I'm looking at switching from 2008 R1200 RT to a GS. So tell me your thoughts regarding the pros and cons of the F800, F700, vs R1200GS.
Or maybe you want to chime in about the G650GS?
Okay, given the threads below, (today is July 19, 2016), it seems I was way too vague for many people. Others chimed in, on an assumption of the question I was asking, and they made the right assumption. I am looking for your thoughts on pros and cons of the different models.
However, to give you better background... I add the following information....
My history: I am a street rider and ride a 2008 R1200RT with a low seat.
I am 5' 8" tall and weigh about 156 lbs.
I have a 28.5" in-seam with bare feet.
I am 56 years old.
I am not as "strong as a bull"; maybe a yearling calf.
I have (maybe it is all in my head) a spirit of adventure with a desire to go off-road.
Will I go off-road lots? I don't know.
Will it be fire roads and a few trails, but nothing too hairy - most likely.
Will I only go off-road a wee tiny little bit, maybe? I don't know yet.
Stopping with one foot down is normal for me, but on the pavement or a gravel parking lot.
I can pick and choose where I stop (99% of time). I expect off-road, I may not always have that choice of nice even ground or at least ground with the right camber.
I rode a 2014 F700GS for two days in the Alps (regular suspension, low seat) in Aug 2014.
I rented and rode a 2015 R1200GS, low suspension, regular seat, for two weeks on a tour of the Alps. (I LOVE the boxer motor...)
I am interested in other peoples personal experiences, points of views and why they made the bike the choices for them that they do; re: the models above, or another off-road dual sport.
My issue, if I go off road, is size and weight. That is the reason I am pondering and looking for other people's views on the other bikes.
No, I won't buy a bike without riding it for a day, or more, to really be able to test it out, at least with a few hours in the saddle, even if it is on pavement only.
A little jaunt, for me, doesn't inform me properly, I need more time than 20 minutes around the block a few times - which is what the local dealers will allow, if they allow you to get on a bike at all.
I live near Vancouver, BC and the local dealers are pretty stingy about test rides.
I likely will end up renting the F800GS for a day.
In Aug 2016 I am taking a 6 hour off-road course on (250cc) small bikes.
Likely in Feb I will go to California and take a two day course, Rawhide Adventures, on one of the three mentioned bikes above (R1200GS, F800GS, G650GS - which are the three models that I believe they have).
I won't make a decision to buy a bike on what other's tell me they did, I have a curious mind; and am interested in why people chose what they chose. Some of those reasons may be applicable to me; some will not.
Others may not care what anyone thinks or does, or why they made the choice they did. They make their own choices, based on their own assumptions and experiences, and as such believe, and perhaps are, omnipotent. I am not, and I have no problem admitting it.
I hope the above provides enough explanation for the reader to understand why I ask...
"Hey, can you share your thoughts, opinions and experiences regarding the models mentioned above so I can get a better understanding of some of the different things I might consider when choosing a new dual sport model?"
Oh, and yes, I am subscribed to this thread and come back often. That is who I am. I ask a question, hope for feedback, and read what others write. I value your thoughts and experiences.
Thanks in advance for posting...
Or maybe you want to chime in about the G650GS?
Okay, given the threads below, (today is July 19, 2016), it seems I was way too vague for many people. Others chimed in, on an assumption of the question I was asking, and they made the right assumption. I am looking for your thoughts on pros and cons of the different models.
However, to give you better background... I add the following information....
My history: I am a street rider and ride a 2008 R1200RT with a low seat.
I am 5' 8" tall and weigh about 156 lbs.
I have a 28.5" in-seam with bare feet.
I am 56 years old.
I am not as "strong as a bull"; maybe a yearling calf.
I have (maybe it is all in my head) a spirit of adventure with a desire to go off-road.
Will I go off-road lots? I don't know.
Will it be fire roads and a few trails, but nothing too hairy - most likely.
Will I only go off-road a wee tiny little bit, maybe? I don't know yet.
Stopping with one foot down is normal for me, but on the pavement or a gravel parking lot.
I can pick and choose where I stop (99% of time). I expect off-road, I may not always have that choice of nice even ground or at least ground with the right camber.
I rode a 2014 F700GS for two days in the Alps (regular suspension, low seat) in Aug 2014.
I rented and rode a 2015 R1200GS, low suspension, regular seat, for two weeks on a tour of the Alps. (I LOVE the boxer motor...)
I am interested in other peoples personal experiences, points of views and why they made the bike the choices for them that they do; re: the models above, or another off-road dual sport.
My issue, if I go off road, is size and weight. That is the reason I am pondering and looking for other people's views on the other bikes.
No, I won't buy a bike without riding it for a day, or more, to really be able to test it out, at least with a few hours in the saddle, even if it is on pavement only.
A little jaunt, for me, doesn't inform me properly, I need more time than 20 minutes around the block a few times - which is what the local dealers will allow, if they allow you to get on a bike at all.
I live near Vancouver, BC and the local dealers are pretty stingy about test rides.
I likely will end up renting the F800GS for a day.
In Aug 2016 I am taking a 6 hour off-road course on (250cc) small bikes.
Likely in Feb I will go to California and take a two day course, Rawhide Adventures, on one of the three mentioned bikes above (R1200GS, F800GS, G650GS - which are the three models that I believe they have).
I won't make a decision to buy a bike on what other's tell me they did, I have a curious mind; and am interested in why people chose what they chose. Some of those reasons may be applicable to me; some will not.
Others may not care what anyone thinks or does, or why they made the choice they did. They make their own choices, based on their own assumptions and experiences, and as such believe, and perhaps are, omnipotent. I am not, and I have no problem admitting it.
I hope the above provides enough explanation for the reader to understand why I ask...
"Hey, can you share your thoughts, opinions and experiences regarding the models mentioned above so I can get a better understanding of some of the different things I might consider when choosing a new dual sport model?"
Oh, and yes, I am subscribed to this thread and come back often. That is who I am. I ask a question, hope for feedback, and read what others write. I value your thoughts and experiences.
Thanks in advance for posting...
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