The Wheels

Why the 2004 R1150 GS Adventure?


BEFORE
AFTER

I get a good laugh when someone tries to tell me this bike or that bike is the worlds greatest touring machine and can outperform everything else. I met a guy in a Colombian hostel, who felt inclined to inform me that his KTM was a far superior machine when compared to my BMW. I was naïve enough to engage in a debate over this, happily pointing out that he was promoting his machine as it lay neglected at a garage as he toured S. America on the mighty chicken buss (although this to is an adventure of its own). But arguing the merits of a BMW with an Austrian was rather pointless (KTMs are from Austria). Over the subsequent miles down the road I realized the bike wasn’t the biggest factor. Other than the fact that I think 2wheels is the way to roll,.. the rider makes, breaks or creates the adventure. The best bike is the one you lavish with unquestionable faith as you cross the line into the unknown. Its your partner in crime.. and you’ll love her..whether it’s a KTM, KLR, BMW, or a Honda.

That’s a wordy way to say there is no “best” bike to suite everyone’s need for every tour. There is only the best bike for you!

There are lot of kick ass machines out there to suite everyone’s riding (and crashing) style. All of them will likely get the job done. All of them will have mechanical and electrical failures depending on how far you push yourself and your bike.

I have been happy with the performance of my machine…and I push it very very hard.

I had the luxury of many years to plan this tour, both in regards to information and finance. But the choice of bike was virtually instantaneous. I chose the 1150 Adventure because I absolutely fell for it, the first time I saw it on show room floor. You could say it was love at first site.

I look at a bike in respect to where it can take me. Chrome and loud pipes do nothing for me. Chrome is for washing, and loud pipes are to get people to look at you after you’re done washing. I’m infatuated with the journey on two wheels, and not merely the image of it. I respect long travel suspension, bash plates, aggressive tread, and a huge gas tank to give me the freedom to step into the unfamiliar with confidence.

The GS I bought offered me the capability to ride both dirt roads and pavement with a huge load in relative comfort. Although not invincible or perfect, the machine is highly reliable! Its expensive, but your not just buying a famous name, your buying very high quality components, modern technology, and over all damn fine engineering.

After living off this machine for 8 months as I traveled through North America, Central America, and South America,.. I’d argue that it’s the best bike for me.

Prepping a stock R1150 Adventure for a world tour.

Crash bars- Hepco Becker (far superior to stock crash bars on adventure)

Bash plate – attached to centerstand

Ceramic clutch- Tourtech

Filter- K&N

Panniers- Jesses (rewelded frame to widen racks (right case was banging against FD unit)

Back rack- that Canadian dude on ADVrider.com gave me a great deal

Snorkel- air intake vacuum hosing

Snorkel- final drive

Cool stickers- make the biker go faster

Pipes- Remus,..allows significant weight drop by eliminating need for cat converter

Foot pegs- Fastway dirt pegs

Cylinder head covers- Touratech

Tank cover- some French company off ebay

Fuel bottle holder- connects camping stove fuel bottle to frame of bike