1200, 800 or 600?

[northcave]

I know this has cropped up a few times but just wanted to revisit and start a new thread with my own specs in mind

60kg
6ft
Slim build
New rider
Use: mixture of town, touring and off road but needs to be capable off road.
Capable of carrying kit / panniers.

Being a new rider i'm unsure what the practical differences of the bigger bikes will be. I mean clearly more torque and power but are those really going to be that much of an issue and will i prefer the weight saving if i plan on using it off road and town?

Cheers guys

Tim

 

[Nico]

Being a new rider I would stick with the 800, great engine and touring capability plus 21'' front wheel which is better off road

The 650 has the same engine with a different setup, but definitely less suitable for off road.

With 6 ft height you'll be just fine with the 800 IMHO!

The 1200 requires some practice and it's quite heavy for a novice.

 

[rjsmith26]

Hi Northcave, welcome,

Its a difficult one, when i 1st passed test, I went vfr400, 750, 800 and now on a 1200GSA. However upon passing test was advised get as bigger big as possible as what ever you get it will feel wierd and if you can get to live with a monster nothing in the future will phase you.

Going from a vfr800 to 1200gsa for me has been fine. I think big bikes are mainly about technique for dealing with them - not necessarily experience (IMO). If anything there are various elements of a 1200 which are far far easier to deal with than a VFR800.

Anyhow - best of luck - any specific questions feel free to pm me.

Cheers

Rob

 

[macpherson]

...but needs to be capable off road

OK, but how capable? Along a few hard-packed dirt tracks or mud-plugging?

The only way to really find out which suits you best is to ride them, and dealerships are generally pretty accomodating in offering rides (though I can't recommend your local one for aftersales / service).

I've owned an 1150GS previously and currently own an 800GS (for sale elsewhere on the site), but have ridden plenty of miles on the 1200 too. The bigger bikes are great, but the 800GS imho is the better and more fun all-rounder.

 

[flytoolow]

If I were to start riding again...

If I was to start from scratch again, I would have taken the 1100GS (Aniversary too!) that was offered to me in the first day...would have saved a bundle on "all the others" that Ive bought and sold before the 1150GSA that I have now...

My tupence...