newbie - going from an F800ST

[mhblue]

hi - I've been thinking of moving to a GS for a while now and a recent ride on loan bike has convinced me to make the switch - within seconds I felt more confident, quicker and safer (before the F800 I always had 'off road' style bikes like a Transalp, so I guess the riding position suits me...)

Anyway, I'm about to make the plunge and instinct tells me to go for the highest spec lowest mileage 1200 that my budget can stretch to (I'm looking for a nearly new bike with full luggage).

So my (no doubt annoyingly common) question is whether there is anything major I should be asking about when buying a GS? The type of thing I'm thinking of is the F800 engine has a major problem with piston 'slap' that needs to have been sorted properly otherwise you've got a engine that is eating itself...

 

[Nico]

Welcome to the site. Suggest you try one with a dealer, you'll soon fall in love with it There is plenty of stock around, if you can afford it go for the twincam...very much improved IMHO!

 

[original_concept]

hi - I've been thinking of moving to a GS for a while now and a recent ride on loan bike has convinced me to make the switch - within seconds I felt more confident, quicker and safer (before the F800 I always had 'off road' style bikes like a Transalp, so I guess the riding position suits me...)

Anyway, I'm about to make the plunge and instinct tells me to go for the highest spec lowest mileage 1200 that my budget can stretch to (I'm looking for a nearly new bike with full luggage).

So my (no doubt annoyingly common) question is whether there is anything major I should be asking about when buying a GS? The type of thing I'm thinking of is the F800 engine has a major problem with piston 'slap' that needs to have been sorted properly otherwise you've got a engine that is eating itself...

Piston slap... is that still going on? I thought the 2007+ bikes were sorted and the 2006s fixed under warranty.

 

[mhblue]

Piston slap is still around - mine is a 57 plate and got it and there are now limited reports of 2008 bikes developing it on f800riders.org

When did the twin cam bikes come out? I can see the 2010 bikes are twin cam - but I'm looking at an 09 bike at the moment...

 

[61nearlybold]

Twin Cam motors are 2010. Try for a twin cam as the others have said its a much better motor.

 

[Larne]

I upgraded from a 2008 F800ST to a 2010 R1200GS in September. All I can say is: get on with it!

 

[mhblue]

Test ride tomorrow (who cares about snow!) - I think I will be joining your ranks shortly...

I can't stretch to a new bike so am testing an 08 plate with the extras I'm looking for

Anybody know how far I can push on price especially as it's deep mid-winter!

 

[mhblue]

One other question for you guys - what is considered superior - spokes or alloys?

 

[Grey Beard]

One other question for you guys - what is considered superior - spokes or alloys?

Spokes have more give/flex, so will absorb some shock. They are more robust if you hit a rock or kerb. Normally an alloy is more easily damaged/written off. The Adventure bikes seem to standardise on spoke wheels.

Grey Beard

 

[DING-DONG]

Ive too made the change pevious was a f800gs and whilst it was having a new engine under warranty the dealer gave me a 2010 12gsa to play on, it was the worse thing to do as i did not want to take it back it felt very much improved from the 2009 model regarding how brisk it felt, the loan bike was a gsa and the screen was brill 90mph visor up not a peep of noise, compared to the stock gs screen, so i brought the gsa screen to fit, also what i did was shop around and i got the last new pre-reg bike the dealer had for £10850 fully loaded with everything nearly 3k saving! and ive just brought some r1200s 17'' wheels and a load of carbon to fit.


Dave

 

[mhblue]

Had an interesting test ride on Saturday on an 08 plate R1200GS. Whilst an impressive machine that grew on me the longer I rode it, I have to say it just wasn't a patch on the 2010 loan bike I rode last week. I'm not sure precisely what has changed (other than the TC engine) but having ridden both there is no way I can go for anything other than a 2010.

I'm going to have another test ride on a 2010 bike (just to be sure I'm not imagining things) before committing to a new bike. Also gives me a bit longer to think up ways to explain to the missus how my 'little upgrade' has turned into a £13k+ new bike order!!!

Is this the way it goes - ride the latest version and you are 'ruined' for the earlier models or is it simply a matter of taste? (bit of both I guess...)

 

[sven]

Is this the way it goes - ride the latest version and you are 'ruined' for the earlier models or is it simply a matter of taste? (bit of both I guess...)

I've ridden the 2010 twin-cam R1200GSA and my 2009 R1200GS MU back to back and, although the twin-cam engine is better, it wasn't so significantly better so as to ruin the experience of my earlier bike.

I certainly preferred the lighter weight, stiffer suspension and consequently better handling of my standard chassis compared to the GSA.

The only advantage the GSA has is the screen and the larger fuel tank (which adds weight of course) and my Givi Airflow screen sorted one of those out for £130.

If money was no object I'd go for the standard twin-cam 2010 R1200GS with ESA (a must), ABS, heated grips and panniers Or a Multistrada 1200S Touring

 

[Nutty]

Had an interesting test ride on Saturday on an 08 plate R1200GS. Whilst an impressive machine that grew on me the longer I rode it, I have to say it just wasn't a patch on the 2010 loan bike I rode last week. I'm not sure precisely what has changed (other than the TC engine) but having ridden both there is no way I can go for anything other than a 2010.

I'm going to have another test ride on a 2010 bike (just to be sure I'm not imagining things) before committing to a new bike. Also gives me a bit longer to think up ways to explain to the missus how my 'little upgrade' has turned into a £13k+ new bike order!!!

Is this the way it goes - ride the latest version and you are 'ruined' for the earlier models or is it simply a matter of taste? (bit of both I guess...)

Here you go, one of the members is selling his 60 plate GS Anniversary for an absolute bargain

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249728

You may need to subscribe to get in touch with him, but this is some saving!

 

[mhblue]

If money was no object I'd go for the standard twin-cam 2010 R1200GS with ESA (a must), ABS, heated grips and panniers Or a Multistrada 1200S Touring

This is the package I'm going for I think. Free panniers from BMW and my ability to reclaim the VAT on a new bike and a 0% APR offer from the dealer mean that I can just about afford it!