F650/800GS road test reports by UKGSers

[R80GS_basic]

sijohnston

thanks! it was good fun, and the weather and most of all the light were great! we had excellent rides!
by the way, I have read your report on the trip you made this summer to Italy. Cool! it must have been great fun!

to your point: yes I have ridden the KTM too, that one on the pics, but on tarmac only, quite extensively. First of all I was quite impressed on how much the knobbly (not so much knobbly anymore!) tyres allow! I was leaning as if I was riding with my road tyres. down to the tyre edge. Excellent!
My impression is that both bikes are very similar with some peculiarities that differentiate the 2. the BMW is a more polished product, while the KTM looks more rough, but they both fit the bill. And the same impression I had when riding the KTM. The BMW seems to be more "educated" compared to the KTM, but this does not mean is any slower! Me and my friend have similar riding skills and even after swapping the bikes, for 30/50km we kept the same riding pace. So to me both bikes are easy to learn, and they make you feel home quickly. The KTM has a bit more engine, you can feel it, but the BMW is much cheaper when it comes to fuel consumption! especially compared to this KTM which is still the carbs one.

So, and I know that many will not agree, my impression is that the 2 bikes are aimed to the same customer segment, you can do the same things, it's just down to personal choice. I would be tempted to say that the KTM is a bit more off road oriented, but after having ridden the BMW offroad, and although with road tyres, I am not sure the KTM is that much better. I see the KTM more as a competitor to the 800GS rather than the 1200GS, which is far more road oriented, with the 19 inches wheel and so much weight. Maybe the new KTM ADV1200 (due this fall?) will set a different standard?...

Just my opinion, of course!
ciao!
G
-------------------------
www.gianlucamarucci.com

 

[swolf]

New guy here. Fantastic thread, great write ups, many thanks!

I'm thinking strongly about trading my V-Strom for the new twin 650GS.

I'm wondering if this bike would work as well for mixed touring, riding solo for 3 months? I've really liked what I've read in this thread but am a bit worried about overall comfort. I'm 170cm, 75kg and think the 800GS would be too large.

Has anyone put in long, multiple weeks on their new 650? If so how was it?

Thanks,

 

[marksk]

Just returned from 20 days and 4,328 miles to Turkey and back on my F650GS. Will post a full report on the bike and various bits of kit when I get a moment.

Generally the bike was just great...couldn't have asked any more of it, for me just the job for the trip .

 

[Barfly]

Just returned from 20 days and 4,328 miles to Turkey and back on my F650GS. Will post a full report on the bike and various bits of kit when I get a moment.

Generally the bike was just great...couldn't have asked any more of it, for me just the job for the trip .

Sounds fantastic! Would love to read that report as it must be one of the first long trips on the new 650. How did it perform? What did you like about the bike? Any surprises? Don't keep us waiting too long!

 

[Micky]

So far.... 10,500 miles. Cured the top hose issue methinks

The petrol warning light was on, the on board computer showing 22 miles to go... and then zilch. Engine cut, coast to a halt

Can't be out of petrol surely, but on opening the cap there wasn't even a smell of petrol let alone a bit of slopping around on shakin'

Turning the engine over you could tell from the sound that there was no petrol coursing through the veins...

GPS said Esso 1/2 mile straight ahead... flat road, easy push!

Started on the button.... phew! 22 miles to do 'showing' ... I ask ya

Tankfull to tankfull 279 miles and it took 17.22 litres (16 litre useable tank?) In my book that equals 73mpg ish. 70mpg showing on average on the OBC. Mixed riding, motorway, back roads, wet roads, razzing, playing'n cruisin'

It just gets better... next month I get just two nights in mi own bed. A week in Germany, down to Morocco and then to Scotland for a week

It's the 800GS's fault... it's making me do it

 

[marksk]

A year ago a small group of us had a great idea to go down to Fethiye in Turkey during the school summer holidays to a friends apartment as his wife was going to be there with the kids anyway.

Despite many boozy planning nights where very little planning got done but lots of good bike chat was had….the leaving date rushed up on us and we were off. There were 5 of us with a variety of bikes, me F650GS(2008), an R1150GS, an R1200GSA, an R1200GS and an R1150RT.

Day 1 St Albans – St Quentin(France) 251 miles

Thursday evening 15:30 was an earlier start than our planned early Friday start…the idea being we could steal a march on our planned 374 miles a day average and actually get to do some sightseeing etc along the way. Thanks to the some unkind traffic on the M25 (there’s a surprise eh) we were late to the tunnel and missed our train 18:40…great start. Thankfully though we’d all managed to assemble there and spirits were high. If you’ve done the tunnel, you’ll know it’s great (bit pricey) and in 30 mins or so we were in France for about 21:00. The skies soon turned dark and rain poured down…..spirits not dampened though and we pressed on into the dark and we and arrived at our planned hotel in St Quentin at about 23:45…..just in time for everything to shut, so kebabs for dinner it was….thankfully the kebab shop also sold beer.

Day 2 St Quentin – Augsberg(Germany) 451 miles

The plan for Day to was to press on through the French Toll roads and kill some miles so we could enjoy what we saw as the best part of the trip in the later days. Some diversions and fun through the Black Forest meant we fell slightly short of our goal and meant for a late (22:00) finish to our riding, but did well all the same. Oh it rained all day too.

Day 3 Augsberg – Rakek(Slovenia) 327 milesGetting colder as we got higher into the Alps (11°…is that right for August) we had yet more rain. The roads and all the tunnels were great despite the tourist queues (thank god for filtering eh). We eventually started our decent in to Slovenia to blue skies and warming temperatures (24°….now that’s more like it). First night camping by the lake……lovely, sensible 19:30 finish to riding too.

Day 4 Rakek– Sibenik(Croatia) 308 miles

A day of lovely sunshine and generally trying to catch up some miles. Ended short again (!!!) but sensible finish (19:00) though awful campsite…..give this place a miss if you ever come this way.

Day 5 Sibenik – Cetinje(Montenegro) 258 miles

Two of our number returned this morning as they had shorter holidays than the rest of us…..so we split near Split ! The rest of us pressed on and the roads just got better and better…….the sun shone and the temperatures got higher and higher. Split to Dubrovnik road is great…..sweeping bends with a gorgeous turquoise sea to you right the whole time. Unfortunately we had to keep on going right passed Dubrovnik as we were getting further and further behind schedule (another time maybe).

Into Montenegro there was a lushness to the countryside and some truly outstanding roads….particularly up to Cetinje (the best I have ever ridden). 16 hours riding and only 258 miles…..indication of the roads and borders for you !!!

Day 6 Cetinje – Thessaloniki(Greece) 379 miles
Bit of a mixed day this one, lovely start that quite quickly just went downhill. Ripped off for green cards at the Serbian border, fined by police (robbed ) 500yrds later. Hassle all the way through Kosovo…….couldn’t get out quick enough…….if I never go there again it will be too soon. Not enough Euro’s left between us to be fleeced at the Macedonian border too…….so one paid and the rest had to wait to be bailed our after long ride to nearest cashpoint. Getting sick of the day and all it’s hassles we rode on into the night heading for Europe (Greece) and our salvation. Arrived in Thessaloniki at about 23:45 for a few well earned beers.

Day 7 Thessaloniki – Canakkale(Turkey) 309 milesOur option of a ferry from here to Turkey soon turned out to be a no-go, so we hit the great Greek motorways and were making fantastic time despite the temperatures now reaching the late thirties. Then one of the bikes developes a petrol leak…….a fuel tank line is split. A simple repair would have been possible is our good friends BMW didn’t use impossible to remove clips (without their special tool). A Greek mechanic came to our aid and fixed the bike up but not before we’d emptied the whole tank of fuel all over the bike and ourselves !!!! Back on the road we made it into Turkey. The roads then got worse as we headed down to Eceabat for the short ferry hope to Canakkale……..along with 10 million trucks. Arrive 23:30……note to self must stop having such late finishes.

Day 8 Canakkale – Fethiye(Turkey) 474 miles

Awful roads gradually getting better the further south we went. Heading south the temperatures also rose peaking at 44°…..thank god for vents and camelbacks. Not much to report other than our speeding ticket for doing 65mph on a duel carriageway in the middle of nowhere……despite there being no signs apparently the limit is 45mph !!!! Arrived a 19:00……only 2 hours later than we had planned to when we set off 8 days earlier……I think we did very well for our first big trip. There followed a well earned 6 days holiday with our families who had all flown out there.

Total distance there 2,757 miles


Return Day 1 Fethiye – Cesme(Turkey) 265 miles

For most of us our trip had been about ‘getting there’ and the challenge of the distance and all the various countries. Once in Turkey we wanted to spend as much time with our families as possible. We also didn’t fancy more of the Serbian stuff again, so a return route via Italy was agreed. This gave us a short ride to Cesme (watching out for all the speed traps this time) to catch a car ferry to Brindisi in Italy. If you come here, don’t bother going to board at the allotted time (24:00) as they load bikes last regardless of you being at the front of the queue (we got there at 22:45)……we eventually got to board at 04:30 !!!!!!!

Day 2&3 Cesme – Brindisi(Italy) 0 miles

When we booked this we had in our minds ‘short cruise’……what we got was Turkish car ferry……enough said. Thankfully we booked a cabin….even if it was below the car deck and waterline.

Day 3 Brindisi – Foggia(Italy) 157 miles

Supposed to dock at 18:30…..2 hours late, still after 2 days lazing about, drinking and playing cards etc. we were keen to lay down some miles. Off into the dark yet again………decided to call it a day in Foggia (don’t ask me why and no jokes please)……spent an hour and a half looking for hotel……bit of a dump, funny old place Foggia. To bed 1:30….so much for the early night plans eh.

Day 4 Foggia – Luzern(Switzerland) 668 miles

Great days riding….what a lovely country Italy is…..I must get to see more of it sometime. Italian bikers soon showed us the way they use motorways……if ever traffic slows down they all go onto the hard shoulder…..magic a special extra lane just for bikers. Temperatures really dropped this day…32°in the morning as we set off down to 12° when we stopped in Switzerland. Finished about 23:00 again…….lovely old town centre in Luzern….great if quirky hotel….but nearly everywhere and everything shut as it was Sunday !!!! Guinness and crisps for dinner !!!

Day 5 Luzern – St Albans 662 miles

Early start (07:00) for the big push home. Roads and riding great all day…..making amazing time till 10 miles out of Calais I run out of petrol !!! The OBC said I had 6 miles left and every other time I’ve run that low it’s even gone below zero !!!! Only 2 of us left and not enough petrol to siphon either …… oh well 2 hours later we’re back on the road again. Late for the train and get pushed further back too as it’s bank holiday weekend (not the best place to wait !!) eventually get back onto UK soil at 21:40 and home by 23:00ish……with a nice cuppa.

Total distance back 1,752 miles

Total overall diatance 4,509 miles

My bike (F650GS) performed brilliantly, I bought it for the trip after only passing my full test in March this year. I did mistakenly own an R1200GS for 3 weeks but this turned out to be to big and heavy for me. I bought the bike with the following;

- heated grips
- centre stand
- BMW bash plate
- Handguards
- OBC
- ABS
- Vario Panniers

I added, the BMW touring screen, Zumo GPS, scottoiler, ultraseal and Autocom 200 before we set off. I also had the original bar-ends machined so that they could be used with the handguards and this reduced the vibration (tip BMW….don’t use aluminium for bar ends !!).

During the trip the scottoiler was great and I only had to adjust the chain once. No other problems with the bike at all……..a fine steed alround, most happy with it. It was quite capable of mixing it with the bigger bikes the whole time, only occasionally being held back by my lack of riding experience.

Zumo GPS fantastic, up to Croatia, then a bit wooley or vague…..wouldn’t have done without it though.

Other great bits of kit;

- Rev-it Cayanne Pro Jacket & Dakar Pants
- Rev-it Desert Gloves
- Ortlieb Roll Bag
- Oxtar Touring Boots
- Vango Venon 150 Sleeping Bag

Bit disappointed with Autocom though as between the 3 main team members we only had comms working on 1 day…..it was great then if a bit quiet……I could hear nothing above 60mph (GPS, Ipod or bike-2-bike). Paired with Kenwood TK3201’s too.

If I did it all again (which I would), I’d plan a bit more, not go quite so far or give myself a bit more time. I also would avoid Serbia/Kosovo.

 

[NA1959]

Marksk - super report / pic's. For someone new to biking you did some miles per day!!

 

[ElGuero]

A little advice gentleman and ladies?

I'm a little disappointed to see this forum hasn't had any posts recently, hopefully someone will see and give me some advice. I've been drooling and debating with myself over these two bikes for weeks and poring over reviews. Thrilled I just found this forum with its wealth of information. Current owner of an '03 650. For now its use has been in buzzing me about town but next summer I intend to take an epic 7,000 mile ride from Argentina to the state of Minnesota, so with these new bikes coming out it has me thinking there might be a better bike for such endeavors.

Now for my internal debate. Hands down, I think the F800GS is the most beautiful bike I've ever laid eyes on. The only reason that isn't the instant winner is my 30" inseam scares me away from it's shortest seat height of 33.5 inches. I like that I can get the balls of both feet on the ground with my current 650 and it's 30.7" seat height. Sure, I know it is within the realm of possibility to ride the 800, but I also know for all-around comfort the 650 is more to my size (and who can beat the cheaper price?). Thus, I was dead-set on getting the new 650 until an email exchange with a CycleWorld magazine editor said that the 650 is NOT dual sport. I emailed BMW and asked them to validate this and they said that it IS off-road ride-able, but that the spoked wheels and tires from the 800 would need to be purchased.

For my general purpose scooting around town, of course the 650 would be perfect, but for thousands of miles through South and Central America on crappy dirt roads and even crappier pot-holed paved roads... would I need new wheels/tires? Any other suggestions of what to have put on from the factory and what to get aftermarket? I've seen a lot of reports of people loving their 650, but none of them speak much about being on anything other than well tended European roads. Also, would I want to standard 32.2" seat or the low 31"? I'm all ears... help a guy out! (I'd also love to hear from Tim on this) And many thanks

 

[ren]

Fist impressions on 800GS

Hi all,

I would like to add some information of the fisrt Kms (sorry, not miles ) in the 800 after the move from the 1150...
No doubts, the 'old' 1150GS still be a realy realy great bike, magnific engine with lots of torque, safe and confortable, but no more margin to live with fuel consuption, 250kg and 10 year old design...
So, time to change arrived. Tried to find a second hand 1200 but all very expensive, at least here, in the south.
At the end, and after quick test drive, the new baby occuped her space in the garage.
After 400 kms my opinion is that the bike is realy great, enouth power, more engine, power and speed that the 1150, and the more importat, much, much ligther. I fell like ride my very fist 125cc in the 80s

Anyway, I am waiting for fist service to correct few issues...
Front fork appears to be a must but I feel the 'clonks' already posted by other owners...
At the 200kms one of the screen screws was lost, new owners please check them when pick the bike
And during the last week sunday trip to Cabo da Roca (Roca Cape), the most western place of continental europe, i experieced the fist engine stalling . Strange but it ocurred when the fuel reserve ligth turned on... probably only a coincidence...

When tried the bike in the test drive I felt the screen a litle small for eficient protection but now i see that for medium trips and urban ride is more than enouth. Thinking in the Givi one to install when exit for long travels.

Here is just a message to all 1150 owners. If the 800 look is nice for you, please do not hesitate to try it. You will find a very funny bike, ready for all job and at the end for sure you will feel some years younger...

Have funny and safe rides...

Renato Lopes
'sunny' Lisbon


No, its not mine. Its a full Touratech extras...

There is the special place

And the people

Special participant...

And Guincho beach

And at the end the best hot dogs you can find on earth... realy.. in Cascais

 

[jarax]

Have 12000 km done. Took F800 to Mongolia. Great country for offroad.

This is journey we made:

Here are some pictures from our journey:
http://mototrip.info/mng2008/


No tamrac, 3000 km of offroad. Bike was great, i only had theese problems:
1) rims are too soft (speedng 80 kmh through rocky desert)

2) reinforce the exhaust pipes (speedng 80 kmh through rocky desert):

3) coolant hose problem (see other discussion thread about this topic)

I filled bike with 76-80 octane leaded fuel (had to remove cat before the journey, cost 100 E) - 3000 km without problems.

After journey I recomend for this kind of trip:
1) reinforce the pipes
2) change rims to excel
3) good crashbars and bashplate are the must
4) i wish i had better windscreen and mabye the seat (i used sheep skin)
5) brake and shift lever should be "folding"
6) TT zega cases rules !!
7) raise handlebar, use hand protectors

 

[jarax]

...funny thing... Everybody says "lube the chain". My offroad guru said - do not lube when in desert. I did not lube the chain whole journey no adjustment needed, 12000 km done, 3000 km desert/dust/rocks. True is that i use DiD chain, not the CZ one.

Looks that 20000 km / chain may be real thing - means that the 1150/1200shaft drive is not as good benefit as everybody says

I had 1150 gs before (done 35000 km). F800 is lighter, better, more fun, BUT not as comfortable, especially for pilon passanger...

 

[moto1527]

Have 12000 km done. Took F800 to Mongolia. Great country for offroad.

FANTASTIC stuff, nice pics too. Thats the stuff of dreams to take my F800GS to mongolia im mean, brilliant, Can you tell us more about it?

cheers

Moto

 

[jarax]

The preparation took about a year. Preparation was lot of fun too. I had to learn first aid (how to needle myself), to learn how to repair the bike, to know how to use navigation and to get experienced in offroad (i was normal street rider before).

The trip took 7 weeks. I went from Prague to Moscow by bike, than put bike and myself on a train (Transsiberia railway) and went by train to Novosibirsk. Form Novosibirsk I went to Tashanta (Russian/Mongolian border) on my own. From that point no tamrac

Lot of fun, Mongolia is beautiful and wild country. I wrote whole story about it, but in czech language (http://mototrip.info). We were quite lucky, no rain, nice weather.

The best part of mongolia is western mongolian altai and central Mongolia.

After Mongolia we went to Baykal Lake (irkutsk) and then by train again to Moscow, than by bike to prague.

Trip was not expensive (3200E) for 7 weeks, included petrol, train tickets, vaccination, food, spare parts, visa, insurance etc. Cost does not include motorcycle equipment and camping equipment (i already had everything before the trip)

We were sleeping mostly in tants, total freedom - u can set up the tant averywhere

We did 12000 km by bikes (3000 offroad), 8000 km by train.

If u like my pistures, check Albaina 2007 done on GS1150
http://picasaweb.google.com/J.Suvarsky/AlbNskMise2007

 

[moto1527]

The preparation took about a year. Preparation was lot of fun too. I had to learn first aid (how to needle myself), to learn how to repair the bike, to know how to use navigation and to get experienced in offroad (i was normal street rider before).

The trip took 7 weeks. I went from Prague to Moscow by bike, than put bike and myself on a train (Transsiberia railway) and went by train to Novosibirsk. Form Novosibirsk I went to Tashanta (Russian/Mongolian border) on my own. From that point no tamrac

Lot of fun, Mongolia is beautiful and wild country. I wrote whole story about it, but in czech language (http://mototrip.info). We were quite lucky, no rain, nice weather.

The best part of mongolia is western mongolian altai and central Mongolia.

After Mongolia we went to Baykal Lake (irkutsk) and then by train again to Moscow, than by bike to prague.

Trip was not expensive (3200E) for 7 weeks, included petrol, train tickets, vaccination, food, spare parts, visa, insurance etc. Cost does not include motorcycle equipment and camping equipment (i already had everything before the trip)

We were sleeping mostly in tants, total freedom - u can set up the tant averywhere

We did 12000 km by bikes (3000 offroad), 8000 km by train.

If u like my pistures, check Albaina 2007 done on GS1150
http://picasaweb.google.com/J.Suvarsky/AlbNskMise2007

Superb mate!!, makes my forays into europe look very tame.
For what its worth i have a few films of my trips on youtube here

http://www.youtube.com/user/motorrad1527

did you film any of your trip? Id love to go somewhere a bit more challenging and film there.

cheers

Moto

 

[easyman05]

Tim,

Would you please update your impressions now, after 6 months of use? How was it on gravel/sandy pists in Marocco? On tarmac/highways? Did you ever miss you 1200GS?
TIA

 

[Tim Cullis]

I'm leaving for Morocco in about a week, so it's a bit early, however I had a couple of days trail riding in the Pyrenees in July. The front wheel gets 'diverted' more easily than my 1200GSA so I can see how the larger front wheel of the F800GS might help. But this is minor. Ground clearance was fine (BMW bashplate fitted).

I still have the 1200GSA but am thinking of selling it.

Tim

 

[easyman05]

I'm leaving for Morocco in about a week, so it's a bit early, however I had a couple of days trail riding in the Pyrenees in July. The front wheel gets 'diverted' more easily than my 1200GSA so I can see how the larger front wheel of the F800GS might help. But this is minor. Ground clearance was fine (BMW bashplate fitted).

I still have the 1200GSA but am thinking of selling it.

Tim

Look forward to reading from you upon return from Morocco.
TIA

 

[gbreffitt]

Background: Previous bikes GSXR K4, K1200S, GS1150Adv, GS1200Adv, KTM525EXC and now F800GS. Quite a varied background of bikes. Have I done the right thing buying an 800...Damn right I have.

I remember riding the Cambrian rally in the sports bike class on a KTM 525 about 3 years ago and sat at the end of a special stage, hearing a deep noised twin for ages and when it appeared at the end of the stage it was a GS1150Adv, the rider I believe was Australian and about 7 foot tall (I’m 6’ 3” and he made me look small) He then rode off through the mud sideways with the engine barking. I was impressed! This looked cool! So I bought a silver 54 plate with 6k from Rainbow about 6 months before the 1200Adv was out (I also placed a pre-order at Pidcocks for the 1200Adv). Went touring on the 1150 France, etc. It was heavy, felt like you were working it at speed, happy with it tho and its characteristics, and couldn’t understand how the Australian had controlled it at speed in the forests of Wales.

Anyway the new 1200Adv arrived so I sold the 1150 expecting a big difference in power. It was stunning to look at, did the trips etc but once again I started regretting my purchase. Here’s the thing, aesthetically it looked fantastic compared to the 1150 but it had no sole, it rode a bit better, looked loads better but was still dead heavy and cost so much I wasn’t prepared to ride it off road. What’s the point of having a bike that can do 400 miles to a tank when after a couple of hours; I’m aching and need a while off the bike. To be fair the normal 1200GS would probably have done me better.

I wasn’t overly fussed by the paralever suspension on the front either, as I thought there was very limited feel and when taking it off road; you’d need that for balance. The exhaust went a horrible brown colour straight away as they do on them all. I also got a clunking noise all the time from the shaft drive. The biggest problem for me was the engine sticking out both sides, I felt if I were to take it off road, it would catch on rocks or in ruts plus it was just way too heavy and with the engine bars catching my shins, it made it an uncomfortable ride, so.....I sold it. (Respect to all those that do take the 1150’s and 1200’s off road though).

Returning to green laning and the occasional rally I remained with the ktm, it was fast, reliable, looked great, easy to work on, brilliant for wheelie’s etc. Routes and lanes that we used in Derbyshire were being TRO’d and more or less the writing was on the wall that the more enjoyable, technical lanes were going to be shut down and I didn’t fancy doing enduro’s or hare & hounds at all, plus I couldn’t take the missus out on it or have an enjoyable road ride, so the bike was sold.

I saw the new F800GS at the Milan bike show last year but didn’t take much notice as it was in grey and looked a little dull. Then saw it in MCN in yellow, and started to read the reviews. So I booked a demo at Pidcocks and.....I loved it.

Hold on could this be THE bike for me? Parallel twin engine (Great sound and no bits sticking out), pulled well in every gear, 60kgs lighter than the 1200GSA, tall enough for me, a bike that would have the real capability for on and off road use, a bike I could ride to Derbyshire rather than trailoring it, a bike I could ride to work. But could still tour on? Had it enough power? For two up? For luggage? To keep up with my mates? Would the 21” front wheel be unstable at speed? Would the screen offer any protection?

I picked the new 800GS up on the first of September after 4 months of waiting. Factory extra’s: Trip Computer, Clear lenses, Heated grips.
After market extra’s:
Akrapovic end can (looks better, is lighter, sounds brilliant)
Touratech luggage plate (Nippys)
Zumo 400 (with size larger U bolt for central fitment on handlebars)
Scott Oiler (fitted by Pidcocks)
1200GSA handgaurds
Air hawks for me and the bride £70 each new
Wolfman Tankbag (Winding Roads)
Wolfman Tailbag

I did 2000 miles in the first 3 weeks, Brecon Beacons, The Peaks, Fort William, Glen Coe, Skye, Applecross, Dukes Pass, Edinburgh and back down the East coast. Its quick, light enough to throw around and immense fun. Two up with luggage, no problem cruising at 80-90 at 5000rpm was doing 110 at one point.

20 of us on 15 bikes went up to Scotland last week. Two 800GS’s, three 1200 GSA’s, a 1200GS, two R1150R’s, a 1200 Megamoto, a Triumph Sprint and a Tiger, three V-Stroms and an SV1000.

I lead a group of 5 up to Skye then to Applecross and back to Fort William in wet conditions. What a great day, hardly any cars to spoil the fun. Called in at Eileen Donal castle on the way back and met up with four others from our group. I lead all the way back to Loch Ness and then on to FW. My wife was on the back so I couldn’t push it too much but kept it around 90mph (in wet conditions) all the way on fantastic flowing roads. The guys on the 1200’s and sports bikes all said when we got back, that they couldn’t have gone any quicker and were all really impressed with the bikes performance and looks. One up, I know it would be better.

Yes, I did feel the wind on my chest, but not a massive problem. I looked at taller screens but decided they would make the bike look ugly and that I could then have the wind being directed more at my helmet. The header pipes are still the nice bronze colour as when new, no problems. The Wolfman Luggage bags were superb, were sturdy and even though we had enough clothing in them for 4 nights away, we could have got more in, plus they looked good. Air hawks made a massive difference to me as I didn’t suffer once in the rear. Fuel economy is brilliant, we left Whitley Bay on Sunday Morning two up with luggage and did over 180 miles without refuelling, which has got to be around 50mpg.

I’m enjoying this bike more than any other I have owned to date. I know the performance is as good as a 1200 having owned one and also due to it being a lot lighter. I’m not going to go all over the world touring, so I don’t need a 1200. The F800 suits my needs spot on, It’s also £2300 cheaper than a 1200GSA before you start adding extra’s and as I see it, there’s nothing out there that is as good.

If you are thinking of an F800GS and like me try to read everything on this site, go and buy one, you won’t be disappointed. I know this has been long winded, but having owned other bikes you may be comparing, I thought this would help decisions, but bare in mind, these are just my views.

Cheers All
Graham

 

[moto1527]

Spot on Graham, er.. except the Mag grey is the one to have
Ive had over 30 bikes and i agree the F800GS is the best all rounder for me, 6500 miles since mid May incl a eurotrip to the alps.
Ok so my mate on his Daytona 955i can wizz off up to 160mph on the autobahns (for all of about 2 mins!) but at the end of the day i can get off my bike and think ok 450 miles done whats next, where as he needs tire levers and major surgury to get his arms, legs, neck and backside working again.!
Plus my 1150RS I was lucky to see 135 miles from £15 and that was when petrol was £1.05 a litre, im getting 185miles for the same money at £1.14 a litre!!, my onboard computer tells me i got an average of 63mpg on the euro trip!

Good times!

Moto

 

[sijohnston]

good reports. from a different (racing) perspective. i let a local guy here who won the manx TT years ago take a ride on mine last week. he came back and said 'that's the finest bike i've ever had between my legs; it's a gem of a machine'.
so, it looks like it's getting good accolades from various directions.