R1200GSA Rallye vs F850 GSA

Eastsussexbiker

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My 2018 Rallye GSA 54600 miles whilst a fantasic bike is a lump but I love it. I have it up for sale and someone wants to swap their F850 2020 25,000mls no power reduction is obvious. I'm 5f6" tall/short and read that the f850 is very top heavy does look a nice bike to be fair !

Should I consider this or keep it at arms length what are youre experiences with the F850 GSA
 
Rented an 850GSA and it was an absolute dog . Dreadful thing. Very top heavy .
I’d heard it’s best to steer clear of the 850 completely as the motor was pants .
I know the Pavey off-road place quickly got rid of any they had as they were beset with issues .
 
A mate has one, he really rates it. Goes well, economical. He's put plenty of miles on his and not had any issues with it.
 
2020 BMW F850 GS clutch issue?
Some BMW F850GS and F850GSA models experience premature rocker wear .
I looked into this after I sold my 1200 GSA twin cam - - I found that a fair number had “ top end issues “
 
I went to swap my Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro for F 900 GSA. The F 900 GSA was ridiculously top heavy after the Tiger. I bought a R1250 GSA as rocking it up off the side stand was much easier than the 900. It’s obviously heavier overall but the weight is much lower.
 
I had Triple Black version for nearly 5 years, directly after a standard 12GS
Fabulous bike, really enjoyed it. Toured Europe on it & even went as far as northern Greece
It was (relatively) comfortable for a few hours & pulled like a train. It was though heavy, almost the same as a 1200, and, as has been said, top heavy. Especially with a full tank. I never regretted changing but I did miss the silky smooth torque of the 1200 at times

Only fault I had with it was the fly-by-wire throttle which was replaced under warranty & a brake light switch on the rear pedal. Unfortunately this cost me over Euro 10k cos I ended up trading it for an R12G/S while in the dealers….
 
I went the other way my f850 Rallye was a nice bike to ride but I did find it top heavy, easier to push about on the flat ,no problem with performance but changed it for a r1250gs and I don't regret it at all.
 
I had one on loan while my 1250 GS was in for service. I really liked it and did think that if only rode solo I’d consider one. Went well, very chuckable , I had a hoot on it.
 
I rode my 850 GS across Africa and the length of South America. Totally reliable. Utterly unremarkable. Suspension, (especially front) awful - far too soft.

Tried 850GSA. Dreadful thing. Fat and very top heavy.

If you fancy a change from a 1250, there are many better middleweight options than the 850 or 900GS.

I wouldn’t buy another BMW parallel twin. No character…
 
richardbd said:
I rode my 850 GS across Africa and the length of South America. Totally reliable.

. No character…
Click to expand...
I do 'get' the character aspect....but I'd rather have reliability and lacking character than be stood at the roadside awaiting recovery or trying to fix my characterful bike for the umpteenth time.....
 
I’d agree with the above. Even the much lighter and smaller F800GS is rather top heavy. I had the standard and then low F850GSA and the std bike especially was more of a handful than an R1200GSA. Plenty of great middleweight bikes now. I ultimately found the engine vibey and a bit characterless.
 
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