I know I'm horribly late as this series was out in 2004 or so? But I'm finally getting around to watching it. I mean wow. I knew of course about the basics of their trip but didn't at all know how inexperienced Mcgregor was offroad. Talk about jumping into the deep end of the pool. Taking a 600 lb bike with 200 lbs of gear into freakin mongolia. 80 miles of paved roads in the whole country.

KTM really screwed the pooch bigtime by not sponsoring them and BMW scored just as big by giving them bikes. The whole thing is a massive advertisement/demo of just how badass the GS is as a touring bike for ANY conditions.

This program has made me decide as well. I miss bikes a lot. I know that I ride too fast on sportbikes and want to be around for my family. I think that an enduro (I like the F800gs) is the answer. We're moving back to Vegas in a few months and there are hundreds of miles of trails out in the desert.

Death valley is incredible in the winter. I toured it on my sportbike but had trouble on some of the gravel roads. A VFR with semi-slicks isn't an offroader.

They did 3 series all were decent to watch

What was the 3rd Gmaccormack?

I think it was just the one guy doing Dakar. Not a world tour like the other two

Seen them all. First one is best. But the others are great too!

Got done watching long way down. I think they did a good job in the beginning showing how it sucks to barrel through places instead of stopping to smell the roses.

First one was better for sure, more crazy randomness and more real drama overcoming things on the bikes.

I've been researching bikes today. F800gs looks solid, triumph has a new 800xc that might be better for a sportbike guy like me. Ktm990 is awesome but maybe more suited to street + fireroads which is what I'd ride anyway.

Downloading race to Dakar now.

F800GS is anything but solid.

Explain? I read about earlier models bearing and axle issues but they're supposedly solved?

I ride 10k+ miles a year and obviously need a reliable bike.

Lots of electrical gremlins, swingarm and shock linkage problems.
Never checked into it more than necessary, but this thread has all the info BMW F650GS & F800GS “Twins” Thread Index & Links - ADVrider

Loved the long way down, but my advice is to go for the 1200gs, I believe the 800gs has a belt or chain drive or solid drive shaft i forget, but my dad was deciding the same thing, and when I worked at the BMW moto dealership back home he got convinced the 1200gs was better, not only for the drive reason, chain or solid I forget but also because of the power.

My dad did alot or research i would be happy to ask him.

I think ur goal for the bike are them same that my dad wanted to do, lost of back road carving with the few roadtrips with a little off roading stuff at times.

but the 1200gs is a solid choice.