Hello all,
I'm not new to BMW MOA but new to this forum. Just did an intro post a day or so ago.
I have 10 years and 170,000 miles on a couple of K1200LTs and the occasional service loaner ride on smaller BMWs, but zero experience off road -- unless riding across my front yard counts for anything. The few times I've had an LT on a gravel road it was white-knuckle time. So, I have lots of questions for you.
Next July (2016) my son and I are riding from his home in WA to AK and back, including the Haul Road. I've been wanting a smaller second bike and this is yet another reason to move in that direction. A nearby dealer has a leftover 2015 G650GS, as well as a leftover 2014 G650GS Sertao which he is making a good offer on. You are aware of the differences in those 2 bikes. I would add the usual protection farkles to the G650GS, and panniers, GPS and other things to either bike, so in the end they would be the same bike except for the Sertao's larger front tire and suspension travel (and resultant higher seat).
Question 1: Which is "better" for the Haul Road? Is there any reason the Sertao's larger front tire will be crucial on that road? In Alcan Rider's Haul Road Primer he makes the point that whatever you handle well is the "right" bike.
Keep in mind, as you think about my first question: I will ship the bike to WA, ride to AK and back, then ship it to Ohio. Once it returns to Ohio undoubtedly I'll visit local back roads but that isn't its primary mission. In other words, it doesn't need to be capable of conquering mountain roads/trails when that trip is over.
Question 2: Tubeless tires? No experience with tubes. Roadside flat repair on a tube sounds like a pain. I understand a little about the flexibility of the spoked rim, but tubeless seems much more easy - plug and go. Plus, when I bring the Sertao back to Ohio I won't be bombing around woods and fields; this is going to be my "errands" bike and play bike for short trips. Does it make sense to replace the Sertao's wheels with cast (i.e., non-spoked) wheels? I understand there are some DIY spoke-sealing products out there, with variable results; there are also places that will seal the spokes for you, and spoke wheels where the spokes connect outside the tire bead, making tubes not required. I'm just trying to stay away from tube hassles. And the Sertao's front tire looks so skinny! I'm wondering about handling on paved roads, having read about some twitchiness on that bike.
Question 3: Why was the Sertao discontinued in 2014?
Question 4 (drum roll): Thumper, or twin? Not just the AK trip, but long-term ownership. We know the thumper can do this trip, having seen many photos of it on this site. In a 16-day trip only 3-4 will be on the Haul Road. Everything else is higher speed and paved roads; same thing when the trip is over.
That's it for now. More questions to follow as I see your replies. Thanks.
I'm not new to BMW MOA but new to this forum. Just did an intro post a day or so ago.
I have 10 years and 170,000 miles on a couple of K1200LTs and the occasional service loaner ride on smaller BMWs, but zero experience off road -- unless riding across my front yard counts for anything. The few times I've had an LT on a gravel road it was white-knuckle time. So, I have lots of questions for you.
Next July (2016) my son and I are riding from his home in WA to AK and back, including the Haul Road. I've been wanting a smaller second bike and this is yet another reason to move in that direction. A nearby dealer has a leftover 2015 G650GS, as well as a leftover 2014 G650GS Sertao which he is making a good offer on. You are aware of the differences in those 2 bikes. I would add the usual protection farkles to the G650GS, and panniers, GPS and other things to either bike, so in the end they would be the same bike except for the Sertao's larger front tire and suspension travel (and resultant higher seat).
Question 1: Which is "better" for the Haul Road? Is there any reason the Sertao's larger front tire will be crucial on that road? In Alcan Rider's Haul Road Primer he makes the point that whatever you handle well is the "right" bike.
Keep in mind, as you think about my first question: I will ship the bike to WA, ride to AK and back, then ship it to Ohio. Once it returns to Ohio undoubtedly I'll visit local back roads but that isn't its primary mission. In other words, it doesn't need to be capable of conquering mountain roads/trails when that trip is over.
Question 2: Tubeless tires? No experience with tubes. Roadside flat repair on a tube sounds like a pain. I understand a little about the flexibility of the spoked rim, but tubeless seems much more easy - plug and go. Plus, when I bring the Sertao back to Ohio I won't be bombing around woods and fields; this is going to be my "errands" bike and play bike for short trips. Does it make sense to replace the Sertao's wheels with cast (i.e., non-spoked) wheels? I understand there are some DIY spoke-sealing products out there, with variable results; there are also places that will seal the spokes for you, and spoke wheels where the spokes connect outside the tire bead, making tubes not required. I'm just trying to stay away from tube hassles. And the Sertao's front tire looks so skinny! I'm wondering about handling on paved roads, having read about some twitchiness on that bike.
Question 3: Why was the Sertao discontinued in 2014?
Question 4 (drum roll): Thumper, or twin? Not just the AK trip, but long-term ownership. We know the thumper can do this trip, having seen many photos of it on this site. In a 16-day trip only 3-4 will be on the Haul Road. Everything else is higher speed and paved roads; same thing when the trip is over.
That's it for now. More questions to follow as I see your replies. Thanks.