In real world terms is the 650/800 an alternative to the 1200 for long distance tours? (not RTW)
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F650/800 v R1200
- Thread starter red1
- Start date
So much better suited................lighter, better power to weight, better mpg with a 800cc Twin
Oh.................and a more reliable drivetrain, with decent C&S
Adeeelnv
Registered user
On or off road?
It hasnt arrived yet, but I will be riding my F650 for 12000km in 4 weeks in October. Im sure it will be great. I wont really be going off road though.
It hasnt arrived yet, but I will be riding my F650 for 12000km in 4 weeks in October. Im sure it will be great. I wont really be going off road though.
All of these bikes will do the distance but it's how that distance is done that separates them one from the other.
A solo rider is not going to have much problem with the capabilities of either the 650 or the 800 and both will haul luggage.
Motorway blasts are going to hurt the 650 more so than the other two.
Rider comfort is going to be more of an issue on a std 650/800 than the 1200. In saying that, any of the low seat versions are going to be less comfy than a full padded seat. Unfortunately the 650/800 seats are pretty crap right from the word 'go' for any distance work.
The 800 won't leave the rider wanting for power , it has plenty on tap. It will need to be worked harder than the 1200 to get the best out of it but not as hard as the 650.
The biggest benefit on the 800 is it's miserly fuel economy. It is a fabulous machine imo, despite me offloading mine for a 12 this year.
For effortless touring, two-up touring and luggage capacity there is only one choice of the three.
The thing to be careful of with the 1200 is that they tend to attract a breed similar to the Land Rover Discovery 1 & 2 owners, in so much as they become accessory magnets , whether those accessories are merely required for a statement of individuality, necessary, actually used or otherwise!
Forget about any status nonsense , it's about what suits you , not about keeping up with the Bouqais , sorry, Buckets down the road.
As alternatives yes - just bear in mind the limitations.
Right I'm off to bolt some bottle holders to my 1200' luggage...
A solo rider is not going to have much problem with the capabilities of either the 650 or the 800 and both will haul luggage.
Motorway blasts are going to hurt the 650 more so than the other two.
Rider comfort is going to be more of an issue on a std 650/800 than the 1200. In saying that, any of the low seat versions are going to be less comfy than a full padded seat. Unfortunately the 650/800 seats are pretty crap right from the word 'go' for any distance work.
The 800 won't leave the rider wanting for power , it has plenty on tap. It will need to be worked harder than the 1200 to get the best out of it but not as hard as the 650.
The biggest benefit on the 800 is it's miserly fuel economy. It is a fabulous machine imo, despite me offloading mine for a 12 this year.
For effortless touring, two-up touring and luggage capacity there is only one choice of the three.
The thing to be careful of with the 1200 is that they tend to attract a breed similar to the Land Rover Discovery 1 & 2 owners, in so much as they become accessory magnets , whether those accessories are merely required for a statement of individuality, necessary, actually used or otherwise!
Forget about any status nonsense , it's about what suits you , not about keeping up with the Bouqais , sorry, Buckets down the road.
As alternatives yes - just bear in mind the limitations.
Right I'm off to bolt some bottle holders to my 1200' luggage...
The thing to be careful of with the 1200 is that they tend to attract a breed similar to the Land Rover Discovery 1 & 2 owners, in so much as they become accessory magnets , whether those accessories are merely required for a statement of individuality, necessary, actually used or otherwise!
Right I'm off to bolt some bottle holders to my 1200' luggage...
That's a cracking statement and so very true
tosh23
Registered user
I think that the 1200 is just too much for our uk roads, too heavy, too big and the mpg isnt that good..
Still I wouldnt say no to one
Still I wouldnt say no to one
...and yet the 1200 is lighter than all of these and is still the only one that people focus upon for its size.
Super Tènèrè
KTM Adventure 990
V-Strom 1000
Honda Varadeo 1000
I have only ridden them on uk roads, but having ridden 1200s a number of times I bought an 800 and haven't regretted it.
I did buy a comfort seat though as it was not as comfortable as the old Funduro.
I did buy a comfort seat though as it was not as comfortable as the old Funduro.
As others have said, it depends on how you're going to use it. I regularly ride with a group of 1200 riders. In real terms, there is no difference in performance at all. The 1200 does it easier, but the 800 will give you over 10mpg better.
If you are young, or 'young at heart' then the 800 is the better choice. You'll have to put more effort in, but you'll get more back.
Comfort wise, the 1200 is much better (as standard). If you plan lots of 2up riding, then the 1200 is better.
Ultimately, only you can decide. You really need to ride them both, and see which one suits you best. We all have different reasons for choosing the bikes we ride. I chose my 800 because it wasn't a 1200! I've had it a few years now, and can't think of a bike I'd replace it with. If BMW put the Nuda 900 engine in the GS, then I might go down that route.
Oh yes
Having had an 1150, 1200 and now the 800, I can say that I prefer the 800 as it gives so much more back as others have already said however if your planning any solo trips to Morocco or anywhere like that then the 800 is so much better.
an added advantage is that it isn't a 1200 and there are a lot less of them around, i have had mine for a couple of years now and was at the point of getting another one but instead I just had a paint job done on it an bough a SGT seat which the bike is now amazing and will keep up with just about anything.
Having had an 1150, 1200 and now the 800, I can say that I prefer the 800 as it gives so much more back as others have already said however if your planning any solo trips to Morocco or anywhere like that then the 800 is so much better.
an added advantage is that it isn't a 1200 and there are a lot less of them around, i have had mine for a couple of years now and was at the point of getting another one but instead I just had a paint job done on it an bough a SGT seat which the bike is now amazing and will keep up with just about anything.
Attachments
It's going to be a solo use bike for camping around Europe. Comfort seems to be a bit of an issue so whats the cheapest option? Air-Hawk?
This may sound pathetic ....... but the biggest turn-off with the 800GS is the black wheels! I can't stand black wheels ... even changed 1200 ADV over to alloys just to get rid of black wheels
What's wrong with a nice set of shiny gold rims FFS!!
This may sound pathetic ....... but the biggest turn-off with the 800GS is the black wheels! I can't stand black wheels ... even changed 1200 ADV over to alloys just to get rid of black wheels
What's wrong with a nice set of shiny gold rims FFS!!Bury_Dave
Registered user
There speaks a voice that has actually had all of the bikes. Can't get better than that.
And that paint job is superb
If you're a pipe and slippers kinda guy, then the 1200 is the shire horse for you. If you like to have to ride your bike rather than sit on it like a throne, the 800 is for you. Personal choice but I'm not ready to swap my lively stallion for a shire horse just yet
And I can wheel my 800 out of my garage and up the incline of my short driveway. I wouldn't attempt that with a 1200 
Dave
Bury_Dave;3114398[B said:]There speaks a voice that has actually had all of the bikes. Can't get better than that.[/B]
Dave
No , he has only had two of them, just as I have had, and we both have different bikes for different reasons.
Neither of us has the right the bike , only the bike that suits our needs best.
If you are of a stature that can easily throw around and have fun with a 1200, then fine, the 1200 is probably for you. If like me you are perhaps on the lighter side and not so well built then I think the 650 is the ideal bike in the GS range. I tried out all three and some more before I bought my 650 twin last year, and for solo European work it is outstanding/frugal(about 75/80mpg), quick when required and easy to maintain. I discounted the 800 as it was a little to tall for easy manoeuvering- like the Triumph XC- at low or no speed, and the throttle was very twitchy. I have added a few bits to mine, but the most important thing is to change the disturbingly awful seat which is like sitting on the narrow edge of a concrete block. As I 'm in France, I bought a non gel comfort seat for about €225 all up from Top Sellerie in Alencon by post. Absolutely brilliant, and 300Km a day runs are much easier and safer now!
( it's also much cheaper to insure!)
( it's also much cheaper to insure!)
The 1200 is not too big for uk roads, that's just tosh. There's no better test than commuting through London, something I do for 30miles a day on the GSA. If you have the confidence you can normally make a better job of it than people on lesser bikes that don't provide the rider with the view. It's mostly down to the rider, which explains why I overtook a F650 on the way into work this morning in the wet.
Enjoy the luxury of a proper GS.
Enjoy the luxury of a proper GS.
mark2jag
Registered user
I dont know how its done, but.
I remember reading a thread on here somewhere about how someone had messed with lots of stuff on his 650/800 and he reckoned it was faster accelerating than a normal boggo standard 1200. i also seem to remember his mate with the 1200 was less than impressed.. Obviously theres much more to life than how fast you can get from 0 to --- but I would imagine it helps. i still think that for a longer journey I would prefer a bigger bike, but then there really isnt a right or wrong answer. You pays yer money you takes yer choice.
IMHO
Mark
P.S. I TOO have had all three bikes.
I remember reading a thread on here somewhere about how someone had messed with lots of stuff on his 650/800 and he reckoned it was faster accelerating than a normal boggo standard 1200. i also seem to remember his mate with the 1200 was less than impressed.. Obviously theres much more to life than how fast you can get from 0 to --- but I would imagine it helps. i still think that for a longer journey I would prefer a bigger bike, but then there really isnt a right or wrong answer. You pays yer money you takes yer choice.
IMHO
Mark
P.S. I TOO have had all three bikes.
I love that paint job - where did you get it done mate, got a link for em?
patzx12
Registered user
i rode the 800gs across Oz, 2 up with luggage a very good bike every bit as fast as the 1200 very economical good suspension and handling with the exception of the center stand that scrapes easily. Its a smoother engine than the 1200. I have never known an engine like it for starting, it was running the instant i touched the starter.
So much better suited................lighter, better power to weight, better mpg with a 800cc Twin
Oh.................and a more reliable drivetrain, with decent C&S
Pretty sure the 12 has better power to weight ratio (HP, dry/fully fuelled figures from BMW site)
F800GS - 85hp 185/207 .45/.41
R12GSA -110hp 223/256 .49/.42
Doesn't make the 12 a better bike, and to mark2jag point, it also doesn't mean that you couldn't choose the right sprocket set to make the F8 a faster accelerating bike.
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