In the 1950s and 60s, lots of people used to go touring 2 up with camping gear on bikes and sidecar outfits that probably had no more than 50 bhp. Touring 2 up is not about how much power your bike has but about enjoying the experience and scenery.
Yes i have BMW R1250rt had it 3 years lovely bike but so heavy. Now in my mid 60s need to down size so me and the wife can carry on riding out together. Still need a good a mount of room for us both
This is spot on from my 40K experience of f750gs bikes, Top spec model is the one to own and you can add bits as you go. You do need the factory comfort seat as the standard is dire! and electronic suspension a must when 2 up touring, we have the vario boxes plus top racks and extra bags plus tank bag! plenty of power and still 60 mpg fully loaded although when your cruising late 80s it drinks like a fish. ime 64 small build and tried RT1250 twice but it just didnt make me smile but nice bike.
Very interesting video. We are surprisingly similar although I’m well into my 60s. I have a R 1250rt which is 1 year old now and a Guzzi V7 850 which is 8 months old. I love both bikes but the time is fast approaching when I need to go back down to one and downsize too. I was considering what you have here and also the V85tt. I don’t think there’s much in them really but the shaft drive is a big pull for me as I’m so lazy. That said the jury is still out at least for another 12 months. I’ll watch with interest how you get on.
Even the F750 is good for 2up. If it's hard for your passenger to climb up, let her get up first using your peg and seat, then move back up. I don't like the wide handlebars of the adv bikes. Wide bars are good for the off-road, but on a pavement narrower are better. Otherwise, I lived riding the Tiger 900. But BMW F-series in my opinion have the best-looking display, yet the right case is smaller and is bothersome. Also, when expended - they're really (car) wide :) Have you tried the F900GS? I also think this bike is more comfortable for a passenger. All big touring bikes have short suspensions travel, and have to be sturdier for not bottoming out, hence harsher on bumps. All in all, it's a great bike. Enjoy it! Cheers.
Good shout on getting the pillion to climb on first - did that a few times last week in Snowdonia on your recommendation. Thank you. I haven't tried the F900GS - it was out of my budget this time, but I do like the look of it, and it might be one for the future.
Hey mate, glad you mentioned the case colour! aluminium or all black Vario case . Can't make my mind up! 😅 I can order either but dealer pushing me for black too! I suspect they make more money on them. Also aftermarket spot lights? You reckon needed, the ones on the GS ADV look quite nice ?
I think black looks better on my bike due to the frame, swinging arm and wheel colour. It's grown on me, but the guy did test fit silver cases when I was buying it and they looked cool too. I'd have been happy with either. I had spots on my RT and only used them a few times - mainly in fog. The GS has a better headlight than my non-LED RT did, so I probably won't add spotlights. I don't go off-road and I don't do a huge amount of riding at night. If I did, then more light would be sensible,
@ I’ve not searched for one yet, but I did see BMW had stopped offering them. I guess it’s a case of looking on eBay and forums, or seeing if there’s a Haynes manual available.
In the 1950s and 60s, lots of people used to go touring 2 up with camping gear on bikes and sidecar outfits that probably had no more than 50 bhp. Touring 2 up is not about how much power your bike has but about enjoying the experience and scenery.
Yes i have BMW R1250rt had it 3 years lovely bike but so heavy. Now in my mid 60s need to down size so me and the wife can carry on riding out together. Still need a good a mount of room for us both
This is spot on from my 40K experience of f750gs bikes, Top spec model is the one to own and you can add bits as you go. You do need the factory comfort seat as the standard is dire! and electronic suspension a must when 2 up touring, we have the vario boxes plus top racks and extra bags plus tank bag! plenty of power and still 60 mpg fully loaded although when your cruising late 80s it drinks like a fish. ime 64 small build and tried RT1250 twice but it just didnt make me smile but nice bike.
Very interesting video. We are surprisingly similar although I’m well into my 60s. I have a R 1250rt which is 1 year old now and a Guzzi V7 850 which is 8 months old. I love both bikes but the time is fast approaching when I need to go back down to one and downsize too.
I was considering what you have here and also the V85tt. I don’t think there’s much in them really but the shaft drive is a big pull for me as I’m so lazy. That said the jury is still out at least for another 12 months. I’ll watch with interest how you get on.
Even the F750 is good for 2up. If it's hard for your passenger to climb up, let her get up first using your peg and seat, then move back up.
I don't like the wide handlebars of the adv bikes. Wide bars are good for the off-road, but on a pavement narrower are better. Otherwise, I lived riding the Tiger 900. But BMW F-series in my opinion have the best-looking display, yet the right case is smaller and is bothersome. Also, when expended - they're really (car) wide :) Have you tried the F900GS?
I also think this bike is more comfortable for a passenger. All big touring bikes have short suspensions travel, and have to be sturdier for not bottoming out, hence harsher on bumps.
All in all, it's a great bike. Enjoy it!
Cheers.
Good shout on getting the pillion to climb on first - did that a few times last week in Snowdonia on your recommendation. Thank you. I haven't tried the F900GS - it was out of my budget this time, but I do like the look of it, and it might be one for the future.
Hey mate, glad you mentioned the case colour! aluminium or all black Vario case . Can't make my mind up! 😅 I can order either but dealer pushing me for black too! I suspect they make more money on them.
Also aftermarket spot lights? You reckon needed, the ones on the GS ADV look quite nice ?
I think black looks better on my bike due to the frame, swinging arm and wheel colour. It's grown on me, but the guy did test fit silver cases when I was buying it and they looked cool too. I'd have been happy with either.
I had spots on my RT and only used them a few times - mainly in fog. The GS has a better headlight than my non-LED RT did, so I probably won't add spotlights. I don't go off-road and I don't do a huge amount of riding at night. If I did, then more light would be sensible,
@@CGRidesMotorcycles cheers, by the way, any idea where to get the Service Repair Manual , BMW not offering anymore to owners unfortunately
@ I’ve not searched for one yet, but I did see BMW had stopped offering them. I guess it’s a case of looking on eBay and forums, or seeing if there’s a Haynes manual available.
Sometimes you need a break from the shaft