F800gs or a Boxer

[john_aero]

Ok,

so times are tight and hopefully next year i will be getting bit of pay rise and want look getting a newish bike for wife and i.

i sold everything so now lwft with an old africa twin, good mind you, but i have a longing for a new bike.

So i fell in love with the 800gs the day was released at the bike show, but also like the big boxers.

Want know who has gone from one to the other and whats the difference. boxer great 2 up touring, reliable (well the 1150 anyway) and mile muncher with average off road potential for the average riders skills.

800 seems bit more nimble, lighter, sound slike the early issues were fixed but please clarify this for me and very goos offraod.

i will be doing both on and off road riding, and also 2 up touring with luggage.

idealy i would just get a Hp2 enduro and that would sort everything but i aint rich so have make do.

so all help be great.

 

[Dave Ett]

The F800 does everything the 1200 does, but costs less to buy, and a lot less to run.

All the early niggles have been identified, and pretty much run to:

1. wheel bearings crap
2. chain and sprockets crap
3. coolant pipes too short / not clipped on strongly enough
4. nut comes loose from clutch pushrod shaft
5. clutch cable not adjusted properly leading to slip and burn out
6. fuel injection jerky at low rpm
7. distance to go unreliable

Can't think of any more common problems, and all of these are pretty easy / cheap fixes.

800cc is plenty to carry two and luggage at 70mph all day. How far depends on what seat you have - the original is agony after 50 miles!

It's 30kg lighter than the 1200, and does 10-15mpg more.

The screen isn't as big, but larger options are available.

It has less road presence - if that matters to you...

 

[richie]

I would def go for an 800. but I rarely ride two up. I loved the go I had on Atgee's 800 last year a real blast.

If I was inclined I would also take an 800 off road but would not on a 1200 or vara..

But that is just me...

 

[john_aero]

well the africa twin is ok 2 up. bit cramped for distance so was hoping 800 be bit better.

the 1150 had was great 2 up thats whats leaning em away from 800;. but the 800 was great solo

 

[richie]

well the africa twin is ok 2 up. bit cramped for distance so was hoping 800 be bit better.

the 1150 had was great 2 up thats whats leaning em away from 800;. but the 800 was great solo

Having ridden both the AT and the 800 I would say the 800 has more go in it, but maybe needs a bit more gear work...

Both bikes ridden for no more than 20 miles so I am by no way an expert.

 

[john_aero]

well might try get a long run on a 800 again.

1150 drawing me due to 2 up ability but 75% riding done solo. more if go europe again my wife will be on the back

 

[Micky]

As above really ... I think the F800GS will do everything the bigger bikes will do, is better off road, much cheaper to run and will handle two up touring without a problem.

The 800 certainly feels sportier, maybe have to rev the engine a little more than the boxer's, but it thrives on it

Now over 65,000 miles on mine

 

[colint]

well the africa twin is ok 2 up. bit cramped for distance so was hoping 800 be bit better.

the 1150 had was great 2 up thats whats leaning em away from 800;. but the 800 was great solo

I'm a complete fat tosser, and my wife who is no shrinking violet (not in size!)and not afraid to voice her opinions, says it is comfy on the back perch but I dont carry camping gear when 2 up I find no problem with handling 2 up, .
I have had the seat reworked which does make a difference so you want to try a two up ride and you may be suprised, the seat is as long as a 1200 or 1150 gs and much more room than the 1150R.

 

[chas820]

Having swapped from the 1100rt to the 800gs my feelings are that for two up touring the seat is to uncomfortable.It is also more cramped than the RT.Fuel economy way better than the RT.Not tried it off road(not my scene)Suggest you take your wife on the back of a test ride for at least a couple of hours,better she moans about the seat before you open yer wallet.

 

[harrybo1]

The F800 does everything the 1200 does, but costs less to buy, and a lot less to run.

All the early niggles have been identified, and pretty much run to:

1. wheel bearings crap
2. chain and sprockets crap
3. coolant pipes too short / not clipped on strongly enough
4. nut comes loose from clutch pushrod shaft
5. clutch cable not adjusted properly leading to slip and burn out
6. fuel injection jerky at low rpm
7. distance to go unreliable

Can't think of any more common problems, and all of these are pretty easy / cheap fixes.

800cc is plenty to carry two and luggage at 70mph all day. How far depends on what seat you have - the original is agony after 50 miles!

It's 30kg lighter than the 1200, and does 10-15mpg more.

The screen isn't as big, but larger options are available.

It has less road presence - if that matters to you...

I dont think the seat is to bad when i brought mine i rode from stockport to southend 1 stop not a numb arse in sight, infact my pal rode back from spain 1100 miles just fuel an coffee stops.

 

[colint]

"bet she moans about the seat before you open yer wallet".[/QUOTE]

If you're feeling very brave and she does moan tell her "this wife isn't moaning" and these accesories are now on offer and then duck!

 

[Richie3264]

The F800 does everything the 1200 does, but costs less to buy, and a lot less to run.

All the early niggles have been identified, and pretty much run to:

1. wheel bearings crap
2. chain and sprockets crap
3. coolant pipes too short / not clipped on strongly enough
4. nut comes loose from clutch pushrod shaft
5. clutch cable not adjusted properly leading to slip and burn out
6. fuel injection jerky at low rpm
7. distance to go unreliable

Can't think of any more common problems, and all of these are pretty easy / cheap fixes.

800cc is plenty to carry two and luggage at 70mph all day. How far depends on what seat you have - the original is agony after 50 miles!

It's 30kg lighter than the 1200, and does 10-15mpg more.

The screen isn't as big, but larger options are available.

It has less road presence - if that matters to you...

I agree with all of the above except the seat.....You is 'ard man, real 'ard

I would start to feel its effects as soon around 15 to 25 miles

Just to add to the list of issues there were some concerns with rocker cover gaskets leaking, cam chain tensioners.

I prefered the front end feel of the boxers, had 1150 gs before the 800, i really noticed the dive when braking on the 800.
I also didnt feel comfortable with the feel of the front when cornering two up, I often felt that it was about to wash away worse two up but also present when riding solo. I adjusted the rear quite abit but the front end still felt too light for me, but each to their own as they say.

there seems to be a bit of a debate regarding tkc's, mine were awfull when...ahem ..giving it the berries in those ...ahem...need to moments shall we say
worse tank slap since my old LC 350

My off road abilities are lower than nil, but took both bikes green lanning; 800 very snatchy throttle, 1150 far comfier ride to the lanes and then back home

I prefered the lazy feal of the boxer but prefered the sound of the 800 even with OE cans.

You will get a newer model with the 800 if that concerns you, but a tried and tested system with the 1150 that doesnt have the canbus system.

This is just my 2p worth and Im sure others will have different experiences, either way good luck

Richie

Shaft drive....say no more

 

[Dave Ett]

1. Just to add to the list of issues there were some concerns with rocker cover gaskets leaking, cam chain tensioners.

2. I really noticed the dive when braking on the 800... didnt feel comfortable with the feel of the front when cornering two up... felt that it was about to wash away... worse two up but also present when riding solo.

1. They've a new design of rocker cover gasket now. Not heard anything about cam chain tensioners?

2. Front forks are unadjustable, though of course you can easily swap the springs for whatever suits you. I've shortened mine front and rear and its much better handling now. )

 

[john_aero]

ya might head upto bmw and see if they will let me try one 2 up for a test ride

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Having ridden both the AT and the 800 I would say the 800 has more go in it, but maybe needs a bit more gear work...

Both bikes ridden for no more than 20 miles so I am by no way an expert.

Having had an AT years ago, it was only 60hp, so is 25hp down on a 800gs for starters, with more weight..................I found the AT a sluggish pig and traded for a new 11GS in 1997

I was then enlightened on how good a motorcycle the Oilhead GS is and the rest is history

 

[Axel F]

I went from the F800GS to the R1200GS. After only a few months regreted letting my 800 go. Liked the 1200 and yes it's a little better for two up touring but apart from that found no added benefit in owning the 1200. For me the 800 is so much more fun, alot cheaper to buy, loads better fuel consumption and better off road. I now have a tiger 800xc but only because I thought it was best to give it a try.

Now to upset a few of you, I loved my F800GS but love the Tiger 800 so much more, smooth engine/gears, great seat, looks great and fuel consumption isn't as bad as they say (Average 52mpg). That said still think the F800GS is a great bike and dont have one bad word to say about it. Oh apart from seat but easy fix buy the comfort seat.

Go for the 800

 

[john_aero]

Having had an AT years ago, it was only 60hp, so is 25hp down on a 800gs for starters, with more weight..................I found the AT a sluggish pig and traded for a new 11GS in 1997

I was then enlightened on how good a motorcycle the Oilhead GS is and the rest is history

ya the 1150 i had was lovely on the road, but find africa twin, as old and low power it is still a fun bike throw around and is a nice bike was very surprised by it i must say

but i do miss the 1150, scrap that i want my old dakar back just was shite 2 up

 

[john_aero]

I went from the F800GS to the R1200GS. After only a few months regreted letting my 800 go. Liked the 1200 and yes it's a little better for two up touring but apart from that found no added benefit in owning the 1200. For me the 800 is so much more fun, alot cheaper to buy, loads better fuel consumption and better off road. I now have a tiger 800xc but only because I thought it was best to give it a try.

Now to upset a few of you, I loved my F800GS but love the Tiger 800 so much more, smooth engine/gears, great seat, looks great and fuel consumption isn't as bad as they say (Average 52mpg). That said still think the F800GS is a great bike and dont have one bad word to say about it. Oh apart from seat but easy fix buy the comfort seat.

Go for the 800

dont take this wrong way but i dont like look the headlight on tiger, looks like bad bmw copy.

but the rest of the bike looks veyr well built and a real professionaly finished.

mate in work ahs one and loves it. says in a trail bike that wants be ridden like a sport bike

what you think was the winner between the 2 bikes

 

[Axel F]

what you think was the winner between the 2 bikes

Clear winner the Tiger as I am slightly bias as I own one

That said, its not that clear

Ive read so many reviews comparing the two and there usually full of poo

In my opinion and after owner a F800GS for a year Triumph have done an excellent job at copying BMW. I'm not the best rider in the world and don't know a lot about all the technical stuff and am not clever enough to write a comprehensive review with posh words comparing the two.

Simply
Tiger does feel a little sportier has a comfier seat and is as smooth as anything

F800GS has better fuel consumption, tidier controls set up, great sounding exhaust

There is not a lot in it, the only real test is what you prefer the look of

 

[SteveT]

To my tiny little mind, the F8Gs is like an Africa Twin on steroids.

I've got both and the F8GS does everything the @ does, but with more Oommff and using less fuel in the process (I ride like a girl and get 57mpg from my @, 66mpg from my F8GS).
Tried both 800 Tigers earlier in the year, prior to buying the F8GS. Neither pushed my buttons, then or now. Mate has a XC version of the Tiger and we've ridden them back to back. I prefer the F8GS, he his XC.

Each to there own - go out there and try them before you buy. Tis the only way for YOU to decide.

SteveT