1200 gs vs 800gs

[shauny]

As the title says what is the difference between the two. Weight / seat height / bhp / mpg / cruise speed. I have a 58 1200 gs and weigh 10st 5lbs. Its nearly cought me out a few times and when fully loaded I can just get it off side stand. think its time for a change. Thanks all.

 

[bisbee]

Have you tried a low seat on your 12?

 

[Dahoum]

As the title says what is the difference between the two. Weight / seat height / bhp / mpg / cruise speed.

Google - heard of it?

 

[Zx9man]

A lower seat will transform the bike for you

 

[shauny]

Thanks for the link. Never thought of lower seat was thinking that the 800 might be lighter to move and on the road but worried about the power as my 1200 feels bit flat at times.

 

[Bobbin-Man]

I had the standard seat on my GS reworked to lose around 20mm, it's transformed the feel and my ability to get a good foothold on uneven ground.

 

[Bendy toy]

I know what you mean about weight but an 800 loaded up won't be featherlight.
I always stop right foot down to avoid dropped gutters & drains and the road camber is in my favour.
Keeping one foot on a peg feels more stable than both feet down.
I never paddle it backwards - always get off & push with side stand down. Great fun if the camber is sloping the wrong way.

The Kahedo low seat is very comfy but makes standard bars feel like ape hangers. You might need lower bar mounts as well.

 

[Shunt]

Have you sat on a 800? My missus can't reach the floor on one. But can happily ride my 12.

 

[Streetbike]

As the title says what is the difference between the two. Weight / seat height / bhp / mpg / cruise speed. I have a 58 1200 gs and weigh 10st 5lbs. Its nearly cought me out a few times and when fully loaded I can just get it off side stand. think its time for a change. Thanks all.

No, no. I only weigh 10st 10lbs and at 5'9" have no problem with the weight or saddle height, even with full camping kit as far as sidestand is concerned. I have however gone a bit soft and fitted a tarty Wunderlich centrestand handle and it does make a difference. My saddle is the standard one on the lower settings. Persevere unless you try the 800GS and really prefer it, then that would be a good reason to change.

 

[vinniebug]

I'm 5'7 29" inside leg. Booked a test ride on 800 with low seat. Sat on it in the car park at the dealer and declined the ride. I wouldn't buy even if it was a great ride because it was too high. Didn't feel right. Sales guy took me inside to sit on 1200 with low seat. It felt better. Test rode one, and then bought one. 1200 GS LC. Turn the bars fully tight to get it off the side strand easier, buy some hefty hoots like Firma Adventure. Works for me, so far. Good luck.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

I tried the 800 recently as a loaner for a werk , when my gs lc was in dealers, 800 felt very light to move about (breath of fresh air ) and light on its toes. I thought it was great but took a few hours to adjust to it and didnt have the ultimate torque and punch of the 1200...it was good fun to ride and felt quick enough, not sure how it would measure up on the motorway.

 

[SamK]

I had the F650GS Twin before my LC and therefore a little smaller physically than the 800.
Motorway cruising was great, but I had a taller screen and Sargeant seat.
Moving them round my loose stone driveway is easier with the LC, probably due to low centre of gravity.
The biggest difference is the awesome punch from the LC's acceleration

 

[walrus]

Had the new adv 800GS as a loaner while my 1200 was being serviced. I enjoyed riding it but it was too tall. I'm 5' 10" and 31" leg. I have no trouble with my 1200GS fully laden. I wouldn't want to do to with the 800. One wrong camber and a sudden stop and I would be in trouble even though it is lighter.

 

[Rockred]

It,s been said the low seat will give you more control when stopped. I was the same as you until I got the low seat a big difference, after about a year I thought I would try standard seat again, I sat on the bike for about a minute that was enough to convince me to put the low seat back. Also get thick soled boots to get your feet closer to the ground.

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

I went from a 1200GSA to the 800GS the 1200 is the better bike but the 800 is just easier to do everything the weight difference is not massive but enough to make a big difference.
Speed wise the 1200 is quicker but a GS is not about speed the 800 just works for me quick enough and light enough I think the 700GS would also be a great bike and should not be dismissed.

The only thing I miss from the 1200 is the rock solid front end the 800 feels vague but once you get some miles on the bike you forget about this

 

[Bendy toy]

I bought the 1200 for that front end and don't regret it for a minute.
The 800 will of course be fine on the motorway. The 90 bhp Diverson 900 was more than adequate weighs a lot more (240kg) and is only 5bhp up on the F800.

But after the 1200, I find "normal" forks compromise a bike's handling too much. A full on moto crosser needs the ability to bounce off the brakes but everything else is better without that feature.

 

[shauny]

Not sat on 800 yet think I was just wanting a change more than anything and the extra cash back to buy a small car for school run next year.

 

[Q plate]

As said the 800 is a tall bike in standard guise but if you like the bike there is a low seat option, I think they were offered with low or standard seat options when new? The low seats a (bit) more comfortable anyway in my opinion & there's a hyperpro shortened rear spring available think its about 50mm. You can also drop the forks through the yokes a little to level things out a bit.

AL

 

[Marco46]

Agree, (I too have a 29 inside leg)I had an 800gs for two years and never felt 100% stable especially going up the Stelvio!! Took out 1200gs and immediately felt more at home with it..

 

[stevie Allen]

Another one with the 29" inside leg .
I went on the Simon pavey level one course earlier this year , Rode up on my 1200 gs lowered , suspension and seat ,
And stepped onto the 800, By the time we had done the garage and got to the course ground . I was ready to wrap. It was just too tall for me , I couldn't see me getting through the two day course on it .
He changed me over onto the 1200 , No problems