sijohnston
Registered user
i have ridden both and have an 800GS which i just returned from mongolia on. no doubt both bikes would've coped, but the 800 is a stronger bike and took hits that i think the versys would've crumpled with. i don't think they're a fair comparison and the price difference reflects it. the 800 is a much better bike, but the versys is a good little machine. my reflections on the trip which i'll write at the end of my ride report in a couple of weeks and which will blow the whistle on some of the consensus opinion on adventure riding on this site, will make the point that big bikes are a waste of time for true off-roading. ewan and charley haven't served the overland community well by making the default position big machines. i think the 800 is possibly the most versatile of all the big bikes and will more effortlessly get you to the 'off-roads' than the versys, and serve you better when you get to them. however, if i had to do it again, i may well go for a KTM 690 enduro R, put a dakar cockpit on it, fit an auxiliary tank, throw some soft bags over the back, and bugger off again. but as it is, i'm giving my 800 a complete overhaul and making do. hope this helps.
for the f 800 gs.
