advise please

[spatuk]

hi im looking at buying a new gs650 or gs800, what id like to know is , what are they like 2 up and fully loaded with ally boxes, ive come down from the 1200 gs, i struggled with the size, but got by ok, inside leg 29" and 5ft 4"tall
regards paul (spatuk)

 

[rocky burns]

I was lent a brand new 800gs aniversary yesterday while my 1200gsa was in for service and i have to say its crap compared to the 1200,
It felt much lighter than the 1200, but i had a low seat fitted on it and it was just as tall as mine. throttle was like an on/off switch and you had to rev the knackers off it to make it go!!!!

Stick to the 1200 or youll be dissapointed

 

[GunZenBomZ]

*Boo'ing*

I hope that boo echo's through the valleys!!

I'm a lanky git but you can get lowered rear shock & lowered seat.

 

[SKON]

wot bollox

Hi Spatuk,may I suggest you book a test ride on both machines before making up you mind,and better to make sure your demo bike
has done at least 600 miles rather than a brand spanker.They can be a little tight and twitchy `brand new`!
Im sure you will indeed find both of them lighter and more managable,and more responsive than the whale,
However personally,if I was intending to ride mostly 2up, fully panniered (is that a real verb?), I would probably be looking elsewhere.Maybe the eagerly anticipated Triumphs 800/1200 or the new Yam Tenere.Either way,test rides are a must IMHO. Good luck

 

[SERVDAVE]

Depends on how you ride. I have 650gs and it does me fine all loaded up 2 up. I sit at 70-80mph and she handles fine. Obviously the 1200gs handles the weight of beeing 2 up better but its not a problem on the 650/800! Plus I get 70-75mpg on the motorway runs, that certainly helps!

 

[martin c s]

Hi Spatuk,

I have an 800, with the plastic panniers and top box and we did over 2000 miles two up round Ireland last year and I think its brilliant. Averaged 70mpg with 220 miles usually between fill ups. Mind you I had traded up from a f650 single so it was bound to feel pretty good!
As the others say though go for a good long test ride, you will find the screen and seat is not as good as a 1200 though.

 

[Blind Lemon Ade]

Depends on how you ride. I have 650gs and it does me fine all loaded up 2 up. I sit at 70-80mph and she handles fine. Obviously the 1200gs handles the weight of beeing 2 up better but its not a problem on the 650/800! Plus I get 70-75mpg on the motorway runs, that certainly helps!

Same here - 2 up, Stahlkoffers and Givi topbox, no problem. I have fixed the seat and screen "difficulties", as well...

 

[snowlife_9999]

I have an 800gs. The 800 and 1200 are different bikes of different application. (I got a new 1200gs loner while my 800 was being serviced, did 150km on it)
You may find that the 800 is just as high or higher that the 1200 (standard seat). Also the 800 seat is narrower, not great for touring, better off road.

The 800 engine in more responsive (only just) but when you open the taps on a 1200 it goes *tap tap BOOM* and you will launch. When going for it there would be little diff between them 1 up.

I have toured on the 800 single person, loaded. No power problems, easy to overtake cars doing 110km (Click down to 5th and you can do 140km before you pass the car). About 160km+ the engine will start to work but still have power left (no power mods on my bike).

If you change and want to tour I would suggest two mods, seat mod (air-hawk, gel inserts into original seat, or complete new seat) and higher screen.

 

[Balders1450]

My dealer lent me a 650 while mine was in for work, it is by far the worst bike I have ever ridden in my life!

Not even a patch on my first bike , a BSA C15...

 

[freeloader]

My dealer lent me a 650 while mine was in for work, it is by far the worst bike I have ever ridden in my life!

Not even a patch on my first bike , a BSA C15...

Well I've ridden the 650GS, and my first bike was a BSA C15 too.

My views of both bikes are the opposite of yours. The only thing a C15 is good for these days is speculation.

IMHO, of course.

 

[richie]

Had a good go on an 800 this year, fantastic, much better than the 1200... IMHO

 

[SKON]

Well I've ridden the 650GS, and my first bike was a BSA C15 too.

My views of both bikes are the opposite of yours. The only thing a C15 is good for these days is speculation.

IMHO, of course.

Thats funny,my first bike was a C15 too! 10% on road 90% in bits (damn you Joe Lucas!) but i was just as chuffed with it, as I am with my 800 (now Ive fixed the quibbles)
There seems to be a pattern emerging here.....

 

[Dean]

My dealer lent me a 650 while mine was in for work, it is by far the worst bike I have ever ridden in my life!

Not even a patch on my first bike , a BSA C15...

Bit before my time but

"Utter shite" Chalk and cheese a bit like a Final Drive IMHO