Right gentlemen...it has been good to read all your thoughts and opinions on this, and I must thank you all for sharing them. Certainly given me food for thought. The R1200 GS would do the job, but I have had a problem with the ABS (within the first six miles of riding) and although I managed to sort it out, with the advice from the BMW Club forum...t'is a well-documented and, in some cases, recurring problem they say, it could go again. And as I nearly filled my breeks the first time, it would always be at the back of my mind, yeah? The BM is a lovely machine, but a helluva difference from the R80 G/S! Plenty time to think about it meantime, and I'll content myself with wee runs on the 1200 GS for groceries for as long as that is allowed Thanks again DM
I'm planning on a couple of trips (Scotland and Wales) with my son on his Yamaha MT09 after the Corona issues have subsided. I was looking to go on the Thruxton and I might still do that, but if you can afford it there are plenty of good dedicated touring bikes around for not a lot of money. Triumphs own ST1050 is a good start and you can pick up a decent VFR Honda or even a Pan European for less than £3k, which will do the job better than a Bonny or a Thruxty IMHO. It depends how determined you are. Back in the mid 80's we did a 3 week trip from here in Yorkshire down to Sicily via Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and of course Italy on a Honda CB250RS single, two up with a shit load of camping gear. The little bike never a missed a beat admittedly the missus was a bit cramped on the pillion (although she was a lot 'smaller' back then!). I hope she doesn't read this or I'll get shot!!
I hope she don't read it too I will be travelling on rougher trails at some points, don't know how those tourers would fare then. Worth considering though...cheers
Yep, but the Rallye models are jus too larg, as in tall, for me. So, I’m kinda stuck with the GT’s. Yet to hear one with an aftermarket exhaust, but the stock pipes sound not bad
Hi @Delta Mike not been said yet, but the tiger sport 1050 triple will provide the touring capability and is a reasonably spirited ride. Good luggage so plenty of room for your stuff....
It’s difficult to recommend a bike for some one you’ve never met and more importantly seen ride a bike but what I would say is buy a bike that you’ve always fancied and you enjoy looking at but most of all buy a bike that’s fun to ride, when I come home from a ride on my street triple RS I always say to the wife that’s a right bike that and it will tour, you mentioned the scrambler 1200 Xc well I’ve recently bought the Xe but it’s only done 500 mile , I love the look of it but the engine isn’t as exciting as the street triple but it’s still fun in a different way,I buy fun bikes that I ride locally 150/200 miles with no comfort issues then put up with wind blast when touring, good luck.
It's too much money mate. A VERY competent bike tho'. No decisions have been made but currently it looks very likely it'll have a Royal Enfield badge on it. If it was another Bonny I reckon it would be a T120 - just far too expensive, taking all into account.
I have a SS900 and I'm 6' and feel no need for a bigger bike like the 1200 Scram (I do have another that is much larger, but that's a different story). I've done one 3 night trip on it with a luggage rack and Oxford dry bag for luggage. It was about 1000 miles all in with no problem with comfort, speed or keeping up with faster bikes. I'm planning a trip on it to Kos, Greece next year, which will be more of a challenge.
I used mine round Europe a couple of years ago. Did 2.5k miles. It handled it very well, but wasn’t very comfortable, as you can probably see the pad I made for my wife on the back. She managed ok, but said never again on the triumph If I went on my own, I would use the triumph again, but also have a bmw k1300s for touring on.
I did 2800 miles on my Speedmaster last year and planning on 4700 miles this year. Bike ran perfect. Only changes I would make is a better luggage system, maybe hard bags. If I was 30 years younger, I'm 72, I would go with an adventure bike, probably the Scrambler 1200. Whatever you do, you'll have a blast, I sure did. Dave
Thanks Dave Nice-looking bike! I had looked with some interest at the Speedmaster, but had heard that there wasn't much clearance with 'spirited' cornering. Yeah, it'll be a hoot whatever I get away on. The R12 GS has been behaving nicely these past couple of rides, but after the ABS/brake failure thing....never quite relaxed about it now
Much as I love my Thruxton it is not my go to bike for touring. As a matter of interest what sort of mileage do you do in a day on yours ?
We did a major European tour on my Thunderbird 1600 last summer ..two up and loaded with luggage... A great bike for this trip... comfortable and quick enough with a decent fuel range. I'll see if I can do the tech stuff,and upload a photo
