2 days of Texas Hill Country riding on a R1200GS - need advice

[Nozz]

My wife has surprised me with a 40th birthday BMW R1200GS rental from Sport Ryder Rentals and 3 days off to explore the Texas hill country.  I need help with the following as I've never toured there before.

1.  Where to ride?  Starting from the DFW area, we'll have 2 full days of riding (Sat & Sun), then a half day (Mon)...

• 3 Sisters?
• Kerrville?
• New Braunfels?
• Austin?

2.  Where to stay?  Looking for something comfortable for 2

• 3 Sisters area B&B?
• Kerrville?
• New Braunfels?

3.  Which BMW to ride? I've ridden mostly VFR800's and dirt bikes.  This would also be a test for future rides

• R1200GS Adventure?
• R1200GS

Any words on Sport Ryder Rentals? Thoughts?
http://www.sportryderrentals.com/Main_Pages/Motorcycles/Motorcycles.php

[sagerat]

How tall are you?  BTW I had an '02 Viffer and loved it.

I'd say rather than  pick between a GSA  and a GA, I'd look at GSA or an RT.  If you're 6' or better, go GSA.

[Nozz]

I'm a whopping average 5'9".  I'm leaning towards the GSA and not the RT (even though that would make sense for this particular ride) due to the fact I'm using this as a trial run of future bikes. The RT isn't on my short list. Good suggestion though as I haven't thought about ride height.

Nozz

Nozz's short list:
1. Honda VFR1200 (?)
2. Honda CB750, 1974-1976 era **
3. Honda VFR750, 1996-1997 **
4. Suzuki DR-Z400SM **
5. Ducati Hypermotard 1100 or 796**
6. Ducati Multistrada 1100S / 1200
7. Ducati Monster 796 **
8. Ducati Multistrada 620 in yellow *
9. BMW R1200GS ** or GSA ***

[Orson]

Without referencing a map, I recall Highway 16 is pretty nice.

Also 337 between Vanderpool & Leakey

Dripping Springs outside of Austin is an artist community and a nice spot for lunch.

[cruisin]

I do the three sisters with as many of the surrounding roads as possible.

Here is what I would consider "must do" roads in that area in addition to 335, 336, and 337.

16 from Fredericksburg to Medina
187 from Utopia north to 39
39 into Ingram
1340 to little stonehenge and on to 41 then circle back to Mountain Home
27 back into Ingram
North of Fredericksburg catch 965 past Enchanted rock
1323 Willow City
then south and east of FB on;
1631
1623
1888
1376
470 Bandera to Utopia then 1050 west of Utopia

that whole area is just chocked full of great roads; just be careful of other bikers thinking they are the only ones on the road and crossing over center lines.

[satxbonneville]

that whole area is just chocked full of great roads; just be careful of other bikers thinking they are the only ones on the road and crossing over center lines.

Yeah, that's a good list. The only thing I can add is watch out for deer and other critters.


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[sodapop6620]

I went to Australia and rented a GS.  I was riding an RT and found that I had to think about throwing my leg over the GS.  I am 6 ft tall.  When I got back home the RT seemed really small to me.

Enjoy your BIG 40.  It is all down hill from there, so I am told.

Still 20 and holding.

[cruisin]

OH! one other thing; if you find yourself on any of the small FM or county roads and come upon a water crossing, be especially careful.  Most of them have a coating of algae that is as slick as ice.  

[FJRmgm]

I do the three sisters with as many of the surrounding roads as possible.

Here is what I would consider "must do" roads in that area in addition to 335, 336, and 337.

16 from Fredericksburg to Medina
187 from Utopia north to 39
39 into Ingram
1340 to little stonehenge and on to 41 then circle back to Mountain Home
27 back into Ingram
North of Fredericksburg catch 965 past Enchanted rock
1323 Willow City
then south and east of FB on;
1631
1623
1888
1376
470 Bandera to Utopia then 1050 west of Utopia

that whole area is just chocked full of great roads; just be careful of other bikers thinking they are the only ones on the road and crossing over center lines.

This is a very good list and will give you lots of riding.  I'd stay in Kerrville as it is close to most all of this.
I recently stayed at Americas Best Value Inn in Kerrville and it was a nice quiet place located close to places to eat and was clean, comfortable and a very good price.