F650/800GS road test reports by UKGSers

[StumpyFingers]

I find the seat gets uncomfortable after a few miles, air-hawk sorts that out.
Cornering is quite good, I like the engine although some have reported problems with it. I think most of the early gremlins have been worked out so it should be reliable, I have got an average of 63.2 MPG the most being over 70 MPG.

 

[Micky]

Plenty of threads'n posts on here regarding the F800GS ...

For myself ... great bike. I've had the 1150GS-A and a 1200GS-A and to be honest there were getting a little too big for me

Now done almost 60,000 miles on my 08 800GS and loved every mile of it. No problems, no issues, no corrosion ... still brings a smile to my face.

It's every bit as quick as the 1200's in the real world and when I ride out with mates on their 1200's the 800 cannot be left wanting, it stays with them quite easily and at the end of a 150 to 180 mile day will take 10 to 15 euro's less to fill up than them

A week on the continent and I have a free evening meal bed and breakfast over them

Hope this helps

In reality you'll not be trading down, but trading up

 

[Rob J]

I have to say that the f800gs is the one bike in the BMW range that I am genuinely keen to test ride.

any recommendations/dos or don't/things to look out for when looking to buy a preowned machine.

Thanks in advance

 

[solidstate100]

Hi there

Ive owned a 1200 gs and in pretty much all regards find the F800 more preferable - its lighter, just as fast and pretty dam frugal, and a better weapon off road than any of the 1200's and it still has with a full options list- and importantly for me its more FUN.

Ive toured with it fully loaded with ali panniers etc and found it much more manageable that with my likewise laden 1200 which I could barely get off the side stand

The main issue for me was the comfort (but the 800 isn't unique in this - ive found all the BMW's ive owned a bit uncomfortable after a while 1200 gs included) and an airhawk/sheepie has sorted that effectively.

Ive had some warranty repairs, ie new clutch replaced at 6000 ml service as the adjustment had all been used up (a known fault), new swing arm due to corrosion, and now am having a new nearside clutch casing for the same reason. Its also had a side panel replaced, again under warranty, for a paint flaking fault. I also ditched the original elastic chain (another known fault) and fitted a DID x ring.

In summary I rather love it and have kept it longer* than any of the other BMW's ive had recently, being G450x GS 1200, K 1300s and HP2 sport so that says something about it I guess! pretty dam satisfied!

*although I do rather have a somewhat irrational hankering for a fully loaded GSA, probably because ive not had one before and probably an image thing....!

Hope this helps

 

[Big Bird]

Had mine for a couple of years now, I've done a Euro tour (tarmac), Morocco (dirt and sand) and Norway (a mix of both plus snow) the only probelem I've had with it is the crap battery.

If you ever go off road its better than it's larger cousins (a lot better). It's very good on road too.

In my opinion there are some must have farkles;
Hand guards
Sump guard
Engine bars
Centre Stand
Tall Screen

In addition check it's had the chain recall done

 

[marcusfordus]

2nd hand option

I have to say that the f800gs is the one bike in the BMW range that I am genuinely keen to test ride.

any recommendations/dos or don't/things to look out for when looking to buy a preowned machine.

Thanks in advance

Find yourself an Anniversary version for sale as it came with a whole host of the "extras" you need.

Mines now just over a year old and it looks like it's just been ridden out of the showroom.

 

[timmo29]

Owned an 800 for more than 2 years and replaced it with a 1200GSA a couple of months ago; here's what I think.

The 800 is a peach of a bike and in some respects, I honestly miss it. It's more of a hooligan than the GSA and I obviously still have some growing up to do! I used it mostly for a 100Km round trip daily commute on coastal twisty roads and it was ideal when the weather was good. I think it's prettier than the GSA, I think it sounds better (I put Beowulf's on both) and I would still have it if I didn't need to do just a little more.

The GSA is much more of an all rounder. The weather protection is great, so it's usable more often. It's a much more capable load carrier and mile eater than the 800, and as I am planning some 2 up European touring (and just felt like a change), I went for the big brother. No doubt about it, it's a great bike too, I just giggled more with the 800 for some reason!

So I would (and probably will at some stage) own an 800 GS again with no hesitation.

Timmo.

 

[Rob J]

f800gs

well, you guys certainly seem to like your 800's.

Many thanks for your comments.

I will let you know how the test ride goes.

Thanks again

Rob

 

[Rob J]

f800gs

well today was the day.

The weather was set fair, so I nipped off during my lunch hour for a test ride, courtesy of Allan Jeffries of Bradford.

I left AJs and headed through Baildon and over Ilkley Moor (yes that Ilkley Moor).

The verdict......well I enjoyed the views, thought the suicidal sheep were something of a nuisance, but am not sure about the bike.

The good stuff
1.The exhaust note
2.The engine seemed encouraging at low speeds

The bad stuff
1. The gear change was vague (put that down to the fact that it was a brand new demonstrator
2. the engine seem to run out of steam compared to my big fat 1200GSA (might sound as though I am stating the obvious but the from previous reviews I was under the impression that the power to weight ratio made the 800 similar surprisingly pokey)
3. The standard screen offered little in the way of protection (again an unfair comparison to my current ride but it's annoying that a decent screen is available for an extra £250
4. The front brake was very grabby (again I emphasise this was a brand new bike in need of some bedding in)

my overall impression? well, I really wanted to be impressed by this bike but the truth is, I wasn't Impressed enough to warrant the change.

Am I being unfair? Well I would be interested in trying a bike with a few more miles on the clock as the thought of a lighter, more nimble machine appeals more to the off ride side of my brain........

Comments welcome..

 

[dogman]

I'm quite surprised to read that! I was expecting 'Yipee! I'm getting one'.. Just like I said after I test rode one. I had a new GSA previously and liked that too, but the 800 is smoother, just as quick in my opinion, more nimble, better handling and much more economical. Horses for courses

 

[Sooty09]

The 800 is just different to the 1200 flat twin. I have tested the other way round, taking the R1200gs out as a loan bike while mine was being serviced.
I wanted to like the 1200 as I have enjoyed 2 R1150Rs but found it a wobbly bland sluggish beast compared to the 800. I know this cannot be true as I see and get passed by so many GS1200s.
The 800 lacks the top end grunt of the 1200 and is probably not as good two up with luggage but mid range and at low revs is so much easier to ride.
Its also uses 2/3 the fuel over any route, is cheaper to service, its probably cheaper to run the final drive over 60000 miles despite the chain and easier to handle and move about.
Iv had mine 2 years now, 31000 miles with no breakdowns, four continental tours, On its second chain and front sprocket, original rear. Second set of pads and fourth set of tyres. 2 mid services at £110 and 2 major services at £210. Average 69 mpg,75mpg on tour. Still rides well and only shows the odd patch of corrosion on the S/arm ends and lower sump cover.
I doubt whether these values will come across on a short test ride and unless you need desperately to exchange your GS1200 its probably not enough to warrant a change.

 

[marcusfordus]

800/1200

I thought you might be finding something like that Rob, the brakes aren't grabby, I guess you are now so used to 1200 front end with no dive that the 800 seems alien.

Offer still stands, I'll be back off hols soon if you are free.

 

[Rob J]

I have not completely discounted the idea of an 800 and it is fair to say that a half hour ride is nothing like enough. Sadly that's all the time I could spare on company time.

It is also worthy of mention that I simply climbed aboard and rode off. I am sure that with some set up changes the smile factor would be enhanced.

Obviously my frame of reference will always be my GSA. Clearly the 800 is certainly not pretending or indeed intended to be a GSA, what's the point in that?

I would however be genuinely interested to try an 800 that has done a few miles and which has had some time devoted to a decent set up.

I do have a couple of potentially stupid questions which i should have asked the salesman but didn't, namely

1. Is the seat height adjustable?
2. Is there a bedding in period which results in the 800 improving with age?

Marcus, When the planets align themselves I may well be in touch to take you up on your kind offer.

Thanks in advance

Rob

 

[solidstate100]

1. Is the seat height adjustable?
2. Is there a bedding in period which results in the 800 improving with age?

Rob

1. Nope
2. Mine improved engine wise after about 3 k and is still doing so (7k now)

Im surprised about your observations about the gearchange - mine has always been laser accurate, feather light and works like a switch - I was thinking just this this afternoon after I got back on it after testing a GSA which I might trade to....

 

[EmmettC]

My gear change is good too, but if the chain is slack it can get a bit fluffy, especially when changing up at low revs, so the demo chain might have been too loose.
I find the engine very different to the boxer, it's not as grunty low down, but it revs faster and longer, it is a more sporty engine I guess, and mine really loosened up after a few k.
I have an MRA vario screen and it's pretty good, they come up on ebay regularly enough, I reckon the BM touring screen is probably better, but I've yet to buy one.
My brakes are amazing, I think they might have felt grabby because, as was already pointed out, the tele forks dive alot more than 1200 and the pads won't have been scrubbed in.
I think it handles better than a 1200 on the road, and it's a fair bit lighter, however I haven't spent much time on a 1200, so I find the front end very vague, though I'm told it's just a different type of feedback and you get used to it, but I still prefer the usd forks. I have Ohlins on the front and rear, and my Da has Ohlins on his 1200, so I'm comparing like with like, but mine feels better to me.
As for the exhaust note, mine has a Remus system with an Arrow can, and it sounds amazing.

 

[Rob J]

As coincidence would have it my local bike shop has a pre-owned f800GS (in yellow) for sale.

I called in last night for a shufty.

It's an 09 with circa 11500 miles on the clock, comes with full luggage, on board computer, has been very well looked after and they are asking just short of £6k.

All in all I think it's a good price.

Took the opportunity to take it out for an hour. What a huge difference to the demonstrator I rode on Thursday. All the things I didn't like about the demo bike were sorted on this one.

Very tempted!!!

The salesman says he could probably arrange a straight swap with no cash
changing hands. No doubt I could get a better price selling it privately but not
sure if there is a Market for GSA's at the moment.

Oooohhhh What to do.

 

[John Armstrong]

No doubt I could get a better price selling it privately but not sure if there is a Market for GSA's at the moment.

Oooohhhh What to do.

Seems like you know what the easy option is, and as you say, private sales seem to be in the doldrums at the moment.

 

[dogman]

Go on, go on, go on...

 

[Big Nick]

Depends what you want the bike for?

If you take a pillion often and don't off-road more than a gravel track then I think you'll find the 1200 is better. If you're mainly solo riding and going off-road then the 800's your man IMHO

To me the 1200GSA is the ultimate in its genre which is why I'm test riding a 2011 one next week!

 

[Rob J]

Oh bloody hell.....I've only gone and done it !

Having weighed up all the variables I've decided to give the F800GS a try.

The truth of the matter is I never ride 2 up and am drawn as much to muck as I am to tarmac.

I reckon that I've got a pretty good deal all things considered and pick up the new wheels (as pictured below) at the back end of next week.

A question for all you shorties out there.. Do any of you have a standard seat lying around your garage (having replaced it for a lowered version)?

As you will see the new bike has a lowered seat which, given my 6ft2" stature Is in need of replacement

If you can oblige, or advise of where to get my existing seat adapted, please feel free to drop me a line.

BTW if any of you are in the market for a much loved 2007 GSA I will be advertising her on here, along with some sexy accessories that I have lying around the garage.

Book early to avoid disappointment.

Many thanks for all your helpful comments. I am sure that, with your help, I have made the right decision.

Regards

Rob