Touring on the Monster

[mbalmer]

I have been getting ready to do some touring this summer. I'm trying to figure out if I should use the monster (2000 750). It's been crashed several times and has a salvage title, but it rides sound. It was serviced at Nichols at 12000ish miles. I have 2000 miles to go before the next service. I don't want to take it in 2000 miles early for it's service, but really should have it checked out. So my question is, should I use my monster or purchase a second bike? I've been looking at BMW touring bikes. I would rather not purchase anything yet, but I'm not sure if I trust my bike to go to Tahoe, Oregon, and various locations in the Gold Country without mechanical issues. What do you think? What do you think of a BMW 1200 RS?? I was looking at a Ducati ST3, but, the maintenance is more expensive. I would appreciate any thoughts. Comfort is not my biggest issue. It's reliability.

[duckwrench13]

Comfort is not my biggest issue. It's reliability.

1990 BMW R100GS Paris Dakar model. PERIOD.

Not the prettiest, not the fastest. Decently comfortable. But most importantly, absolutely bulletproof!!! They are simple to maintain, will run forever with serious neglect and minimal service.

I had an '89, pre-PD model, so it only had a 6 gallon tank. The Paris Dakar has a 9 gallon tank. The PD's also have a bit more windscreen, so you don't get quite as buffeted at speed.

I got mine with 77K miles on it, and sold it 6 years later with over 400K on it! The damn thing just keeps running. Think of it as the "B-17 Bomber" of the motorcycle world. Not pretty or fast, but will take a serious beating, and get you home again.

And they're decently priced for a solid one... $5000 is the median price.

If the GS is a tad on the tall side, try to find an RS model. It runs a 17", instead of a 21" front wheel. Both use a 17" rear. Oh, and don't let the spokes fool ya, they're tubeless!!! But carry a spare tube, just incase.

Both run a disk front, drum rear brake set up. The rear is a cable operated, and fronts are older Brembo hydraulics...still damn fine units. Clutch is a cable instead of hydraulic. I would suggest getting a second clutch cable, putting a few drops of lube in the housing, and taping the ends closed. Zip tie it in line with the existing cable. If you snap a cable, then all you have to do is peel the tape, and swap the new one in. It's one of the very few weak links with the air-cooled BMW's.

Unless you absolutely destroy the motor, most repairs can be done roadside with a few basic tools. Heck, if you're really in a bind, even an old VW shop can work on it!!! It's the same design as the old beetles, minus 2 cylinders.

The factory seat is fine, even on loooooooooooonnnnnnnggggg rides. The only thing I ever changed was the bars. I swapped out for a pair of R1100GS bars. They're a 3 piece design, that has vibration dampening inserts that run the entire length of the grip area. MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!! Oh, and skip the throttle lock doo-hickies, and just get ya one of those $6 "Cramp Busters" plastic thingies that slips around the throttle grip. Easy to use, and still allows the throttle grip to rotate if you loosen your grip/take your hand off.  Just a tad safer, IMO.

I can't say enough about the durability of the GS series. I would stick with any of the R100GS models between 1989-1995. They were all carb'd...no fuel injection/ECU to worry about. If you trash a starter motor...some had outstanding Bosch units, and others had some crappy French turd that always died...you can go to the local pick-n-pull wrecker yard and get the starter motor from a '99 Saturn. Yes, a Saturn car. It bolts right in!!!

I love my Ducati, and would never think of ever replacing it. But if I had to choose one bike to use as a do-all, go anywhere, ride through the Apocalypse machine, then the R100GS is the one and only way to go!

I'll stop now. I could go on and on...obviously.

Check out http://micapeak.com/bmw/gs/

It's probably the most comprehensive assembly of information on the entire breed.

Good luck!

[Cynic]

I personally have never had any issues with my monster on long hauls.  Been down to LA 2wice, up to Portland once, and in the almost 30k miles I've put on my bike the only thing she does is drink a little oil.  I would change the oil and filter before you go, and make sure your chain and tires look good and you should be fine. 
You say comfort isn't an issue, but that stock seat makes me cry after 150ish miles. 
Good LUCK!!!

Cheers

[mbalmer]

I'm curious on the comfort thing. The longest I've gone is about 140 miles. I was not tired. I wonder how I'll feel riding to Weed in one day? I'll try my monster at first. I checked out some BMW touring bikes. There is one BMW R100GS Paris Dakar model for sale on CL. Duckwrench is not lying about it being unattractive, but that is okay. A less beautiful bike is more likely to be left alone (not that unbeautiful bikes don't get stolen). I really would like to ride my monster. I was just concerned about its reliability for long distances. It's an unbeautiful bike with a history of mishaps. I'm no mechanic and can only do very basic upkeep.

Thanks for the responses.

[remy]

I got my new panniers in the mail today, which means touring on my M695 is right around the corner. My girlfriend is going to tour with me on her Ninja 250. We won't look like Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor, but who says you need a BMW to motorcycle tour?!?
We'll just be doing trips to the Central Coast for starters, then up to Oregon later in the summer and who knows from there.
If you can find one anywhere, I hear the DP gel seats are awesome, but I haven't been lucky enough to find a place that sells them.


As for your service/maintenance, I think Nichols is so cheap (in comparison) that you should go ahead and take your M750 in a little earlyOr you could take it for a good 60 or 80 mile ride ahead of time to get a feel for it to really tell if its next service is mandatory right away. If it feels strong and doesn't show any bad signs, I'd wait until after your first trip to do the service.

Actually, Nichols is so friggin far away you'll be closer to the suggested mileage for your service by the time you get to their shop! 

[sonofabike]

I have been getting ready to do some touring this summer. I'm trying to figure out if I should use the monster (2000 750). It's been crashed several times and has a salvage title, but it rides sound. It was serviced at Nichols at 12000ish miles. I have 2000 miles to go before the next service. I don't want to take it in 2000 miles early for it's service, but really should have it checked out. So my question is, should I use my monster or purchase a second bike? I've been looking at BMW touring bikes. I would rather not purchase anything yet, but I'm not sure if I trust my bike to go to Tahoe, Oregon, and various locations in the Gold Country without mechanical issues. What do you think? What do you think of a BMW 1200 RS?? I was looking at a Ducati ST3, but, the maintenance is more expensive. I would appreciate any thoughts. Comfort is not my biggest issue. It's reliability.

If touring is gonna be a regular habit and you have the spare cash to buy/insure/maintain that second bike, I'd vote for the GS too.

If you decide to put off the purchase and take the Monster, I'd vote to get the service done early if going for more than 3000 miles.  I got my 18K service done about 1500 miles early, just before a 10-day trip I just completed yesterday.  It was really nice to have a silky smooth running engine without any issues for the trip.  Added benefit of taking it to the shop now:  identifying OTHER mechanical issues that you might not be aware of prior to your trip.  Desmoto did just this for me before my last trip, and McGuyver'd a solution hours before my departure for an issue that certainly would have put me in a bind on the road.

My 99 M750 is only the second bike I've ever owned, the only one I presently own, and I'm a one-year MC n00b.  I've put 4,000 miles on the clock just touring in the past 6 months, easily 1/3 of all my miles since I started riding.  Without an reference to the long-mileage comfort rendered by more "suitable" bikes, I've thoroughly enjoyed touring on my Monster, and I've done as many as 650 miles or so in a day on some trips.  But I will confess that the fatigue produced by riding this bike for those many hours (especially when having to ride slow behind traffic in single-lane twisties) is getting old quickly, and I find myself lusting for that go-anywhere touring bike more and more.  Hence the dreams of the GS.

On the Monster, Wolfman Beta Mini saddle duffel has served my touring needs perfectly.  In camping trips, tent and pad have been secured to the bag by cinch straps.  Other add-ons that have made my travels easier:  powerlet socket, Garmin Zumo GPS, Dart flyscreen.

[remy]

On the Monster, Wolfman Beta Mini saddle duffel has served my touring needs perfectly. 

I just bought these same ones because of your recommendation. They seem like really good quality bags, but I have yet to pack it up and head out. I hopefully will sometimes in the next couple of weeks.

[thunderpuppy]

Ive done well over 15,000 mi. of touring on a 2000 750 monster. Complete with camping gear.
As opposed to the bikes you mentioned the monster is designed as a backroad burner.

BUT when one wants to hit the road and has no other bike - the monster does fine. The ergos are a little tight for the loung haul - but I've been all over CALIFORNIA, NEVADA & UTAH on that bike and it never broke down.

PS - go the flicker.com & search for -  peter muny monstertour

[mbalmer]

Thanks for the responses. I'm going to go with the monster for now. I contacted Nichols and they said to change the oil and check out the fluids, do the service after I get back. I'm waiting for the Wolfman Beta bag to show. I should be good to go by Wednesday. [moto] [moto] [moto]

[ducati_tim]

I rode across the country on a 2000 M750. It was awesome 

http://www.geocities.com/mosbychelsea/details.htm