Maybe try the 800 again when you get a bit older Brian as Mike mentions above!
► Would you trade your 11xx/1200 for an 800/650?
- Thread starter Kenny
- Start date
Maybe try the 800 again when you get a bit older Brian as Mike mentions above!
Perhaps you are right!
"....Maybe try the 800 again when you get a bit older Brian as Mike mentions above!...." I was surprised but the 800 doesnot feel particularly lighter when at rest or wheeling around than the 1200 - perhaps the C of G is higher? No, I should have stuck with the 1200 for a few more years and then perhaps switched to the 650 which feels a smaller bike altogether. In fact as I said somewhere else the 650 seems to do everything (on the road) that the 800 does but I have to admit that I chose the 800 JUST because it looks a bit more 'grown-up' and they had one in stock. All a bit stupid - but I least I didn't buy a Porche or a Ferrari & my old Focus IS very sensible and pleasant to drive!
"....Maybe try the 800 again when you get a bit older Brian as Mike mentions above!...." I was surprised but the 800 doesnot feel particularly lighter when at rest or wheeling around than the 1200 - perhaps the C of G is higher? No, I should have stuck with the 1200 for a few more years and then perhaps switched to the 650 which feels a smaller bike altogether. In fact as I said somewhere else the 650 seems to do everything (on the road) that the 800 does but I have to admit that I chose the 800 JUST because it looks a bit more 'grown-up' and they had one in stock. All a bit stupid - but I least I didn't buy a Porche or a Ferrari & my old Focus IS very sensible and pleasant to drive!
Deleted Account GS
Registered user
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2007
- Messages
- 224
- Reaction score
- 0
Tried it out today
Have to say what a bike from the power delivery to the handeling i love it, now all i need to do is sell my 1200gs.
Go on buy it i am selling it for £6500 ono, go on take a punt.
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148015
Have to say what a bike from the power delivery to the handeling i love it, now all i need to do is sell my 1200gs.
Go on buy it i am selling it for £6500 ono, go on take a punt.
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148015
Possu
Registered user
and judging by your username... you went for the 800???
Main concerns about the 950 is a) too much power and b) fuel tank range
Only too much power if you're a novice & riding it offroad.
Mileage range can be an issue with just a 13 litre tank admittedly. I've just returned from a 2,100 mile to the Pyrenees & back for a weeks offroading. Fuel light never came on once on my SE, filling up every 100 miles or so.
If you're planning on occassional greenlaning & mainly road mileage, the 800 will be an excellent choice. If you're a more experienced offroader & planning on using it as KTM intended, then the SE makes more sense, bearing in mind it has fully adjustable WP suspension etc. Riding the SE feels just like riding a heavy 400/45/525EXC - awesome bike.
cba191
Guest
isn't this a comparison about what's better? apples and oranges? i've been looking at the 990 adventure s, and have been trying to get opinions there. the 950se looks like a fun bike until you hit pavement. but i've never ridden one so that is just conjecture.
Possu
Registered user
SE's are fine on the road, they just lack the range & weather protection of the Adventurer version. Mine returned 50+mpg on the trip to Spain.
Pipster
Registered user
The SE is sound on the road great fun to ride very well mannered...Sold my GS 1200 replaced it with the SE and have no regrets at all ...I use it on road -offroad trail riding and will be riding the Rydale rally on it in a couple of weeks...
In august I'm taking it to Skye camping just bought some Andystrapz throw over bags for the camping gear...Tank range is not a problem in the UK good for 100 mile's
Not a bike for the vertically challenged
cba191
Guest
The SE is sound on the road great fun to ride very well mannered...Sold my GS 1200 replaced it with the SE and have no regrets at all ...I use it on road -offroad trail riding and will be riding the Rydale rally on it in a couple of weeks...
In august I'm taking it to Skye camping just bought some Andystrapz throw over bags for the camping gear...Tank range is not a problem in the UK good for 100 mile's
Not a bike for the vertically challenged
out here in arizona, 100 miles isn't gonna do me too well. for that reason, i'm waiting for my 800. i love my dakar, but a bit more power on the pavement would be nice.
Possu
Registered user
If you're venturing offroad in Arizona, you may appreciate the superior suspension on the SE?
If mileage range is the only thing puttting you off, there are a couple of solutions. Check out Neduro's thread on AdvRider, he's building a 2:1 exhaust system that loses the l/h silencer, replacing it with a bolt on side pannier fuel tank holding about 2 US gallons / 8 litres. There are several other threads on the same subject that include ftting 950/990 SM tanks & also gutting the l/h silencer & turning that into a fuel can.
What the SE lacks in road usability, it more than compensates for with it's offroad ability & adjustability.
I'm 5'10" with a 32" inside leg & manage fine on the SE although I'm nowhere flatfooting it.
If mileage range is the only thing puttting you off, there are a couple of solutions. Check out Neduro's thread on AdvRider, he's building a 2:1 exhaust system that loses the l/h silencer, replacing it with a bolt on side pannier fuel tank holding about 2 US gallons / 8 litres. There are several other threads on the same subject that include ftting 950/990 SM tanks & also gutting the l/h silencer & turning that into a fuel can.
What the SE lacks in road usability, it more than compensates for with it's offroad ability & adjustability.
I'm 5'10" with a 32" inside leg & manage fine on the SE although I'm nowhere flatfooting it.
cba191
Guest
maybe i should take the SE out for a spin. but, truth be told, that machine is a monster, and scares the hell out of me. i do think that arizona is a definite 2 bike area. i'm still going to get my 800. but maybe i'll pick up a 690 enduro as well. 
stevia13
Registered user
800GS v 06' GSA
Apologies if this thread has been answered elsewhere? Am thinking of trading in my 06 GSA for an 800 gs. I would very muh appreciate some of your opinions please;
MY reasons - lighter, and more capable off road;
MY concerns - much smaller tank range, "normal" dive front fork, wind buffeting; seat height - is the high seat height close to GSA seat height?
My 06 GSA (non ABS) has 15,000 mls, and Ive been given a trade in value of £7500 - has anyone else traded in, or have you had any problems selling your bike privately / did you use Biketrader or other.
So many questions I know - just one confused boy !!
Apologies if this thread has been answered elsewhere? Am thinking of trading in my 06 GSA for an 800 gs. I would very muh appreciate some of your opinions please;
MY reasons - lighter, and more capable off road;
MY concerns - much smaller tank range, "normal" dive front fork, wind buffeting; seat height - is the high seat height close to GSA seat height?
My 06 GSA (non ABS) has 15,000 mls, and Ive been given a trade in value of £7500 - has anyone else traded in, or have you had any problems selling your bike privately / did you use Biketrader or other.
So many questions I know - just one confused boy !!
I run an 06 1200 and borrowed an 800GS the other day riding it home over familiar roads.
The bike does indeed feel lighter and more flickable. At the speeds and pace I was riding the 800 was just as quick as my 1200. You need to rev it a little more but that's only to be expected.
Fuel range. Well listening to 800/650 owners although the bike has a smaller tank, its greater mpg makes up for this with some people saying over 200 miles per tank is possible.
Fork dive. There is some fork dive but no more than any other "normal" bike. If you have only ever ridden tele lever bikes you may notice it more but I didn’t find it intrusive.
The Screen. The screen for its size is good but nowhere near as good as the 1200 , same goes for the seat. However I suspect a range of screens and seats will soon be on the market from various suppliers.
Seat height. As the bike is narrower I didn’t find the extra height a problem I think anyone who can get a leg over a 12GS will cope with the 800.
In my opinion if you do a lot of touring miles and carry a pillion regularly then the extra comfort and torque of the 1200 comes into its own otherwise the 800 is just as capable. Personally I would want to change the seat and screen.
£7500 sounds like a good trade in price (more than I was offered against a 1200ADV)
Stumpy
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2004
- Messages
- 3,580
- Reaction score
- 47
I've just bought an F650GS which is intended to be a second bike to my 1200GSA.
Yes the 800GS is much much lighter, something like 50kg. The seat heights are about the same.
On paper the 800GS looks capable off road, but IMHO it's a compromise bike aimed at the touring/street/gravel road mix. The six speed gearbox is close ratio, and on the 800 the first gear is far too high and the top gear isn't high enough.
My first two tank loads (topped to the max) have returned over 250 miles which is roughly the same as the 12GS. The F800 is likely to be slightly less range.. Yes there's some fork dive and the brakes are not semi linked, so you need remember to also use the back brake.
Wind buffetting is severe on the F650, a bit better on the F800; you'll want a higher screen or screen extension if you're planning to do long distance motorway work. A screen extension might be better as the screens are non adjustable and you'll overheat in hot climes riding offroad with a high screen.
Tim
Yes the 800GS is much much lighter, something like 50kg. The seat heights are about the same.
On paper the 800GS looks capable off road, but IMHO it's a compromise bike aimed at the touring/street/gravel road mix. The six speed gearbox is close ratio, and on the 800 the first gear is far too high and the top gear isn't high enough.
My first two tank loads (topped to the max) have returned over 250 miles which is roughly the same as the 12GS. The F800 is likely to be slightly less range.. Yes there's some fork dive and the brakes are not semi linked, so you need remember to also use the back brake.
Wind buffetting is severe on the F650, a bit better on the F800; you'll want a higher screen or screen extension if you're planning to do long distance motorway work. A screen extension might be better as the screens are non adjustable and you'll overheat in hot climes riding offroad with a high screen.
Tim
Possu
Registered user
Even if you've decided against getting an SE, grab a go on one if you ever get the chance, at the very least you'll either get off it wearing a big grin or vowing "never again"...
There must be a fair few SE owners in AZ who post up on AdvRider who may let you ride theirs?
There must be a fair few SE owners in AZ who post up on AdvRider who may let you ride theirs?
cba191
Guest
Even if you've decided against getting an SE, grab a go on one if you ever get the chance, at the very least you'll either get off it wearing a big grin or vowing "never again"...
There must be a fair few SE owners in AZ who post up on AdvRider who may let you ride theirs?
is it strange that i really don't like riding other people's bikes? i'm always afraid that something might happen. if i wreck my bike, that's one thing. if i wreck someone else's bike, that is a bad day.
I had a 990 and I also had a 1200GS. I would still have difficulty in chosing which was best overall - its very close. The BMW has more character, a better dealer back up, more available bits and pieces, is more comfortable on a long run, and has much better fuelling. The KTM is better built by some distance, is cheaper, is rarer (every cnut has a GS) has a better gearbox, and better standard luggage. The KTM is a bit Jap - you get the feeling that it could easily have been built by big H, but to some people (not me) thats an attraction.
IMHO neither bike is ideal for off road unless you mean gravel / dirt roads. Try Brit mud ruts and its hard work cos both are too heavy.
TRB
Guest
800GS
Haven't had a chance to test ride the 800 yet, but I have a 625 SMC and love it, as long as I'm not on a motorway. I'm really surprised that you find your 800 just as fun and nimble as your KTM. Hopefully I can get a test ride this week.
Haven't had a chance to test ride the 800 yet, but I have a 625 SMC and love it, as long as I'm not on a motorway. I'm really surprised that you find your 800 just as fun and nimble as your KTM. Hopefully I can get a test ride this week.
I can understand riders going for the 1200GS because its like no other bike. I certainly loved mine. But the 800GS is more of a puzzle given BMW's deserved reputation for dodgy quality these days.
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 mind, there has to be something extra to compensate for the reliavbility / quality issues. There is with the 1200 but with the 800? And this post is neither troll nor provocative - its logical instead
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 mind, there has to be something extra to compensate for the reliavbility / quality issues. There is with the 1200 but with the 800? And this post is neither troll nor provocative - its logical instead
I certainly loved mine ... is that past tense Birdseye?
But the 800GS is more of a puzzle.. It just adds up to me... no puzzle at all. It's lighter and more economical than the 1200GS, yet does everything that they will do... certainly in my book!
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. If you were to run your 'bike for professional reasons you would soon find the answer to that one I think
5,400 miles on my 800GS so far and not one issue... nor do the dealers have any known problems registered so far. The engine is Rotax, the frame a plain and simple affair... rings all the bells for me for sure
www.adventure.gs
Yes - past tense. The bike no longer exists thanks to a young lady in a 3 door hatch.
If the 800GS is problem free unlike the 1200GS, then no issue. But having run a large manufacturing operation, I know its not possible to operate two differing quality standards in one assembly operation. So I cant see the 800GS being any better (different maybe but not better) than the 1200 quality wise. In which case, why bother when the Japs offer very similar bikes?
Certainly wish you the best with yours - I hope I'm wrong!
If the 800GS is problem free unlike the 1200GS, then no issue. But having run a large manufacturing operation, I know its not possible to operate two differing quality standards in one assembly operation. So I cant see the 800GS being any better (different maybe but not better) than the 1200 quality wise. In which case, why bother when the Japs offer very similar bikes?
Certainly wish you the best with yours - I hope I'm wrong!
