"Long Way Round" was what made me want a motorbike, and specifically a BMW GS. In my mid 40s and facing a mid life crisis, I decided to do bikes.

I passed my CBT (Uk basic test), bought a £300 chinese 125 and rode through the winter to get some miles in. Then booked the DAS test (same as the EU bike test - it's tough) and then went to a bike showroom and ended up buying a high-mileage 2004 BMW R1200GS with full luggage - even before I passed my test. Luckily I did pass and loved riding it.

But as I grew in experience, I began to think that it might not be the bike for me.

It was complicated. First the ABS pump died, and there's lots of horror stories about that. It knocked my confidence back a bit (as it died it fought back, releasing brakes at the wrong time, and pulsing heavily on corners. ) I had that bypassed, and the brakes were brilliant after that. But I lived in fear of further problems. Clutch slipping? Oh no, that needs the bike splitting in half to replace! Rear beari

I'll start!

I live on Dartmoor in England, and own an old 2004 BMW R1200GS and new 2023 Royal Enfield Himalayan. Been riding for five years.

Since getting the Himmie I've not felt the need to ride the GS any more, so it's up for sale - but not had much interest, probably because it's got 80k miles on it.

Both are great bikes and very different, but I live in an area with lots of narrow and steep lanes, and the Himalayan is so much better at those. The GS is a great bike, but too big and heavy and I've never once used all its power. I've really tried to love it, but I feel like apologising to it constantly because I'm not a better rider, and asking it to be gentle with me.

Whereas the Himalayan is far more sure footed, far easier to do my own maintenance on (this is a big part of ownership for me) and gives me far more confidence to explore the lanes and tracks of Devon. It makes me feel like a little boy going on an adventure with a friendly dog; it won't judge me, it's up for a