F800GSA

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Or alternatively a lot more full of shit!

Na ...... I'd go with the first option .....

 

[Micky]

well mickey, i'm the same age as you with 1new knee 3mths ago and a 1200gs which i hope to get back on soon. or am i being too ambitious?

You're probably fitter and stronger than me jags

I have to get my 'bike through a narrow gate and down a 9" step at the same time (mid terrace house) The 1150/1200's just too much for me now. Out of the gate I'd probably manage OK. Anyway, as said, the 800 does everything I want, and as good as, and in some respects better than, the bigger 'bikes
Only you know if you're being too ambitious ... best of luck with it

I've test rode both GS and GSA and the main thing that stopped me buying was tubed tyres. The thought of a puncture in middle of Spain, France, etc., miles from anywhere is a worry. Had puncture in Germany last year with tubeless tyres and was back on road in about 20 minutes.

Had a couple of punctures on the 800, back on the road again in ten minutes with the Motul aerosol can that seals and re inflates

 

[Gigsy]

Put 250ml tractor tyre sealant in the tubes... fixes the puncture and helps balance the wheels too

 

[jags]

800

mickey, you are doing well. i'm lucky in that i just have to wheel it out of the garage.if i had to negotiate a 9" step i ight have to get a 125.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Na ...... I'd go with the first option .....

Bastardo . I blame the alcohol and drug addictions

 

[Sooty09]

I am 62 now and have had some health issues in the last year and I don't have quite the stamina as before but don't want to give up adventure motorcycling yet

I have had the 800GS, 1200gs and now a 1200 GSLC, my wife had stuck with her F650 twin but just swapped to the F700. Its does not have the same presence as the larger Adventure bikes but has just the same, if not more road abilities. When in trouble footing about in carparks its much lower, the weight helps. Its big advantage is the ease of getting on and off and pushing about the garage/camp site etc. She never seems far behind no matter how hard I try and in Alpine conditions the road size wheels are such an advantage (or im a crap hairpin bend rider). It may have less ground clearance but unless you sneek out of carparks over pavements I have enever found this a problem on any bike. Im 6'2" and 105 kG so I feel the bike is too small for me, if I was smaller and lighter it would be the bike I would choose.

 

[Ross Dean]

Had a couple of punctures on the 800, back on the road again in ten minutes with the Motul aerosol can that seals and re inflates

That's interesting! How many miles did you ride before replacing the inner tube or was it a permanent repair?

 

[Micky]

That's interesting! How many miles did you ride before replacing the inner tube or was it a permanent repair?

If it was a good tyre and I had any continental trips planned, I'd stick a new inner tube in

Usually the tyres are well down when punctured so I would stick a new tube in with a new tyre ... always replace my tyres in plenty of time anyway. I really never have had an issue with tubed tyres and punctures (back in the sixties it was a different story)

Sue and myself rode through Russia, Siberia, Mongolia, Gobi Desert, China and returned via all the Stans ... 30,000 miles, on two F650GS's, equating to 60,000 miles on some of the worst roads ever .... no punctures

But I guess you need to be lucky ... F800GS in Ireland a couple of years ago

 

[Ross Dean]

If it was a good tyre and I had any continental trips planned, I'd stick a new inner tube in

Usually the tyres are well down when punctured so I would stick a new tube in with a new tyre ... always replace my tyres in plenty of time anyway. I really never have had an issue with tubed tyres and punctures (back in the sixties it was a different story)

Sue and myself rode through Russia, Siberia, Mongolia, Gobi Desert, China and returned via all the Stans ... 30,000 miles, on two F650GS's, equating to 60,000 miles on some of the worst roads ever .... no punctures

But I guess you need to be lucky ... F800GS in Ireland a couple of years ago

I agree about the tyres - replacing them in good time and a lack of issues with tubed tyres. I had no issues with my two previous 800GSs tyres (TKC80s fitted as standard). I used them them touring and rally training plus the occasional off-road day without one puncture over thousands of miles. The correct pressure for the terrain is also important (I am no off-road expert - just done a bit on the 800s and a KTM990). I did carry the tools and spare inner tube around all the time though so find the thought of just stashing a can or two of 'tube filler' appealing.

Nice website, by the way! Just finished the riding tips bit.

 

[Micky]

Nice website, by the way! Just finished the riding tips bit.

Ta

 

[ahutcheon]

I added a Yamaha WR250R to complement my 1150GS. Thought about an 800GS to replace the 1150, but hey even the WR is on the heavy side if I get it stuck enough. Just a thought...

...that said, I'd pick the 800 over the 1200 for what I do.