anyone tried an 800?

[jnrobert]

The 800GS should be seen as an alternative to the 1200GS and not a 'down market' or poor man's GS, the same way that the 650GS's should be viewed.

People don't just make choices informed by what's the fastest or most expensive, they do so according to need or use.

Personally, I'm hoping the 800GS is going to be more off-road capable (in the way that the KTM Adventure is better than the current GS. The GS is, however, a better road bike imho).

I'm also thinking along the lines of Yamaha's Super Tenere or the Honda 750 Africa Twin.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

"strange little bike."

Perhaps those three words are a key to this. It does seem to be ''little' and if you are used to a 'big' bike it is bound to feel restricted, at least at first. Of course it depends on your own size (and weight) and the use for which the bike is intended - although as most of us use our bikes mainly for pleasure(?) I suspect that we tend to use them as they seem to best suited - and I don't really think that 'off-road' can apply to either.

 

[jnrobert]

So far I've put 500 miles on my S in one week of ownership. Too soon to draw any long term conclusions, but the engine is an absolute peach. I would go so far as to say that it's a better motor than the hexhead in my 1200GS (if BMW isn't working on a 1000cc version as a replacement for the boxer, they are fools).

I'm praying to all that's sacred that when the 800GS appears it isn't dumbed down (to appeal to new riders - i.e. crap suspension) and they keep it light. Trust me, the engine is going to convert a lot of current boxer riders who are looking for a lighter, more capable off-road bike that can still do descent road mileage between off-road exploring.

 

[radrod]

one of the factors i look for when choosing a motorcycle is the uniqueness of the engine design and/or the history and traditions that stand behind it. This is why I am a fan of the "R" series engine.

BM just about abandon the "R" engine in the 80s. Had they done that i probably would not be riding a bmw. My 2 cents

 

[MikeP]

one of the factors i look for when choosing a motorcycle is the uniqueness of the engine design and/or the history and traditions that stand behind it. This is why I am a fan of the "R" series engine.

BM just about abandon the "R" engine in the 80s. Had they done that i probably would not be riding a bmw. My 2 cents

True they wanted to kill the Boxer back when the K was launched and it was public pressure that stopped them then, this time it might be EU Regulations that leads to it's demise.

I like the Boxer for it's character but more importantly, I like it for the accessibility. Even the old K-Series across the frame 'Bricks' have brilliant access, the new ones are just like any Japanese multi when it comes to access and the F-Series is a nightmare for access. Ever changed the plug(s) on a 650?

 

[Micky]

There's no disputin' that most folk, even if they don't like the F800S/ST, like the engine. It's more than fast enough in the 'real world'

BMW/Rotax will have to sort out corrosion on the crankcases though

But wouldn't a three cylinder 1200 version be truly awesome



www.adventure.gs

 

[DavidHale]

There's no disputin' that most folk, even if they don't like the F800S/ST, like the engine. It's more than fast enough in the 'real world'

BMW/Rotax will have to sort out corrosion on the crankcases though

But wouldn't a three cylinder 1200 version be truly awesome



www.adventure.gs

As an 'experienced' 800 rider, what sort of mpg are you getting compared to the 1150/1200GS?

 

[steveh]

i had a loan bike 800s over 3 days

honest opinion was that the japs do this type of thing way better. I'de take my GS over the 800 every day and if I was in the middle weight sports bike market the jap 600's trumpet 675's are leagues ahead in my opinion.

 

[birdseye]

weight has nothing to do with acceleration, it's all down to where the power is, how much and gearing.

Tosh! p=mf or acceleration = force at tyre patch divided by the mass. Basic Newtonian mechanics.

But the acceleration really isnt the issue as far as weight is concerned. Its more a matter of the handle-ability, at very slow speeds, when dropped, in the garage , on gritty car parks etc. Put it another way, where are the 100kg 500cc bikes - the off roaders apart?

Bikes like cars seem to have got heavier and heavier, more and more complicated, but no more functional unless all you want is speed.

 

[jnrobert]

honest opinion was that the japs do this type of thing way better. I'de take my GS over the 800 every day and if I was in the middle weight sports bike market the jap 600's trumpet 675's are leagues ahead in my opinion.

You can say that in just about any category. The 1100S was a classic example. If Honda got serious about a big traily, on paper, it would shame the GS. The Nips build very, very good bikes.

I don't think the 800S is competing with the Jap 600's - calling it an S and putting slightly lower bars on doesn't do it. It is a more flexible engine than the 600's I've ridden lately unless you want a 160mph top end. I test rode the 675 before I bought the 800 and I thought it was a nice engine with a beautiful sound when you were on it. But, it doesn't have the instant mid-range of the 800 and the riding postion was an absolute joke unless you were at a track.

personally, I think the 800S is a replacement for the 1100S (the 1200S is a completely different animal).

 

[Micky]

As an 'experienced' 800 rider, what sort of mpg are you getting compared to the 1150/1200GS?

The average mpg shown on the on board computer is 64mpg and that includes all sorts of riding... backed up by checking tank fill to tank fill.... just about bang on.

At 50mph it shows 105mpg

At 80mph it shows 55-58mpg I think, but will check!

When riding with the 1200GS's I will be putting 3 to 4 litres less in at the end of a days riding, albeit having ridden at the same pace



www.adventure.gs

 

[DavidHale]

The average mpg shown on the on board computer is 64mpg and that includes all sorts of riding... backed up by checking tank fill to tank fill.... just about bang on.

At 50mph it shows 105mpg

At 80mph it shows 55-58mpg I think, but will check!

When riding with the 1200GS's I will be putting 3 to 4 litres less in at the end of a days riding, albeit having ridden at the same pace



www.adventure.gs

Thanks Micky. With those sort of numbers I'll be edging ever closer to the 800GS when they appear....

 

[cockneyjanner]

I had an 800s on loan for a couple of days while my GS was being fixed. I thought it was a great little bike, and the handling was sublime. I covered loads of extra miles over the 2 days, just because it was so much fun in the twisties.

I was really surprised to read about it out VFR-ing the VFR though, because the engine IMO felt really really bland, and in no way as characterfull as any Jap V4, or even most other Jap 4s come to think of it. The engine had good power and would reach prison speeds with ease, but it didn't feel like it had the torque/grunt of a Boxer.

It's a very difficult one to pigeon hole - I see the 800's as an entry route into motorcycling, ie a great starter bike, but then question why anyone would pay the extra cash over the numerous other Jap options that would be open to them. When you look at the characteristics of a GS it's surprising that someone would consider both, given how different they are.

In conclusion - I really enjoyed it for a couple of days but was glad to get my GS back. More road presence, better cruiser, more character, more comfortable, loads better looking, and ultimately more like my ideal bike