Shall I or shall I NOT - 1200gs to F800GS

[fred400]

I have been a faithful 1200GS rider for the last 3 years and enjoyed my 1200 tremendously, this after upgrading from a rather more vibey F650GS. I love the rough stuff and being no more than an average skilled rider, by own admission, I have stuck to riding my Suzuki DRZ400 in the really demanding stuff (Australian road legal specification so can take on the black top legally), but it is a mountain goat as far as basic comfort is goes). I am sure my GS is much more capable than what I give it credit for, but I am only willing to opt to challenge my perceptions if I have a repair sponsor….

Hitting the black top with the DRZ for any period of time, you need a granite butt, and the breeze, well let’s just say it is not a good day at the beach above 100km/h. Needless to say my 1200 takes care of the black top and the gravel roads, which it does really well. So why would I be asking the opinion of other 1200 riders about the F800GS – because a buddy of mine bought one and raves about it (but he has never owned a GS and has not the intimate knowledge of a GS I seek). His recent acquisition has resulted in a seemingly incurable itch in my butt and I am tired of the horses for courses standard answer from the rational between us…what will make me change from a 1200 to a new F800GS?

Yes I can test ride it, and I should, but let’s be honest, if there is a man (or girl) out there that has taken the plunge and changed, and have the guts to call it as it is based on the day to day experience, it will influence the way the itch itches….so if you owned or own both sets of wheels, please talk to me….

 

[Fanum]

Micky's probably your man...he's had both (and 650s) and he loves his 800- he's a grumpy old twat but he does tell it like it is

(I think he did a comparison review here as well so have poke at the search button)

I haven't owned either, but I do know from watching both models go up and down many mountains and some pretty tough offroad stuff on our trips in Morocco that both are eminently capable of tackling it- The 800 is lighter obviously and the 21 inch front wheel would make it particularly attractive IMO, but I have a feeling based on just what I've seen that the 1200's crash better......there are some rather exposed critical bits on the 800's that would need hardening up with some covers etc.

The 800's are as good in a slow drop or low speed road spill as are the 1200's, but if it came to a faster drop/crunch, I think I'd rather take the 1200's repair bill .

Totally unscientific though and based on nothing but what I've seen.

If I were you, I'd get some TKC's on your 12 and go ride it properly offroad- you'll be gobsmacked with what it can do

 

[Brian ROSEN]

The 1200GS v.the 800GS

I can sum up the main differences; but you must bear in mind that the smaller bike is MUCH cheaper. I had a 1200 for almost 4 years and was very satisfied with it; then i had a moment of madness whilst it was being serviced and allowed myself to test ride the new 650 and the 800. This was last April and they were very new bikes and I was really impressed by them both; Although the 650 in fact has a very good performance I went for the 800 because it looked more 'grown up'
First thing I noted was that although the 800 is lighter it is still quite a weight so no great advantage there; I went out for a long run with my wife on board, plus BMW panniers and topbox; a bit of a shock here as it was almost impossible for her to climb on & then she was not too comfortable. It seemed an easy bike to 'throw around' and she didn't like that either! It has a throaty exhaust which no doubt the younger ones will like - but I felt a bit embarrassed as i passed the neighbours' houses. It looked and felt good however - all I needed was a new seat, a different silencer and perhaps swop the panniers for something less obtrusive; then on the 4th day calamity. the bike stalled ( a popular trick on these early models!) on a steep bend (which I have used every day for years and years.) BMW recovery were quickly on the scenne and the bike went off. By the time it was repaired after many weeks,at a cost (to my insurance company of 2500 euros I had lost all my enthusiasm - and bought a new.....yes, you guessed it.... 2008 1200GS. What luxury again!

 

[Happyhenry]

Brian,

You say it stalled and then needed recovering and loads of work. Is that as a result of you dropping it after the stall, or some kind of damage that occurred to the bike/engine as a result of the stall?

HH

 

[fred400]

Food for thought for sure. Broke the intention to the lady last night….a dedicated pillion, and not so surprisingly the response was not too positive. As she spent lots of time on the 650 Dakar pillion seat priot to the 1200, the 800GS was guilty by association - looks somewhat the same, so cannot be comfortable. She has obviously grown accustomed to the utter luxury of the bum hugging, low wind option of the 1200. Now it is getting serious…

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Stalling issue

Brian,

You say it stalled and then needed recovering and loads of work. Is that as a result of you dropping it after the stall, or some kind of damage that occurred to the bike/engine as a result of the stall?

HH

If you look at the section under 650 & 800 twins you will find (to date) 112 posts on this subject! I THINK the problem is now sorted - but I feel very much happier and confident on my 1200GS - and my wife is delighted to be back on a more roomy pillion.
The damage was a result of the bike being dropped and the engine casing, bodywork, screen, mirror, top box etc. all suffering.(Decent engine bars, not available at that time, would have prevented a lot of that.)

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Test them back to back !! its the only way to know.Different scenario but I recentley chopped my KTM990SM for a GSA12 .Previuosly I'd had a GSA12 and a KTM 950SM at the same time ,sold the gsa 12 and chopped the 950 for a 990sm thinking it was the only bike i needed.Within a thousand miles on the 990SM I knew I'd made the wrong chioce and went back to the GSA12 in Red!! Riding the GSA home I knew it was the right bike for me and thats that,no more feckin about choppiing and changing .Ride both bikes and go with the one that FEELS right

 

[Tim Dobby]

I have an 08 GS1200 and have spent 4 days off road on the 800. I would not wish to travel long road distances on the 800 seat (I think my old GS650 single was more comfortable) and it was very tall for off road use. It also carries it's weight quite high up in comparison to the 1200. Lovely (and very fuel efficient) bike if you can only have one machine but in your shoes I would buy a 1200 and keep the DRZ400.

 

[Uinneag]

I've had 1150 1200 1200adv 800GS KTM 990

1200 best bike for the road but shite quality, Ktm best bike for off road and more comfy and easier to ride on the road than the 800GS which for off road is bit soft.


Think BMW are forgetting what GS means and making the bikes road biased only

 

[Brian ROSEN]

poor dealer

1200 best bike for the road but shite quality, .....Or it could just be a poor dealer in Oonyakistan?

 

[Uinneag]

I deal in windscreens not bikes

Use to deal a wee bit in weed but thats behind me now

Unless you took this serious

 

[Dazzle]

Hi I have just test rode an 800 and 1200 back to back and next day a 990 adventure, Liked the 1200 best, 2nd ktm last and a bit gutless and uncomfortable the 800 gs.
but saying that 800 is a good £2500 cheaper.
If you want to off road more the ktm is the business, but road miles I'd take the 1200 all day and probably will.

Dazzle.

 

[Scooby168]

1200gs vs F800GS

I've ridden a F800gs since April 08 and am currently planning on changing to the 1200GS. My reasons are mainly for increased comfort on long road trips (old age speaking). The 800GS is a great bike, but for long distances, particularly on motorways, I found it quite hard-going. The hard seat and small windshield are two well-documented problems, and although they can be changed for better after-market products I feel the 1200 is the more solid bike. On the plus side the 800gs is considerably cheaper and some say better off road. It's all about weighing up the pros and cons on the issues which matter most to you and the type of riding you wish to do.

Hope this helps.

 

[freeloader]

I had a 1200GS for just over a year, changed it for an 800GS (admittedly mainly for financial and warranty reasons), and will be using the 800 for the Calum's Road trip next January. Right now, I'm happy with that, but ask me again when I get back from The Gambia.

 

[Micky]

Micky's probably your man...he's had both (and 650s) and he loves his 800- he's a grumpy old twat but he does tell it like it is

(I think he did a comparison review here as well so have poke at the search button)

I haven't owned either, but I do know from watching both models go up and down many mountains and some pretty tough offroad stuff on our trips in Morocco that both are eminently capable of tackling it- The 800 is lighter obviously and the 21 inch front wheel would make it particularly attractive IMO, but I have a feeling based on just what I've seen that the 1200's crash better......there are some rather exposed critical bits on the 800's that would need hardening up with some covers etc.

The 800's are as good in a slow drop or low speed road spill as are the 1200's, but if it came to a faster drop/crunch, I think I'd rather take the 1200's repair bill .

Totally unscientific though and based on nothing but what I've seen.

If I were you, I'd get some TKC's on your 12 and go ride it properly offroad- you'll be gobsmacked with what it can do

Everything Bill says

Everything Yeah ... everything

The 1200 is a sturdier 'bike for sure, but when it comes to crashing it just comes down to luck, good or bad, as to damage. The 1200 is a heavier bike, so it lands heavier. The 800's for me, but them I'm

Quote ... "I'd get some TKC's on your 12 and go ride it properly offroad- you'll be gobsmacked with what it can do"

How's your ribs Bill?