Congrats on the bike. As someone who loves long distance drives/ rides and also rides (I daily a 2018 Africa Twin) long distances frequently, i love the feeling when you're about to leave, when you're first setting off, when you're exhausted and don't think you'll last much longer, but your machine just keeps eating the miles, and when you're close to your destination. I moved from Los Angeles to Dallas a few years ago, and try to get "back home" (LA) once a year by hook or crook. yes, i loaded my bike to the hilt and rode when I moved. My few tips for long distance rides: - Leave super early in the morning. If you leave at 2:00 AM and stop for breakfast at 10:00 AM you've done 8 hours of riding already, and you've still got almost the whole day to ride. - Ear plugs are a must. As are sunglasses. - Hydrate and bio (toilet) break when you stop for gas (petrol) to maximise your "on the road time." Get off the bike and walk around, stomp your feet, do jumping jacks, get the blood flowing. Gas, pee, bottle of water shouldn't take much more than about 5 minutes. - Wear good (adaptable) gear. Check weather when you stop for gas & gear up before you hit the rain so you don't have to stop. - Stand up frequently. I generally play music through bluetooth ear buds and once an hour i'll try to stand on the pegs for an entire song. - Keep snacks handy (pockets or tank bag) so you can munch on something while on the move. Nuts, hard candy, biltong, etc. - Don't eat heavy foods when you stop to eat. - Keep one or two more pairs of gloves in your panniers. - Take ibuprofen (cafenol) before you need it. - Stop and get rest if you're exhausted. You need to keep your wits about you on the bike, no use riding fatigued. Keep the sunny side up. I long to come back home and ride through the continent. if I retire in a few years i'm going to do exactly that!

Once, I was traveling in the south of my country (Argentina) and had a problem with the clutch, which delayed me due to repairs. The bike, a TTR125 modified for street use, was ready on Saturday at 4 PM, and I had to be at work at 8 AM on Monday, 1600 km away (Bariloche - Buenos Aires). I left and rode all night at 80 km/h until 3 AM when I stopped, slept on the side of the road, and set off again at 6 AM. I got home at 1 AM on Monday, completely cramped and exhausted. I was younger and could do these things; today, I don't think it's possible, and I would ask for another day off to travel more relaxed. These experiences help form a bond with the bike, and what better way to do it than how you did, covering 2000 km in 2 days.

I did the same, flew down to the Western Cape on a Saturday morning, picked up my 07' BMW r1200gs with 25000km's at webuycars, I immediately started my way back to Pretoria, arrived Monday morning (workers holiday) very tired, very happy in Pretoria, the BMW purred liked a kitten all the way home, I'll do it in heartbeat again, best way to start a new relationship with a motorcycle

@GreaseAndGravel

Жыл бұрын

Wow congrats! 25000km is nothing! I agree, I’d do the same trip again tomorrow. Best way to bond with the bike

I purchased the same model GSA New. It's now on 148,000 miles....they are amazing motorcycles. The best of 58 bikes I've owned in many years of riding. Enjoy the Adv😊

@GreaseAndGravel

9 ай бұрын

Oh wow, that's high mileage and good to know. Thanks for sharing!

@GAS1200

9 ай бұрын

@@GreaseAndGravel Pleasure buddy

I had one 2006 model ,rode from the UK to Nigeria 7000miles in two weeks adventure ,no breakdown except one rear tire change ,I don't i ride that much feels strong no stress .

@GreaseAndGravel

2 ай бұрын

Wow, that must have been a great trip!

The 1200 GS's are still very capable bikes. I'm in the trade and still sell a lot of them. 10 years ago I rode from mid France back to the north West of the UK in 1 day on a GS, 750 miles and 18 hours, the bike didn't miss a beat.

@GreaseAndGravel

5 ай бұрын

Wow, that's a long day in the saddle. This is the only bike I'd want to do that on. They are just amazing.

They are great bikes with little to none issues, I miss mine that was stolen out of my garage in March this year.

@GreaseAndGravel

Жыл бұрын

I am sorry to hear that Bongani! I hope you're riding again.

@bonganisikhosana3483

10 ай бұрын

Bongs, me and you as darkies are same WhatsApp group - the GSA is the best thing a man can have. Keep in contact brother

Great job after the third day you will get stronger, I rode 8,500 miles and 31 states in 31 days before I get to old and say I should have done it, have a miracle filled day, Mark

@GreaseAndGravel

5 ай бұрын

Thanks, Mark! I'd love to try that. I'd ride day on day forever... but don't know anyone else who'd join me. Cheers bro

Sometimes I go from Switzerland to Eastern Germany with my 2007 1200GS, 800 km in 7 hours and I wear padded underwear like the professional cyclists. helps enormously. in addition, you can still drive as fast as you can on many routes in Germany, so I drive long distances at 160, 180. sometimes even 200 for a short time, but that's no fun. but 2000km in 2 days. Respect!!!!

Those muscle relaxers sure put you in a great mood. 😅

@GreaseAndGravel

10 ай бұрын

🤣it really did! Man, my shoulders were killing me.

had the 1150 with 195.000 km....now a 1200gsa 95.000...these bikes are the best!

@GreaseAndGravel

2 ай бұрын

Wow, that's amazing. Friend om mine put more than 100 000km on his 1200 and now has 150 000km on this 1250

@peterselie6500

2 ай бұрын

@@GreaseAndGravel on the 1150 only one repair!!!!

Looking forward to some videos on your bmw,i finally got my xr650l been breaking it in, thinking about a Clark bigger gas tank ,I want to find a bigger gas tank that I don't have to modify anything on the motorcycle,,,stay safe.

@GreaseAndGravel

Жыл бұрын

Hey Michael. Thanks! Congrats on the XRL and enjoy! With a big tank that's going to be an awesome travel bike. I tried to buy back my old XRL, but got this GSA for the same price. Cheers and happy riding!

@michaelwebster2416

Жыл бұрын

@@GreaseAndGravel that gsa bmw is a great machine

please get the content coming on this bike. I have always wanted one.

@GreaseAndGravel

Жыл бұрын

Will do Terry! Ever since they came out I’ve also wanted one. Luckily there are still a lot of good ones out there

I think you picked a great bike for the adventure, I bet you won't have too many issues with it.

@GreaseAndGravel

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I am amazed at how well this old thing rides after standing for 5 years

Nice to see some videos from you again. I tried to work out from where to where you where riding. Kleinmond to Musina? Groete van die Weskus.

@GreaseAndGravel

Жыл бұрын

Dankie Herman. I rode from Kleinmond to Hoedspruit (1933km)

Well done.

@GreaseAndGravel

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for still watching!

@bjornzorger3731

Жыл бұрын

@@GreaseAndGravel it's not an XR but still a great bike , as long as you still go on ag adventures

@GreaseAndGravel

Жыл бұрын

I definitely plan to!

I watch this video, start following your clip . I own 2008 gs that i bought with 78k. Now she is 91k busy enjoy her . Any advice on mechanical i will appreciate it.

@GreaseAndGravel

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching the channel. Please let me know if you have any questions. So far, I've gone through the following preventative maintenance: spark plugs, valve clearance, telelever ball joint boot, both drive shaft boots (mine wasn't fitting properly), removed drive shaft to lube splines, flushed brake fluid, oil and filter change, air filter. So far so good.

17 years old but how many kilometers did it ride? I have a 2008 1200 GSA with 86.000 km on it. I will ride it until it can‘t no more. I love the bike, it's made for me!

Nice of mom to hold the camera. 😂. I guess we’ll get the kms on the clock in the next video. Do you choose to live so far away from Cape Town for the climate/flora/fauna or job or what?

@GreaseAndGravel

Жыл бұрын

LOL yes, camera mom. 76000km after this trip. More on the niggles in the next vid ;) We used to live in Stellenbosch, but the lifestyle here is so chill. I actually miss the cold weather sometimes.

Hi I have a car of the same model and model as yours in Taiwan.I have some questions about you owning it for 17 years Is there any problem with the condition of the car?And how many kilometers have you driven so far?

@GreaseAndGravel

9 ай бұрын

Hi, I bought this one earlier this year. It is 17 years old, but I've only had it for half a year and maybe done 3000km myself. Great bike!

I could manage 2k in 4 days.......but it would take me another 4 to recover. Lol. Small tip.I find it's better not to sit down when I take breaks from riding the bike.

@GreaseAndGravel

7 ай бұрын

Yeah, I should have stretched more when I rested... it was quite hard on the body... mostly my shoulders

What was your oil consumption on this trip?

@GreaseAndGravel

7 ай бұрын

Zero👌🏼

With how many miles you purrchase your bike

@GreaseAndGravel

Жыл бұрын

It had 74000km on the clock when I got it

What did you do in the afternoons? :)

@GreaseAndGravel

7 ай бұрын

😂it took longer than I expected… had to stop every hour to stretch my shoulders

How many km on the clock when you bought it?

@GreaseAndGravel

Жыл бұрын

74000km and going strong

How tall are you?…..I’m 5-6, is it too big for me?

@GreaseAndGravel

Жыл бұрын

I am 6’ and it is perfect for me. If you can ride, I would not worry about the seat height. The low center of gravity helps a lot with low speed balance

@michaeltkapele5031

11 ай бұрын

I am 165cm tall, but I have learned a few techniques to ride adventure bikes. Not having any issues

well nice,but what`s the big deal ?? normal i`d say...

@GreaseAndGravel

9 ай бұрын

Wow, what does your trips or commutes look like if a 1000km per day is normal??😮

@pete_boy71

9 ай бұрын

@@GreaseAndGravel normal for a gs that age🤙🤘

@GreaseAndGravel

9 ай бұрын

Gotcha!@@pete_boy71 I thought you're a machine... yeah, the bike will do 1000km per day every day... but not my body LOL

2 days for 2000 km? didnt it come with some Pervitin pills to keep you awake 😅

@GreaseAndGravel

Жыл бұрын

LOL staying awake wasn't the biggest challenge. Sitting for that long with a heavy backpack on my shoulders was! But I'd do it again. For some weird reason I just love driving or riding for long hours.

@oxyg3n600

3 ай бұрын

Pervitin... haha. Watched some documentaries on the history chanel so I Like the joke.