New Bike

[jtw000]

The BMW is probably the best bike on paper but in the real world they're having a lot of trouble with their bikes now. The Tenere is a heavy bike for what it is, it does work offroad quite well but expect to need engine bars and a decent bash plate, all extra cost and extra weight although the cost is half of what those parts will cost you on a beemer. The Tiger is not the real deal, the 2001 was the last one that even could do off-road in even a limited sense, after that the suspension was changed and the wheels so it was repackaged as a grand tourer.
Consider the Pegaso Trail. Same engine as the Ten, better made and still usable off road while being cheaper. Small tank though but it works ok and it's reliable. Personally, I have a Peg. I want an 800gs but after having a 1200gs i doubt i'll be rushing to but another BMW soon. I loved my 1200 but everyone told me it was going to let me down and they all turned out to be right. If I need a tourer I'll get an 01 Tiger, for everything else the Peg does it cheaply and without fuss.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

My last bike in the UK was a '99 Peg. I was very surprised at how good it was, and I always recommend them to people looking for a decent single. I'm not sure how good they are when tackling trails, but on the road it was more fun that it had any right to be, was cheap to run, and actually look pretty good as well.

 

[Hannu]

Thanks for the replies,

I have been out on the F800gs today and found it OK,

Speed and power not as good as the Tiger or my KTM but good enough and better on fuel. Gearbox not as good as the KTM but this could be down to the BM only having 2500 miles on the clock.

Smoother than the Yam Ten at motorway speeds and more "toys" with it. It also "looks" better screwed together than the Yam.

All in all it seems the logical choice for my needs, Use it to commute 26 miles each day, the odd ride out with the lad's Bandit, Blackbird and Tiger, once a year tour to Scotland or Europe and the odd dirt track.

Still kicking myself for selling my old Africa Twin which did everything I wanted, The BMW F800GS seems to tick all the right boxes !