F800 GSA ("A is for Adventure")

[Dean]

This is my first thread so be gentle with your handbags!

Am I the only one thinking that BMW Motorrad could have pushed sales further and avoided confusing with their F650GS re badging? Now as A proud owner of the F650gs it’s confused with a 650cc when it’s an 800cc not to mention there already was a fantastic previous F650GS so we say Twin to explain our specific model. Would it have been simpler to have the F800 GS and F800 GSA the F800 GS still marketed at the entry level!

So it shares the same basic engine as the F800GS with a few subtle differences. Although the engine is essentially the same, the 650 has lower horsepower and torque. After switching the cams and de-tuning the electronics, the F650GS pumps out 71 hp and 55.3 ft-lbs of torque where its 800 sibling offers 85 hp and 59.7 ft-lbs of torque. So what other differences exist besides 14 hp and 4.4 ft-lbs of torque?

BMW’s vision for the F650GS was that it would be the introduction model into the larger adventure motorcycles. This is smart marketing on BMW’s part. Not everyone is ready to tackle the power and size of the 1200, but they now have various options available to them to get into a smaller, more manageable platform with the intention of one day graduating to a larger model.

How about if they would have called the F650GS the F800GS and the F800GS the “F800 GSA”

The alloy wheels likened to the 1200GS but loaded the F800GSA more slightly bigger tank range, spots as standard etc and run a TV advertising campaign using Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on the F800GSA and their wives on the F650’s I mean the F800GS.
No seriously can you see the sales potentials and the 1200GSA potential buyers switching to the F800GSA maybe that’s why they didn’t!
The F800GS has wire wheels likened to the 1200 GSA perhaps it already is a GSA but just not badged?

I mean have you seen the price of a new 1200 GSA on the Road?
Also Ladies just think how much shopping you can carry on the F650 GS!

Gotta dash I need a spin on my bike the rain is falling but i'm loving the gortex and heated Grips.

Oh before i go a big nod to all

Dean

 

[chad]

pretty serious first thread puma

 

[everywherevirtually]

run a TV advertising campaign using Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on the F800GSA and their wives on the F650’s I mean the F800GS.
No seriously can you see the sales potentials and the 1200GSA potential buyers switching to the F800GSA maybe that’s why they didn’t!

I think that would kill it stone dead for me. Can you imagine having a day out on the bikes where your wife insists she comes along?

Especially now that I know Ewan & Charley took a lot of advice, help and routes along the way and didn't credit the people involved. That in my view is just not sporting and so I'd be more inclined to use Austin Vince, Chris Scott and half the people on this site in an advertising campaign.

 

[Klanky]

I need a lie down......

 

[Cole]

they were never going to call it an 'Adventure' ... you couldnt really with a 16 litre tank.

But they did have a plan to call them the F800GS and F800GS Dakar. That was shelved because they (or rather their dealers) wanted continuity of the F650GS name.

BMW are totally serious about the R1200GS and GSA being the only bikes they produce to be marketed as "round the world" bikes. They do not want the lines blurred. A big bike tour company who has their bikes provided for by BMW asked for some F800s this year for variety from the fleet of 1200GSs they normally get and were told by BMW that its not going to happen. If BMW are providing bikes for people to do long distance touring on, then as far as BMW is concerned they will be 1200s only. The 1200 is absolutely the priority for BMW in the adventure bikes segment.

Looking at how many more F800s they would sell is seeing only a fraction of the picture. They have a whole Adventure 'brand' to protect, and the 1200 is the flagship of the brand. To be honest, I doubt they would sell too many more F800s anyway, even if it was called an Adventure or made into an more Adventure style bike.. Someone who likes the bike is going to buy the bike first and worry about fuel tank size later.

As for using Ewan McGregor in a proper marketing campaign??? Do you have any idea what that would cost? No matter how many bikes he has got from them in the past, (and he has more than repaid them in publicity) he wouldnt just turn up for a week of shooting an ad campaign for anything less than the profit margin on several hundred bikes.

 

[bradders]

Interesting Point

I rode a 1200GSA a little while ago as I own an F800GS and have done for 18 months. I was not impressed with it as it was too bulky, unweildy and did not flick in and out of corners as I would have liked. Now I have ridden for the last five years and had a number of bikes.

When I returned the eager salesman's face dropped a mile when I said I wouldnt trade my F800GS as I didnt like the GSA. I also said I now know why BMW havent put more detail into the F800 and made an official F800GSA as it would take a big chunk of the market share away from the 1200. Again, the saleman winced at this comment.

Every test this bike has gone through has it placed 1st and as far as it being a serious off roader, can you seriously say the 1200GSA is ?

I know there is a lot of snobbery about 1200's being better than 800's but for me I wouldnt change my 800. The only down side is the small tank range but if your daft enough to part with some serious cash, you can have touratech's add ons !

Yes the seat needs altering and its good to have protection bars and a higher screen plus panniers.

End of the day, you can turn your F800 into a GSA albeit an unofficial one and for far less cost than a big 1200GSA.
Does make the mouth water thinking about an offical BMW F800GSA though

 

[yicker]

+1 bradders, spot on

 

[Big Nick]

Each bike has its strengths and weaknesses the trick is buying the one who's strengths match your biking needs the best.

I tour and ride a lot 2-up and for me this effectively ruled out the 800, it'll do it but not as well as the 1200

If I was doing more solo riding and going off road frequently then I'd definately consider the 800

 

[Micky]

I know there is a lot of snobbery about 1200's being better than 800's but for me I wouldnt change my 800. The only down side is the small tank range but if your daft enough to part with some serious cash, you can have touratech's add ons !

End of the day, you can turn your F800 into a GSA albeit an unofficial one and for far less cost than a big 1200GSA.
Does make the mouth water thinking about an offical BMW F800GSA though

Small tank range? 275 miles from full tank to push aint a small tank range in my book

OK ... 200+ miles to the tank is easy attainable. Eight euro's a day less than the 1200's to refill after a days riding

I have the F800GS-A already

 

[ide508]

Small tank range? 275 miles from full tank to push aint a small tank range in my book
OK ... 200+ miles to the tank is easy attainable. Eight euro's a day less than the 1200's to refill after a days riding
I have the F800GS-A already

Micky, I believe that the rack on you're bike is the stock one for the Alu panniers, can you confirm?
Also if you could provide me with a link where I could see what those panniers looks like on the bike from different angles I will really appreciate

I am about to go for it but still think that they might be huge on the 800 gs

Cheers
Bernard

 

[Jaq]

And.....nice to see you also have the bike in the best and fastest colour, Puma!!!...............

 

[everywherevirtually]

The adventure bike is the one in the middle

The other two big beasts needed nobblies to get into that field whereas my 800 GSA did it on road tyres

 

[Micky]

Micky, I believe that the rack on you're bike is the stock one for the Alu panniers, can you confirm?
Also if you could provide me with a link where I could see what those panniers looks like on the bike from different angles I will really appreciate

I am about to go for it but still think that they might be huge on the 800 gs

Cheers
Bernard

Well the BMW alloy panniers are much snugger fitting that the Trax ones for sure ... and they don't leak. They're 4" narrower than the Trax, that'll be about 10cm to you sir and well worth the extra money.

Hope the piccies help...

 

[ide508]

Thank you so much Micky, I just think that I'll go for it
Cheers
Bernard

 

[Dean]

they were never going to call it an 'Adventure' ... you couldnt really with a 16 litre tank.

But they did have a plan to call them the F800GS and F800GS Dakar. That was shelved because they (or rather their dealers) wanted continuity of the F650GS name.

BMW are totally serious about the R1200GS and GSA being the only bikes they produce to be marketed as "round the world" bikes. They do not want the lines blurred. A big bike tour company who has their bikes provided for by BMW asked for some F800s this year for variety from the fleet of 1200GSs they normally get and were told by BMW that its not going to happen. If BMW are providing bikes for people to do long distance touring on, then as far as BMW is concerned they will be 1200s only. The 1200 is absolutely the priority for BMW in the adventure bikes segment.

Looking at how many more F800s they would sell is seeing only a fraction of the picture. They have a whole Adventure 'brand' to protect, and the 1200 is the flagship of the brand. To be honest, I doubt they would sell too many more F800s anyway, even if it was called an Adventure or made into an more Adventure style bike.. Someone who likes the bike is going to buy the bike first and worry about fuel tank size later.

As for using Ewan McGregor in a proper marketing campaign??? Do you have any idea what that would cost? No matter how many bikes he has got from them in the past, (and he has more than repaid them in publicity) he wouldnt just turn up for a week of shooting an ad campaign for anything less than the profit margin on several hundred bikes.

Interesting Points Cole, I understand Business prevails over common sense why would BMW destroy their cash cow! Hey I could have a F650GSA on my hands!

Each bike has its strengths and weaknesses the trick is buying the one who's strengths match your biking needs the best.

I tour and ride a lot 2-up and for me this effectively ruled out the 800, it'll do it but not as well as the 1200

If I was doing more solo riding and going off road frequently then I'd definately consider the 800

That’s a fair comment "the trick is buying the one who's strengths match your biking needs the best" and I would add financial capabilities at the current time! What about buying a bike that’s strengths far exceed your biking needs! Not everyone travels two up with the kitchen sink in some cases there’s a support vehicle, can't they carry your spare pants?

Small tank range? 275 miles from full tank to push aint a small tank range in my book

OK ... 200+ miles to the tank is easy attainable. Eight euro's a day less than the 1200's to refill after a days riding

I have the F800GS-A already

(I’m with Mickey on this yeah it’s a GSA) sometimes you don’t have to put on a badge to know what it is!!!

It’s a bit like the guys that Run cars and debadge them like mercs so people think there more of a car than they really are and don’t realise there a base model. (Who are they fooling?) But the F800GS is purely BMW reverse psychology we know what it is it’s a GSA.

Yes I think Hitler would have had a F800 GSA and he would have insisted it was badged it as one

The adventure bike is the one in the middle

The other two big beasts needed nobblies to get into that field whereas my 800 GSA did it on road tyres

everywherevirtually Is that a Cow Pat on your Tyre Eeeuw!

And.....nice to see you also have the bike in the best and fastest colour, Puma!!!...............

Why thank you Jaq, I’m guessing that you also have the best and fastest colour!

Actually I like all the colours buying a new bike is more of a personal Ip dip Thing, shall I shant I. To much choice and a fight between I want v what can I financially afford!

Right now I quite like the new Alpine white in the F800 GSA Its cooler than a penguin’s freezer!


I must get back to farkling with My F650 GSA I’ve just ordered some HID conversion and De's from L/W so I can bring my little beast GSA presence up to big beast GSA presence!

Nod to all

Dean

 

[Sooty09]

I was sent the following Info by Touratech recently, the video is a bit long but how I envy the Americans their long off road routes.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Touratech USA test the new F800GS Fuel Tank Conversion

Hot on the release of the much anticipated F800GS fuel tank conversion Touratech USA's Owner Tom Myers took the extremely popular machine and tank into the wilderness to see what difference the increased 36 litre fuel capacity would make to the bike.

While he and his team were there they decided to make a film about it to show everyone else what an improvement it made to an already much loved bike.

To read the story and see the movie of Toms trip click here....... http://beta.maileasy.se/click.taf?v...ww.touratech.co.uk/f800gs_tank_conversion.htm


See this tank in the 'flesh' at this years NEC show. We will have a kitted out F800GS complete with the large fuel tank on our stand. So why not come along and see it for yourself?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Those F800GS must surely class as "Adventure" bikes

 

[mechcanico lee]

The adventure bike is the one in the middle

The other two big beasts needed nobblies to get into that field whereas my 800 GSA did it on road tyres

The hotel you rode to looks a little drafty

 

[everywherevirtually]

04:39 he nearly loses the "heavy" back end and spends half his time sitting down No wonder these guys garner no respect in the off road / global traveler arena. They are about shifting product. If they can sell you a Touratech branded toothbrush holder and you are willing to pay for it then they'd probably include that in this video too.

I quote:

"I was a little intimidated by the list of things we needed to carry and having the extra weight on board"

"You forget about all that weight that's behind you"

"You forget about all the fuel that is on board"

"You just kind of adapt and it ends up being really fun"

"we were coming into campgrounds that were completely uninhabited but they had picnic tables and bathrooms"


yeah right up until you drop the fecker and it lands on top of you and you can't lift it up without the two mates you brought along.


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now for some real adventure motorcycling... where the "trails" run out

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[chad]

04:39 he nearly loses the "heavy" back end and spends half his time sitting down No wonder these guys garner no respect in the off road / global traveler arena. They are about shifting product. If they can sell you a Touratech branded toothbrush holder and you are willing to pay for it then they'd probably include that in this video too.

So what they are running a business of course they are going to promote their products what a way to do it , promoting your business by going out doing what you love

Jeeze i would love to make a trip like that,and be able to ride half as good as they did

but im no riding god so i cant make assumptions about their abilitys

what we are talking about here is the fuel tank oh yeah giving the 800 or i assume the 650 that kind of range makes them an even more serious touring machine ive always felt the 650s and 800s only downfall was the tank range.
problem now solved,and i bet a new bike with that tank most likely still comes in under the price of a 1200ADV

 

[mechcanico lee]

What are the orange bikes in the second clip, are they ktms ?