800 or 1200?????

[ghost-rider]

hi all, i know this has probarbly been asked loadsa times, but im gonna ask anyway!!, im in the process of looking for a bike i definatly want a gs, but can i make my mind up?, can i fook!!! a brand new 800 or a used 1200.

I want a bike that i can use on a regular basis for scratchin,day trips and trips away with the missus and i just cant make my mind up whether the 800 as a 2 up tourer is too small, or whether the 1200 is bang on as a 2 up tourer, but does seem to suffer with a few problems...........somebody help!!!!!

cheers Andy

 

[Markgsxr]

800 better off road, 1200 better on road. 1200 bigger tank and shaft.

Horses for courses, which do you prefer the look of and which seat would the missus prefer?

I've had a few issues with my 1200 but have now accepted its foibles and can just get on with riding it, although its up for sale now but thats only financial. See if you can get a decent test ride for both of a fair amount of time, probably best to take SWMBO with you so she can sample the pillion comfort.

 

[Slowdown]

IMHO...

No way is the 800 better than a 1200 off road - the throttle is far too snatchy and the weight/size is about the same as a 1200. If off road's your thing then buy a proper pogo.

I don't quite see the logic in saying that the 1200 has (known) problems when the 800 is a brand new bike with almost certainly as yet unknown problems.

To me it boils down to whether you want the pfaff of a chain or not. Life's too short to listen to the 'I wouldn't have done/bought that' brigade.

Oh - and if you're after a 800 get your order in soon or it'll be the New Year before you get one.

 

[Markgsxr]

IMHO...

No way is the 800 better than a 1200 off road - the throttle is far too snatchy and the weight/size is about the same as a 1200. QUOTE]

Sorry, my mistake. I thought the 800 was around 40 kilos lighter than my GSA. I stand corrected.

 

[D6]

depends on the trips, your (and your good ladys size) how fast u go , and what type of roads, no one can choose for you

 

[ghost-rider]

fare points lads!!, gotta admit i prefer the 1200, and the missus definatly likes the look of the pillion seat!! spose when i say "known" faults for the 1200 i basically mean wot u read on ere, which again i spose i should take with a pinch of salt!!, coz theres gotta be plenty of 1200 riders out there who have had trouble free miles!!..........isnt there???

 

[Markgsxr]

Its quite surprising how heavy the 800 is. Again the best bet is a couple of long test rides on the sort of roads you like/know.

 

[red1]

Had an F800S out yesterday as a loaner and it's a nice little motor (same engine/power as 800GS)....... but ....... IMHO it's definately not a 2 up machine. Ok for a short trip but not for 2-up touring. It needs to be rvved to get any worthwhile performance, which makes me wonder if it's the right engine for a GS?

 

[ghost-rider]

ok lads, spose i betta get test ridin then!!, while were on the subject tho, whats peoples oppinions of mileage with 1200, i seem to be able to get anything from 9k upto 42k, mileage dont bother me aslong as its been looked after and all the service historys there, but am i betta going for a low mileage on or is it purely personal choice??

 

[Slowdown]

ok lads, spose i betta get test ridin then!!, while were on the subject tho, whats peoples oppinions of mileage with 1200, i seem to be able to get anything from 9k upto 42k, mileage dont bother me aslong as its been looked after and all the service historys there, but am i betta going for a low mileage on or is it purely personal choice??

Buy the one that gives you that little extra *tingle*. Works for me

 

[johnnystorm]

The advert in MCN yesterday has the f800gs in at 185kgs dry. While the 1200GSA must be a fair bit heavier there can't be that much difference between the 800gs and 1200gs. I expect it would seem a lot lighter as the stand over height is lower?

 

[Aurelius]

I don't quite see the logic in saying that the 1200 has (known) problems when the 800 is a brand new bike with almost certainly as yet unknown problems.

Its certainly reasonable to expect lots of as yet unknown problems to appear, since the 800GS is after all still a BMW. But what you won't be seeing is this:

 

[wilbjr21]

Its certainly reasonable to expect lots of as yet unknown problems to appear, since the 800GS is after all still a BMW. But what you won't be seeing is this:

Wasn't this the result of a bearing failure in Alaska and the chap just kept on riding?

Wasn't this the result of a crash in Australia?......... now that's just plain mischievous.

I agree with the earlier post of a snatchy throttle - makes it tricky when standing on the pegs going up a very steep hill (Offroad Skills course steep).

The 800 seems heavier to pick up

 

[ghost-rider]

cor if your gonna break it, that certainly did it in style!!!

 

[Guy]

I've not ridden an 800 as yet but the 16 litre tank size would put me off using it as a tourer

 

[Twotter]

ok lads, spose i betta get test ridin then!!, while were on the subject tho, whats peoples oppinions of mileage with 1200, i seem to be able to get anything from 9k upto 42k, mileage dont bother me aslong as its been looked after and all the service historys there, but am i betta going for a low mileage on or is it purely personal choice??

In your shoes I'd be looking for something with a decent warranty

 

[Micky]

IMHO...

No way is the 800 better than a 1200 off road - the throttle is far too snatchy and the weight/size is about the same as a 1200. QUOTE]

Sorry, my mistake. I thought the 800 was around 40 kilos lighter than my GSA. I stand corrected.

Errr mmm I'm sorry but you really are mistaken my friend

Just back from a trip to the Black Forest (White Forest?) and caught in a blizzard... took three hours to cover 8Km

Riding on frozen hard packed ice for those 8Km, second gear, I can assure you that any snatchy throttle would have had me on my arse... but the 'bike never missed a beat, slipped or slid

So there

AND a few days later, razzing round der Nürburgring, the 800 had to wait for the 1200's

AND every time we filled up the likkle 800 took 3 to 5 Euro's less than the lardy 1200's

So there....



www.adventure.gs

 

[ghost-rider]

yeah i was planning on buying one with a decent warranty, i wasnt fussed about buying one from bumw dealership, but im guessing thats where im gonna get the best warranty??, plus i wanna pay cash, so hopefully cash will talk

 

[Big Nick]

I have the same dilemma 800 or 1200 but have decided on the 800 for the following reasons-

I can afford a new 800

The 800 is more manageable size and weight wise

I like the look of the 800 better than the standard 1200 (although the GSA looks good)

I once watched a bloke try to stand up his 1200 after he dropped it on the ferry, I went to help and buggered my back in!

 

[ghost-rider]

I know what you mean mate!, you planning on doing any two up riding, ifso what your thoughts on the 800 being up to it???