Reply With QuoteDon't know anyone who has one, but the one you've posted up looks great. I had the 650 single which I really liked.
Of these two I'd take the BM everyday.
Let us know what you go for.
I've been a motorbike rider for almost 20 years now, have had around 12 bikes in my career.
Had to sell two bikes after my divorce, and the pain is killing me. Every single day. I miss it.
I'm playing with the idea of getting me a 800 GS now. The 1200 is much too big and heavy for my taste and biking behaviour. So, anyone actually owns a 800? Experience with this one?
An altertative would be the XTZ 660 Tenere, cheaper service and parts costs, better dealer network etc.
Sidenote:The BMW is just EUR 800 more expensive, I get way over 30% off (don't ask). So I can basically ride that thing for 3 years without loosing money...
At the moment it's BMW 60 : 40 Yamaha, but that includes resale value.
A no brainer?
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
Don't know anyone who has one, but the one you've posted up looks great. I had the 650 single which I really liked.
Of these two I'd take the BM everyday.
Let us know what you go for.
That's the problem mate, I know at least 10 1200 riders, but nobody seems to have any experience with the 800 yet...
And I just can't be arsed to join a motorbike forum now... :lol:
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
I wish!!
Either of those two would suit me just fine.
I want a bike so bad!
Originally Posted by mr1973
ride a 1200 myself, but have a look at http://www.ukgser.com for more info on the 800
cheers
mike
A good friend has the beemer- loves it !
Thanks Mike, will have a look. :)
ride a 1200 myself, but have a look at http://www.ukgser.com for more info on the 800
cheers
mike
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
I had the Aprilia version of the 650 single and was a lot better bike than I thought it would be (was coming from fast bikes so wanted something to prove to me I didn't have to destroy the highway code & my licence each summer). In the end I think it lacked a bit of power & brakes so all signs point to the 800 being excellent.
Not much weight difference in my experience and the 1200 is a much nicer bike - I've ridden quite a few and almost died on one ;)
Some info here - but the weights are misleading - there isn't much in it at all - prob 20kg between them (unless you are talking GSA) or less for similarly equipped bikes bit you won't notice it as much and the paralever front end is very nice for anything apart from sports riding, although the brother regularly outrides 99% of all sports bikes on his even with the loss of top end speed -
Some info here.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=384735
R12GS well liked and easy to sell on with expensive parts (in a good way) just look at the cheaper bits on the 650 and some eariler 800's never mind the state of the cheap stuff (fasteners, levers etc.) they put on the Triumph!
Also, the old man ordered his lowered and has the low seat too, which makes it a lot easier for him to move around.
It's just a matter of time...
It has to be said, the Tenere is more genuinely capable off-road - the Beamer is more soft-roader than off-roader.
The Tenere has also already garnered a cult following amongst European overland riders.
Plus, a twin cylinder dirt bike??? :shock: :shock:
Jim :)
I'd say if you want to play off road - buy an enduro - I raced for many years and I am sure somekind of compromise bike could be found - a KTM would probably be my pick for a heavier offroad bike.
If you are going to ride on the road 95% of the time, I see no point in compromising so much.
Have you seen the way some of the guys handle a R1200GS off road? Personally, I have no pretensions of ever taking mine truly offroad so.. it is a great mile-muncher and I've never had less than 40mpg even with continuous stop start town traffic riding.
I like the look of the 800 - but it doesn't fit my needs - that said, I've got a few bikes to choose from, from Super Moto, to Fireblade - but still go for the 1200GS almost every time.
It's just a matter of time...
Thanks for the replies lads. To be honest, my heart says TEN. But it's just that I can get up to 40% off of the Beemer. That means I can ride it almost "cost-free" (yeah, I know...) for 3 years. Resale value is very good in these parts of the world. It's a quality bike as well. But still, a twin dirt bike is a bit of joke. And that's exactly my problem, even though there's almost no difference in weight between these two bikes. :shock:
What a dilemma.
(Prob is that I've started with a XT 500 many, many years ago, so that's probably the reason I'm still a bit of a XT fanboy.)
:lol: :D
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
Oh, and this one was my last bike btw:
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
Thumper :thumbup:
My current squeeze is the Honda XL600 LMF Paris/Dakar thingy. It is the '84 model and still performs as well as the modern stuff and has so far (touch wood) been unbreakable, and it has had some serious miles and hard ones at that!
So, I would look at Honda's offerings.
And this is how she looked this morning
That's a bloody fantastic bike you have there, once have had a 600 XL, it was a bit of a bi*ch to be honest. But a good performer nevertheless.
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
Cheers, she is great fun, starts first or second kick and will take me anywhere.
Had a nice XR650 with an electric start put on it - but not too large a tank for distance.
I must admit I am enjoying the comfort of the 1200 and the luxury of a maintenance free shaft drive is lovely :) Just had it serviced this month too - if I bought another I may have forgone the electric suspension and used the money to buy ohlins and possibly go wire wheels too - but for me I'd prefer a 17inch front with sticky tyres and 140+ bhp ;)
It's just a matter of time...
I'll probably will do that some time...
when I reach your age... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :mrgreen:
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
My age? I'm only a pup ;)
It's just a matter of time...
Take a look at both, from experience the build of the BMW will be better, I had an F650 it wasva great bike. Used to eat rear tyres though I only got about 3000 milesvfrom them. And from experience I would invest a scotoiler easy to fit and makesvthe chain lastbtwice as far with very little maintanance.
At the end of the day the only way to make your mind up is a test ride of each.
Good luck and have fun I wish I could get another bike.
When the new twin F800/650GS came out a few years back I test rode them all (R1200GS) whilst trying to find a bike for a long trip down to Turkey with some friends (we though we were Charley & Ewan en mass).
I initially thought the F650GS was a bit too plain looking, the F800GS lovely all round but just a bit too tall.....so I bought an R1200GS !!! Fast forward 3 weeks and the R1200GS is up for sale again.....I just couldn't get along with the combination of the height/weight, it was killing my confidence. Test rode the F800/650GS again and plavced an order for the F650GS with loads of extras (heated grips/bash plate/bars etc. etc).........and off we went to Turkey;
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread ... key+august
Sold the bike when I came back and really regretted it......great bike, if I wasn't severely distracted by cars these days I'd have another at the drop of a hat.....nothing I've riden before or since has bonded with me as much as that BMW......go and get one.....you know you want to.
Fantastic trip! I'm actually planning to do some miles in Africa next year.
I've had a look at the 650 as well, especially at this one here:
They have improved the look considerably now. At it's basically the very same engine as the 800. But there are a few details that are bugging me no end (like the smaller front wheel, the brakes etc.).
A great bike nevertheless.
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
Oh, and btw. If it was a heart decision only, I'd jump on this immediately!
:cheers::love4:
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
Personally (& having had the Aprilia 650) I would avoid a single disced bike of this size/weight, as ended up with new pads, hoses, fluid & even tyres before I realised I just wasn't happy with the bike's stopping power.
The BMW makes the most sense financially, (the F800), but have a test ride first and see what you think. Something else to think of is the Honda Transalp. My pal had one of these years ago, and when giving me a lift on the back could get my pegs down on a roundabout :shock: :) I rode the original (HRC), Africa Twin and that was fantastic, a pity they discontinued it. Another discontinued model from Honda was the XLV750R, not officially imported into the UK, it had shaft drive and was a nice bike. We had a customer who had one who used to come to us all the time for spare parts and servicing.
Ok. I've finally come to a decision....
It's going to be the.... (drumrolls)
Ténéré!
Why? I've spoken to about 20 F 800 GS owners, read various fora and all that. And it seems, that the GS has some major quality issues. As I want to do an Africa trip next year, a reliable DIY bike is most important. And I've worked on an XT before. Also parts are so much easier to get etc. Best part of it, it's just around 7k Euros.
Add about 2k for Öhlins and Touratech stuff and you have a very capable bike.
A few stickers (I'm a sucker for stickers, don't know why) and you're ready to go:
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
^^^^ Are you going to Dakar the hard way by any chance :shock: :lol:
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Looks very businesslike :thumbleft:
Should have gone Honda...mark my words.
Where's this from ????................I've had a look at the 650 as well, especially at this one here:
They have improved the look considerably now. At it's basically the very same engine as the 800.
That's the new 650 GS in "sun yellow".
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
Just noticed this thread. I am so tempted by either the Tiger 800 ABS (non XC) or, in keeping with this thread, the F650GS in anniversary colours.
German market colour scheme? Not sure if this is for the UK too, where current colours are white aluminum, blue or orange.
There are some other modifications as well, but don't know the details...German market colour scheme? Not sure if this is for the UK too, where current colours are white aluminum, blue or orange.
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
This one? "30 Jahre GS"?
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
Yep, that's the kiddy. I have found a 6 month old NOS for sale from an AD.This one? "30 Jahre GS"?
How much is it? Guess around 5k or so?
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
Bit more than that I am afraid - new price for the spec is just over £8,000.
Mate of mine came round yesterday on one of these, just bought it, he had an 1150gs before and prefers the 800.Yep, that's the kiddy. I have found a 6 month old NOS for sale from an AD.This one? "30 Jahre GS"?
Today, rode it (F800GS), loved it, bought it......say no more! :wink: Other than to say that, much to my surprise, with a low seat option my short(ish) legs caused no probs. Bring on next Saturday (1st October). :D
Grats!
I ride an F800r.
The seat on the GS has a few haters, I hope your butt is up for the battering :P
The seat seemed to suit my boney arse!
one word, and one word only..............................sargent :wink:
Glad you approve. :D
Congrats mate! Which colour scheme did you choose? Black orange/yellow?
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
Stop press - returned to the dealer today, rode a 1200GS ........... and bought that instead. Collection next Saturday (1st). Great service from Russ at Riders in Cardiff.
I had a few doubts about my wanting over time more performance than the 800 could offer.........the 1200 should sort that. :D
s
Wait a minute... Didn't you want to go for a 650?
:lol: :lol:
DO NOT TEST DRIVE THE 1600 GT!!!
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
I think you've made the right choice - love mine. Does almost everything I need and I'm rarely left behind riding on the course, although on occasion I wish I was on the blade when some fast riders are out - but that is rare and it's more fun leaving the sports bikes behind when your on a GS :lol:
It's just a matter of time...
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