A moment of madness ...

[Ross Dean]

... just traded my 2009 800GS (8500 miles on the clock) for a nearly new K1300 S (900 miles on the clock). I loved my GS but have been smitten by the K series for a while and cannot afford two bikes (well, three as I have a Ducati S4RS Tricolore for sale - excellent condition ... if I can let it go).

In 4 or 5 years time I'll be off round the world with my partner on two bikes with the aim of working and riding for as long as we like (TEFL - teaching English as a foreign language - training is planned). Who knows what multi-role bikes will be out by then but I am hoping that the 800 GS will morph into a 950cc bike with fully adjustable suspension via a switch, a top rate chain drive, a large capacity tank and tyres with those new modular inflated balls rather than tubes.

In the meantime, what knobblies should I use on the K1300S?

Thanks to this very useful forum. I'll be back

 

[ILMV]

You will regret it, but whilst we wait for that seed of doubt to flurish into a beautiful regrettful flower, I wish you all the best on your new bike

 

[GunZenBomZ]

Fair play, i like the idea of riding around world.



We should have a 'F950GS fantasy thread'.

 

[Ross Dean]

A flower?

You will regret it, but whilst we wait for that seed of doubt to flurish into a beautiful regrettful flower, I wish you all the best on your new bike

... just traded in my K1300S for a new GS800 ... didn't take that long

 

[doughnut]

I think you did a good move. I test rode a k1300s and would have traded my 800 in if I could have afforded it.
Enjoy going around Europe at light speed as practice for the big trip

 

[doughnut]

****in hell I need to get the hang of this I'm replying 2 years late. I am a doughnut

 

[Ross Dean]

****in hell I need to get the hang of this I'm replying 2 years late. I am a doughnut

I only posted my last update about changing back to an 800 a few days ago

 

[StumpyFingers]

... just traded in my K1300S for a new GS800 ... didn't take that long

So what made you change back?

 

[Ross Dean]

So what made you change back?

A good question given that the K1300S is a stunning bike.

When I traded in my last F800GS I had recently returned from a 7 week trip to Morocco and was looking for a different riding experience - fast and powerful. I tried out the S1000RR which was incredibly fast but too focussed in the riding position for me. The K1300S was, however, fast with a good riding position, civilised town riding manners and totally off the wall if you opened the throttle. For the past 18 months it has been an excellent bike. But (!) touring around France last summer was a little tame on the K. It's good at everything it was designed for and that is, basically, fast touring (and, of course, posing). Its okay on the back roads but on those roads it offers nowhere near the riding experience of the 800GS. I cannot comment on the K's off road performance but I have my doubts

The images below say it better than I can - this is what I want from my bike.

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz16/rossdean1/Morocco trip 2009/Morrocotrip12.jpg

 

[StumpyFingers]

I am surprised that you stepped back down to the 800.
I would have expected you to have gone for the 1200GSA, as it is closer to the 1300 in power and has the rugged adventure appearance.

 

[Ross Dean]

I am surprised that you stepped back down to the 800.
I would have expected you to have gone for the 1200GSA, as it is closer to the 1300 in power and has the rugged adventure appearance.

I had an 1100GS a while back. It was a great bike and I am sure (hope) that the 1200s are far better. For me though, the 800 is an excellent bike on rough roads and dirt and it delivers a decent road performance. It can haul all the luggage I need and yet is relatively light when compared to the bigger GS/GSA. Having said that, I have seen the GSA thrown around with ease by the instructors at the Welsh BMW off road centre but those people are not ordinary mortals when it comes to off road riding.

In short, I am happy with the power and weight of the 800 (I am 6 feet and 17 stone ). After 14500 miles on the K1300S I will miss it and its stunning performance. If I could afford two bikes I would have both.

PS - my partner pointed out that I tried out the 1000RR after I had bought the K1300S and not as I implied above - never let the facts get in the way of a good story

 

[StumpyFingers]

I had an 1100GS a while back. It was a great bike and I am sure (hope) that the 1200s are far better. For me though, the 800 is an excellent bike on rough roads and dirt and it delivers a decent road performance. It can haul all the luggage I need and yet is relatively light when compared to the bigger GS/GSA. Having said that, I have seen the GSA thrown around with ease by the instructors at the Welsh BMW off road centre but those people are not ordinary mortals when it comes to off road riding.

In short, I am happy with the power and weight of the 800 (I am 6 feet and 17 stone ). After 14500 miles on the K1300S I will miss it and its stunning performance. If I could afford two bikes I would have both.

PS - my partner pointed out that I tried out the 1000RR after I had bought the K1300S and not as I implied above - never let the facts get in the way of a good story

The 800 is definitely a cracking little bike, plenty of power and light enough to be easy to handle.