How low can you go?

[Maxxx]

I'm a fairly experienced offroad rider (on much lighter trail / enduro style bikes) and the 800GS is my first Big Trailie - I'm a self confessed rank amateur on the tar.

I'm still bimbling around while I run it in and am very slowly getting used to cornering on the tar which is quite different to countersteering with rear wheel sliding madly around in the dirt while I powerslide through the corners! Of course having the beastie shod with TKC 80's, I'm never going to be getting pegs down on the twisties but I'd be keen to know just "how low can you go" before it's too far?

I'm looking for an indication of lean angle - some pics would help if any of you have them.

Cheers

 

[Wingit]

I can't comment on the TK's but with dedicated road rubber (I'm using Battlewings) you can get the thing cranked right over with no grip issues. I feel more confident throwing my R1200GSA into tight bends than I do on my VFR.

 

[petevito2]

Lean angle? had the centre stand rub a few times on right handers with some weight on the back and the front not the slimmest chap in the world, so guess thats as far as it will go that way, mind you that was with the tyres that came on it not the 80's you have....
Enjoy its a great bike and fairly forgiving..

 

[Blobby]

This will be an interesting debate to which I can offer nothing but there are some real hard core TKC 80 users out there who scrape their pegs just as much as the road bias tyred brigade.

 

[Maxxx]

Ah - I should have said that I'm not ONLY interested in those people that are riding on TKC's but definately those riding on road biased rubber tooo.

I've been given a list of "Must Do" twisties in Europe by a fellow tosser - some of which I plan to tick off during a trip to Rome with said gentleman next year - for this event I will definately change the tires to something almost completely road biased and save the TKC's for green laning.

I know a few guys with big GS's that regularly get their pegs down but the 800 seems to be a different animal with the centre of gravity in a very different place to its bigger brethren - hence the question specifically targeted at F800GS riders although view from everyone are always welcome.

 

[Klanky]

Micky of this parish has successfully chamfered huge lumps out of his centrestand- there's a piccie on here somewhere.

I've just got a new TK on the rear and am waiting for a dry day so I can get rid of the moulding hairs on the outside edge of the tyre - it's not too difficult to do, actually, and I'm no cornering God.....but I'd probably crap myself if I was far enough over to shave the centrestand.

So, if you're anything like me, you're probably more limited by your own perception of what's possible rather than the bikes capabilites.

 

[GunZenBomZ]

Live on the rear tyre edge's most weekends, as in both boots scuff the tarmac on the foot rests.

Got no images as yet but i can tell you banking over a F8GS isn't for the faint hearted.

Mates tell me I'm a nutter. I feel normal though!

 

[LiquidLAN]

Live on the rear tyre edge's most weekends, as in both boots scuff the tarmac on the foot rests.

Got no images as yet but i can tell you banking over a F8GS isn't for the faint hearted.

Mates tell me I'm a nutter. I feel normal though!

this mans bike goes over a loooooong way though I wasnt actually there to see it, I just heard the stories

and yes he is a nutter but we all have our moments

 

[Blobby]

Live on the rear tyre edge's most weekends, as in both boots scuff the tarmac on the foot rests.

What tyres are you wearing to give you that level of confidence? I seem to use my Battlewing rear to the very outside edges (well one edge to be honest ) but have never had boots/pegs touch the tarmac..............or am I just not trying hard enough?

 

[Maxxx]

Live on the rear tyre edge's most weekends, as in both boots scuff the tarmac on the foot rests.

Got no images as yet but i can tell you banking over a F8GS isn't for the faint hearted.

Mates tell me I'm a nutter. I feel normal though!

Now that's what I was wanting to hear - this gives me the confidence to know that I will chicken out looooong before the bike can't handle it

 

[Gecko]

Don't worry about the lean angle on TKC80s - at least not in the dry. You have more grip than you can imagine. I did the BMW off road course in Hechlingen in Germany and in that course we did some tarmac braking and cornering techniques -I was astounded just how good the grip is. Some more experienced riders than me were grinding their footpegs on a figure 8 course with ease. Just forget about it and as long as it's dry enjoy the soft rubber grip - you've got loads more than you will likely ever need.

 

[GunZenBomZ]

What tyres are you wearing to give you that level of confidence? I seem to use my Battlewing rear to the very outside edges (well one edge to be honest ) but have never had boots/pegs touch the tarmac..............or am I just not trying hard enough?

I have gone with BattleWing again, but next time its Michelin Anakee.

(It's a bit complicated..Anakee2 rear tyre with Anakee(1) front tyre, as michelin haven't updated the Anakee front tyre to the newer compound yet)

 

[sijohnston]

introducing the centre stand or side stand fat foot to the tar on tkc's is not difficult. in the dry, they are extremely grippy, they just don't last long if you've a vicious right hand...
be aware, they're not brilliant off-road like a proper enduro tyre would be. definitely a 50/50 tyre.

 

[GS Biker]

Unintentionally scrapped my stand again this morning on the way into work with the good old B-wings, what fun!

 

[morrisw7]

getting a peg down!

Hi all - I can confirm you can get pegs down on a F800GS, I'm on battlewings, only done it twice, but it is a long way down and it does feel like you've raced the devil and won!
I never intended it either time, but both times was fully luggaged on roundabouts, so having weight over the back is the way to go if you are peg down inclined.
It never felt like I was going to lose it, but was a great feeling. (PS - I have chicken strips of 5mm on the rear & the front is completely to the edge)

 

[nosha]

Lean Angles

What a great thread!!!

I've only had my F800GS for a couple of months but already feel more confident in two moths than I did in 10yrs on the Triumph... however I have a VERY long way to go before I reach pegs and stands!!!

But thanks chaps for giving me the confidence to go a bit further, the last row of tread blocks still have the pimples on then and the next row look like new as well! (Michelin's)

 

[Flipfly]

On my 650 Dakar with TKCs I could get it over far enough to give an 1150 ADV on anakees a run for it's money on the cat n fiddle (obviously not exceeding the 50mph limit ).

TKCs are very good on road, but they feel a little remote. I wouldn't get the pegs down with em on though The front is the worry.

Best way to get the best out of them is to ride it, check ya chicken strips, then try harder until no chicken strips. Then you know you've gone as far as is possible. Had my TKCs to the edge

 

[nosha]

Checked my tyres today (Michelin Akvee... or something similar), I have just kissed the arrows and Michelin men on the outer tread blocks on the rear tyre, but it is only just and looks like it's only happened once!!! The fronts have a similar 4 or 5mm of new rubber with some pimples on.

But thanks chaps I'm getting there!! I think I need to spend a day in Milton Keynes, with all those roundabouts I should then get the hang of it!!