800GS or 650 Sertao?

[sk8mutie]

Hi all. I seem to be going in the opposite direction to most....started with an 1150 Adv, 1200GS, 1200GS Adv...was convinced I was gonna get an 800GS and now am thinking of the 650 Sertao!

I would still have the 1200Adv if it wasn't for 3 Falklands deployments stopping me get out on the bike! And having covered 50k miles on the 3 shafties, I have been in 2 minds about getting a chain driven bike.

However, I have just bought my girlfriend the G650GS for Xmas and have been running it in for her. It's absolutely brilliant and has so much grunt for a little 650....so the question is, do I just get the Sertao, the sensible option, or do I get the 800GS. The reason I am now not considering the 1200s is due to an old injury that has saw a massive reduction in my wrist mobility and has now led to incredibly painful tendinitis all through my right forearm. So the mile munching ability on the big 1200 has diminished somewhat, and do I really need the larger capacity bike when my girlfriend has the baby GS?

I think if it was a one bike family, then it would be the Adventure, but as we will both be able to travel, then 2 bikes for the price one would cost just seems the much more rational decision....and at such a great return on MPG, the 650 seems like such a sensible choice!! There I go again with this 'sensible' stuff ;-)

So, the ability to hoon round A and B roads, non motorway trips if I can manage it or trips to west coast of Ireland or down to the Alps...would the 650 with a decent set of Alu panniers be up for the job?

 

[Sooty09]

This 650 Sertao has slipped into the range unannounced, I had to look it up on the web.
When the G650 was launched I did not think it would be long before the Dakar version was launched, here it is.

http://bmwmcmag.com/galleries/g650gs-sertao/

My missus is a big fan of the old 650 singles having owned an ST Funduro and a GS650. When the G650 was launched last year she was one of the first to ride it. She found it better in almost all areas than her old bike with a superb engine and chassis despite is very obvious budget cutting construction.
After the ride home on her usual F650GS twin she concluded its a good bike but its not as good as the Twin cylinder bikes. Given the choice of a new bike it would be the twin every time.

However if I was riding off road a lot, or taking a round the world trip I would consider this Sertao as the bike to do it on. I have great respect for the BMW singles.

 

[v8legend]

I moved from an F650GS (single) to an F800GS. Like you my bike progression had been up the capacity scale, albeit over 35 years, The only 'fly in the ointment' was my 888 (the best bike I ever had!), which was smaller than my exup, followed by the 650.

IMHO the 650, although a great bike, just didn't give me enough thrills. As I've grown older, and more sensible (that word again), the need for ultimate performance has escaped me. However, the 650 was just not quick enough. Plus, at 85+, it felt like you were thrashing it.

The F800GS is the perfect answer. Quick enough to keep up with all the R1200GS's that I seem to be riding with these days. better handling, and way way way more economical.

I realise that the 650 doesn't use any fuel at all, and actually runs off fresh air. However, the meagre amount of fuel that the 800 uses is not worth worrying about.

You also need to consider your relationship. Unless you are truly hung like John Holmes, then your missus won't look up to you when you have the same bike (yes, I know it has taller suspension).

Grow some, and get the F800GS. The best bike you'll ever need.

 

[sk8mutie]

Mmmm, food for thought!! And there was me thinking 'sensibly' again about fuel consumption.

I think you have a point....get my mansuit done up and save the deposit for the 800!!

 

[Tim Cullis]

After a 1200GS, 1200 Adventure and a couple of F650GS twins I was thinking of changing again and took out the F800GS and the G650GS for test rides. I was amazed at how much fun the G650GS was and I guess the Sertao version will be perfect for many people.

There's a lot to be said for owning the same type of bike especially if touring as a couple. Just a pity none of the BMW bikes other than the 1200GS have spoked wheels that allow the use of tubeless tyres as it's such a pain trying to mend punctures in tubed tyres in the middle of nowhere.

 

[tosh23]

The 650 twin is a better bike BUT BUT you will be giving up about 10 mpg. So Every time you fill up the wife will have more in her tank

 

[Tengiz99]

It's got those crappy little non BMW indicators. Bollox to that!

 

[Axel F]

The F800GS is the perfect answer. Quick enough to keep up with all the R1200GS's that I seem to be riding with these days. better handling, and way way way more economical.

I realise that the 650 doesn't use any fuel at all, and actually runs off fresh air. However, the meagre amount of fuel that the 800 uses is not worth worrying about.

You also need to consider your relationship. Unless you are truly hung like John Holmes, then your missus won't look up to you when you have the same bike (yes, I know it has taller suspension).

Grow some, and get the F800GS. The best bike you'll ever need.

My Girlfriend also has the G650 and use it myself on a regular basis. I think it's a great little bike but just missing that little bit of power and fun factor for me. The 800 ticks all boxes

 

[hub-61]

Why don't you split the difference and buy the 650 Twin, better on road than 800 and more useable power than single, no-brainer to me!!

 

[Dean]

Why don't you split the difference and buy the 650 Twin, better on road than 800 and more useable power than single, no-brainer to me!!

 

[Pip_UK]

I'm also a big fan of BM's 650 singles: all-day comfy, light, and plenty of oomph up to 60 mph. Characterful, fun, and easy to ride. And plenty of luggage capacity when there's two of them on a trip!

I'm guessing you've already tried these, but you can get handlebar-mounted wrist rests and aftermarket cruise control kits to give your throttle hand (and forearm tendons) a break.