For many years I have had a hankering to get one of the big BMW traillie bikes, but have never been able to justify the cost. I did also have some worries about not only being being branded as a “BMW Owner” and the associated prejudices, but also as a Charlie Boorman wannabe.
Over the past year I have put very few miles on the Hardley, mainly because of the weather, so it has just been sitting in the garage.
I have also been getting a little tired of the Pan. Don’t get me wrong, it is a great commuter and is very nippy but it is not really I bike that you take out for a weekend blat. What I really want is a good all rounder.
I started thinking of bikes that could offer me the power delivery of the Vrod, the commuting qualities of the Pan, yet still offer the ability to chew miles and have fun doing it.
I also missed the riding position of my old TDM850. So, I again started looking at big traillie bikes.
I did quite fancy the new Triumph Tiger Explorer. It has some great kit on it, including cruise control, but it just did not fit the bill.
I also contemplated the XT1200Z Super Ténéré, mainly cos it would be a great companion for my XT550, but again it just was not quite what I wanted.
More and more I came back to the BMW R1200 GSA. I had thought of the plain R1200 GS, but decided that I could not pass up on the 400 mile tank range of the Adventure. It means I will only have to fill up once a week 😀
I took the GSA for a test ride a couple of time, at Bahnstormer Alton. They were a amused when I pointed out that I had taken the demo bike green laning too 😀
Well, it would be rude not to, and that is what they are supposed to be able to do. Anyway, the lanes I used were bone dry so they got the bike back pretty much as clean as it was when I took it out.
Needless to say, I am selling both the Pan and the Hardley to pay for the GS. The Pan has already sold, on ebay, for £1600. The new owner is picking it up on Saturday, and I hope he realises what a bargain he has got.
I’m just waiting for a bit of sun to photograph the Hardley and then is going on ebay too. I am hoping to raise at least £8000 from the sale of that.
Once I have ridden the GSA for a while, I may blog on my feelings and how we are getting on.
To be honest, currently it is one of the best bikes that I have ever ridden. It effortlessly chews up the miles, being an easy ride yet does not leave you feeling bored. At the same time it is remarkably nimble and lovely and torquey.