Currently riding a 2011 GSA but thinking of downsizing to a 800 
Has anyone done this ? Regrets etc ?
Are they alot slower etc etc ?
Has anyone done this ? Regrets etc ?
Are they alot slower etc etc ?
Is a F800 a downgrade ?
- Thread starter markymark
- Start date
Bury_Dave
Registered user
Why not try riding one and making your own mind up rather than listening to others, who's opinions will be based on their own criteria ? 
Why are you thinking of 'downsizing' in the first place ? What about the 1200 isn't doing it for you ? Might better help us advise you
Why are you thinking of 'downsizing' in the first place ? What about the 1200 isn't doing it for you ? Might better help us advise you
The GSA is leased & just thinking what I can replace it with when the time comes, off to Germany next week for it's first long run so I'll see how I get on
Yes and No
I went from an 1150GSA to an F800GS, everything was so much easier, from pushing it out of the garage to throwing it around on back roads. I would say you will actually ride it quicker as the handling is so good. In fact it turned me into a bit of a hooligan as you are tempted to thrash it due to the higher reving engine. It was also brillant on fuel economy.
Is it slower, No: but requires a little more effort to keep up the speed, on an 1150 / 1200 you can use the torque, open the throttle and it goes, on the 800 I found I had to drop a gear or two for an overtake or to pull me up a hill.
For distance work you will need to put a bigger screen on it and do something about the seat which is an instrument or torture, I used an airhawk. For two up touring I found it a bit lacking, it is more than capable but add passenger and luggage and you are playing tunes on the gearbox to keep it on song, especially in the hills / mountains, whereas on the bigger bikes you can use the torque.
I have now changed to a 1200GSA, but I loved the 800, it never let me down, it just didnt suit my purposes.
As suggested get a good long test ride and make your own mind up, but if you do a lot of long distance touring with passenger I would get the bigger bike, but if its mostly solo with the occasional long jaunt the 800 is hard to beat.
I went from an 1150GSA to an F800GS, everything was so much easier, from pushing it out of the garage to throwing it around on back roads. I would say you will actually ride it quicker as the handling is so good. In fact it turned me into a bit of a hooligan as you are tempted to thrash it due to the higher reving engine. It was also brillant on fuel economy.
Is it slower, No: but requires a little more effort to keep up the speed, on an 1150 / 1200 you can use the torque, open the throttle and it goes, on the 800 I found I had to drop a gear or two for an overtake or to pull me up a hill.
For distance work you will need to put a bigger screen on it and do something about the seat which is an instrument or torture, I used an airhawk. For two up touring I found it a bit lacking, it is more than capable but add passenger and luggage and you are playing tunes on the gearbox to keep it on song, especially in the hills / mountains, whereas on the bigger bikes you can use the torque.
I have now changed to a 1200GSA, but I loved the 800, it never let me down, it just didnt suit my purposes.
As suggested get a good long test ride and make your own mind up, but if you do a lot of long distance touring with passenger I would get the bigger bike, but if its mostly solo with the occasional long jaunt the 800 is hard to beat.
i downsized from a 1200GS to an f800gs. id echo whats been said above really. found myself really thrashing the 800 and riding a bit silly sometimes. certainly easier to lug about and better off road obviously. it just didnt get me excited in the way the 12 did and so i just went back to a 1200 GSA and feel happy again. 
Bury_Dave
Registered user
Yes and No
I went from an 1150GSA to an F800GS, everything was so much easier, from pushing it out of the garage to throwing it around on back roads. I would say you will actually ride it quicker as the handling is so good. In fact it turned me into a bit of a hooligan as you are tempted to thrash it due to the higher reving engine. It was also brillant on fuel economy.
Is it slower, No: but requires a little more effort to keep up the speed, on an 1150 / 1200 you can use the torque, open the throttle and it goes, on the 800 I found I had to drop a gear or two for an overtake or to pull me up a hill.
For distance work you will need to put a bigger screen on it and do something about the seat which is an instrument or torture, I used an airhawk. For two up touring I found it a bit lacking, it is more than capable but add passenger and luggage and you are playing tunes on the gearbox to keep it on song, especially in the hills / mountains, whereas on the bigger bikes you can use the torque.
I have now changed to a 1200GSA, but I loved the 800, it never let me down, it just didnt suit my purposes.
As suggested get a good long test ride and make your own mind up, but if you do a lot of long distance touring with passenger I would get the bigger bike, but if its mostly solo with the occasional long jaunt the 800 is hard to beat.
A spot-on analysis
Especially the bit about it being a little bit more hooligan capable
A lazy rider might not like the lack of torque when loaded and you have to remember that the engine is totally different in how it is supposed to work.
By the same token, many folk do manage to travel 2-up with no problems but that's not the raison d-etre of this bike.
Not risking a heart attack or hernia every time you want to shunt it about can only be a good thing
It was always an 'occasion' when i took my 1150 GSA out but this bike i find every excuse to use. Shopping, commuting, B-road thrashing, going to the gym .........
Ride both and make an informed decision rather than like so many (but not all) 1200 riders, buying unridden and based on others opinions and the image thing. The F800 may or may not be the bike for you.
And have a good and safe trip and don't forget a trip report
Yes. Size is the sole arbiter of "biker manliness" and cc isn't as important as sheer bulk or "presence" as it's known.
Therefore an 1150 GSA rates highest in the world of the GS as it is hewn from a solid piece of Berlinnium (only found in Spandau). Unfortunately this rare material began to run short from 2004 onwards so the 1200 GS was lighter and weaker.
The 800 models have been watered down even further with Rotaxium. As a result, these models fall a long way short of the aforementioned "biker manliness", even throwing lots of Touratanium at them doesn't quite cut the mustard.
Of course, you could just ignore anyone who thinks an F800 to be inferior or a downgrade and just ride the bike that suits your needs the best.
Therefore an 1150 GSA rates highest in the world of the GS as it is hewn from a solid piece of Berlinnium (only found in Spandau). Unfortunately this rare material began to run short from 2004 onwards so the 1200 GS was lighter and weaker.
The 800 models have been watered down even further with Rotaxium. As a result, these models fall a long way short of the aforementioned "biker manliness", even throwing lots of Touratanium at them doesn't quite cut the mustard.
Of course, you could just ignore anyone who thinks an F800 to be inferior or a downgrade and just ride the bike that suits your needs the best.
As I've posted before. I regularly ride with several 1200's, and there is no difference in performance. You do have to work the 800 a bit harder, but it's more rewarding when you do. The 800 is better suited to the young, or young at heart. I'm not quite ready for the pipe and slippers, when I am, then maybe I'll get a 1200.
Davy F
Registered user
No, it's not a downgrade or step backwards. If it suits you and you're happy, that's what matters. If some are so shallow that they feel they need a big bike to make them more of a man, well that's their problem. I left my 12GS behind a couple of years ago and now I'm on a Versys 650. My dick hasn't shrunk or my self esteem hasn't plummeted to new depths and I'm actually every bit as happy with the wee V.
Your decision, your choice.
Your decision, your choice.
The GSA is leased & just thinking what I can replace it with when the time comes, off to Germany next week for it's first long run so I'll see how I get on
If as I deduce from this that you "change" every two years then take one out and try it. Four years on an 1150 followed by another four on a 12, I now have a 658 (as our american friends call it). Accepting that it is different and therefore your riding needs to be different to suit is the key. If you open the throttle at 3K in top gear on each of these bikes then you will naturally get a different response.
FWIW I have just returned from a quick 1K in four days sprint to Ireland (watching Road Racing in Athlone) accompanied by my son on his Fazer thou. I was never at a disadvantage performance wise, and fuel was exactly two thirds at every stop.
The practical things like good fuel consumption and easy parking/lifting are real benefits - if however you are of more Tosser-like proportions then these things will not be so important.
Good luck and let us know.
Is an F800GS a downgrade?
FFS
Not even worth answering .... go ride one and answer the question yourself
FFS
Not even worth answering .... go ride one and answer the question yourself
flying circus
Registered user
logic would say that the bike designed and built this century, should be better then one that hails from a time when steam power the norm but....................................................
my take on it as well
ive had 9 gs ers now ,and the 800 is and was (ive just sold it ) the best allrounder.
like you i came from the 1200 gsa ,and thought it wouldnt be man enough,as ive said on loads of posts .
but it was ,and is ,its a fantastic bike ,and if i could have afforeded to keep it and buy a harley i would.
i loved it ,unfotunaly the harley bug ,has bitten again so the 8oo had to go ,dont do credit ,or loans ,and is my only capital .
so as most of them have said try it you might like it .
like you i came from the 1200 gsa ,and thought it wouldnt be man enough,as ive said on loads of posts .
but it was ,and is ,its a fantastic bike ,and if i could have afforeded to keep it and buy a harley i would.
i loved it ,unfotunaly the harley bug ,has bitten again so the 8oo had to go ,dont do credit ,or loans ,and is my only capital .
so as most of them have said try it you might like it .
Bury_Dave
Registered user
What have you gone for Dave ? I never thought you'd sell it 
Dean
Registered user
Currently riding a 2011 GSA but thinking of downsizing to a 800
Are they alot slower etc etc ?
Think of it more as a sideways move
Is it slower, depends on your ability and the wrist action
maybe a tad in the twisties but is it that important What have you gone for Dave ? I never thought you'd sell it
Post 15, a huge red noisy thing
Bury_Dave
Registered user
Cheers Dean .... Sorry, I have HD dyslexia - I can't recognise the word
Well, if he's going for a Harley, we know he'll soon be back
grin factor
Registered user
At the moment I ride a Tuono, but am looking to change bikes - again.
I test rode a Tiger 800 last week, which was loads of fun. Use the throttle and it goes, it handles well too. As yet haven't been on the F800, but am assuming it will be similar. I've downsized before, from a blade to a 600 and had more fun on the smaller engined bike. You have to ride it to get the best from it, but that was part of the fun. Biking is about having fun, so now I'm testing as many bikes as possible before I make my mind up, but I do think, it will be a smaller engine again.
Keep us posted.
I test rode a Tiger 800 last week, which was loads of fun. Use the throttle and it goes, it handles well too. As yet haven't been on the F800, but am assuming it will be similar. I've downsized before, from a blade to a 600 and had more fun on the smaller engined bike. You have to ride it to get the best from it, but that was part of the fun. Biking is about having fun, so now I'm testing as many bikes as possible before I make my mind up, but I do think, it will be a smaller engine again.
Keep us posted.
ive gone for a hd road king ,going to do it low bagger style , to be honest i loved the 800 ,better than the 12 ,better than the 1150 ,and all the aircooled ones ive had.
but i couldnt afford two bikes ,so it had to go ,i did think about getting a sportster and keeping the 800 as well ,but i dont ride one bike ,so no point in having two i dont ride .
if i could i would ...
sometimes i drink my whisky neat ..........other times i take my tie off and leave my shirt out .....
but i couldnt afford two bikes ,so it had to go ,i did think about getting a sportster and keeping the 800 as well ,but i dont ride one bike ,so no point in having two i dont ride .
if i could i would ...
sometimes i drink my whisky neat ..........other times i take my tie off and leave my shirt out .....
casperghst42
Registered user
I "downgraded" from an R12GSA earlier this year, and is 
I can take the F8gs to places where the GSA would just be plain impossible, it works ok'ish 2up (I'm 6'3", and need a bit of space), and long way travel - well I did R'dam - Novi Sad in ~4 days with 50% was on B roads, so for me it works just fine on M ways and shitty B roads.
But it really depends on what you want, if you want an ICBM, then get/keep the GSA, if you want to go on trails with luggage then get the F8gs.
Casper
I can take the F8gs to places where the GSA would just be plain impossible, it works ok'ish 2up (I'm 6'3", and need a bit of space), and long way travel - well I did R'dam - Novi Sad in ~4 days with 50% was on B roads, so for me it works just fine on M ways and shitty B roads.
But it really depends on what you want, if you want an ICBM, then get/keep the GSA, if you want to go on trails with luggage then get the F8gs.
Casper
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