► Would you trade your 11xx/1200 for an 800/650?

[BLUEJAY]

I can understand riders going for the 1200GS because its like no other bike....

I am with you Man
The 1200 GS certainly IS a unique bike

Why would you want to buy the small GS when you can buy the equivalent Honda or Yamaha, similar sorts of water cooled 2 cylinder bikes, and know that they wont let you down.

To my knowledge there is no real alternative to the 800GS on the market so far.

I hope you didn't mean the new Honda Transalp (come on ) or the new Yamaha Tenerè (give me a break ).

Seriously, unless something comes up, so far the 800 GS runs in a league of its own

Just my 2 cents

Cheers


Bluejay

 

[Bumble Bee]

Would you trade your 1150 for an 800?

Yes - Have done.

Was a little concerned that I might have made a mistake, but find that I haven't.

Would dearly have loved to keep the 1150 and run it along side the 800, but economics dictated that I couldn't.

If I had the misfortune to own a 1200, then I would have got rid without any qualms.

The 650's a good un too, but lacking in certain departments IMHO.

 

[Tarmac Teaser]

Anyone downsized to the 800GS?

I've always fancied a 1150gs or maybe a 1200gs. Currently I'm saving to purchase one early next year.

Anyhow I've just opened up this months bike magazine and saw a silver 800gs with metal mule cases and top box and I must say that it is one good looking bike.

I'm tempted.

Question is has anyone changed from an 1150gs or 1200gs for the 800gs and if so how does it compare?

 

[twisticles]

I've always fancied a 1150gs or maybe a 1200gs. Currently I'm saving to purchase one early next year.

Anyhow I've just opened up this months bike magazine and saw a silver 800gs with metal mule cases and top box and I must say that it is one good looking bike.

I'm tempted.

Question is has anyone changed from an 1150gs or 1200gs for the 800gs and if so how does it compare?

Downgrade implies some sort of inferior property, whereas most owners will tell you it is a side-grade. It is a different bike with different capabilities than the 1150/1200. It is lighter, has a larger front wheel, it has better MPG, it is more 'off road'. Its a bit like comparing chalk and cheese.

Try reading the forum a bit, like this thread

 

[Tarmac Teaser]

Maybe I should have said down sized e.g (the engine).

The question is still relevant whether its chalk and cheese or not and was possed to find likes and dislikes of owners who have changed to aid in a buying decision.

I will of course take a test ride on the 800 and 1200 when time permits. Not to sure if there would be any 1150gs available for a test ride though.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Tim Cullis]

Totally different bikes, which is well demonstrated by the fact that the 1200GS is 50% more expensive than the 800GS. Aircooled vs water cooled, boxer vs parallel twin, shaft drive vs chain, tubeless tyres vs tubed, the list goes on.

Amongst the few similarities is that they share a dual road/track intent and have a GS badge on the side.

Read the UKGSer road review thread then come back with any specific questions.

Tim

 

[Tarmac Teaser]

Hi Tim, thanks for the info.

I did that yesterday and it was informative.

What happened to the post from intermeidate that was before your reply it seems to have dissapeared

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Different bikes/ same riders

I changed my trusty 1200GS for the 800GS after three and a half years. Why? I thought very carefully about it and decided that I 'deserved' a new bike and to buy a new 1200, when mine was running so beautifully, would be an extravagnace. So I bought a new 800GS with all the options & I found it looked smart and almost as big as the 1200 It was very lively, rather noisy, a bit lighter but not much & not much wind/weather protection. Then two things happend. My wife found it noisy and uncomfortable - & difficult to get on with the top box; then it stalled on a bad corner and I fell off. Ultimate indignity. It went back to the dealers and I await a new 1200GS!

 

[STUBBS]

i went from an 1150 to an 850 but i would say i downgraded

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Coming back to the question.....

Question is has anyone changed from an 1150gs or 1200gs for the 800gs and if so how does it compare ?
The June issue of "BoxRMag" - a French bi-monthly magazine devoted to BMW's did a back to back test entitled 'match R1200GS vs F800GS' and is a very thorough comparison in eight pages with excellent photos and all the statistics. The main point emphasised is that the the 800 is three quarters of the price of the 1200 so is obviously more competitive if finace is taken into account when comparing these "false twins." Then a few truthful, but not readily admitted, comments regarding 'image' ...." the 800 may not be considered a 'true' BMW and the resale value in a year or two's time MAY confirm this." However it ends by saying which ever of the two you choose you will be buying a machine of class & incredible efficiency , on or off-road."
The big difference in their summary ( with which I agree) is the 'vivacity' & polyvalence of the 800 against the comfort and performance of the 1200.

 

[samuelsnow]

'downsized' from 1150adv to 800gs

Loved the 1150ADV nothing like it but Im 5ft8 and even with the lowered seat was still a bit big for me. I did a London - Sahara trip a few years ago on the 1150 really fancied heading into the dunes and some off-road but just didn't feel confident at handling the big girl offroad. downsized to F650 Dakar for a while great bike but a step too far. great handling offroad but too buzzy for touring real miles. So have now got a F800 and it really seems the perfect compromise. Handles like a dream and cruises nicely am off to Morocco with World of BMW in September so will let you all know how it does on the dunes. Im a cameraman by trade so video evidence to follow....

 

[Wildman]

Loved the 1150ADV nothing like it but Im 5ft8 and even with the lowered seat was still a bit big for me. I did a London - Sahara trip a few years ago on the 1150 really fancied heading into the dunes and some off-road but just didn't feel confident at handling the big girl offroad. downsized to F650 Dakar for a while great bike but a step too far. great handling offroad but too buzzy for touring real miles. So have now got a F800 and it really seems the perfect compromise. Handles like a dream and cruises nicely am off to Morocco with World of BMW in September so will let you all know how it does on the dunes. Im a cameraman by trade so video evidence to follow....

I fancied that trip but am not free in September; have a great time and looking forward to the pics!

 

[Tim Cullis]

...have now got a F800... will let you all know how it does on the dunes...

Shedding 50kg (?) from the 1150GS won't make a huge difference in deep sand but it will be fun to watch--provided you are prepared to make the commitment and hold on to the throttle.

Ask Blue Sweeper (your tour leader in Sep) how he broke his collarbone.

Tm

 

[robbie c]

1150 vs 800

rode the 800 on the weekend

much quicker than the 1150 adv.

no where near as much protection from wind

wheelies easily off the line

feels light and nimble

didn't understand the 17" rear which limits choice and I thought the fuel mapping at low rpm and shut off wasn't very good. It felt to me as if it would be better with carbs

other than that a refreshing change from the 1150

would I buy one ???

the 1150 is a much better road bike and I reckon my ttr600 would be better off road and so no I wouldn't but one

if I had that sort of money (well actually I do) I would buy a second hand hp2

although I could buy the hp2 I just don't think it would be 7 grands more worth of fun and so for now the money stays in the bank

one day something will inspire me !!!!!

still love the 1150 and I've done 30000 miles on it now

good luck with your bikes and I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy mine

 

[TERRY RYAN]

yep cheers

 

[mark2jag]

Im not an overly wordy person. If i can answer a question with one word rather than 2 I will, but........... I've got a 58 plate 800GS which I got 2 weeks ago with 800 ish miles on it. It's now got 2000 miles on it(oh and all the toys too!!!) I REALLY REALLY LIKE IT BUT, I borrowed a GS1200 and that was it really. I just liked it right from the start. I have a low seat on mine(800) and at 5 ft 9 tall i STILL can't get both feet flat on the floor. I've sat on the bike with no seat on it and it was so low i could sit both feet on the floor with some bend left in my legs should I want it,not that thats an ideal solution. What this tells me is that IF I could find a GS1200 with a low seat and the same bells and whistles that I have on my new 800 I guess I might go for it. I'm considering secondhand as well, so I would have thought I might have a fairly wide selection of low seat height GS1200's to choose from, but not so apparently, ho hum never mind eh.... I really like the engine on mine, it revs very very quickly, and sounds absolutely fantastic. I am not able to tell you what the fuel consumption is EXACTLY but even with a not very gentle right hand I think its still getting 55-60 MPG. I think a 1200 might just about get 50 MPG. The 1200 I borrowed I did about 160-200 miles, and when i got off it I had no aches and pains or twinges, in fact nothing nasty or painful at all. In comparison I find myself CLIMBING off the 800, and being glad of the rest.I'm not really a speed freak, but on the odd occasion I do get over a ton out of it, I find myself backing off as the vibration is just soooo horrible. Borrowed 1200 was not even bothered by 120 plus and certainly didnt make we want to back off at all, even though in all honesty this sort of behaviour wasnt kept up for anything more than 5 or so minutes. I guess i need not have typed all this and could have replaced it with "want something lower". I know IF i did get rid of the 800 GS i would miss the instant revs,and the way it seems to rocket forward as if its just been attached to a (smallish) rocket. I think I should try and hire one for a week If i can find somewhere who hires, and who has a lower seated version. Anyone wanna swap????? Not really a very well constructed post and it does go all over the place but hey ho, it's my honest opinion.......

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Comparing the GS's

Unless you really intend to go off road 'properly' I would say it all comes down to what you can afford - or how much you are prepared to pay for this extravagance. I think from personal experience that both bikes are similar 'value for money' - so if you have enough to spare go for the 1200. There is now a low height version (not just a lowered seat) and the UK prices are VERY low, even compared to Germany.