Decisions, Decisions...

[650EssexBoy]

After the 'disappearance' of my last bike - what should I do...

1 - I quite like the Honda VFR800 - but will I be ousted from the GS community, never to be spoken to again by the fine men and women of this and another site??

2 - I quite like the 1150GS, but it seems a bit like overkill for my 8 mile commute into London every day, and it doesn't quite fit with my environmental conscience!

3 - I loved my Dakar, but it had some fairly substantial reliability problems, so don't really want to risk getting another unless they're more reliable generally.

So - what does anyone think - particularly the reliability of the 650, is it likely that another bike will be more reliable - and how is the 1150 or any of the bigger bikes for Insurance and filtering??

 

[Fanum]

You could get a fun bike...something cheap and cheerful...then get an 800GS next year

PS I wouldn't think 'unreliable' is a common description of the average 650...sounds like you had a duff one

 

[Tsiklonaut]

As Fanum says, the F800GS (if it comes) should be a cost effective option, a good progress for 650.

But if it doesn't come or you want it sooner, newer ironed-out '97-'99 R1100GS?

If reliability and simplicity then also there's R80GS Basic airhead, they made it till late 90s simultaneosly with oilheads (that says something as well ). But it costs the same as newer 1100 or even more.

Cheers, Margus

 

[DavidHale]

After the 'disappearance' of my last bike - what should I do...

1 - I quite like the Honda VFR800 - but will I be ousted from the GS community, never to be spoken to again by the fine men and women of this and another site??

2 - I quite like the 1150GS, but it seems a bit like overkill for my 8 mile commute into London every day, and it doesn't quite fit with my environmental conscience!

3 - I loved my Dakar, but it had some fairly substantial reliability problems, so don't really want to risk getting another unless they're more reliable generally.

So - what does anyone think - particularly the reliability of the 650, is it likely that another bike will be more reliable - and how is the 1150 or any of the bigger bikes for Insurance and filtering??

1 - yea, right....

2 - Doesn't stop me... and I then have a bike to go on my jolidays with.

3 - Yep, does sound like you had a duff one.

1150's are fine for filtering, the handlebars are the same or thereabouts as the 650, but any potential 800GS might well be the perfect commuter if it has a nice big tank!

Feel free to PM me if you want to try my 1150.

 

[650EssexBoy]

Thanks all - you at least made my mind up about the daft idea I had re. buying a Honda - what a ridiculous idea! I just need to hope that I get enough cash to buy either a replacement 650 or 1150 or something similar!

 

[650EssexBoy]

Update - had my letter from the nice insurance people yesterday - £4200 for a bike which '12,000' miles and 18 months ago cost me £4900 - I don't think that's a bad deal at all - particularly the number of times it went back to dealers for warranty repairs.

So, I have £4000 to play with (minus the excess of £200) - and I've got some savings (possibly about another £1000). However - I definitely don't want another F650 - far too unreliable. Electrics fail regularly, and the shocks go every 6k miles, and there were various other probs with the Dakar which I don't want repeated, so I want something nice, comfy, reliable and indestructable. What's the best available?? - Currently considering the triumph tiger, honda transalp or an 1150GS.

I like the GS for obvious reasons - not least this place and the associated social life. However, it's not easy on the eye - bit of an acquired taste...

I like the Triumph 'coz it's made in Britain, and for similar reasons to the 1150 - rugged styling, etc.

The Honda's probably my third choice, although the two Hondas I had before the Dakar were supremely reliable...

Anyone any opinions (obviously I know everyone here prefers the BWM) - anyone know anything about the reliability on the Triumph?

Whatever I get, it's likely to be 2nd hand.

 

[Deleted account W]

Get a big scooter

 

[Kenny]

Transalp is best for commuting..but the best of the three is undoubtably the Tiger..bloody excellant bike

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Test ride them before making up your mind. They are very different bikes.

Personal opinions: Can't comment on the Transalp. Loved my 1150GS. Tiger - great engine, pogo suspension.

Paul

 

[Big Lee]

Tiger & general Triumph info www.t595.net

 

[650EssexBoy]

Tiger & general Triumph info www.t595.net

Now that's what I was looking for! Thanks - I might be about to move into the world of Triumphs - looks like they talk almost as much bollox as the people on here...

 

[BBB61]

Tiger has a lovely engine, but the suspension and handling is not as good as the 1150. The build quality is inferior too. There is also Triumphs intepretation of "customer service" to think about but as you are looking at a second hand one then you shouldn't have any dealings with the jokers in the warranty department.

 

[dmsum]

Same prob - changing from big scoot. 1150/1200GS very cool bike, but ?overkill for a 8mile each way commute. And quite pricey! Transalp, well, very sensible, probably very reliable, but less va-va-voom.Tiger - don't know about the recent ones, but older bikes I have known of have had serious reliability issues. I want an 800GS now! Is it very likely to be 2007?

 

[650EssexBoy]

Just to update this, tried a Tiger the other day - very impressive, I'm very close to buying an ex-demonstrator from my local dealer...

 

[mr moto]

Same prob - changing from big scoot. 1150/1200GS very cool bike, but ?overkill for a 8mile each way commute. And quite pricey! Transalp, well, very sensible, probably very reliable, but less va-va-voom.Tiger - don't know about the recent ones, but older bikes I have known of have had serious reliability issues. I want an 800GS now! Is it very likely to be 2007?

according to bmw,s director dr,herbert deiss and a bmw press officer who where both quoted in MCN a month or two ago, there will be two new models added to the f800 range, one a naked roadster called the f800r and the other a gs type bike called the f800gs, both of which they said will debut at this years intermot bike show in cologne in october i am already planning on going to the show, so will take lot,s of pics if it is there.

 

[Terry NW]

Just to update this, tried a Tiger the other day - very impressive, I'm very close to buying an ex-demonstrator from my local dealer...

i was very close to buying a tiger ..great ride nice engine... good fun aswell,
but for off road work you will need spoke wheels.

i spoke to triumph yesterday " technical section" gave me a view that i would defo be ok on a dirt track with alloy wheels ....but i will be doing a odd track that has lager stones and pot holes ...hence i need a bike with spokes..

this also shocked me ...the Tiger is not that suitable for off road...
i have a ktm525 which i use for green laning...i would never expect the tiger to anything close to what my 525 does
i thought that i could use the tiger for some easy lanes ..... "not so i was told "
it may have some dirt track use but nowt with pots or anythink harder that a gravel track...
shame...because i like the tiger alot.

the is one lane i was doing in the peaks which is hard work on a 525.... shocked i was when i saw coming the other way a 1200gs , 1150gs two up... and a 1150 gsa.... my intentions for the tiger was never this , i also would not try it on a GS myself......i've got the 525 for that..

 

[DavidHale]

I had a Tiger 955i just before I got the GS.

Two overriding memories (Its over 3 years ago)

1. It's a lot faster than an 1150 Adv.
2. It's a lot bouncier than an 1150 Adv.

David

 

[650EssexBoy]

Thanks David, found a nice Tiger at North Oxford BWM - it's a bit of a treck, but I've put the deposit down, and am picking it up next week - very much looking forward to it. Perhaps I'll get an 1150 or 1200 next time...

Cheers,

Stuart.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

If its the black one I saw in there the other day, looks a nice bike.

Paul