Tempted By The 800GS

[jules]

1st BMW F650, 2nd BMW 1150GS (pimped), 3rd BMW 1200ADV but going to test ride an 800GS in two weeks with a view to a swap. Not doing big miles now except for the odd UK 500 mile+ jaunt and a once a year Alps visit for all those lovely twisty bits they have. Occasional 2 up with the other half with luggage. Should I stay or should I go?

 

[argee]

When they're running they're awsome.

I'd still have another one, in spite of some stupid little warranty niggles , and you definately wont be doing 500 miles a year if you do get one, they're way too much fun to leave in the garage.....

Do it...

 

[v8legend]

IMHO the 800 is better at everything apart from maybe the real long distance tours. I've been on 2 European trips on mine. The fuel consumption is fantastic, it averages 50 - 55, and can easily do 65+ if you don't spend too long over 85. You have to try really hard to get it in the 40's. It handles better, proper fun in the twisties. And is generally more fun all round. The 1200 is more polished and smoother, with better wind protection, but also much heavier. The only real drawback to the 800 is the standard plank, I've changed mine to the comfort seat, much better. you might also want to change the screen. But don't kid yourself that the 800 might be any lower in the saddle.

 

[6821snape]

Also had 1150 and 1200 and now have the 800 by far the most fun more agile just as smooth,if you not going to do many motorway jaunts its perfect in my view.I had to change the screen for the MRA and am still undersided which seat to go for but probably going to get the orignal re done with gel inserts.Mind only had it for 6weeks but done 2k miles never done that sort of mileage on a bike in the UK this time of the year before.Go for it .Enjoy.

 

[Shadwell]

I have had several different bikes however the ONLY bike i have ever fell in love with immediately is my F800gs.

The seat is fine for me but the biggest day i have ever done is 250 miles so maybe it will give me some problems on a big day.

i love it in the tight suffolk roads but it is fine on a dual carriageway at 90 as well although i will prob get a higher screen soon to see if it makes any difference.

I would suggest you get a test ride and do a couple hundred miles see how it goes, i dont think you will be dissappointed

 

[HR0]

hi, for what its worth --i went through a few brit, jap and italian bikes before coming to the 1150gs adv, all pimped, and it transformed my biking to many trips abroad, esp as my brother moved to zurich which meant lots of alp, italian lakes and corsica riding .
but then i was one of those that swapped the 1150 for the 800gs before launch.

the F800gs is a great bike and i love it, added sat nav via auto com and a TT tank bag and i was away. last trip montelimar the home of nougat in france, and i did the trip home in a day.

the only thing i miss is the adv tank range. but its nice to have the excuse to stop fill up and stretch my legs and have a choc bar.

it does two up well, but i've not done 2 up fully loaded tho, but can't see why it shouldn't cope !

oh yes its a BM with a chain, and touch wood or correct tensioning - no problems there.

its not too heavy, goes really well, and is so much fun!

give it a go.

H

 

[everywherevirtually]

you can do big miles on them. I rode from Linz to Brussels on Sunday. Thats 577 miles. The next day I rode from Brussels to London, then London Cambridge and then Cambridge to Manchester via Warwick.

with an airhawk, the TT screen with MRA spoiler and a few add-ons like muffs and a heated jacket you can eat up the miles. I cruised at 70mph in order to keep the fuel economy reasonable

despite what Tony Jakeman and BMW Marketing will tell you the 800 is the true all rounder. They only plug the 1200 so much because they'll earn more bucks from it. They are not promoting the 1200 because they actually think it is the best tool for overlanding/offroading etc etc

 

[jules]

I have never changed the seat on the last three bikes and done some quite big daily miles (625m) obviously with some discomfort but nothing too bad. I would definatley upgrade the screen and have seen the BMW tall one with the ally frame which looks the buisness.
It is a shame that the 1200 ally panniers will not fit as I have read somewhere on the site. They have worked well for me. Thanks for all your good advice. Test ride booked for May 1st.

 

[Phluppe]

Jules, they do fit, you just need to get the Holan pannier rack.

Grtz, Philip!

 

[jules]

Thanks for that bit of info Philip, I will Google to see who can supply!
Cheers, Jules.

 

[Mr K]

1st BMW F650, 2nd BMW 1150GS (pimped), 3rd BMW 1200ADV but going to test ride an 800GS in two weeks with a view to a swap. Not doing big miles now except for the odd UK 500 mile+ jaunt and a once a year Alps visit for all those lovely twisty bits they have. Occasional 2 up with the other half with luggage. Should I stay or should I go?

Follow your heart Grasshopper... inside you know what you want, not what you need.....

 

[mechcanico lee]

Try to get a good test ride on one...its the only way to really decide .