Well, I didnt think my initial response would create such interest!!I hope Henry and Carl get a chance to note the interest that seems to be there on this topic.I like the idea of being challenged, which must be common to all bikers? Going out with a group of adventure-minded bikers makes for a pressure-cooker environment, and I am willing to pay for that extra challenge. Yes I dropped my bike several times on the 07 Safari but I look back on it with huge pride and satisfaction. Hence my desire to do another one.But I definitely heard Robbie Cricket, the 07 Safari route setter, say during our 07 briefing that his course was more a Mike Britten-type course, and my understanding is that not many "big traillies" do Mike Britten rides these days. There are always exceptions of course so I am talking in general terms.Great to read peoples views... 😎

I'm a GS owner I don't mind doing gravels but to take the 1200 off rd I know I couldn't handle it and I would hate to see it get damaged within the first 10 mtrs off the rd thats why I brought a 2001 Suzuki DRZ 400 which I have a lot of fun on and the size and weight is good for me 114 kgs, I dont mind falling off it and scratching this and that, if BMW could bring out something like that at a reasable price I would be in. I did start out with a Dakar GS but again to much money tired up in the bike for me to do that.

BMW will soon release the new 450. It will probably meet your criteria, except for the reasonable price. However, what is unreasonable for some is perfectly reasonable for others. The Dr400 is an excellent bike and I can't see BMW get anywhere near its price point. I could only justify it if I was a top notch rider who is able to get the best out of the his equipment and would be limited by anything less than the best. As it is, if I was going to fall off something on a regular basis I'd prefer it to be light and cheap. My main constaints are riding time and access to land, not the lack of suitable equipment. Oh, let's not forget to mention money, that's a major constraint as well.

My main constaints are riding time and access to land, not the lack of suitable equipment. Oh, let's not forget to mention money, that's a major constraint as well.

It's funny. For 3 or 4 years in a row I offered the use of about 100 acres of farmland and forest for the month or so when there was no stock on it, free of charge for anyone who wanted to use it for practice. The first year the only response was a sarcastic reply from someone who wasn't interested. The second year Henry talked of doing a training day, but that was as far as it got. The third year there was not a single response. So I gave up.If you want access to land you need to use it when it's available. Landowners are not going to keep on begging you to come and use it if nobody shows any interest.

Most farms will have stock on them all year round. But as ours was only used for fattening cattle there was about a 6 week period from late February with no stock.The land is on a conditional sales contract, with new stock expected any day, so the opportunity has now passed. If I'd known there was any interest it could have been available for the last two months.

That would be me, too old and grey now to go off road with a big lump of a bike like a GS, although in saying that I have been thinking again about buying another 250 road legal dirt bike, but then my next thoughts are when would I use it, as I like riding sealed back roads too much now, and my memory also takes me back to the aches and pains of trail riding  😥There is an interesting letter in the new May addition of Kiwi Rider, page 68 if my memory serves me right about adventure rides on a big adventure bike and I would tend to agree with the writer.

Bike and stock can go together.

Gees Dean that ground looks pretty flat, what are you doing falling off there? 😀