GS ADV took me on a cross country trip.

Recently sold a KTM 990.  Had a great rental in Chile with one and came back smitten with the thing, but with a desire to consolidate things, I let it go.  For the majority of my rides, and what I have planned on the horizon, the GS was simply a finer and more thoughtful bike on the road, and still OK off road, while the Katoom has more off road capability.

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gagster
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  		   Posted 4/23/2008 6:45 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
If I could have any bike, the GS would probably be the one.  Or maybe the Adventure.  I don't know.
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RedDog
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  		   Posted 4/23/2008 6:45 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
http://www.brainswe b.co.uk/uploads/ the-wrong- bike.wmv

RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!

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Desmolicious
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  		   Posted 4/24/2008 9:37 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
sfarson. Did your 990 have the updated seat/suspension? How did it feel on road compared to the GS? Was it still comfortable? Did you have any maintenance issues? Any issues getting parts? What was the touring range of the 990?
I know you've had a Ducati St4s; I still own one; how does the touring comfort of the 990 compare to that? I have no problems doing 400 mile days on my St4s and it is completely stock (using the latest style Duc seat).
Thanks!

Børk! Børk! Børk!

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sfarson
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  		   Posted 4/24/2008 7:00 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Desmo... The 990 was bone stock except for Akra cans fitted.  It was very nice on the road, but a shade below the refinement, ride, protection, range, goodies (heated grips, shaft, etc.) of the GS ADV.  Had no maintenance issues with the 990 I bought, but the one I rented in Chile had an overheating problem.  Still didn't prevent me from buying one however.  The touring range on the 990 is 200+ miles.  Thought it was very comfy.  Not as roomy as the GS ADV, but still very fine.
 
Thanks for reminding me about the ST4s. cry lol .  One of my favorite all time bikes and I miss it.
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Desmolicious
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  		   Posted 4/25/2008 9:46 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Thanks Sfarson! Your broad experience with different brands is of value compared to some who are fanboys for a single type.
My interest would be between the standard GS (I don't want the extra weight and bulk of the Adv) and the KTM.
I love the idea of the shaft on the Beemer (and the easy valve train maintenance), but am a little wary too as I have seen so many failures. The chain on the KTM is more maintenance intensive but easy to stay on top of.
I should rent a KTM and see. They have them at Eaglerider in Santa Monica...

Børk! Børk! Børk!

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Tros
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  		   Posted 4/26/2008 5:34 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Desmo, The KTM and BMW are two very different bikes. The KTM is faster, lighter, and much better at offroad riding... With that said, the BMW not only is better onroad, but always beats out the KTM in comparison reviews. Ask yourself how much offroad riding (or the style of offroad riding you intend on doing) and go from there.

Personally, as far as adventure-touring bikes go, the BMW is the best bike a person can get their hands on.

I can find multiple articles and reviews for you to take a look at; just let me know!

"People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost."

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Desmolicious
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  		   Posted 4/28/2008 10:18 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I don't think they are very different bikes at all. Both are heavyweight dual purpose machines, one is just better onroad, the other off road. One is shaft drive, the other chain. Both have ABS brakes available and have designed hard luggage.
motorcycle.com rates the KTM over the BMW.
But, it is a personal preference thing. They are both great.

Børk! Børk! Børk!

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GAJ
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  		   Posted 4/28/2008 10:30 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
And any bike Hitler hates can't be all bad!
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dutch97501
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  		   Posted 6/3/2008 11:12 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I must admit I've done my share of bad mouthing BMW's in my days as a mechanic. I swore I would never own one and yet here I am with a GS. People ask me to sum up my impessions of the GS and I answer it the same every time. The bike does nothing perfect, but it does everything well. Its kinda like owning a pickup truck. Try to live with out a truck after you have owned one. I have four bikes in the garage and the GS is the one I typicaly will jump on to go some where. Even when carving the canyons I walk right by my Aprilia RSVR to ride the GS. I some how get some enjoyment out of messing with the sportbike guys. Its fun to watch them staring in there mirrors trying to figure out why this touring bike with luggage is still there. And then when you get to the end of the road you take to the dirt and continue to play while they watch from the pavement. When you stop to rest and they walk over to the bike and are trying to figure out why the GS handles so well they notice the shock in the front along with another swingarm?. How does that work? An hour later there still scathing there head and they decide to follow you for awhile to see whats up with the funny looking enduro.What they soon discover is they cant out brake the GS going into the corner followed by that thing sure carries alot of corner speed. After about 30 miles they find the GS's limitation and straif you in a straitaway at about a buck fifty. So would I ever get rid of the GS? Only to buy a new one. 
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tigerowner_ut
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  		   Posted 7/7/2008 12:49 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I must be out of tune with the vast positive reviews in the press and among owners. I rode a 1200GS last week and while the power was nice and the gearbox was excellent I couldn't come to terms with the size of the bike. I am not talking seat height as I am used to sky high seat heights on dirt bikes and always had my Triumph Tiger seat in the high position. The bike just feels too large/long for an adventure tourer to me. Perhaps the F800GS will fit me better.
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Desmolicious
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  		   Posted 7/8/2008 9:37 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
The new GS has a larger/revised final drive housing with drain plug (the previous pre-08 generation did not have a drain plug) so maybe BMW has cured it's final drive woes?

Børk! Børk! Børk!

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norton
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  		   Posted 7/8/2008 7:28 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Desmolicious said...
Bloody Basin? I remember taking my Jeep on trails out there. Did you guys ride the old Senator Hwy through Bumblebee, Crown King and into Prescott?
Man, that is some beautiful and wild country.
I've done it on my 78 Goldwing.  smile
 
The GS should be able to handle it.
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Desmolicious
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  		   Posted 7/9/2008 11:18 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
norton said...
Desmolicious said...
Bloody Basin? I remember taking my Jeep on trails out there. Did you guys ride the old Senator Hwy through Bumblebee, Crown King and into Prescott?
Man, that is some beautiful and wild country.
I've done it on my 78 Goldwing.  smile
 
 
I'd love to see pics of your bike there!
yeah 

Børk! Børk! Børk!

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norton
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  		   Posted 7/11/2008 8:11 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Sorry, no pics of that. I didn't use to carry a camera with me everywhere like I do today.
Crown king had a pretty cool old Bar there but I heard that it burned down.
I lived in Flagstaff and also in Chino Valley. Spent alot of time looking for gold in the Dewey / Mayer area. (took that old Goldwing lots of remote places).

Another dirt road that I did pretty regularly was from Jerome to Williams. I might have a pic with my bike down at Perkinsville.

madfun said...

Sooner or later opinions fade, and the name on the tank matters not. I think that happens somewhere between 4th and 5th gear. Enjoy the ride... the rest takes care of itself.

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Desmolicious
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  		   Posted 7/11/2008 10:05 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
that bar in Crown King burnt down? When? What a bummer. It was a cool lunch destination with nice people and you really felt like you were in the old wild west. I was there last about 2.5 years ago I think. maybe longer.
It really is interesting seeing people panning for gold up there, wearing wet suits and snorkles and being fully submerged. Never saw anything like that before!
Did you ride the entire length of the old Senator Highway from Bumblebee to Prescott on your Wing? If so I'm mightily impressed!

Børk! Børk! Børk!

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