Hornet 900 to a 800GS

[vernon]

Looking at changing my wifes 900 hornet to a 800 gs, main thing is leg room can you get a lower seat and what hight is it? Would the 650 be too under power after a 900 hornet.

 

[Mr Toad]

Best thing might be to go for a test ride, both of you together and take out a 800 and 650 to compare. Also dealer will tell you whats available regards lowering, seat heights etc., certainly you can have the suspension lowered and low a seat as well.

Rainbow Motorcycles in Rotherham are very accommodating, but I'm sure most BMW dealers will be helpful.

 

[hub-61]

650 will keep up with 800 to about 60 or so then extra bhp takes over for more relaxed higher speeds. 650 is lower/lighter, fits me fine (5'8", 29" leg) very manoueverable. Single front disc okay for 95% of time, ABS not needed, get heated grips and centre stand, computer handy but could live without it, tubeless tyres on 650. Try both if you can then buy the better value 650.

 

[Dave Ett]

Its really easy to lower the 800. At 5'8" I struggled, so did it and posted a guide on here - it costs less than £200.

 

[BenGS]

With the GS at full height and at 6ft tall i do find it difficult at times to put it on side stand if i'm on an incline or if the road drops away and i'm trying to put my foot down, whether that's at Traffic lights or waiting in a queue. I looked at the 650 and for what you don't get compared to the 800gs i would of felt bored and unhappy with it so i opted to invest more money in a longer lasting bike.

I know BMW do the lower seat which i believe to be under 850mm which is a fair bit shorter than the original as well as them doing a shorter shock. No idea how much the shock is but the seat shouldn't be anymore than £100 2nd hand. Or even swap with someone.

On the plus side it handles the restriction perfect and even at 33bhp it still pulls very hard.

Good luck with whatever you choose though pal.

Ben

 

[tosh23]

The wife has sat on a hornet and couldn't touch the floor, she has a 650gs twin which has been lowered by dropping the front forks through the clamps by 25mm and a lower seat..She loves it,
I had a cbr 600, and altho' the honda has more bhp, both bikes feel like the same power up until 100mph when the cbr keeps pulling strong and the 650 starts to slow down in acceleration.....Tosh

 

[Straydog]

My wife is 6' finds the 800 gs just perfect, the 650gs was too short. Power wise, she loves the 800 over the 650, she says it sparkles compared to the 650..

 

[Dean]

My wife is 6' finds the 800 gs just perfect, the 650gs was too short. Power wise, she loves the 800 over the 650, she says it sparkles compared to the 650..

Behold the sparlky One


650 is faster in the twisties