Thread: F 800 GS

For those interested, one hell of a thread about it on advrider:

Bmw F800gs - ADVrider

Disclaiming: I've not seen or ridden one yet.

But, for the situation you're describing I think you're on the right path. Most reviews I have read think that they did a really good job for the first run of the machine.

However, so you're comparing apples to apples though, I think you should test ride both (aka R1200gs and F800gs). It won't be hard to find a dealership to let you take both out for a couple hours and in all terra, just to let you get your own thoughts first-hand

That said...on paper, the F800GS is 392# dry, 85hp/61tq machine. The R1200gs(or A) is 438# dry and 105hp/85tq. Is 40# a bit more challenging off road? Oh yes but it is not like adding 40# to a CR250, think of it instead like adding a big ballast on your skidplate - the 1200 only gets heavy when it's stuck or falls over. I honestly think coming from an MX machine off road - to either of these bikes, would be a very similar challenge. Of course - the F800 does seem a bit tidier between the thighs.

I guess before I blather on, I'll ask with this machine - what are your are your realworld goals (riding percentage-wise) of:

• • commuting
  • off road
  • on road
  • sportriding
  • two up
  • touring

I would like to take an F800GS out for a spin sometime just so I can better offer input on this, but not having these things on the floor kind of hurts that

Here is a decent review by rider:

2009 BMW F800GS

..also I am saying 'both' alot, comparing F800 to R1200...which really, while they are destined for the same place(s), really are never truly apples to apples.

But, I wanted to say you should check out craigslist or advrider's classifieds for folks selling the 650's There are some nicely kitted 650's that are in remarkable shape - that folks are just shuffling along for a new adventure or F800.


If you want a KTM adventure 990 let me know, my close friend is parting with his (black) for 10k$, he has a TE450 and YZ250 he's also parting with...you could get a deal on all 3!...then you'd have enough excuse to get a portable shed!

Did you look at my Dakar link in my post?

no, but I edited your original post to have a Craigslist ad for one of the bikes I was referencing

That's a fair deal, if not looking to do 2-up or long highway blasts - that would be a good ride.

btw, you CAN get a new klr for 4800$ if such a thing strikes you. It's like buying used Tacoma's, no point when the new ones are often near in price.

but with an MV and an RZ, the BMW would look more suited to the space. The KLR would make people think you're storing the other bike(s) for your friends

I have projects to do today so this will be short, but honestly, sportbikes aren't doing it for me right now so there is no doubt the MV and 929 are going away. In a way, they're actually killing my love of riding, I've only ridden a few hundred miles all year. Frankly I have self control issues riding a 150Hp motorcycle on the street frequently, and though I tried for a couple years with the MV and RC, I also don't have enough to dive back in to trackdays in a low time/money budget fashion.

So, I'm looking for a bike that is a Swiss Army Knife, one I can ride to San Diego (~400 miles), which precludes the 650s I think, ride some fire roads, etc etc. I do plan to use it for significant commuting, but that's not real important, my commute is short.

1200 GS-As are real money, I think I'd rather have that $7k difference for the RZ.

I've ridden several of the Beemer 650's and they feel very under-powered. Didn't like em at all. Probably great for a novice (a tall novice) or maybe for an around town commuter but that's about it.

I've never ridden any of them but I have a coworker that has a KLR and swears by it. He uses it to commute about 30 miles one way and even made his own single wheel trailer to pull behind so he can move his gear around to different stations.

Originally Posted by G-ForceJunkie

Have you thought about a 1150GS? They can be had pretty cheap nowdays.

Thanks for the offer dude.

I have thought about it, found an 1150 adventure down your way for 10k but that's not overly cheap.

What is the weight difference?

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Thanks for the offer dude.

I have thought about it, found an 1150 adventure down your way for 10k but that's not overly cheap.

What is the weight difference?

A used 1150 would be a great way to go. Don't discount finding an 1100 either.

They generally weigh about 50lbs more than the new 1200's.

I even like the Tiger, prior to it's remake last year.

Some good reading:

2006 Adventure Touring Comparo - MotorcycleUSA.com

2003 BMW F650GS Dakar vs. Honda XR650L - MotorcycleUSA.com

2006 BMW R1200GS - Adventure - MotorcycleUSA.com

2005 BMW R1200GS - MotorcycleUSA.com

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Articl...x?ArticleID=56
(Tiger vs 1150 2002)

Originally Posted by G-ForceJunkie

Anytime you want to borrow it, its yours Think of it as credit towards riding your RZ500 in the future

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to pay it forward any time soon!

I don't understand what you want to do.

If you have an idea of

• Distance?
• % Off-road? %technical/single track?
• (Cost I have an idea: CHEAP)
• Economy/maintenance intervals?
• Altitude changes?
• Luggage/cargo?

maybe I could help

Originally Posted by figment

I don't understand what you want to do.

If you have an idea of

• Distance?
• % Off-road? %technical/single track?
• (Cost I have an idea: CHEAP)
• Economy/maintenance intervals?
• Altitude changes?
• Luggage/cargo?

maybe I could help

I dunno. Still just talkin' here, I need to sell the MV first, damn garage is back to 3 bikes again...

Some random thoughts though:

We have killer rides of all kinds out here, I have friends 200-400 miles both north and south of me to ride to (and with), but I have friends with dirt bikes too. Elevation, sure this is the west, we go up and down a bunch out here.

Really, I need at least two bikes. I'm thinking a dirty bike of some kind with a plate as a knock around town, an RX-V 5.5 would be the ultimate but I'd still need something like a VFR or the other ultimate, a GS-A for the longer stuff...but I definitely don't want to blow that kind of money, and the garage is damn crowded with 3 bikes.

I was checking out the WR250X but with ~25Hp it just sounds too slow for my commute; my highway portion would probably get kinda scary during merges.

The answer is easy, but your questions are hard.

Originally Posted by SomeStrangeGuy

The answer is easy, but your questions are hard.

Originally Posted by luvtolean

I was checking out the WR250X but with ~25Hp it just sounds too slow for my commute; my highway portion would probably get kinda scary during merges.

I've had this bike on some major highways and it does not have the squirt or the weight to be in heavy traffic. It is great for most other situations with short commuting. But I was not leading you in that direction. It's a limited use bike.

Sounds like a BMW A may be in your future. An 1150 is the hardley of Europe, outdated IMO. I'd try for the newer more updated 1200.

Originally Posted by figment

I've had this bike on some major highways and it does not have the squirt or the weight to be in heavy traffic. It is great for most other situations with short commuting. But I was not leading you in that direction. It's a limited use bike.

Sounds like a BMW A may be in your future. An 1150 is the hardley of Europe, outdated IMO. I'd try for the newer more updated 1200.

What are the major differences?

Originally Posted by Heavy-Dee

What are the major differences?

Difference between 1150 and 1200 GSA - ADVrider

My 1150GS was "ok" but it was quite a handful in anything but gravel road. I am almost 6' with a 34" inseam and was on the balls of my feet with it. I dropped the GSA a few times in slow speed manuevers. The lower CoG on the 1200 is a major advantage as well as the new engine and power. The ABS is a must IMO but I hated having to stop the 1150, turn off the engine and turn it back on while holding the ABS button just to go off-road. Once youve experienced ABS off=road, you wont make that mistake again...

Have you looked at the Aprilia Caponord? Take a drink, the Aprilia kool-aid is quite tasty.

Originally Posted by figment

I've had this bike on some major highways and it does not have the squirt or the weight to be in heavy traffic. It is great for most other situations with short commuting. But I was not leading you in that direction. It's a limited use bike.

Thanks, yeah I was before you posted in the thread though. A couple of friends have 250 dirt bikes and they love them, it'd be nice to have a bike to go riding with them, but that did double duty.

Originally Posted by BizJetGuy

Have you looked at the Aprilia Caponord? Take a drink, the Aprilia kool-aid is quite tasty.

No, I haven't. I really want to take a drink of an 08 RXV (now CARB approved!), but that's a pricey drink for a dirt bike.

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Thanks, yeah I was before you posted in the thread though. A couple of friends have 250 dirt bikes and they love them, it'd be nice to have a bike to go riding with them, but that did double duty.

The WR250R would definitely do that. the CA model has a CAT and a charcoal filter I've been told

Originally Posted by Mojave954

Thought about the GS 800 too but some of the place we intend to go are a pretty good ways out and I if you are going two up, there is no replacement for displacement. The 09's have some pretty sweet options two, abs you can disconnect, alarms, different trim packages as well.

We are going to look at the BMW's this weekend or next. More than sure this will be the route we take as comfort is our goal.

Plan a day and test-ride them all. Most of the dealers are more than willing to accommodate you.

We went two-up on the 1200GS, 1200GT, 1200RT, and 1200GSadv before we decided. I even got to take out the K1200S solo while they prepped the next bike. I actually went there thinking we'd ride away with the GT, but the Adv was the winner after the test-rides. I'm sure the LT would have won the comfort war, but that's a few years away so I avoided letting my wife anywhere near it.

Selectable ABS isn't new to the '09's. I've got it on my '07. New for this year is a type of traction control and selectable electronic suspension on the GS line, but I've been reading mixed reviews.