800 -v- 1200 GS??? Vertically challenged!!!

[KazmaxGS]

Hi all
New to the GS forum and have not yet bought one - but do so want one. I currently have a Yamaha XJ6 which I used last month touring around Germany but with lots more touring planned and Morocco - definitely want a GS for more comfort etc. Dilemma though ..... vertically challenged female. Seriously.....28 inch inside leg if I am lucky!!! I can manage the 650 with a scooped seat, but standard height. On the R1200GS I cannot touch the ground, but dealer is arranging a lowered demo model in so will be able to judge if I could manage it. However, the 800 might be more practical for me, weight wise etc. but unfortunately, dealer cannot get hold of one for me to sit on.

If there is anyone out there, preferably Midlands area, who has a lowered F800GS that would be willing to let me sit on, would be greatly appreciated, so that I can judge which one I can buy.

Thanks.

 

[Tim Cullis]

The F650GS is fine for offroad and is a good tourer as well.

Tubeless tyres are a real plus, you don't really want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere trying to change an inner tube.

 

[Fordy]

AFAIK there is no factory lowered option of the F8, may be wrong though.

Hyperpro do lowering kits up to 100mm which should be more than adequate for you, you'll probably need less than that click here

If the dealer can sort a low F8 seat why not take some 25mm, 50mm and 75mm bits of timber to put your feet on when sitting on the bike to decide what lowering kit you need. You may even be better on a standard seat with a lower suspension kit depending on how it affects your back posture and bar reach, but this will reduce ground clearance if that's an issue.

 

[KazmaxGS]

Hey guys, thanks for the responses and what great advice!! Cannot believe I didn't think about the whole 'bits of wood to stand on idea' - perfect solution to try it out and the dealer will be happy to oblige such oddities (especially from myself - I think they are well used to my oddness already and that is before I have bought a bike from them...hahaha)
Thanks - I will let you know how I get on and if it brings me any closer to making a decision.

Though if there is anyone close enough to my general area, seeing a real lowered one would still be a bonus and appreciated - thank you.

 

[Buz]

I had a 650 twin and now have a 1200 with low seat (29" leg) I feel a lot more confident/comfortable on the 1200 than i did on my 650.

Its all about confidence and forward planning, checking camber of road, any potholes etc, if all else fails crash bars come in handy for the odd drop that may happen.

 

[Bury_Dave]

Welcome to the forum.

Remember though that it's not just about your feet touching the ground on tarmac.

It's also about picking it up (especially if you were riding solo) and being able to get your leg over having picked the bike up and not being able to put the side stand down.

A 1200 is a hefty beastie

Tim has more experience than most of us put together and I'd go with his advice of a lowered 650.

Good luck with your choice

 

[Tim Cullis]

Well I said F650GS. Might need a low seat, but shouldn't need lowered suspension. I have 30" inside leg and I ride a standard F650GS with an Airhawk seat and can flat foot on both sides.

I took my first F650GS twin on thousands on km of pistes in Morocco. It doesn't have as much ground clearance as the F800GS or the long travel suspension, but it's fine on the sort of stuff mere humans would try.

 

[chas820]

If your buying new both the new 700gs and revised 800 will come with a lowering option.

 

[Pip_UK]

Just my 5c - the only practical reason to buy a 1200 GS over a smaller capacity bike, is if you tour with a pillion, where a big lolloping engine, a roomy passenger 'compartment', and dive-free telelever front suspension count for a lot, and so are worth the extra size, weight and cost of the bike.

For rider + luggage only, then the smaller 'F' GSs have plenty of oomph, and are more wieldy and nimble on challenging roads.

 

[KazmaxGS]

Thank you all!!!
The advice and information regarding the F650GS has been awesome and knowing that it will do what I need and the wise tips regarding the actual 'need' for a 1200 etc. is very useful.
I am able to touch terra firma with a low seat option on the F650GS without the need to lower it.
Based on all information and tips and advice so far......must admit I am veering towards the 650 after all.......
Realistically, it is probably all that I need.......
Still have time to think about it - will let you all know when I make a decision.

 

[LimeTree.]

The 800gs is taller than the 1200gs, albeit, considerably lighter!


I struggle sometimes getting the 800 upright from its side stand but have no problem with the 1200.

 

[Shadwell]

The 800gs is taller than the 1200gs, albeit, considerably lighter!


I struggle sometimes getting the 800 upright from its side stand but have no problem with the 1200.

I agree i think the 800 is taller than the 12?

I can however lift the 800 fully loaded, i dont think i could do the same with a 1200.

 

[itspilsbury]

I purchased a factory lowered F650GS twin to share with the wife, she rode it a few times said she liked it but preferred her Sportster. So as she wasn't going to ride it I got a standard side stand and rear shock and put it to standard height. Having had it a year I traded it for a new GSA Camhead.
Why did I do that? Not because the F650 was bad but simply because I had wanted the GSA for ages and ages.
I found the GSA is a bit tall with my little 30 - 31 inch legs but apart from that it is great! great! great!
As for the F650 twin, the negatives were the ground clearance of the low version and I don't like chains, but I had a Scott oiler (dirty thing no matter how I adjusted it) and never had to adjust the chain, so my dislike there I guess was somewhere unfounded. Tim is ded right, the F800 has tubes, the F650 twin has tubeless - much easier to repair at the roadside. The F650 was fun fun fun with a capital F. I found the low seat far more comfortable due to its shape than the standard seat but ended up with a Corbin which was better.
You won't go far wrong with the F650, it's a great bike.
Ian

 

[RATCATCHER]

LOWER 800GS

hi if you are ever down near pembroke you can sit on mine,well my wifes i fitted hyperpro kit with low seat be just about right for you!!

 

[Mad_Accountant]

I presume you are aware that the f650gs ( and the new f700gs) are both 800cc bikes?

I have just bought the f650gs ( to replace my 1200 Adventure) so why not the F800gs? Because I really didn't want spokes to clean and, more importantly, I would NEVER run on tubed tyres, not in a car and not on a bike. Have you ever experienced a blow out at motorway speeds? That alone ruled out the 800 GS for me.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Malcolm Leick]

Ditto on the F650 twin. I have done over 45,000 miles on mine now on all sorts of surfaces. Off to Iceland at the end of this week. I have 30" legs and have the lower seat with a gel insert for comfort (£60).

Fuel consumption is insanely frugal, I've had up to 78mpg with a pillion and 30 kilos of luggage.

Ditto on the tyres. No sudden blow outs, and you can fix a tubeless tyre on the bike with a pocket tyre plugger.

I think the gearing on the 650 is better for road use, alhtough I have dropped to a smaller front sprocket for the Iceland trip because of the dirt roads and river crossings. I'll swap back when I return.

Fitting a lowering kit on a taller bike also makes a huge difference to the weight you can carry on the bike. Check out the difference on the BMW web site. If you are planning on loading the bike up with lots of luggage and another person, it could be important.

So my advice would be stick with a 650 twin or the 700 if you are buying new.

 

[KazmaxGS]

Hi, thanks for the offer and if out that way before buying anything will be in touch....though the soon to be released 700 is appealing to me too..... will I ever make up my mind lol.

 

[KazmaxGS]

Thanks for the information and yes, am aware they are both 800's, though it is just that the 800 frame size rules it out for me in reality......... so it was really a choice between the 650 and the 1200 though due to good advice and comments above, I am avidly awaiting the release of the 700 as that might be a way forward for me......