I hope not
So duz I
Although I have now learnt riding in winter with a busted body is a daft idea
Thinking about selling my 1150GSA & buying a GS 800
- Thread starter 644andy
- Start date
So duz I
Although I have now learnt riding in winter with a busted body is a daft idea
Bury_Dave
Registered user
A very personal choice to make. I'd recommend you borrow an F800 for a few days first at the minimum.
I sold my 2004 1150GSA and got an 09 F800 in June of last year. I'd toured on my 1150 for a couple of weeks around France, Italy and Switzerland. Bike never missed a beat and was all-day comfortable (low seat too). However, as a solo traveller, I was concerned at the weight and I was aware that If I dropped it on an incline, I'd need help to get it back up so that I could get the sidestand down and get back on it. I'm 5'9" you see .... I was also looking wistfully at some serious off-roading on narrow tracks but couldn't do it as if I came to a dead end or needed to turn around, I'd be stuffed. Not saying others would be - just that I would.
Also, getting it out of my garage and up the ramp leading out from it far enough to get the garage door down was a hernia risking move
I took the plunge with the F800 and haven't looked back since. Wife and I tour 2-up and it definately isn't as good as the 1150 for long motorway days. The bigger motor obviously works a little less hard and the F800 one is a bit more revvy. But then we don't do those often enough to make having the bigger bike and suffering the other 99% of the time worth it. For days out and A and smaller roads it is fantastic solo and 2-up. It does cope fine 2-up on motorways at or the legal speeds and up to 85 too but that's not where it is happiest. I also go off-road with much more confidence than I ever did with the 1150.
Think about what you do most of the time on your bike and get a bike that does that better than what you do least on it. Unless you feel the need for 'road presence' or other more subjective criteria.
There are plenty of bikes that can do what the F800 does. Some better on road and others off-road, but for me the F800 is a good all-rounder and for anyone wants a good upright riding position and decent economy on a go anywhere bike, it as as good a choice as any. Even the low seat can be gotten used to
I'm sure there are people here who could easily outride me on and off road on an 1150 or 1200 with me on my F800 but that's why it is a personal choice based on many things.
The biggest differences are weight and fuel economy.
I sold my 2004 1150GSA and got an 09 F800 in June of last year. I'd toured on my 1150 for a couple of weeks around France, Italy and Switzerland. Bike never missed a beat and was all-day comfortable (low seat too). However, as a solo traveller, I was concerned at the weight and I was aware that If I dropped it on an incline, I'd need help to get it back up so that I could get the sidestand down and get back on it. I'm 5'9" you see .... I was also looking wistfully at some serious off-roading on narrow tracks but couldn't do it as if I came to a dead end or needed to turn around, I'd be stuffed. Not saying others would be - just that I would.
Also, getting it out of my garage and up the ramp leading out from it far enough to get the garage door down was a hernia risking move
I took the plunge with the F800 and haven't looked back since. Wife and I tour 2-up and it definately isn't as good as the 1150 for long motorway days. The bigger motor obviously works a little less hard and the F800 one is a bit more revvy. But then we don't do those often enough to make having the bigger bike and suffering the other 99% of the time worth it. For days out and A and smaller roads it is fantastic solo and 2-up. It does cope fine 2-up on motorways at or the legal speeds and up to 85 too but that's not where it is happiest. I also go off-road with much more confidence than I ever did with the 1150.
Think about what you do most of the time on your bike and get a bike that does that better than what you do least on it. Unless you feel the need for 'road presence' or other more subjective criteria.
There are plenty of bikes that can do what the F800 does. Some better on road and others off-road, but for me the F800 is a good all-rounder and for anyone wants a good upright riding position and decent economy on a go anywhere bike, it as as good a choice as any. Even the low seat can be gotten used to
I'm sure there are people here who could easily outride me on and off road on an 1150 or 1200 with me on my F800 but that's why it is a personal choice based on many things.The biggest differences are weight and fuel economy.
Last edited:
Arthurwg
Registered user
I'm also thinking of trading my 05 1200GS for an 800GS, largely because the larger bike now seems very heavy to me and difficult to move around. On the road, however, the big bike is a joy and I must say I can go point to point as quickly as I might like. Underway it seems almost effortless. Still not sure what to do.
mylovelyhorse
Registered user
I moved from a 118,000 mile '99 R1150GS to a 2012 F800GS. I miss the foot warmers in very cold weather and the F800GS screen isn't as good as the 1150 one - for me. Otherwise I don't really miss my 1150 at all.
The F800 is much lighter and easier to move about. It's as much fun to ride without the 'dumbbell' effect of the sheer mass of the boxer engine. The F gearbox is much nicer. Chain maintenance is a pain in the unmentionables but no real biggie. Despite my having installed HIDs, the std headlights are better than the std R1150GS units. It carries luggage as well as the R. It's an awful lot better on fuel. Standard seat's not too good though - go for the BMW comfort seat or similar.
If you are a heavy user of electrical extras, think carefully. The generator is 400W which is significantly less than that on the R. I run a heated jacket, heated grips and GPS with no problems but if you like lots more electrical bits and pieces then do some calculations.
Cheers
m
and the F800GS screen isn't as good as the 1150 one - for me. Otherwise I don't really miss my 1150 at all.The F800 is much lighter and easier to move about. It's as much fun to ride without the 'dumbbell' effect of the sheer mass of the boxer engine. The F gearbox is much nicer. Chain maintenance is a pain in the unmentionables
but no real biggie. Despite my having installed HIDs, the std headlights are better than the std R1150GS units. It carries luggage as well as the R. It's an awful lot better on fuel. Standard seat's not too good though - go for the BMW comfort seat or similar.If you are a heavy user of electrical extras, think carefully. The generator is 400W which is significantly less than that on the R. I run a heated jacket, heated grips and GPS with no problems but if you like lots more electrical bits and pieces then do some calculations.
Cheers
m
chas820
Registered user
If anybody is interested I will be selling my 59 plate F800gs very very shortly.It has 11500 miles,yellow/black,fsh.currently fitted with bash plate,Barkbusters,crash bars and hugger.It will also come with Sw-Motech quick lock rack and Caribou luggage.It also has the comfort pack (heated grips,trip computer and center stand)£4000 as is.I will be removing some of these extras to sell seperately unless it makes the price.More info and pics by pm.
Similar threads
