Staff Bikes: Stewart's BMW R1200GS Adventure
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- Опубліковано 24 сер 2024
- Another day, another Staff Bike. This time we’re going a bit off format though, as it’s not a custom. Our General Manager Stewart's ride is a BMW R1200GS Adventure. So with not much to elaborate on, with it being pretty much a stock bike, He tells us and Mark more about what he actually does with the thing including a 35,000 mile trip… which is much more interesting.
So try not to be filled with jealousy and quit your job after watching… we dare you!
I’ve done a good bit less than you but I spent a year driving and sleeping next to my R90/6. I was 30. I’m now 71. I stopped riding for 25 years when I had kids and now I am wondering if I have the oomph to do it again. I loved your video and I almost wept when you said the best parts were when you ran into problems and had to solve them. (Same thing with passage making on a sailboat).
I want to tell you about one of those moments on my bike that resulted in a farmer paying me the nicest compliment I’ve ever received.
I was traveling through central Florida on my way down to Key West (where I would turn down Mel Fisher’s invitation to join him in diving for Spanish treasure...look him up). My right side muffler blew a hole on the top right where it was closest to the bottom of my black plastic pannier. I could hear it when it happened and it started to burn a hole through the pannier. I stopped at a convenience store to look at it. What to do? I sat on the curb looking at it. A farmer in overalls watched me looking at it. He said nothing. I had a large Jacwal fairing with army canvas bags glued into it and had a can opener in it. I had all sorts of radiator hose clamps (don’t leave home without them). I went into the store and bought a large can of pineapple juice and using my can opener put the customary two triangular holes in the top. I drank as much as I could. It was more pineapple juice than any human has consumed at one time. The farmer, an old geezer, probably as old as I am now but baked dry by the sun, watched in silence. When I could drink no more I poured out the rest and used the can opener to make dozens of over lapping triangular cut outs on both ends of the Can. I also had wire cutters on the bike. I took them out and finished cutting out each end. It was messy work. There were sharp edges everywhere. When I got both ends out I spent ten minutes cutting the Can on a spiraling bias from one end to the other. I wrapped the resulting sheet metal patch around the muffler and cinched it down with daisy chained radiator hose clamps at each end and in the middle. I started the bike. It worked. I put the pannier back on. The farmer who had stood there silent for the entire 45 minutes then said to this urban Jewish "kid” with an exotic motorcycle he had probably never seen up close before, ”Boy, do you need a job?”
I’ve never been paid a nicer compliment.
And so I smiled nostalgically when you told your story. I read Jack London when I was a boy and it transported me. I bet you did, too.
Sailing long distances is what I did 20 years later. Same concept. Man against nature and happenstance only with no convenience stores!
The trick is imagination. It’s EVERYTHING. It’s what compels you to do the things we do and it’s what enables us to come out the other side not only unscathed but enriched beyond the ability of bean counters to fathom. :)
Great story, Robert. Moments like those define an adventure.
Wow epic story sir! Yes you should get back on. You’re never too old. Take care of your health and body well. Practice intermittent fasting. Lessen the body toxins and you’ll remove years of parasites that ages everyone. When you have your health you can do anything sir.
This.
This is my goal. This is my endgame.
Just started riding, 37 yrs of age. Got my licence 2 yrs ago.
atm im breaking my skils on a 10 yrs old Kawasaki Versys 650.
But one day, kids will be bigger, on their own, hopefully we will be financialy OK, me and my wife on a bike, exploring the world.
Tnx BSMC for this.
Cheers Stewart! Hat's off to you mate!
I’ve always regarded me self as a biker, after starting riding since I was 11 and now 55,,, but after hearing this spectacular journey you’ve done makes me question my self, 160 odd miles to the east cost seems like a good journey to me ,, 👍 well done fantastic Shane uk 🇬🇧
Beautiful bike. I adore the GS. I ride an older 1150 that's been across North America several time from the Pacific to the Atlantic. It's seen all of Canada and most of Mexico (Baja especially) while also being my daily transportation and weekend canyon carver. They're absolutely brilliant machines that can do far more than most realize. Mine will be buried with me. Cheers.
thepassionofthegoose the 1100 and the 1150 are way cooler than the 1200
Watching this on in my garage while sitting on my GSA. Time to ride now.
I'm transitioning from road to off road. Man you can do so much on these.
I currently have a BMW R Nine T Scrambler but I think my next bike is going to be a 1200GS. There is just something about a bike that can do nearly everything and be so comfortable that is so ridiculously appealing.
I don't understand how anyone can afford to do that, im so jealous.
Easy. I take 6 months off every year and I don’t make up to 100k a year. Easy to do. Live minimal. Try to save 50-75% of every paycheck, have no kids, don’t go out to eat and do go out drinking. Live cheap and save money for travels. I fly at least to 5 new locations every year. Also take advantage of rewards points by credit cards. I haven’t paid for a single flight in 5 years.
@@dialac1 I honestly don’t believe you. What job allows you to take off half the year?
@@bernardschmitt6389 maybe working on an oil platform for 6 months straight... my uncle used to do that.
It's interesting how he talks mostly about the trip rather than the bike itself. Feels like other staff are having the bikes as an extension of their-selves, and this buddy is having it as a vehicle (literally) to fulfill his life.
That was super inspirational, currently on a trip up in Scotland but after hearing about your adventure I’m itching to go much further afield. Stunning bike also dude.
It'll be fun to see you do Saddle Sore IBA 1000 amidst Empty roads...
Nice talk...what a trip! And nice to see a big Beemer being used properly!. Travelling on a bike ( any bike) is brilliant. ..getting up every day and riding all day on new roads is the best. Steve
Excellent video. Loved it. Been wanting to do a trip like this for a long time with my brothers. Currently doing a start up, so we will see when there is enough time to make this Americas trip work. I loved what you said about the bike: "if you are in love with that bike and you get off of it every single day looking forward to getting back on the next morning, then it's the right bike"...that being said, I'm still on the search for that bike I am absolutely in love with. On my 6th bike. Will try an adventure one next. Stay motivated!
YES! Love this video, give this man his own channel. I want to hear more.
It takes blood and guts to be this cool..!
I keep telling myself I've got a big trip in me but it's not the lack of funds that's stopping me (well, maybe it is) more breaking the news to the wife!
#paranoidandsunburnt
I feel your pain or fear.... My culture is allot more different from other's 2nd. have the privilege being with mature woman... its a peace of mind... Good luck for breaking the news if you do it!
no just money and time
Love the story, keep it to yourself though the secret that’s South America 😂
And you’re bang on about the off-road skills making your on-road ridiculously better
I bought my GSA four years ago when I retired at the age of 50. I've not done huge mileages on it (Max in one six day trip in France was 3,450) but I wanted one for years and finally had the money and the time when I took early retirement. There were more sensible things I could have done with my money but it was absolutely the right thing to do for me and I don't regret it one bit. I may not be able to afford a big trip like yours but Europe is a great two wheel playground if you stay of the autoroutes. Get on your bike and ride till you run out of money then save up and do it again - it's life affirming. Great video.
Great video. Would love to something similar, although I still have plently more to see in the UK on a bike!
Wow. What awesome advice. Great interview guys
Would love to see more about this, Awesome!
Subscribed!Greatings from Romania...i also ride a gsa.By far best motorcycle out there.😊
The coolest GS I seen.👍🏼😎
Epic vid - buzzing for the next one!
Got my new cb650r last week and have 1000 miles on it already. Really great to hear you note that ride anywhere on any bike. Going to ride to europe at the end of the month for a few days, pack the bivi bag and off i go. Live in scotland and wont be suprised if ive done all the roads in a year haha (jokes ofc) but what a place to learn to ride!
Fantastic motorcycle, maybe some day I’ll get me one. 👍🏽
And here I am sitting on a job I hate wondering why am I not out there riding ha.
Awesome. Really inspiring stuff.
Awesome video!!! Where did you get the tank decals? They look amazing
What is the seat address or who builds this?
please please can we have more videos with Stewart's adventures and pictures :)
Stewart, thumbs up for getting out there and "doing it", very inspirational. Life's about having adventures and it sounds like you had one!. A quick question. After a few weeks/months on the road did you find that you discarded some baggage that you originally thought would be useful but turned out to be just dead weight? Iam interested in the things NOT to bother packing rather than the essentials. Cheers.
G'day - I'm on a trip around Australia right now - in Townsville right now actually - the first things I've discarded is cooking and cleaning equipment. I've kept the basic stuff like a small stove, butane canister and small pot to boil water but frying pan, tongs, cutlery, bin bags, cleaning soap... all in the bin! those freeze dry meals from camping stores are perfect. And clothing, i took 6 teeshirts, socks and jocks - thrown 3 shirts and 3 pair socks away already. If i could ditch the laptop i would too! I still carry the capability of about 8 litres of water though between a 1 gallon rotopax, 1.6 litre thermos & 2 litre camelback (empty) panniers are virtually empty now
Yes, it is very easy to make any reasons not to do something!
Edmund Chan those are called excuses.
Who is the new bash plate from? Who made it??
i love the gs for a adventure bike but not sure i would custom one of them
Drive shaft spline maintenance?
Thanks for sharing.
How do you protect yourself when traveling like this by bike to and through other countries? I watch a lot of these videos about riding across country and different countries but know one ever mentioned protection.
I would like to know if the felt insecure at any moment!!......or they didn’t even think about that...big balls...huge Respect..!!!
Great stuff
What do you do for tires, servicing, etc along the way?
Where is a link to the ride story/blog????!! :oD
Excellent vid I am subscribing
How much did it cost to air freight bikes from UK to Atlanta ?
Well I've got the opposite problem, plenty of time, no need to work, can afford a bigger bike. But I'm a month away from retirement, and I've been off a bike for 20 years, I'm 62. Too old? Ive started some back to biking training and it seems to be going well....
Who were you insured with the drive abroad for this long?
More adventure built bike pleeez! Not everyone wants to cruise around London on pavements.
nice one!
Anyone know if Stewart has any videos of his travels?
Nomad Lad he got a great response to this video so we’re gonna make one specifically about his trip. Hang tight till then [Dan]
my god nothing has inspired me to ride so much in such a long while only problem is .. i ride a cruiser so.. am kinda stuffed
Hemish Joseph I ride a cruiser too. It isn't my bike of choice, but it was given to me, so that's what I ride. I do plan to get a GS later when I can afford it. Cheers!
Must be nice not needing pre-approved visas to do trips like this
More interested in how to fund this without selling your house
Tell you what to do with it give it a clean
The whole if you want to do then go out an do it thing is bs. People have work and can’t just spontaneously take a 11 month trip.