Customised F800GS?

[GEm]

I am a little on the vertically challenged side and currently ride a lowered F650GS however I have sort of reached the end of what it can do and am ready for a move up to something with a bit more poke. Herein lies the problem as my husband is not prepared to drive behind me carrying a box for whenever I have to stop so I can reach the floor off an 800.

But have found a dealer who is talking about being prepared (and not for silly money) to build me a customised F800GS which might work for me.

Idea is that the rear shock is replaced by the lowered 650 one and the front forks replaced by the Touratech lowering kit. Combined with the low seat this would give me an 800 at about 35mm (inch and a half in real money) higher than my current bike. I could JUST ABOUT cope with this (though not much more) as my airhawk probably raises my current bike about this much

So my questions to the massive here are

1)anybody done this - or know someone who has

2) views about whether it will work or not

3)Given I can't test ride an 800 will I like it as much as my 650

Thanks in advance

ps - I loathe both colours so a respray is part of the deal!

 

[ide508]

Combined with the low seat this would give me an 800 at about 35mm (inch and a half in real money) higher than my current bike. I could JUST ABOUT cope with this (though not much more) as my airhawk probably raises my current bike about this much

You are for sure over inflating you're Airhawk!
This cushion works best with the least amount of air inside it.
It shouldn't raise you more than 1,5 cm maximum ...

Good luck

 

[Dean]

I am a little on the vertically challenged side and currently ride a lowered F650GS however I have sort of reached the end of what it can do and am ready for a move up to something with a bit more poke. Herein lies the problem as my husband is not prepared to drive behind me carrying a box for whenever I have to stop so I can reach the floor off an 800.

But have found a dealer who is talking about being prepared (and not for silly money) to build me a customised F800GS which might work for me.

Idea is that the rear shock is replaced by the lowered 650 one and the front forks replaced by the Touratech lowering kit. Combined with the low seat this would give me an 800 at about 35mm (inch and a half in real money) higher than my current bike. I could JUST ABOUT cope with this (though not much more) as my airhawk probably raises my current bike about this much

So my questions to the massive here are

1)anybody done this - or know someone who has

2) views about whether it will work or not

3)Given I can't test ride an 800 will I like it as much as my 650

Thanks in advance

ps - I loathe both colours so a respray is part of the deal!

Hi GEm,

I have the f650GS and went the other way being 6'1 high seat etc etc, I have ridden a few F800GS's but once riding felt very similar (I did not get the wow this is better feeling ) its a shame your husband cant follow you with the box for a test ride as its a lot of expence and respray for a maybe.
You say you want more poke but mines happy at 70 to 90 on motorway and gets there quick enough (for me ).

Have you considered a 1200GS (or the 11's) more poke and more grunt
low seat 650 = 795mm, 800 = 850mm, 1200 = 820mm. as the 1200 is a smaller bike than the 800 with more colour choice .

Test ride if you can .

what ever your choice good luck with it sounds like in your mind the 650 has already gone

 

[Greggers]

?? These would give me anonther couple of inches too

 

[mr badger]

?? These would give me anonther couple of inches too

They've just given me a bit more that that.




I'll get me coat.

 

[SERVDAVE]

Hi,

I've got a 650gs and ridden and 800gs. I have to say I prefer the 650gs. Found the motor had more grunt where you need it. I would try and take a test ride before you go ahead. May well end up with a bike not much different to what you have now.

1200gs is a good call. You can get them with factory lowered suspension which make them easy to handle.

Hope that helps.

 

[GEm]

Thanks guys - hadn't even thought about the 1200 but have contacted the dealer to ask about it and to request a test ride. I'm very interested in what those of you who have ridden both the 650 and the 800 have to say about the 800 not being all that. I haven't written off my baby just yet - I am very proud of her (and she's dead easy to ride) - her name is Jemmima. Have just renewed my insurance and breakdown for her in the meantime. Not in a tearing hurry and this is a big decision. The lowered 1200 may be more the ticket - mind you i think that would probably scare Mr Em out of his wits! I already give him palpatations apparantly

The deal breaker for me still is the colours - I really don't understand with so few panels why they don't offer a bigger range of colours.

Gregger - already have the heeled lady daytonas (not quite the lift you have in your piccie but about as much as i can cope with and not drag the heels on the ground ;-)

Gill

 

[(RIP) Ewan]

Lower F800GS

Earlier this year, my Fiancee and I went through the F650/F800 discussion - wanted a bike with better off road ability, but my Fiancee is only 5'6".

We now both have F800GS and hers has been lowered - shorter spring on the standard shock at the rear, front dropped slightly through the stock - and she loves it.

Other than a short test ride neither have ridden a 650 much but from what I understand, for regular riding the additional power of the 800 isn't apparent unless you are using the full rev range, which most of us don't. The 650 wheel sizes are better suited to the road, and the tyres are tubeless and much easier to repair. I would suggest that if you want more offroad ability maybe consider the 800, if you ride on road then either stick with the 650, or get a 1200GS for more comfort and power.

Good luck!

 

[Tim Cullis]

If you are looking for a change, moving from the F650GS twin to the F800GS isn't the route to go. Both bikes are 800cc and the torque (which is the accelerative potential) is about the same.

Take a look at posts #1 and #10 on this thread.

 

[GEm]

Thanks - yes I am looking for a bit more power but having read the posts you direct me to I think the things that irritate you on the 800 would probably also irritate me.

We're off to Austria tomorrow (me and Jemmima and OH has his anonymous Adventure!) so I can have a good think while we're there about whether I really would want the 800 or whether I'm just being led astray. It's a major commitment given it's not just an off the shelf purchase for me.

I am unlikely to go off road (at least on purpose as I HATE mud!) so the road bike has to be the decision making criteria for me.

Mmm - I was sold on this till I asked on here (glad I did) now I'm wavering more in favour of sticking with Jemmima

 

[Morticia]

Hi GEm,

I have an F800 and found it initially a bit tall. But my BMW dealer have sourced a lowering kit for it and lowered it. It is fantastic now to ride. They have done this through front forks and rear spring.

Its Richie at BMW Long Eaton to contact.



Morticia

 

[Dave Ett]

I've lowered my 800 by about 2 inches, and you're welcome to ride it and see what you think.

 

[Morticia]

I've lowered my 800 by about 2 inches, and you're welcome to ride it and see what you think.

Hiya, same as above if you want to try mine too....BMW lowered mine around 5cm..which i think equates to around 2 inches...made huge difference to me.

 

[GEm]

wow - thanks you two for the offer to try the bikes. I may come back to you on that one if you are serious.

I think I need more than 2 inches. I currently ride a lowered F650 and can only just get my tootsies on the floor on that (if I slide my bottom a bit on the saddle and hold on one leg). I am barely 5ft 2 tall and have to buy petite length trousers so there isn't much inside leg to play with.

I've just come back from a week playing in the alps with my 650 and she was perfect - not a stutter and she managed perfectly well with some hairy overtakes and playing dodgems on the German motorways (have those guys ever heard of signals or lane discipline?????). Have to admit I had a heart stopping moment the first time in the outside lane having to get in it at 150kph and then speed up from there!

 

[(RIP) Ewan]

F800

Hi GEm,

My fiancee is 5'6" and she is just OK with her lower F800, but if she was 4" shorter she would struggle. One of the advantages of the F800 off road is the extra suspension travel - if you lower it too much you will have lost this advantage. It sounds to me like you should enjoy your 650 and not worry about the extra cost and hassle of buying and lowering an 800.

Enjoy the bike!

 

[Dave Ett]

The offer is valid, but yes I think you would be better sticking with the already lower 650 really.