F800GS owners.......A Penny for your thoughts...
- Thread starter y2blade
- Start date
chas820
Registered user
Im getting on great with mine.No problems,had the chain recall done at the 6,000 service and now almost due the 12,000.Only problem I have is getting on the bloody thing(29" legs)once Im on no problem as 15stone of ugly fat compresses the spring so I can get me feet down.
I've only done 2300 miles on mine from almost new, it was an ex demo.
Very pleased so far, no problems and a great bike. I had a 650 Funduro previously and test rode several 1200 GS' before trying the 800. I can't see a reason to buy the bigger bike.
I had BMW navigator base, comfort seat, brush guards, scot oiler and touring screen fitted before I collected it. I have now fitted a TT radiator guard and an akrapovic slip on is on its way. My next purchase will probably be a TT Satnav locking base.
Very pleased so far, no problems and a great bike. I had a 650 Funduro previously and test rode several 1200 GS' before trying the 800. I can't see a reason to buy the bigger bike.
I had BMW navigator base, comfort seat, brush guards, scot oiler and touring screen fitted before I collected it. I have now fitted a TT radiator guard and an akrapovic slip on is on its way. My next purchase will probably be a TT Satnav locking base.
Bury_Dave
Registered user
Done 13,000 miles on mine in a year and have no complaints at all.
Dabbled with TKC80's and Tourance EXP's and prefer the latter. Brill on-road and ok off road although too high and heavy a bike to be a full-on enduro. Best at fast gravel fire roads.
I have the low seat and no problems with butt comfort.
Thinking about the Power Commander to smooth out the slightly jerky throttle.
Great for solo touring and ok for 2-up touring. It's a bike that suits me 50 weeks of the year rather than having one that suits me 2 weeks of the year.
It's light weight against the bigger bikes is a big plus for me. Paddling it about with your feet is much easier than a 1200 or 1150.
Having had the excellent 1150GSA, I find the F800 is a bike I use to go to work, up the town and for long days out. It was always an 'occasion' when the 1150 came out. That's probably just me though.
I like the fact that it isn't a 1200
I'm sure there are bikes just as good as the F800 that would do what I ask of it but I'm happy enough with it not to feel the need to look around (same could probably be said of my wife
?
Dabbled with TKC80's and Tourance EXP's and prefer the latter. Brill on-road and ok off road although too high and heavy a bike to be a full-on enduro. Best at fast gravel fire roads.
I have the low seat and no problems with butt comfort.
Thinking about the Power Commander to smooth out the slightly jerky throttle.
Great for solo touring and ok for 2-up touring. It's a bike that suits me 50 weeks of the year rather than having one that suits me 2 weeks of the year.
It's light weight against the bigger bikes is a big plus for me. Paddling it about with your feet is much easier than a 1200 or 1150.
Having had the excellent 1150GSA, I find the F800 is a bike I use to go to work, up the town and for long days out. It was always an 'occasion' when the 1150 came out. That's probably just me though.
I like the fact that it isn't a 1200
I'm sure there are bikes just as good as the F800 that would do what I ask of it but I'm happy enough with it not to feel the need to look around (same could probably be said of my wife
?
I have watched the eight Videos in this series and it looks to be one hell of a good bike.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-xa1zcNVme8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I'm very interested tbh, and MissB loves the look of it (So that is a step in the right direction).
Will wait for the summer to put in an appearance and get a demo ride on one.
In the meantime I'm working through the owners opinions on here and Adv rider, and ploughing through the Reviews on Youtube.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-xa1zcNVme8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I'm very interested tbh, and MissB loves the look of it (So that is a step in the right direction).
Will wait for the summer to put in an appearance and get a demo ride on one.
In the meantime I'm working through the owners opinions on here and Adv rider, and ploughing through the Reviews on Youtube.
same as what bury dave said ,ive had 8 gsers ,1150 1150 gsa 1200 ,1200gsa ,and some airheads ,
if you only plan to do motorway miles at 3 figure speeds its not the bike for you.
for me its half the size of my old 1200 gsa ,just as quick in the real world ,where we nearlly allways average 80 -85 cruising,returns 65 mpg,and its fun ,i love riding it .
sometimes i coildnt be bothered to haul out the 1200 ,to just pop out ,but dont mind doing the same with the 800.
every one knows the good bits and bad ,they can all be sorted ,screen , seat , (i dont mind the seat ).
for me its the best of both worlds ,i allways thought (before i rode one ) it wouldnt be man enough for me ,after having 1150/1200s ,untill i rode one,and was surprised.
take one for a test ride ,you will love it ..
if you only plan to do motorway miles at 3 figure speeds its not the bike for you.
for me its half the size of my old 1200 gsa ,just as quick in the real world ,where we nearlly allways average 80 -85 cruising,returns 65 mpg,and its fun ,i love riding it .
sometimes i coildnt be bothered to haul out the 1200 ,to just pop out ,but dont mind doing the same with the 800.
every one knows the good bits and bad ,they can all be sorted ,screen , seat , (i dont mind the seat ).
for me its the best of both worlds ,i allways thought (before i rode one ) it wouldnt be man enough for me ,after having 1150/1200s ,untill i rode one,and was surprised.
take one for a test ride ,you will love it ..
chas820
Registered user
I wouldn`t wait for that to happen,get a ride on one NOW so when summer does come you will have it ready.
Bury_Dave
Registered user
Why wait for summer ? It's an all-weather, all year 'round bike.
Biffabacon
Registered user
Just my thoughts after having a 650 Dakar for 6 years, I should of bought the 800 years ago . . . . . Nothing wrong with the Dakar but the 800 is just in a different league. Just take one out and you will love it. I test rode a 1200 thinking thats what I wanted, but then thought about the 800 and its a great bike and much more usable than the 1200. Its just as fast in every day conditions more chuckable round corners and far more economical than the 1200. Go on you know you want to . . . . .
Bury_Dave
Registered user
I wonder how many 1200 owners thought to try an 800 before buying ? Seems most 800 owners did try the 1200 and plumped for the 800 rather than the big one. I'm not saying the 800 is necessarily a better bike - that depends on your needs and wants - but many might find the 800 does all they want without the bulk and weight of the 1200.
i think im in a position to answer the questions after 13 bmws,and as i said 8 gsers .
it depends on what you want from the bike . motorway cruiser ,its not ,but as an allrounder its great .
no bike does everything perfect,they have all got there faults ,to be honest all the gsers ive had ,ive never had any problems ,canbus ,final drive faliure nothing.
and i dont expect the 800 to be any different .
i love the bike ,but no doubt i will change it someday ,as im a serial changer (ive had 4 bikes this year).
as they have all said get a test ride youll love it ,may even sell you mine
it depends on what you want from the bike . motorway cruiser ,its not ,but as an allrounder its great .
no bike does everything perfect,they have all got there faults ,to be honest all the gsers ive had ,ive never had any problems ,canbus ,final drive faliure nothing.
and i dont expect the 800 to be any different .
i love the bike ,but no doubt i will change it someday ,as im a serial changer (ive had 4 bikes this year).
as they have all said get a test ride youll love it ,may even sell you mine
I love mine to little mint balls
Best bike I've owned. Had it since April 2009 and nudging 24,000 miles.
It's by far the best looking GS.
It's a tall bike (but I'm a 5'10, long-legged girl...) lower seat is available.
Some moan about the seat being narrow/hard... doesn't bother me... a sheepskin makes long rides even more comfy.
So it has a chain... get a Scottoiler and give over moaning!
Had a few of the standard, well discussed issues... headbearings replaced twice, chain replaced (original was more like a greasy piece of knotted string..!), rear wheel bearings replaced, bit of an issue with the ignition "electronics" going awry....
but none of it has diminished the joy of ownership... most things sorted under warranty.
It's a speedy beastie with a frugal perky engine... there's loads of farkles available... it's probably easier to live with than one of the "bigger" bikes as not so heavy to push about... some clever folk do allsorts off-road with theirs but it's a terrifc road bike...
I ride mine to work everyday, go razzing round the back roads on it, tour on it... poor thing rarely gets a wash
I've ridden other bikes in the range and they're all fab too (as is pretty much anything with an engine and two wheels) but the F800 always feels like home...
Oh, did I say that I love mine to little mint balls...?????
Go try one, it's the only way to know...
Best bike I've owned. Had it since April 2009 and nudging 24,000 miles.
It's by far the best looking GS.
It's a tall bike (but I'm a 5'10, long-legged girl...) lower seat is available.
Some moan about the seat being narrow/hard... doesn't bother me... a sheepskin makes long rides even more comfy.
So it has a chain... get a Scottoiler and give over moaning!
Had a few of the standard, well discussed issues... headbearings replaced twice, chain replaced (original was more like a greasy piece of knotted string..!), rear wheel bearings replaced, bit of an issue with the ignition "electronics" going awry....
but none of it has diminished the joy of ownership... most things sorted under warranty.It's a speedy beastie with a frugal perky engine... there's loads of farkles available... it's probably easier to live with than one of the "bigger" bikes as not so heavy to push about... some clever folk do allsorts off-road with theirs but it's a terrifc road bike...
I ride mine to work everyday, go razzing round the back roads on it, tour on it... poor thing rarely gets a wash
I've ridden other bikes in the range and they're all fab too (as is pretty much anything with an engine and two wheels) but the F800 always feels like home...
Oh, did I say that I love mine to little mint balls...?????
Go try one, it's the only way to know...
Bury_Dave
Registered user
Can't argue with that sort of experience can you ?
Absolutely coz if there were, we'd all have it and all look the same.
The mere fact that Triumph felt the need to copy the F800 is proof in itself that it's a great bike
Why wait for summer ? It's an all-weather, all year 'round bike.
tbh there is Nothing to be gained/Learnt from Demoing a bike in the wet.
I'm in no rush
Plus I need to get MissB out on the back of one before I start getting too serious.
I Might pop along to Motorrad at the weekend, have a look at one in the flesh.
We both really like the look of the Yellow ones and the White too
Johnnymac
Registered user
I've done almost 10,000 on my 30th Anniv F800, and I agree with most of the above. The main thing is it'll go anywhere a 12 will go at practically the same speeds, but use maybe 20% less fuel doing it. I didn't get left behind going up the A1M at 80-90ish in company with a 12GSA and a Multistrada the other week, and I know which was easier over Hardknott pass!
I did the Stella Alpina on mine last year and came home in two days from Nice. I did 623 miles from Dijon to York in a day, my highest ever. And the seat was fine!!
A lot complain about the seat, but maybe my ARSE! (sorry, touch of Tourettes there..) has got used to it. I was going to get a comfort seat, but tbh I don't need it. A three hundred mile all day ride out is fine.
It's a great bike, and I can't see any reason now to get anything else.
Not even touched my R80ST since I've had it!
Also did the BMW Off-Road skills course on one back in May.
I know it's better off road than I'll ever be!
Not had any problems at all, no recalls, nothing.
Had a Scottoiler fitted at first service, and in 10,000, I've adjusted the chain maybe twice.
It really does it all, off road, back lane exploring, motorway thrashing, fast road riding...even two up.
I did the Stella Alpina on mine last year and came home in two days from Nice. I did 623 miles from Dijon to York in a day, my highest ever. And the seat was fine!!
A lot complain about the seat, but maybe my ARSE! (sorry, touch of Tourettes there..) has got used to it. I was going to get a comfort seat, but tbh I don't need it. A three hundred mile all day ride out is fine.
It's a great bike, and I can't see any reason now to get anything else.
Not even touched my R80ST since I've had it!
Also did the BMW Off-Road skills course on one back in May.
I know it's better off road than I'll ever be!
Not had any problems at all, no recalls, nothing.
Had a Scottoiler fitted at first service, and in 10,000, I've adjusted the chain maybe twice.
It really does it all, off road, back lane exploring, motorway thrashing, fast road riding...even two up.
Sold my KTM SM-T and bought a triple black one today. 25 miles more to the gallon
.................... and I should get more than 2k from a back tyre too
.................... and I should get more than 2k from a back tyre too
i dont find the seat that bad either ,allthough MARK71 ,has a seargent seat enduro model on his and it does feel really comfy ,and looks great .
i dont like the stepped seat look that most people get when they have thee seat remodelled
i dont like the stepped seat look that most people get when they have thee seat remodelled
What's the servicing costs like? Heard the 12 or 18k was a biggie!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
You know me too well Adam.
My OH said my face lit-up watching that..........STUNT BIKE!!!!!!!
Not to take my own thread off topic but I hope all is well with you buddy? long time no see
