Look who's copied the 800

Claims on ADV rider the the weight in the BMW spec is a lie (US bike mag as a source) and that in the real world the Triumph 1s 17 pounds lighter than the 800 GS.

Will test the Triumph before I pass comment on it.

You wouldn't think that it was too big an ask for magazines to actually weigh the bikes as presented for test with a full tank.

It can't only be me that thinks manufacturers should stop trying to con their buyers and simply provide honest, full tank road ready weights. I've heard stories of "dry" weights excluding not only brake/clutch fluid, coolant and lubricant but batteries as well.

To my mind, I would guess most other folk too, a bike without brake fluid has no functioning brakes and ditto the various other fluids.
 
Claims on ADV rider the the weight in the BMW spec is a lie (US bike mag as a source) and that in the real world the Triumph 1s 17 pounds lighter than the 800 GS.

Will test the Triumph before I pass comment on it.

I recently weighed my F800GS on a certified scale and with a full tank, tank bag, calsci screen, tools, BMW engine bars and bash plate, Adventure-Spec rack and Leo Vince carbon exhaust it weighed 215Kg. I am going to be very surprised if the Triumph is any lighter.

What really disappoints me about the new 800 is the gear ratios. I think one of the biggest faults with the F800GS is the gear ratios are too "tight", but the triumph's are closer again!

I'm sure the engine will be wonderful and the suspension may be a bit better than the GS but I remain to be convinced until I ride one.
 
They do make lovely bikes but has anyone got any experience of their customer service recently? And build quality? I bought a brand new 2000 Daytona 955i and my experience was that both were shocking (especially considering I had spent £10k on a Triumph when I could have bought an R1 or Fireblade). The rear hub seized on it which was a factory fault but i had to pay to free and lube it. And after 20k plus miles the bike felt like it had been around the clock.

I vowed never to buy another Triumph.

Rich
 
They do make lovely bikes but has anyone got any experience of their customer service recently? And build quality? I bought a brand new 2000 Daytona 955i and my experience was that both were shocking (especially considering I had spent £10k on a Triumph when I could have bought an R1 or Fireblade). The rear hub seized on it which was a factory fault but i had to pay to free and lube it. And after 20k plus miles the bike felt like it had been around the clock.

I vowed never to buy another Triumph.

Rich

You don`t want to get me on the subject of rear hubs!! traded in a f800s for a gs as the rear hub had to be rebuilt luckily I had extended warranty but cost me £100 excess. 2000 miles later i could feel play in the new bearings, dealer said it was OK, I beg to differ!! play dissapeared over next 4,000 miles? but traded it in as I did not trust the bike. Glad I did, love the GS just need to get rid of the ice so that I can ride the bloody thing!!
One other thought you can buy a fuel tank from touratech which will give a total (with underseat tank) of 36 litres! can`t do that with the Triumph.
Nigel
 
They do make lovely bikes but has anyone got any experience of their customer service recently? And build quality? I bought a brand new 2000 Daytona 955i and my experience was that both were shocking (especially considering I had spent £10k on a Triumph when I could have bought an R1 or Fireblade). The rear hub seized on it which was a factory fault but i had to pay to free and lube it. And after 20k plus miles the bike felt like it had been around the clock.

I vowed never to buy another Triumph.

Rich

I experienced the "special" Triumph factory customer service in 2005 and 2006. It was so good that I vowed never to buy a Triumph again:augie
 
In 15 years time BMW will still be making the F800GS and it will be deemed a classic. In 15 years time we will probably have forgotten all about the Trump...

Quite fancy the F8GS, one for the future and that's from a dyed in the wool 11GS'er...
 
care to elaborate,sounds a good yarn

The short version is a one year old 955 Sprint ST where paint was peeling off a number of painted brackets and the subframe, and furring of a number of alloy parts. The dealer supported my claim as they knew the bike was looked after, but the factory rejected it and said that I wasn't washing it properly.:mad: The fact that my first Sprint ST at five years old and with 35000 miles on the clock didn't have these issues, and was in better condition than the new one, was lost on them.

Hence why I voted with my feet. When a manufacturer blames the consumer for their quality control failings then they are not deserving of my custom.
 
The short version is a one year old 955 Sprint ST where paint was peeling off a number of painted brackets and the subframe, and furring of a number of alloy parts. The dealer supported my claim as they knew the bike was looked after, but the factory rejected it and said that I wasn't washing it properly.:mad: The fact that my first Sprint ST at five years old and with 35000 miles on the clock didn't have these issues, and was in better condition than the new one, was lost on them.

Hence why I voted with my feet. When a manufacturer blames the consumer for their quality control failings then they are not deserving of my custom.

Good on you, its all you can do. It wasn't my imagination then! fook 'em :beerjug:
 
I am lucky to have 3 bikes in my 'stable'.....1150GS, 1200GSA and a 1050 Tiger so I've got a foot in both camps.

I've also had an 80 mile test ride on each of the new Tigers and they are very, very good machines...I personally prefer the XC.

I'Ve also ridden the 800GS on a number of occasions but not for some time. Without riding the Tiger and the GS back to back it is impossible to say which I prefer, and it would only be a personal opinion.

Having said that I think BM should be concerned as I believe the Tigers will take sales off them. How many remains to be seen.

Mike
 
I am lucky to have 3 bikes in my 'stable'.....1150GS, 1200GSA and a 1050 Tiger so I've got a foot in both camps.

I've also had an 80 mile test ride on each of the new Tigers and they are very, very good machines...I personally prefer the XC.

I'Ve also ridden the 800GS on a number of occasions but not for some time. Without riding the Tiger and the GS back to back it is impossible to say which I prefer, and it would only be a personal opinion.

Having said that I think BM should be concerned as I believe the Tigers will take sales off them. How many remains to be seen.

Mike

Mike,

How have you found the service from each? I'm very new to BMW bikes.

Rich
 
I had test rides on an F800R, F800GS and a Tiger 1050 before I bought the GS in September.

I used to own a 955i Tiger and although I'll admit I love the engine (and the 1050 was the same but better) I can't abide Triumphs finish.

The 955i had corroding engine casings, nuts, bolts and various brackets and I actually spent a lot of time looking after it.

A friend of mine bought a new Sprint this year, he's had no end of problems and its been in the dealer more that he's ridden it. Now I know that can happen to anyone (Friday Bike Syndrome) but generally the only good thing about a Triumph is the engine.

I test rode the 1050 a week before the GS and R and I couldn't get over how 'plasticy' it felt and looked. When on the bike looking down at the cockpit, you could still see wires and a big open gap behind the triple clamp. The first thing that struck me on the R and GS was how much more solid it felt.

This was before the 800 was announced (although I did read about it after it was 'leaked' before the test rides.

I bought the GS because it is a tested and proved design and feels like it will run all year without hassle.

I didn't buy the Tiger (any variation now) because of the finish (from experience) and the lightweight feel of the bike in general.

When on the GS you feel like you could run right through a brick wall (although obviously I would never try!!!) but the Tiger felt like it would fall to bit on its way to the wall !!

Just my opinion !!
:augie

gs1.jpg


My new pride and joy !!





tiger%201.jpg


The old Tiger
 
The 955i had corroding engine casings, nuts, bolts and various brackets and I actually spent a lot of time looking after it.

I bought the GS because it is a tested and proved design and feels like it will run all year without hassle.


Good luck with that then............:thumb
 
Mike,

How have you found the service from each? I'm very new to BMW bikes.

Rich

I generally use Rainbow (Rotherham) for the BMs and Youles of Blackburn for the Triumph. Both are excellent dealers.

If you are asking about warranty claims I've had GSes since 1997 and I've had various claims, mainly corrosion issues on the 1150 engine/fork bridge. All claims have been honoured without quibble. I have a slight issue with the fog light switch on the 12GSA and will talk to Rainbow in the New Year.

As for the Triumph, this is my second. I traded my original non abs model after about 6k miles and one year for a new abs model in June 2010. Only done about 2k on this so far but no warranty issues with either.

On basic servicing, the first service for the Triumph was less than half that of the BM; 6k is about the same and the 12 is a biggy on the Triumph so a lot more.

Mike
 
I doubt if the new tiger 800,will have the same number recalls as the bmw,ive just had another one for my 2010 650 gs,apparently the front brake disc could fall of,also someone on here claims to have a 90 bhp 800 gs,bmw claims 85 bhp for the 800 gs,were did you get those extra ponies.
Im personaly glad another manufacturer as entered the 800 market,and magazine tests say there great bikes,with great engines,and demo bikes are
starting to hit the shops,and you don't have to pay £150 extra for an onboard computer.
 
800 Tiger

Just had a short test ride on one. Go and test ride one for yourself.

Silly MCN quote was "best ADV bike in the world" well it not a silly quote the bike is good very good and I want one.
 

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There's no doubt that they build great bikes, and its remarkable what they've achieved. However, when I bought my 2000 Daytona you were paying a premium to own the badge and have something a little different to mainstream Hondas, Yamahas etc. The bike could not touch the others in performance and handling. So when I parted with £10k to have one I expected service to go with it. I didnt get it and was left hugely disappointed.

Fook 'em, I dont care what the badge says. And I dont care if they build the best bikes in all classes - I aint buying another.

Rich
 
What really disappoints me about the new 800 is the gear ratios. I think one of the biggest faults with the F800GS is the gear ratios are too "tight", but the triumph's are closer again!

Couldn't agree more, what on earth were BMW thinking when they put the 800S/ST close ratio box into the F650/800GS?

With six gear ratios available BMW should have been able to provide for every need from a low walking-pace first gear up to an 'overdrive' top gear.
 


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