Best BMW for around the world these days

[Duane Ausherman]

If you could pick any model for the around the world trip, what would it be?

If you limited yourself to an airhead, which one would it be?

Keep in mind maintenance by the rider on the road.

[chasbmw]

Cynthia Milton set off around the world a few years ago, she is in her fifties and despite a couple of nasty crashes made it. She used a mono lever 800cc g/s. with a big tank.

I did my RTW stuff back in the late 70s and 80s, I used bog standard airheads, the changes I made to them we're to, reduce the compression ratio, fit craven panniers, 'potracks' over the cylinders, Koni rear shocks and hard front forks, Boyer electronic ignition, and Dunlop K70 tyres. The bikes were used two up, with camping kit. The bikes worked pretty well in all conditions apart from deep sand or mud. I'm sure that there are more surfaced roads nowadays, but doubtless that is balanced by more traffic, so I think that this spec would work well enough today.

I spent a couple of months wandering around Europe this summer on my R90/6, to a very similar spec!

Charles

[moosehead]

My choice....and I'm sure there'll be many!

1984-87 R80 GSPD.....dual plugged

- ease of maintainence (carbs, points)
- sweet, smooth engine
- good fuel range with PD version
- can use lesser grade (octane) with dual plugging
- bullet proof final drive (non paralever)
- relatively light
- pack horse
- tubeless or tube tire can be fitted
- easily modified/repaired frame and sub frame (heavy loads etc)
- parts availability ...and also from alternative multiple sources e.g. VW, Volvo, BMW or any other euro car manufacturer
- can be repaired in Mongolia or in Kazikstan by a farmer with a hammer

Enough from me....I'll let the chorus chime in....planning RTW any time soon Duane?

This will be a great thread....can't wait for ME109 and his RS choice.

[Zombie Master]

F800 GS with some comfort, and range improvements. Modern X ring Chain drive is simple to maintain and repair. Gear ratio changes easy too. F800=cheap on gas.

Airhead= GS 800 with large tank.

[ME 109]

R100RS. Twin shock.
A super able motorcycle.

[dougie]

R100RS. Twin shock.
A super able motorcycle.

+1

[vanzen]

Limited to an airhead ?
Fitted with a big fuel tank, rider mechanical knowledge, a few choice spares, and plenty of time ...
any post 70s model might be a good choice.
All essentially similar –
the differences between can easily be overcome with a bit of discretion.

[mattcfish]

Have you seen "The Long Way Round"?

I agree with Moosehead.
You need a bike that a Mongolian "fabricator" can make parts for. Too bad Russian bikes are so crappy. They have lots of parts for them. 70's & 80's Airheads are easy to work on and simple. I think having some bullet proof crash guards on the cylinders and very rugged boxes would be a must.

[Garnet]

I'd go for a 70's or 80's airhead for myself simply because that's all I know.

There are a lot of real good reliable modern bikes out there that get much better gas mileage which would reduce the need for a heavy monster tank. I suppose it would depend on the roads one would choose.

[Sibbo]

New a 800GS but as I'm unlikely to ever buy a new bike again it would be this ....
My ST with a 100GS tank and Mermite cases