Evening All!

[Aloonatic]

Hi from Leeds.

This last weekend I and a few mates went and tried our arses on an F800GS and am presently trawling the net reading write-ups reviews and possible common faults prior to committing a ton of cash on a new one.


Seeing as how I passed middle age some time back and the last bike I had was an XR400R with a whisper quiet exhaust (I see no need for loud cans)

The dilemma I have is to choose between the 800 and the 1200 as I realised a while ago that any form of off-roading in the UK is akin to a Range Rover being used anywhere except the supermarket car park/school run......I'm looking at these two as they are more a road bike with a riding position I am familiar with having never owned a road bike in my 35 years of riding.

It seems obvious that the 800 will be a better machine to man-handle off road but how much easier does the 1200 cruise long distance say to Italy via Franc and Spain?

Oh and why are Pannier systems so expensive?

 

[Mr K]

Welcome aboard!

....and good luck with your research.

 

[GunZenBomZ]

..everything is expensive!

Welcome Aloonatic

 

[(RIP) Ewan]

Hi, welcome!

I have an F800GS and love it, but bought for a trip to South America in anticipation of plenty of poor/unpaved roads, so easier to handle than a 1200, and lighter to pick up when I drop it!

I test rode a 1200 (but have never owned one) and would choose this over an F800 for covering long distances in Europe on good roads. (In fact at 6'5" I preferred the 1200 adventure in stock trim). If you are buying new, you can get free panniers on a 1200 at the moment, or there are usually some for sale on the forum!

Good luck!

 

[Dean]

Hello and welcome,

both bikes you mentioned are great bikes, take your time think of your personal needs, how about a 1100 or 1150.

enjoy your research (plenty here) and test rides

pipes are personal thing, my thoughts are noisey pipes saves lives
not excessive but enough to draw the car driver out of the world of there own

 

[Aloonatic]

Oh I hear ya on the expensive part

The 1200 is probably more than needed as I'd like to "nip offroad" on something less than a "panzerkampfwagon"

Thus far we have 3 members wanting to travel parts of Europe in 2012 so plenty of time to equip ourselves......Looking to get the bikes around 3 months prior to departure, to maximise the warranty period as much as anything.

The list of goodies can get quite expensive! decided to make panniers myself as I can't bear to hand over hard earned cash on such a simple item.

My main concern is the seat (comfort thereof) as I dread getting a few thousand miles down the road and having a ruined rectum!.....Might even wimp out and have it transported home

Must save up for my crash dummies suit (sp) Twatsuit?

Ewan and Charley sure have a lot to answer for! but who'd want to be an offroad noob like them....ATGANI

 

[STUBBS]

hiya

for an improved seat try this for £15

http://www.betterlifehealthcare.com/...hp?prodID=3784


then cover with a sheep skin

my 850 set up

 

[Aloonatic]

hiya

for an improved seat try this for £15

http://www.betterlifehealthcare.com/...hp?prodID=3784


then cover with a sheep skin

my 850 set up

Not meaning to be rude...But! are you from Wales?

I found this....is that what's under the sheepskin? I think I'll have a go at cutting a new seat over the winter.....which seems to be getting close!