I only went and bought one!

[SteveT]

Took the plunge and yesterday I collected one '09 F800GS.
Decided to take the day off work today to allow me time to “bond” with the new bike.
Thought I’d find out what it handled like on the dirt . . . . .

Pretty dam good is my verdict so far. Not being too adventures as I’ve not got engine bars or lower section protection fitted, but it sqvirreled along at a good lick on loose, small gravel and was really steady on bigger stuff at a lesser pace.

Wandered around and took in some structure culture in the form of some local bridges . .
Cragganmore old railway bridge

Old & new Ballindalloch bridges

The west lodge entrance to Ballindalloch castle, which is right on the old road bridge shown in the previous picture

Craigellachie bridge . . . old . . .

. . . . . and new

This machine is, I think, the better of the @ and has me wondering if I need to hold onto the @. I’ll give it time before any decision is made, but the F800 is one ace riding bike.

SteveT

 

[EmmettC]

I love the pics!

Best of luck with the new bike, I love mine.

 

[russh]

Nice buy SteveT, I sold my Africa Twin and Transalp to buy mine, that was two years ago now and don't regret it one bit.

The more I ride it the more I love it, as an all rounder it's pretty dam good, great photos too

 

[Fordy]

Nice bike!

What tyres are they? Tourance? I'm after an all terrain tyre that'll cope with tarmac and lanes except deep mud. That tread looks like a possible.

 

[mermoto]

Nice pics and write up

Mermoto

 

[Morticia]

Great pics and a great place to bond with your bike.


Morticia

 

[Jonnie Boy]

Nice bike!

What tyres are they? Tourance? I'm after an all terrain tyre that'll cope with tarmac and lanes except deep mud. That tread looks like a possible.

Michelin Anakee's

 

[Dean]

Great Pictures and a very nice bike Steve T


enjoy

 

[mrmrva]

Congratulations, you made the right choice
Many safe km's

 

[GunZenBomZ]

..it's alive!!..

 

[Jonnie Boy]

This machine is, I think, the better of the @ and has me wondering if I need to hold onto the @. I’ll give it time before any decision is made, but the F800 is one ace riding bike.

SteveT

Give it a few miles ....... you'll like it even more

I'll wager the @ will be doing a long stretch in the shed!

Enjoy!

 

[SteveT]

Thanks for all the comments & complements

Off to Glen Lyon tomorrow to test wether or not my arse can sustain 300 odd miles on the standard seat - Jeez it's hard - and people moan about the Africa Twins seat . They should try this bad boy out.

Probably be even more pictures and words to follow that trip, along with prognosis of glutimusmaximus recovery times

SteveT

 

[Micky]

Enjoy the bike Steve ... it's a great piece o' kit

59,000 + miles and still smiling

 

[Jonnie Boy]

Thanks for all the comments & complements

Off to Glen Lyon tomorrow to test wether or not my arse can sustain 300 odd miles on the standard seat - Jeez it's hard - and people moan about the Africa Twins seat . They should try this bad boy out.

Probably be even more pictures and words to follow that trip, along with prognosis of glutimusmaximus recovery times

SteveT

The OE seat on the 800 is only any good off road!............ because your stood up on the pegs and dont have to sit on it!

Get the BMW comfort seat as a minimum requirement!!

Or a TT, or sergent or whatever.... that suits!

All will be well then!

 

[russ_fae_fyvie]

Rode 2 up from Fyvie to Loch Morlich and back today, weather was atrocious, flooded roads, heavy persistent rain !

First time I've done more than the usual 25 mile commute, it was approx 90 miles there and the bum was defo complaining, also my missus wanst comfy and too low so looks like I'll have to invest in the MBW Comfort Seat after all!

 

[Barty]

The standard mod for the 800GS seat is to remove it and bolt a section of 4 by 2 timber to the frame as this will be softer...seriously the answer is an Airhawk. I did 21,000 miles round the world in 2009 and whilst I had a sore neck back legs etc the arse didn't flinch once (ex half a dozen offs in Mongolian sand!) The full version is circa £160 and is repairable if the cells spring a leak and the cheaper version sub £100 gives the same level of comfort but is allegedly not repairable. Both are cheaper than buying a custom seat. You need the "Cruiser Small" version for the 800. Go for it best after market accessory I have ever bought.

 

[SteveT]

F800GS Seat

Well, after a 280 mile round trip yesterday I can confirm that my arse ain't firm enough for this seat!
The 130 miles down only included 1 stop to wait the arrival of a fellow rider, and ones derier (arse) was none the worse for the mileage. True, the roads ridden didn't leave ones butt in one place for too long, but all in all, not a bad result.
The run home via Glenshee & the Lecht - 150 miles for the maths geeks out there, was along similar roads, but the weather threw several lakes worth of water at us, which reduced the pace a tad - not being able to see through a rain streaked visor any more than 20 yards didn't help either
The "pain" really kicked in the last 20 miles from Dufftown to home. Even on roads that were dry, I felt little inclination to move around on the bike to ease the pain. Being soaked through to my smalls, wearing gloves that had filled due to the water running down my sleeves didn't help much either. So I stood up for the last few miles and I swear I could hear my ares sigh a relieved sigh (a fart in many peoples parleance ).
So, apart from a seat fashioned by the Marquis de Said!, I can only confirm that I think this bike is fecking ACE

SteveT



PS - well chuffed with the lack of fuel consumption as well - 140 miles plus before the top fuel gauge bar disappeared . . . and that was riding in the company of a former fed riding instructor, who doesn't hang about

 

[russ_fae_fyvie]

Must have passed you in the opposite direction mate, we went from Huntly to Dufftown as well, totally soaked !

Next long run I'm getting another soddin seat tho !

 

[Bury_Dave]

I tried a BMW comfort seat and returned it. Too high compared to my standard low seat and way too wide.

I've persisted with the low and to be honest have come to get used to it. I can handle it for a full tank so get a break every 200 miles or so which is sufficient. My missus reckons the seat is getting more soft with every ride.

(Actually I can get 250 miles from a tank but generally fill up every 200. And they say it's range is no good compared to an 1150GSA .....)

Dave

 

[solidstate100]

...seriously the answer is an Airhawk. I did 21,000 miles round the world in 2009 and whilst I had a sore neck back legs etc the arse didn't flinch once (ex half a dozen offs in Mongolian sand!) The full version is circa £160 and is repairable if the cells spring a leak and the cheaper version sub £100 gives the same level of comfort but is allegedly not repairable. Both are cheaper than buying a custom seat. You need the "Cruiser Small" version for the 800. Go for it best after market accessory I have ever bought.

Yep. What he said. Defo. And you can swap it to your next/other bike! Ive also added a sheepskin on top of my pad and the two combined have transformed the bike from torture (literally to the point of injury/bruising) into something that you can actually sit on for a few hours.

All the best with the bike (love mine to bits)