650 or 800?

[Buz]

Thanks again for all the advice, think its gonna be a case of hopefully get the test sorted then decide after that.... Seems to be so many decisions and the fact i'm only a short arse may mean the 800 is outta the picture anyway...
Time for bed.... too much Katy Cider LOL

 

[Buz]

Gone and dun it!!!

Passed this afternoon on a 500 so it now looks like its off to look for a new toy!!! Will try for 800 with low seat but realise i may be too short......
Nearest stockist to me is Stroud or Bristol, does anyone know any others within a sensible distance of Gloucestershire/Forest of Dean and what feedback does anyone have of the two mentioned? Goods and bads???

 

[Tim Cullis]

New rider, partially heighted = F650GS. It's a great bike to ride though I've not been lucky with the reliability.

It keeps up with the R1200GS up to about 70mph, the performance advantage of the F800GS is only apparent when you are over 7000 revs which for me is almost never.

Tim

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The wheel choice is important if you ever intend to do off-road, spoked rims are tougher.

Not on the 800GS, they are probably made in China and are softer than cheese

They 'ding' very easily

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

New rider, partially heighted = F650GS. It's a great bike to ride though I've not been lucky with the reliability.

It keeps up with the R1200GS up to about 70mph, the performance advantage of the F800GS is only apparent when you are over 7000 revs which for me is almost never.

Tim

Reliability??

Name and shame the defects

 

[twisticles]

Hi all, another new one with some basic questions!! I've had a search but can find nowt appropriate on the site.
Just failed test on a 500, stupid U turn, all else went ok but just cant get used to the damned U turn, cant get used to revving the guts out of the bike, riding clutch and breaking at the same time! I know the theory but have no way of practising, other than spending a fortune on training. Got the test again next week and thinking of doing it on the 125 and get a restricted bike for 2 years.

Don't do the restricted test, you'll feel restricted for 2 yrs! The 650 sounds like it would be perfect for you.

As for the U-turns, it well worth spend a few dollars on additional lessons to get this right. I wouldn't so much as "rev the guts" out of the bike, but just bring it to around 3k rpm and ride the clutch there. Practice doing a decent straight line at slow speed, riding the clutch and holding it back a little on the rear brake. WHen you are 'in the groove' with that, go for your U-turn. Pretty soon you will find you only have to roll a couple of metres before you can swing into the turn.

I am sure you've heard it all before, but I can't stress enough - LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO. Lead with your head first, before you start the turn. Truly, the bike will follow. The movement of your head and shoulders helps to orientate you and the bike correctly for the turn you want to make.

I can make a right hash of corners and turns by looking at my wheel/the tarmac/my speedo, but if you point your helemet in the right direction it becomes instinctive.

Good luck for the test, report back

 

[Buz]

Passed this afternoon on a 500 so it now looks like its off to look for a new toy!!! Will try for 800 with low seat but realise i may be too short......
Nearest stockist to me is Stroud or Bristol, does anyone know any others within a sensible distance of Gloucestershire/Forest of Dean and what feedback does anyone have of the two mentioned? Goods and bads???

Thanks Twisticles, see quote, i did manage to complete it this time, yep, did it just as you said in your advice..... starting to look for the new 'toy' now...

 

[sv969]

Hi,

Congratulations on passing the test, now its time to learn how to ride!

I returned to biking after a few years away in May 2008 and bought a new F650GS. At the time I really wanted the F800GS, but at 5'7" felt intimidated by its extra height and size so went for the smaller bike.

Over the year I had it, it was excellent and couldn't really fault it at all...very comfortable, great engine, great noise and perfect for anyone new or returning to biking.

From my own point of view, I wish I'd bought the 800GS from the start. On a recent trip to Bristol Motorrad I took the opportunity to try this bike again (low seat) and, to cut a long story short, walked out of the showroom a few thousand pounds lighter.

Immediately noticeable were the following:

1) The engine seems more eager to rev and the gearing is a little lower.
2) Turning into a corner requires a little more of a shove on the inside bar due to the bigger wheel
3) As the low seat is the cut out version, I, personally, experience far less wind buffeting than on the 650GS (standard seat. but I'd fitted a stock 800GS screen as the original ise useless). I also feel that I sit in the bike rather than on top of it.
4) The bike feels it has more road presence and you have a great view over the roofs of cars.

As far as height is concerned, I have a 29inch inseem, but you do get used to it and I've had no issues. In fact, the bike is so nicely balanced, you can creep up to lights very slowly in the hope they will change before you need plant your foot.

The guys at Bristol were very helpful and will let you test ride anything. If you decide on the 650GS, they may even have my old bike in the showoom reg: PL08 HBC (i think)....Silver, ABS, Heated Grips, Clear lenses, Computer, 800GS screen. Was due to go in for a replacement warped front disk, buth otherwise faultless.

Have fun and ride safe.

Simon

 

[nutter_on_the_bus]

BVM in Stroud are great to deal with. My brother has been using them for the last few years for his 1150 and I bought my 800 from them
I recommend them and they are only 10 miles from my place!

Everyone I know that has dealt with them have had good experiences.

 

[moto1527]

Passed this afternoon on a 500 so it now looks like its off to look for a new toy!!! Will try for 800 with low seat but realise i may be too short......
Nearest stockist to me is Stroud or Bristol, does anyone know any others within a sensible distance of Gloucestershire/Forest of Dean and what feedback does anyone have of the two mentioned? Goods and bads???

Hi Buz,

I'm also in the FOD, my advice is go to Bath Rd Motorrad in Bristol, really top class service ( and no, i dont work for them, just a genuinely satisfied customer).
I was in there a day or two ago and they have demostrators of the 650, 800 and 1200 to have a go on.

let us all know what you went for.

Cheers

Moto

 

[moto1527]

Hi,

Congratulations on passing the test, now its time to learn how to ride!

I returned to biking after a few years away in May 2008 and bought a new F650GS. At the time I really wanted the F800GS, but at 5'7" felt intimidated by its extra height and size so went for the smaller bike.

Over the year I had it, it was excellent and couldn't really fault it at all...very comfortable, great engine, great noise and perfect for anyone new or returning to biking.

From my own point of view, I wish I'd bought the 800GS from the start. On a recent trip to Bristol Motorrad I took the opportunity to try this bike again (low seat) and, to cut a long story short, walked out of the showroom a few thousand pounds lighter.

Immediately noticeable were the following:

1) The engine seems more eager to rev and the gearing is a little lower.
2) Turning into a corner requires a little more of a shove on the inside bar due to the bigger wheel
3) As the low seat is the cut out version, I, personally, experience far less wind buffeting than on the 650GS (standard seat. but I'd fitted a stock 800GS screen as the original ise useless). I also feel that I sit in the bike rather than on top of it.
4) The bike feels it has more road presence and you have a great view over the roofs of cars.

As far as height is concerned, I have a 29inch inseem, but you do get used to it and I've had no issues. In fact, the bike is so nicely balanced, you can creep up to lights very slowly in the hope they will change before you need plant your foot.

The guys at Bristol were very helpful and will let you test ride anything. If you decide on the 650GS, they may even have my old bike in the showoom reg: PL08 HBC (i think)....Silver, ABS, Heated Grips, Clear lenses, Computer, 800GS screen. Was due to go in for a replacement warped front disk, buth otherwise faultless.

Have fun and ride safe.

Simon

welcome to the 800 club mate, after a year and 13500 miles i still love mine to bits!