BMWMCCWA

The definitive answer to riding in Aus seems popularly to be the GS.
Unquestioned by many is the strength and grace of the 1150 and 1200.
Now the new upstart has well and truly arrived, the F800.
What I would like to know is,
and you don't have to present well rounded inclusive balanced arguements, just an opinion or point of view
and for those who know my riding skills, (I get a new bike everytime I hit the dirt)
how much better handling on loose road surfaces would a 21" wheel afford over a 19" wheel.

Kev

What you are asking in a round about way is what "GS" is best for you.

1150GSA, 1200GSA = big, heaviest bikes
1150GS, 1200GS = big, heavy bikes
F800GS = not quite as big, not quite as bulky, not so heavy bike
F650 Dakar or G650GS (new single version of the old F650 single) = smaller, lighter bike

A 21" front is better off road than a 19' front. Is it a decision making factor? Not in my opinion.
A big heavy bike is what it is, regardless of front wheel size.

My advice is start with a smaller bike (F650 Dakar or similar) and go bigger (if the size of the bike becomes a limiting factor) later.
There's plenty fun to be had on bikes like that. Just ask Peter McGrath or Dean Bicknell or Evelyn Hughes.
And in some situations, you'll be the one laughing while those with the bigger bikes are cursing and swearing.

pete

The tyre you put on the rim will make a bigger diffrence than the size. The size of the rim effects rolling resistance and its ability to travel over uneven ground or surface area in soft ground because of a slightly larger contact area. The tyre is used to maintain contact with road surface, loose surfces requier a tread pattern that will push into the earth to maintain grip. A hard surface allows the use of a tyre that can maintin a large contact patch with a less aggresive tread pattern. So decide where you are going to spend most of your time and how you think you will ride and set up the bike for that situation.
You can use tyre pressuer to manipulate the contact surface area of the tyre but dont go to low on large capacity bikes unless you have tyre locks fitted like motocross bikes to stop the tyre moving on the rim.
Keep the bike light and go have fun!

Hi Kev

Having recently hit the dirt myself I have a view that you may want to consider. As you know I ride a 1200GSA and have loved it. However and this is a big however, it is damn HEAVY !!
After my tumble there was no way I was going to be able to pick it up myself. Now I am not talking about normal conditions where it is just a heavy bike, I am talking tired, winded, wounded, on your own .. you get the idea. If I had been on a lighter machine come morning I could have picked it up and got myself outa there. But not the 1200. Also when the going got soft the 1200 needed speed to stay up and straight, not always a good ally on sand. I am now of the opinion that if I wanted to do significant amount of dirt riding and wander off through the remote regions of this big country, then I would want a bike I could pick up on my own (with out special techniques, hernia's etc).
So I agree with Pete and Ben etc, go light!, 21" is good on the dirt but not so comfortable on the road. Ben makes a good point perhaps an R100 or R80 GS would serve you well, otherwise I recon you may do well with a 650 GS. The 1200 will always be more comfortable on the bitumen and good gravel roads, but in the slippery stuff and when your tired the lighter bike will stand out as the right choice

Good luck deliberating
JonO

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The other option you have is to go for the R80G/S. My bike has a 46l tank, 21 inch front wheel and is lighter than the big modern BMs. You know you would look good on it. We just have to arm wrestle over the numbers.

John