Which GS? 650Vs800Vs1200

[A2GS]

Hi everyone,

Its my first post, I've read many articles, but still cant make up my mind. I've also test ridden all models, except GSA.

They all have diffferent values. If you take price out of the equation, as they can be all had for around £6k, (albeit of differing newness) the decision is quite hard.

The f650gs Twin is nimble economical cheap and other than 2 up riding will do just about everything the others will do for less money.

The F800gs, Looks more manly, is a bit tougher, but seems to steer quite oddly with that big front wheel.

The R1200gs, Expensive, heavy, poor economy (compared to the 800 twins) but smooth, comfortable, less windy and shaft drive.

Has any one owned all three, or used all three regularly.

Which is best, I can manage all 3 easily, being around 6ft. I dont go around the world or off road, other than maybe a gravely fire road, I don't comute. It would be just for me, no passenger, occasional european trip (if the Euro improves) and for local pleasure rides.

Thanks for helping.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Ask for help from Micky on here

He's had a 1150GS (80,000miles)/1150GSA(60,000 miles)/12GSA (30-40,000 miles) and now has a F800GS (20000 miles)

He's had a Dakar 650 single too

He likes the 800GS best

 

[chasr]

Interesting question. From 5 tossers you'll get 6 opinions, though.

Couple of points on your 1200 comments - 250 miles/tank is easy, provided you trickle fill the last litre, or so. Economy is actually quite good imho. Secondly, you might be a bit surprised if you check the weights of all 3 bikes

From the sound of things, you'd probably be happy with any of them. In your position, I'd probably get a new GS650 (twin). It'll do everything you want and, if you become bored, will lose much less of its value compared with the others (from new, though 2nd-hand versions of 1200 & 800 will already have suffered the 1st year cliff-edge). A new bike is always nice, and you won't have to fork out for tyres & servicing. Run it for a year and see how you feel.

hth

 

[Big Nick]

I initially wanted a 800GS but after test riding it found it to lack power after being used to sports bikes.

I decided on a 1200GS and went for the Adventure model as the price difference isn't much and the extras are easily worth the difference.

I wouldn't fancy serious off road stuff on a 1200 owing to the weight so I think the answer to your question depends on what use the bike is going to be put to.

 

[A2GS]

I initially wanted a 800GS but after test riding it found it to lack power after being used to sports bikes.

I decided on a 1200GS and went for the Adventure model as the price difference isn't much and the extras are easily worth the difference.

I wouldn't fancy serious off road stuff on a 1200 owing to the weight so I think the answer to your question depends on what use the bike is going to be put to.

Which is best, I can manage all 3 easily, being around 6ft. I dont go around the world or off road, other than maybe a gravely fire road, I don't comute. It would be just for me, no passenger, occasional european trip (if the Euro improves) and for local pleasure rides.

Thanks for your opinions so far.

Also, has anyone "downgraded" from R1200gs to a F800gs?

What are peoples realistic MPG's?

Thanks

 

[blobcat]

Claire and I have ridden all off road and on, we now have 2 GSA's. Claire really likes the 650 and for comuting would be a great bike. Neither of us particularly liked the 800 and it tried to smash my elbow on the off road course (although that could have been me stopping it where I couldn't put my left leg down...) We want to do some tours and the GSA ticks all the boxes for us.

 

[peepingtom]

MPG

You ask for realistic mpg ,ive got a 1200 and get low 40's which is around 180 from a full tank. maybe if you were very carfull you could get 200, personally cant see how anyone gets 250 out of a tank???
im thinking 800/650 get 60 mpg but that just what ive heard an owner will tell you soon im sure

 

[James Embrey]

Got a 1200, fxxking excellent. I sold 650 and got 1200 and love it. Can't think of anything clever to say, had a bottle of wine!

 

[chasr]

You ask for realistic mpg ,ive got a 1200 and get low 40's which is around 180 from a full tank. maybe if you were very carfull you could get 200, personally cant see how anyone gets 250 out of a tank???

Just do a search for 'consumption' in the 1200GS section and you'll see I'm not the only one.

Perhaps your GS is wonky

 

[DutchBryn]

1200s heavy?? Others on here have levelled other issues, but heavy?
Thirty Kilograms - more than 60 pounds(!) lighter than model it replaced..(!)

I'm no marketing guru, but I can't imagine anyone at Beemer's HQ thinking of the parallel twins as competion for the trad 180 deg. twins.
Horses for courses.

 

[peepingtom]

Just do a search for 'consumption' in the 1200GS section and you'll see I'm not the only one.

Perhaps your GS is wonky

well chas it seems most people get 45/50 mpg if you want to look. But really life is too short to be riding so slowly to get 65mpg
i know theres a credit cruch but things arent that bad are they


Anyway i still get low 40's others get more depends how you ride of course. I ride faster than normal i would say but not all the time.

 

[bingbong]

Hi A2GS,
I'm surprised you can't split them on what you prefer to ride, I changed from a 12GSA to the 800 and still don't regret changing (4 months) I loved the GSA but I liked the 800 just as much but for different reasons. Each of the GS's cross over teritory of the others but have things they are better at. I found my GSA was excellent for touring (my best tourer to date) but I don't do long trips anymore. My riding has changed to more gentle off road stuff (none on the GSA) and back lanes and very little motorway and major road riding. To me the 800 rides more like a practical supermoto after the big GSA and I didn't hang around on that either. They are all fantastic bikes, what flavour would you like?
Oh and fuel comsumption...the 800 is bloody amazing, I ride around at the same speeds as always and get 60mpg from the 800, 47 was the best from the GSA but thats not a major selling issue for me but nice to have.

 

[HR0]

get the 800

there you go, straight to the point with accurate advice.

 

[HTB]

GSA....

more quickly to the point than HRO who waffled a bit...

 

[Fanum]

Ask yourself why you actually want a bike.

Seriously.

You don't need one for work, or for any particularly focused reason, so this boils down to a decision of the heart, the gut, the instinct- making lists and pondering MPG's and resale values shouldn't come in to it

It's a bit like asking other people what your favourite colour should be

Go to your dealer and take a bike from the price range you're operating within out for a test ride- make sure it's at least two or three hours so you can gel with the bike, then look at them all lined up and decide which one to buy based on which one you like the best...simple as that!!

Go with your heart and you won't regret it

 

[Tim Cullis]

I've done over 100,000 miles on a 1200GS and a 1200GSA and still own the 12GSA. I've also done 12,000 miles on a 650GS twin. I've not decided finally but I'm currently thinking of selling the 1200GSA as the 650GS does practically everything I want.

Once you've added fuel and water, and brought them up to the same spec with hand guards and engine bars, there's not a huge difference in the weight of the three bikes. Nor, really, in the performance. In the twisties the 650 easily keeps up with the 1200, though the 1200 is better when cruising at highly illegal speeds on the motorway as it's a more stable platform.

For comfort the 1200 wins hands down as standard, but then there are seat/screen options on the others that can be fitted. Ditto the 1200 *could* carry more luggage safely.

None comes out on top for reliability, they all have some issues.

The 650/800 has a brilliant silencer sound and smooth engine. The 1200 has 'character'.

Fuel economy is head and shoulders ahead on the 650/800 and this will save you a small fortune, especially on long runs. Checkout several posts on this thread.

post #32 talks about fuel tank sizes and mods (650/1200GS/1200GSA)

post #54 notes how to get 85 mpg at 62 mph on the 650.

post #55 has some side-by-side consumption comparisons

#1: 145 miles of mixed motorway/roads
650GS 55 mpg (11.8 litres)
1200GS 44 mpg (14.0 litres)
1150GSA 38 mpg (15.9 litres)

#2: 168 miles of slower roads (average speed 40 mph)
650GS 68 mpg (11.1 litres)
1200GS 54 mpg (14.4 litres)
1150GSA 41 mpg (18.4 litres)

#3: motorway high speed (average speed 71 mph)
650GS 206 miles on a 16 (17.5+) litre tank with 6 miles range left
1200GS 206 miles on a 20 (22.5+) litre tank with 25 miles range left

Hope this helps.
Tim

 

[A2GS]

Thanks Tim and the others for your comments and advice, it is very much appreciated.

One day I think, 12gs thats it I'm having one, the next I think Why spend all that when the 650 does practically everything, bar comfort, and in some respects is better. Then I think maybe I should go for the 800 as surely its a good compromise between the 2, but then I don't really off road.

Maybe a 650 V strom is the asnwer!

 

[everywherevirtually]

Maybe a 650 V strom is the asnwer!

naaaaaah