Help! 650 vs 800

[siwhite]

Hi folks - first 'real' post that's not buying something or saying hello!

My conundrum is whether to buy an F650GS or an F800GS. This will be my first bike - ever - and used for pootling about, seeing friends and places and zipping to work when it's not icy. I was FULLY set on buying the F8 but I'm not so sure, so I made a list....

F650GS

Can be had for less than £2k (olbviously older bike - 2000MY on Ebay with 14k for £1400)
Better first bike as it's lighter / slower / almost as capable / less valuable?
HATE the look of the headlight - can it be swapped for an F8 or F12?
Any point spending money on I bike I'll ultimately sell on?



F800GS

Simply beautiful - my dream bike.
Too precious for a first bike? Will I worry too much?
Money spent will be on the bike I intend to keep for a good while.
More expensive - £6k AT LEAST for any model.
Is it morally right to have your dream bike first time out? What will I pander over?

Money's not really an issue - I've saved a budget for an 800. Anything I've missed? What would the forum recommend? Cheaper hack to gain experience, or buy once - buy right?

Si

 

[SamD]

I had an 800 for my first bike. I rode it for 2 years pretty much everywhere. A great first bike if you ask me. I moved on to a 12, but only out of the desire to change rather than any real *need* to change.

 

[Greger]

Hard to make a choice given the number of factors affecting it.

Personally I got the 650 single as a steady progression and did love the look of the 800 twin.

For the amount of time I get on the bike the 650 is a fair budget choice.

I intend to keep it for a few years then may change.

I confused myself though by looking at the 1200s as well.

If you pushed me to make a recommendation I would say no harm in an older 650 for a year to see how your thoughts and feelings change as you get used to it. Resale after a year would not cost you much if anything.

Cheers

 

[Buz]

I passed my test April 09, went to buy an 800 but decided it was too big for me for a first bike so ended up getting a 650 Twin. Nice bike but it isn't what I really wanted. I had a 1200 as a loan bike 6 months ago and fell in love with it.
If I knew then what I know now I would have bought something like a 650 single for 1-2 years, kept my original money then added to it for the 1200 now.

Dont get me wrong the 650 twin is a nice bike and pretty quick, its just i've been bitten by the 1200 bug

 

[MalcS]

Similar predicament for me
Currently got 650 single
Looking some point this year on either 650/800 twin

I suspect the 1200 will be too big for me height wise

 

[Rasher]

Don't kmow much about these two bikes, but your first proper bike is always great!

As mentioned buying a cheap bike normally means little depreciation and no worries if you do drop it, not at all uncommon I dropped various bikes as a lad - not crashes, just stupid stall and stumbles, not putting side stand down properly.

Worst was trying to check oil level without having bike on stand and bending down with one hand on the bar trying to get bike level - obviously ended up with bike in a heap!

Sounds like you have good budget and not tied to finance so easy to keep a bit of cash back \ save a bit more and upgrade later, the money you lose on first bike will be offset or more than covered by losses on newer bikes - a £5k bike will drop a lot more in 6-12 months than a £2k bike.

You can't lose whatever you buy, the most important thing is to ride within your limits and take care out there

 

[Pip_UK]

Hello Si, nice dilemma isn't it?

Just imagine you're pulling the cover off your bike, or opening the garage door.

Now, which bike do you want to see? I think you maybe already decided that.

They are both very nice bikes. Having ridden both, I think I could sum up: the F800 feels very similar to the F650, but with a turbo.

The F650 is possibly a bit more novice-friendly, as it's less adrenalisingly frisky in power and handling than the 800, but don't worry, there'll be 800s for years to come.

And as Mr. Rasher mentions above, take care and ride safe. Thank you also Rasher, for the first laugh of the day

 

[Kendo]

Hi mate,

I was in the same dilema when i passed my test. I went for a 2004 f650gs first as it did all i wanted (or so i thought) but after a few monts i felt that on anything more than a commute it was a bit much. It was comfy and went well but all my friends had bigger bikes and 80-85 on the motorway was pushing it to much and it got very viby and as we are meant to be doing alot of touring over the next few years i decided to bite the bullit and went for an 800. I love the bike but it does tempt you to go faster because it is so much more capable. I intend to use it for green laning the same as i did with my 650 which incidentally was great offroad. If you want anymore advice feel free to ask.

cheers

 

[siwhite]

Wow, thanks for all the replies! Great forum here...

I'm not sure this has helped much! I was expecting everyone to say 'first bike, 650 every time' but it's not quite that easy.

I know which bike I want (the 800) but it's three times the price and when (not if) I knock it over I'd be gutted. It's also true that I will want to upgrade from a 650 to an 800 in time, and there will always be a market from new riders interested in the 650. The 650 is clearly as capable (minus top end) as the 800 and would do everything I wanted (at least for the first year). The trouble is, I just don't really like the look of the 650 from the front. Is this being rediculous?

My head says 650, but the heart says 800

 

[Kendo]

The thing is are you going to ride it or look at it. I personally like the look but i guess its personal preference. If the headlight is the only thing putting you off i would say you cant see the light when u ride so no need to worry about it. I put spotlights and small indicators on mine and it did look ok to me and it was a great first bike but it just didnt do what i wanted it to do. As for scratching the 800 then again i wouldnt worry. Mine has only been washed twice in 3 months because i ride it all the time. If it gets scratched then so be it. I intend to keep it for many years and by the time i get to sell it it i doubt it will matter about the odd scratch.

Cheers

 

[marcusfordus]

1st bike

You get one life, make the most of it.

If you want the 800 and you have test ridden one and really like it, go buy the thing.

If you fall off, fix it.

If you wan't to lessen the chances of falling off, get some additional training.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

No one ever loved a bike bought with the head.

 

[v8legend]

I moved from an F650GS (single) to an F800GS, so feel well qualified to answer this, however, a lot depends on you as a rider. If you're the kind of rider to rag it everywhere, then start on the 650. The 800 really is too much as a first bike if you intend to thrash it. However, if you're steady Eddie, then get your dream bike straight off. Only you know the honest answer to that.

If you're buying a commuter, then buy it with your head, in which case the 650 makes more sense.

If it's just for fun, then buy it with your heart, in which case get the 800 (it's a lot more fun!).

As for dropping them, then realistically, they'd probably cost the same to repair. My 650 jumped off the stand whilst lubing the chain, and it cost the best part of £500 to get it straight again. Again cost is a consideration. If it's your first bike, then you'll have no 'no claims', so fully comp will be expensive. The 650 will be less of a risk TPF&T.

I've ridden for over 30 years, but returned after a 6 year gap, and believe me the 650 was plenty enough for nearly a year. My previous bike was a Ducati 888, and although there was a big difference in power, the power delivery was actually quite similar. You can make surprisingly good progress on the 650, and I had no problem keeping up with my mates Trophy Sprint 900.

The last consideration is the height. Have you sat on one. The 800 is tall (taller than the 1200). If you're new to riding, and can't get both feet flat on the ground, then you will drop it.

As problems go, it's not a bad one to have. Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

 

[Micky]

I've had both and done over 50,000 miles on both

Both totally reliable and no issues whatsoever, so go with the heart ... not the head

The F650GS is old hat now but can be bought at the right price...

Personally I'd go for the F800GS ... fantastic 'bike. Very economical and probably easier to look after than the venerable 650 single!

 

[freeloader]

Similar predicament for me
Currently got 650 single
Looking some point this year on either 650/800 twin

I suspect the 1200 will be too big for me height wise

Not necessarily. Seat height on the F800GS is taller than the standard R1200GS. Can't remember the seat heights of the 650 twin or R1200GSA for immediate comparison, but they're on BMW's website.

And just to complicate matters, there's the added factor of seat width (wider on the 1200) - a narrower seat makes a taller one more accessible to the vertically challenged (like me).

 

[geotim]

No one ever loved a bike bought with the head.

What he said ...

I passed a few years ago, bought a second hand 1200, rode it for a year to make sure I did all the silly stuff on that and then traded up to a new GSA once I had got the hang of it.

... and additional training makes the enjoyment of the bike you WANT even better

 

[herbie]

iv had other bikes gsxr 600, zzr 600, wr 400,all quite powerful bikes but thats not what its all about iv now got a 650 gs and love it probably the funest bike iv had apart from my yam DT 50 mx first bike, first love you never forget your first lol.
you wont go wrong with a 650 good all rounder and great fun off road cheep bike for lots of fun and wont be paranoid about scuffing it up a bit
but the 800 is a good looking bike might look at upgrading next year

 

[rodders]

I think the only way to decide and be certain is to have a test ride on both bikes and then you will know.. which is easy with BMW dealers...

The 800 is taller than the 12gs but I'm only 5ft 8 and had no problem with height( with an airhawk as well) on either. I only put one foot down at stops so flat foot on which ever side that is.
Easy to get 60+ mpg which is ideal if you are commuting.
best of luck

 

[rodders]

that is 60+ with the 800 not the 12

 

[Jed]

Hi Si,
I had same questions. I passed DAS in Dec and had heart set on F8, went into BM shop on way home from test center and ended up buying 12GS. I rode both 8 and 12 and finally decided that after 6mths i would probably want the 12. i was total novice never had any bikes and am 41yr also a bit vertically challenged (5.7), haven't had any probs with the 12 and sooo glad i went for that and not the 8.
p.s. - didn't have any pressure from the young lad flogging them which was good.