Should it be the 800 or 1200GS? Opinions please......

[Mounty]

Having followed the forums and advice, I would like to have much of the same but for my own personnal criteria.
Following a visit to the Scottish bike show last weekend, my two year "retirement" from bikes ( albeit a CBR 1000 RR4 etc.), has been short lived ( even had encouragement from " the home secretary"......At last, something I can ride on the back of!!).
But, sorry, BUT....not wanting to use main dealers, sitting on an 800 and a 1200, both of which were on secure stands, I could not decide which would suit my purpose more appropriately. I'm verticaly challeged to 5'9", inside leg 30" and a fit 49'er....bloody hell, this sounds like a dating agency application!!.
So here's the thing, go for the lighter/smaller/more expensive'ish 800 OR the heavier ( is it really?)/ bigger ( that much with a lowered seat? Does it feel uncomfortable compared to full height?)/better value ( if a couple of years older?) 1200?
I'm looking to spend 5-6k, which is earning an astonishing 1% interest as I type, so would be grateful for considered and experienced opinion on this issue.....with the minimum of piss taking!! Cheers people.

 

[Slowdown]

Go to a main dealer and have 2 test rides. They're free!! An hour on each bike and you'll have a better idea.

The 1200 is ~225kg and the 800 is ~210kg. I'm about the same size as you and got a low seat for the 1200 - it's fine.

 

[red1]

If you tour and the "home secretary" is a regular then the 1200 has to win.

 

[adv_gs800]

Hi

I had a F800GS, and put about 5000 miles on it. Have recently replaced it with a 1200gsa (done about 3000 so far), so am well positioned to share my opinions!

I'm 6'1 with a 32-33 inside leg (70KG), and never had an probs on the 800- even though its taller, the seat is skinny and the bike is much skinnier! This means its easy to lean a few degrees and get a full foot down. The 1200 however is much wider in the seat and body- with a full tank, the weight is spread- so its tricker to lean---- I hope this makes sense. I had no problems with either- however the extra weight of the 12, does present more forward thinking- when going into parking places etc.

I can urge you to ride both- but both are tall bikes, the 12 is just heavier and wider! Once you are moving -no bother ...

In terms of the ride- I did 80% road, 20% green lanes on the 800- it I felt it comnpromised on both areas. Its nice to ride off road ( i also did the bmw course on one) but it is still heavy, and snappy in 1st and 2nd.. It made the more technical off road bits tricky... I started to think I would rather have a cheaper, more focused off road bike for the laning...

After I came to that conclusion, I started to realise it was compromising on road also... It was nippy, easy to ride and felt light. I could get it between busy London traffic, no bother (other than the handle bar height- if two vans were side by side)... However, on longer road trips, I started to feel exposed and that the bike was a bit buzzy.. So at higher crusing speeds, the front end felt light and the whole event seemed strained.

Then the nail in the coffin, was a test ride on the 1200GSA. I had already came to the conclusion that I wanted a more road focused bike. When I rode the 12, it just seemed to do all the road bits better than the 800- other than the filtering through traffic... I figured it was probably safer to be a bit patient!

So swapped the 800 for the 12- it was a really good decision. I have done 3000 miles in a few months through hail, rain and snow... with no problems. It feels planted and solid, I have had the bike cranked over on roudabouts so I have no chicken strips on either side of the tyre... I could never do that with the 800- its a statement to how solid and stable the whole thing feels on the tarmac.. awesome brakes, elecy suspension- all good stuff.

HOWEVER!!!

A recent jaunt from London to the Peak districk had me on a green lane near North Lees campsite.... error... It was muddy and wet and steep and dirty- the bike was stable and powerful, but the traction control was the first thing to be switched off (cr@p offroad), then I fiddled with the suspension- was still stuck and struggling... IMHO these off road features are gimmicks... Maybe I need more training!!!

So after dropping the beast 8 times (and picking it up) I gave up and went round the tarmac route!

So in essence- what are you looking for, and where do you want to compromise...

If you are planning on doing off roading, consider the 800, even then is the 800 the right bike?- if realsitically you are going to be on the tarmac with some gravel roads etc -1200....

I personally think the 800 is too close to the 1200, to be a contender in terms of focus and ability- I did love that bike and it has character compared to its bigger brother,but the 12 does everything that I wanted a little better. If I wanted an off road bmw- I would go for the 650x challenge and bling it up with $$$ from touratech.



good luck- ride them, then you will know!

 

[Micky]

As Slowdown says... go for a test ride on both. A good dealer won't mind you doing that and then buying private, just so long as you buy any bits from them after, have it serviced there etc. or whatever.

As adv_gs800 has a foot in both camps, so to speak, then so have I, having had an 1150, 1150GSA, a 1200GSA and now an F800GS, and having done some 180,000 miles between them, I would suggest...... you go for a test ride

I much prefer the 800, but then I'm

It's every bit as fast in the real world
Much much more economical ... like 8 euro's a day more economical
It has, from new, less problems than the 1200's
Not as good two up though as the 1200's unless you're both slight built

 

[adv_gs800]

having done some 180,000 miles between them

F800GS:
Headlamp screw went AWOL
Stalling at roundabouts
tubes

R1200GSA
No problems so far

Oh yeah, spot on about the consumption- 70 mpg on the 800, 45 mpg on the 1200...

 

[Mounty]

Guys, many thanks for that and the speed/content of your postings. The bike will be predominently for road use ( have a place in southern Spain and really fancy the "roadtrip"!). I suppose I'm jaded with snotty young salesman selling crotch rockets and, in my ignorance, tar BMW counterparts the same....sorry there.
One thing I did learn from the show ( and your collective advice) is that BMW welcome test rides.....I offered her ladyship as security to test the SP2....no chance....paid £10k for a huge mistake. So off to BM I guess, but I have a gut feeling for the 1200 in all honesty!
Keep it coming in the meanwhile and I'll let you know how things go. Back to scouring MCN and Autotrader now!!

 

[Tim Cullis]

I'm an inch shorter than you and have a 1200GSA and an F650GS twin.

The F650/800GS is more fun in town and on windy roads and of course the fuel consumption is so much better. The lighter F-GS has some advantages off road.

The 1200GS/GSA is better for high speed cruising, better for two-up, can take wider luggage within the same overall width and the semi-linked brakes are far better. If you are 6'5" tall you'll be happy with the 1200GSA offroad.

I'm off to Morocco at the end of March on the F650GS. Later in the year I'm doing Poland and will probably take the 1200GSA.

Tim

 

[notpc]

Short too...

I'm about your size (average male height in US!) and started ownership of my R1200GS rather nervously with the seat on the lowered position. After nine months, I decided it was actually too low, so reset it to the standard position. No plans to change back.

Go for it!

 

[Stickleback]

I am almost identical stats to you and have no probs with GSA or indeed X-Challenge (which does seem high)

It only takes a couple of runs on the bike to realise that you can control the beast at a standstill. I invariably only ever put one foot down when I stop anyway (not wanting to start a Hendon Shuffle debate) and it is no biggie to reposition yourself to make sure the one foot is secure. I can actually get some of both feet down...

As to which bike - that's your choice but I would agree with everyone that a decent test ride on each is the only way to decide which is best for you. You're the one whose got to ride it and live with the decision so others opinions are helpful but can only take you so far...

To paraphrase someone on AdvRider - if you are on your chosen bike and someone pulls up to you at the lights on the non-chosen bike, are you going to feel envy?

Good luck with the search

 

[everywherevirtually]

A test ride will be the decider but I bought the 800 without a test ride and 16000 miles later I'm not regretting it. Have already toured Europe two up on it and I'm a short arse. 5' 7" with a 29" inside leg.

I'll be using it on this trip... www.sibirskyextreme.com this time next weekend

 

[long may your dung reek]

If you s moneytour and the "home secretary" is a regular then the 1200 has to win.

how can you say the home secretary is regular when she buys porn with tax payers money?{ ok maybe at xtravision}

 

[Bryn]

how can you say the home secretary is regular when she buys porn with tax payers money?{ ok maybe at xtravision}

Home Secretary=Wife/Partner

 

[GADGET]

Just to throw in my own viewpoint, not having owned an 800, but having had all of the rest. Why not consider a mint/low mileage 1150?

 

[Roge]

Just to throw in my own viewpoint, not having owned an 800, but having had all of the rest. Why not consider a mint/low mileage 1150?

I've had bo the 1150 & 1200 GSA's and loved them both however the 1200 is by far the most planted off road especially when sand is encountered, I do a lot of gravel/dirt stuff here not so much mud. With TKC80s on instead of dual sport tyres the bike is even better. I'am 6'2 but only have a 29 inch inside leg and coped with both bikes with the standard seat in the high position to get the legroom and just was wary of where I stopped/parked. The decider for me over the 800 when I bought the 1200GSA was fuel range 500-600km can get me to most places which the 800 would not make without carrying extra fuel and pillion capability. I sure the 800 is a fine bike but I also have a DRZ400E for tighter local stuff

 

[RudyT]

I am approx. the same height / inseam and I found 1200GS no problem to ride and maneuver with due to low COG. I use standard seat.
The only problem I have is that my Daytona's with metal tip are not the best for maneuvering when sitting on the bike as I have limited contact with the ground anyway and the metal part has no grip ... but they look sooo coool
I even increased the height of my seat at the back to higher setting as it positions me better due to the seat inclined forward. Now I am really tip-toing but when I slide on a side a bit I can get my foot securely on the ground

 

[Mark8303]

Dilema?

I rode the 800 & 1200 back to back courtesy of Bahnstormer both on tha same circuit of about 50 miles. The 800 was great but a bit 'sudden' of the throttle at low speed, great for unplugging off road I'm sure, but I found it a bit itimidating. The 12 was great all round, I had it set to low seat position and apart from wanting the height back once on the move it just felt so right I bought one. I came from a Honda VTR (nice and low) but haven't looked back and since buying in January have ridden as many miles as I did all last year on the VTR nuff said!

 

[lloyd]

I went to test ride an 800 and was totally dissapointed by the poor fuel injection . Didn't think the ride was particularly good either.My pillion also said it was a bit uncomfortable . Almost went home empty handed but Roy at southport offered a ride on the 1200 before i went. What a fantastic bike in comparison. Much better throttle response, comfier, better looking, better suspension.
I think the only time the 800 would win is offroad or at the fuel pump. as a rideable bike , especially for pillion the 1200 creams it.