Short ride on a 2016 F800GS

[Sooty09]

Im thinking of returning to a new F800GS from a 1200GSLC. I like the 1200 but have never felt attached to it like I did the 800.
I tried a KTM 1050, which at £9250 with panniers is a bit cheaper than the F800, and the new Africa twin. Both were fine bikes but I think the F800GS engine is a much nicer feel.
The new All black GS I tried on Saturday was very familiar so nothing has really changed in the last 5 years, Side panels different and new colours but otherwise BMW seem to have stopped development.
Within 10 minutes I had sore eyes from the poor screen, freezing fingers from the worlds worst hand guards and stiff fingers from a hard clutch, Otherwise I loved it.
I did notice no numb bum. On my wifes F700 I feel pain after 30 minutes but the new 2016 seat seems much comfier.

 

[rickyxsara]

What did you think of the 1050

 

[ymfb]

I had a 2011 & 2015 F800GS, apart from cosmetics there is no real difference.

The standard seat is crap, get a corbin, fit the OEM hand guards and touring screen, if you want to go reasonable distances.

 

[ymfb]

What did you think of the 1050

Not so much

 

[Sooty09]

For the first few miles the KTM was fine, pulls well and smooth. After a while the exhaust note began to annoy me, it was fine above 5000 rpm but not while riding along back roads at 3500 to 4000 rpm. The bike really is a bit dull below 4000 and needs to be in third gear on narrow roads. This was my first ride on a V twin so its probably something I would soon get used to, the Africa twin made a similar noise and power delivery. Generally it just did not feel as good as a BMW, but the price was very good and overall finish probably a bit better than new BMWs. Some say the depreciation is terrible but the part ex quote I received on a two year old 25000 mile R1200GS was a real shock to me, so KTM cannot really be much worse.

 

[Sloth]

Hi ..
Get the Adventure model ... No numb Bum , Warm Hands , Decent screen and light clutch.

 

[coyotedave]

Hi ..
Get the Adventure model ... No numb Bum , Warm Hands , Decent screen and light clutch.

+1 to that. Also Givi hand guard extenders do a great job.


Cheers Dave.

 

[chasbmw]

You should be able to get a new 2015 the KTM for around £8400 which is a bit of a steal, I test rode the 1050 and a F700, yesterday, loved the power of the KTM, not so sure about the quality of the plastics compared to BMW and the KTM would have to be lowered.

But Fowlers offered me a very good trade in on my much modified 1982 R90s replica

Liked the big trail big feel of the f700, didn't like the suspension much, not enough compliance, and couldn't feel any difference on adjusting with ESA, but it was a brand new bike.

Currently testing a GS1200, which I do like.

 

[Lukeeedoo]

Love my F800 GSA. I think the GSA offered more of what I wanted. The standard 800 is nice, but all those gripes you mentioned don't exists on the GSA, better screen etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk