New subscriber here. I sold my Victory Vision Tour this winter and bought a 2017 BMW R1200 GSA. I now live in South Dakota, having relocated from Pennsylvania. I am tall at 6'4" and about 280lbs. In our state we have high speed limits, a fair amount of unpaved roads. Many of my friends live on farms or are in communities with a lot of dirt and gravel. Riding in dirt with a 900lb touring bike can be an uncomfortable experience. At 69 I just got tired of lugging around the weight although I was not aged out of my Vic. I love the BMW and can identify with most of what you said. One of the things I like the most with the 1200 is the lack of fork dive and also the shaft drive. The boxer engine also lowers the center of gravity very well. The ergonomics are far better than my old Victory also and nothing else I have ridden can take a twisty or corner like it. The previous owner ordered the premium package, and all of the upgrades, so I really need to do nothing to it. I am looking forward to some long tours this year and am excited to have such a great handling and fast bike to do them with. I look forward to your future content.
Glad to have you here! The bike I traded on the BMW was an Indian Roadmaster. While I loved the bike, it was a bit limiting where I could take it. I was always scared of scratching it or hurting it. Having switched to an adventure bike, I can say it is one of my most freeing bikes. Taking it down the rough roads in the national forests here has been wonderful. One of my friends has a 1250gs, I am hoping he will let me take it for a ride this summer so I can see how I like it. Hope you have a wonderful riding season this summer in South Dakota!
