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Tell me, why choose an F800GS or F700 GS over R1200GS?
- Thread starter nelliott
- Start date
Your ins. rates are at least 4 times what I pay. Not sure I'd have a moto if my rates were like yours. All I can say is wow!
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
Annie has both a F650GS (twin precursor to the F700GS) and a F800GS. When she bought the 800 she struggled with the decision between the 800 and a 700. (I encouraged her to get a second bike so that we would both have two bikes capable of long trips). In retrospect paying the extra amount for the 800 was money spent on increased off road capabilities she does not need, and getting characteristics (tube tires and increased height) she does not want. She bought the 650 while we lived in Alaska. It made five trips between Alaska and the states, been ridden many miles on dirt roads in Alaska and made cross country trips in the lower 48. It is up to the task for all of these uses. Unless you plan on doing some serious off road riding the 700 is all you need, and you get a lower price, tubeless tires and a lower center of gravity.
Sounding about right. I sat on one today, lowered suspension model with low seat. I don't like the low seat, it reduces the distance between the seat and pegs.
I will still take one for ride, but I am shying away because of overall height (F800).
I do like acceleration though, and being able to get out of tight spots FAST. the wethead RT and GS do that well.
That is the one thing my 1976 Yamaha TX650A did not have, much umpgh!
I wil ride both the F700 and F800 to determine the motor characteristics for my liking.
I get the tubeless tire comments (from Paul, yourself and others...).
thanks for sharing.
rich
#37829
I'm weird that way. If I like the looks, I'll buy things. Never been disapointed. Guess I'm very lucky. As I said before, I do fly planes for a bit before purchase.
I just purchased a 16 F700 GS a few months ago. I had an 11' 1200 GS, liked it a lot. The wife has a bad knee and sometimes is hard for her to get on, and for me to hold up when she's having problems. The 700 is easier for her, thus easier for me. It carries us both around with ease. We really enjoy this bike. It has brought back a lot of fun to my riding since it weighs less and is easier to maneuver. I added a Givi aero flow wind screen and a Corbin seat. Riding to N.M. for 10 days in Sept. Should be a good test for it. Can't wait !! I'm 61 years and at 5' 9", I like the height and don't miss the weight at all. I had a 14 F800 GSA for about a year, It was just to tall for me, didn't like the 21 inch front wheel, made the steering to slow.
jamesdavidhoward
New member
F-series fit me better
At the time I bought my F-650 GS Twin (precursor to F700GS), the F800s and R1200GS's were both too tall for me, and the R1200 was to "top heavy" for a 'newbie'. The F650's
I've now got 70,000mi on the F650GS Twin (30% 2-up, 70% single rider) with excellent reliability.
Today's lower-height F800s and R1200GS's fit me well, though, and I've enough experience that the higher center of gravity and weight of the R1200GS would now be no problem.
I've ridden an R1200GS and an R1200RT (both Water Boxers) for several thousand miles each touring, and - given enough money, I'd have an F700GS AND an R1200RT in my garage. Two very different purposes.
At the time I bought my F-650 GS Twin (precursor to F700GS), the F800s and R1200GS's were both too tall for me, and the R1200 was to "top heavy" for a 'newbie'. The F650's
- low center of gravity,
- tubeless tires,
- seat height suitable for a 5'8" guy,
- price point (for both the bike and compatible farkles),
- overall size/weight, and
- tolerance for regular 87-octane gas (sometimes the only thing available in the USA Great Basin outback)
I've now got 70,000mi on the F650GS Twin (30% 2-up, 70% single rider) with excellent reliability.
Today's lower-height F800s and R1200GS's fit me well, though, and I've enough experience that the higher center of gravity and weight of the R1200GS would now be no problem.
I've ridden an R1200GS and an R1200RT (both Water Boxers) for several thousand miles each touring, and - given enough money, I'd have an F700GS AND an R1200RT in my garage. Two very different purposes.
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PittsDriver
Fuse lit....
A couple of thoughts/observations related to some points you made in this post:
- It's counterintuitive, but none the less true, that it's easier to pick up an R1200GS (with proper protection guards) than it is even a 650GS or anything in between. The reason for that is that it rests on the crash bar so you're not lifting the bike from laying flat but sitting up at a angle. This makes a big difference and I can definitively state that it's easier to pick up my 1200GS than my 650 KLR (which on paper weighs 80lbs less).
- the 1200GS has a low CG making it easy to maneuver it tight places if your technique is proper
- the 1200GS has a hydraulic clutch making it much easier crawl along using the friction zone to control the bike when moving slowly over challenging terrain.
- I'm 5'9" with a 30" inseam and my feet are closer to the ground on my standard high GS than the other bikes.
I recently returned from the BMW Performance Center Off-Road School in Greer SC. BTW, there was a gentleman from BC there on his own GSA taking the class that had ridden it there. They have the full range of GS bikes available for their 2 days of challenging skills training available for student use. It's the feeling of the instructors there that the GS is the easiest bike of the lot to ride in challenging terrain. According to the instructors there, they've had many students sign up for a 650GS only to swap it out for a 1200GS by mid-day after their hand cramped working the cable clutch.
These 1200GS/A bikes are amazing machines. How wonderful is it that the most capable off-road adventure machine made by BMW is also an amazing bike for traveling long distances on the road! This past weekend, I rode my 2016 R1200GS about 300 miles on the road to get to the Allegheny Mountains. I took everything I needed for two nights of camping in Marienville PA on the bike. We spent the entire day Saturday riding very sloppy, wet, rocky ATV trails - some pretty challenging parts with steep climbs and descents. Then returned home the following day 300 miles running as fast as any traffic on the expressway. All on the same bike, same tires. Now that I've got several thousand miles on my GS, been to the off-road school, and put many hundreds of miles on it off-road, I feel like it is more a broad array of capabilities than any kind of compromise bike.
It takes some special skills and proper judgement to take any of these big bikes off in the woods on challenging tracks. But if you're up to the challenge, it opens up some amazing experiences.
You make interesting points here. I plan on taking the Rawhyde class or the BMW class in Germany. So maybe I opt for the r1200gs to try it out.
Anyone support the remarks made by Pittsdriver?
dunc723
Peter D
I've been riding a R1200RT for a couple years and a K1200GT for a couple years before that. Last winter I got talked into trying dual sport (by some very bad men), and decided to start with a F650GS Twin. I've had a couple falls and near-falls (like stalling in a stream crossing), and every time I was really glad I had the lighter bike, either to stop the fall or pick it up. That alone is enough to keep me on the F bike for dual sport. I am a mild to intermediate dual sport rider, and I feel like the 650 is entirely adequate.
That said, I still have the RT for road riding... if you have to have one bike for both dual sport and road, the R1200GS is a better choice, IMHO, especially if your dual sport plans are pretty mild. Some of the more serious dual sport riders I know stick with the small bikes, up to the F800GS, because of the weight and handling.
THAT said, I have a friend who rides a F650GS Twin over long distances and is very happy with it. It's strictly a street setup, though - he never does dual sport.
Oh yeah... with the F bikes you have to take care of the chain. More frequent but less intense maintenance, and if it really fails it costs a lot less to fix.
That said, I still have the RT for road riding... if you have to have one bike for both dual sport and road, the R1200GS is a better choice, IMHO, especially if your dual sport plans are pretty mild. Some of the more serious dual sport riders I know stick with the small bikes, up to the F800GS, because of the weight and handling.
THAT said, I have a friend who rides a F650GS Twin over long distances and is very happy with it. It's strictly a street setup, though - he never does dual sport.
Oh yeah... with the F bikes you have to take care of the chain. More frequent but less intense maintenance, and if it really fails it costs a lot less to fix.
Tell me, why did you choose and F800GS or F700 GS over R1200GS?
I test rode a 1200 GS 10 months back. It was perfect. Great balance. Very agile. Superb braking and enough power. It was a 30 minute test ride. I didn't feel that it was heavy or big but when I came back I told the salesperson that I didn't smile once. The bike is perfection but it didn't excite me. This march I test rode a 2010 bmw f650gs (twin) as it was a good deal on CL and the owner said let me show you some nice roads and you can follow me. 30 mins later I bought it as it was super light but it was the twisty roads that gave me an opportunity to see what this bike can actually do. Only after owning this 2010 bmw f650gs (twin) did I start realizing how much thought BMW puts into their bikes. I still have my Triumph Thunderbird Sport but the BMW is for the non coffee shop runs or the charm filled rides. We were leaving on a 2800 mile trip and I had to bring the 650 for its 12k service. The Devils at max BMW gave me a 2015 1200gs for 24 hours so that I could come pick up my 650 the next day.
I still have my 2010 bmw f650gs (twin) but the day I get a good price to trade it in for a new 1200gs i'll do it in a heartbeat. Those 24 hrs showed me that even though the 1200gs is heavier (and mind you I never liked the boxer engine) in 24 hrs you really get to see what that beast is capable off. Just my 0.02$
Zee
2000 Triumph Thunderbird Sport
2010 BMW F650GS
I test rode a 1200 GS 10 months back. It was perfect. Great balance. Very agile. Superb braking and enough power. It was a 30 minute test ride. I didn't feel that it was heavy or big but when I came back I told the salesperson that I didn't smile once. The bike is perfection but it didn't excite me. This march I test rode a 2010 bmw f650gs (twin) as it was a good deal on CL and the owner said let me show you some nice roads and you can follow me. 30 mins later I bought it as it was super light but it was the twisty roads that gave me an opportunity to see what this bike can actually do. Only after owning this 2010 bmw f650gs (twin) did I start realizing how much thought BMW puts into their bikes. I still have my Triumph Thunderbird Sport but the BMW is for the non coffee shop runs or the charm filled rides. We were leaving on a 2800 mile trip and I had to bring the 650 for its 12k service. The Devils at max BMW gave me a 2015 1200gs for 24 hours so that I could come pick up my 650 the next day.
I still have my 2010 bmw f650gs (twin) but the day I get a good price to trade it in for a new 1200gs i'll do it in a heartbeat. Those 24 hrs showed me that even though the 1200gs is heavier (and mind you I never liked the boxer engine) in 24 hrs you really get to see what that beast is capable off. Just my 0.02$
Zee
2000 Triumph Thunderbird Sport
2010 BMW F650GS
Ron Morris
2009 F650GS
Tell me, why did you choose and F800GS or F700 GS over R1200GS?
Like the original poster, I too had an 08 1200RT that I truly loved, but with being 63, having bad knees, 5' 10" and 30" inseam, it was a little much when I came to a stop. In fact, I dropped it a couple of times and had to have the bags repainted. It is ironic that after retiring I was finally able to afford the bike I always wanted and then wasn't in shape to hold the bike up at a stop, especially if there was any loose gravel around. So, I found a guy that had a 09 650GS that wanted an RT and we made a trade. I am much, much more comfortable on the little GS and it will run 80mph all day, fully loaded for camping. I miss the cruise control of the RT, the heated seats, the wind and rain protection, and not having to lube or clean a chain. But with that being said, my confidence is 10 fold over the RT when stopping in gravel or even just at a normal stoplight. Do I miss the boxer and the comforts, you bet, but I will get by with my 650. Sometimes we have to make a trade off when we want to keep riding as long as we can. Hope this helps and good luck with whatever decision you make.
Ron
Like the original poster, I too had an 08 1200RT that I truly loved, but with being 63, having bad knees, 5' 10" and 30" inseam, it was a little much when I came to a stop. In fact, I dropped it a couple of times and had to have the bags repainted. It is ironic that after retiring I was finally able to afford the bike I always wanted and then wasn't in shape to hold the bike up at a stop, especially if there was any loose gravel around. So, I found a guy that had a 09 650GS that wanted an RT and we made a trade. I am much, much more comfortable on the little GS and it will run 80mph all day, fully loaded for camping. I miss the cruise control of the RT, the heated seats, the wind and rain protection, and not having to lube or clean a chain. But with that being said, my confidence is 10 fold over the RT when stopping in gravel or even just at a normal stoplight. Do I miss the boxer and the comforts, you bet, but I will get by with my 650. Sometimes we have to make a trade off when we want to keep riding as long as we can. Hope this helps and good luck with whatever decision you make.
Ron
nakwakto00
Adventurist
My wife is 5'7" and she rode for years a G650GS and liked it. Then she rode an R1200GSA (lowered) and loves it. She says the balance is better. She and I just completed a 1,600 mile trip with 500 miles of it being in gravel/dirt/mud on some very challenging terrain - 20% grades, narrow roads, two-track and she did absolutely great on it. She said the bike is built for standing up and taking bumps and tight slow speed turns. She went so far as saying it was way easier riding than her G650GS. The only time she dropped it was in heavy stop-and-go traffic at the end of the trip - she forgot it was in 2nd gear and it stalled.
I rode the trip on my F800GS and thoroughly enjoy it too. I am a taller rider - 6'3" with a 34" inseam so the F800GS fits me well. I do like it's nimbleness, get-up-and-go, and balance. I believe it's a bit heavy in the rear so I stand up a lot to put weight on the front when riding challenging off-roads and terrain. On pavement, I don't like the vibration at higher speeds when you got to do those highway sections. Also when road touring on it it's higher up and so I don't take the corners as fast. If you're doing long hours in the saddle it's not as comfortable - suspension, seat, vibration - as my RT. So if I'm going to go far on pavement it's the RT for me.
My wife however, says her 1200GSA rides great whether on pavement or off-road. She had an R1150RT but she says her 1200GSA is a way better comfort machine. Smooth at high speeds and on pavement corners. Better handling at low speeds. Better balanced feeling. She loves the many riding modes it has (Rain, Road, Enduro, Dynamic) and uses them to her advantage depending on conditions.
I rode the trip on my F800GS and thoroughly enjoy it too. I am a taller rider - 6'3" with a 34" inseam so the F800GS fits me well. I do like it's nimbleness, get-up-and-go, and balance. I believe it's a bit heavy in the rear so I stand up a lot to put weight on the front when riding challenging off-roads and terrain. On pavement, I don't like the vibration at higher speeds when you got to do those highway sections. Also when road touring on it it's higher up and so I don't take the corners as fast. If you're doing long hours in the saddle it's not as comfortable - suspension, seat, vibration - as my RT. So if I'm going to go far on pavement it's the RT for me.
My wife however, says her 1200GSA rides great whether on pavement or off-road. She had an R1150RT but she says her 1200GSA is a way better comfort machine. Smooth at high speeds and on pavement corners. Better handling at low speeds. Better balanced feeling. She loves the many riding modes it has (Rain, Road, Enduro, Dynamic) and uses them to her advantage depending on conditions.
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Great shot. Not sure how she is flat footing that beast! I don't think with my 28" inseam I would even touch the ground! Never sat on a GSA, they just always seemed too tall.
Thank you for sharing!
rbglass007
New member
No I have not attended Rawhyde.
Too pricey with the exchange rate between USA $ and CDN $
I did phone them a couple of years ago, and the lady who spoke to me (staff admin?) suggested I rent one of their F700GS based solely on my inseam (28").
That would be debatable, given I have read others on this forum talk about how the Performance Centre in the eastern USA says it is easier to ride the R1200GS off road than the 700GS (handling?).
I will admit though, the lighter the bike, the easier, is my guess.
nakwakto00
Adventurist
Below are my observations and opinions.
I have an F800GS (as well as an '06 R1200RT). My wife has a '16 !200GSA. She loves it. She had a '10 G650GS and a '04 R1150RT. She likes her GSA better than both of those bikes. She says that it handles so much better and is better balanced. She searched and searched for a bike that she likes the handling and feel for on and off road riding. Again, she found that the GSA was a perfect fit for her riding.
I can say that riding my F800GS is way different than my RT or her GSA. Here's what I believe the difference is, the paralever suspension, the motor (design and weight), and drive train. My F800GS is "twitchy" that is, you think turn and it's already turned - it's very nimble compared to either the RT or the GSA. Either of those bikes I believe you work at turning them. Even her G650GS rode differently than my 800GS. It wasn't as high, and I suspect had a longer front fork rake, although it was more like my GS than other bikes. The biggest issue is the height of the F800GS versus any of the other bikes. The height makes it top heavy versus the other bikes. My wife's inseam is similar to yours so she got a factory lowered GSA. So the Center of Gravity is very low. It fits her perfectly. She rode through the Chilcotin and Fraser River Canyons off road in BC very capably through thick mud, gravel and large cobbles. She's also done long road rides. The only downside is when on the kickstand any strong wind can and will blow it over - it just doesn't have much of a lean. So, she's always careful of where she parks it.
When I first started riding my F800GS I was quite unsure if I made the right purchase - twitchy turning, top heavy had me concerned. At the gym I met a trainer who said build my core muscles and work on balance and it will get easier. It did! I took riding classes, but my gym workouts were the best training for my F800GS. Since then my riding on it has greatly improved and now I prefer it versus my RT. I use my RT for long distance pavement rides and my GS for everything else. As far as exercises... I stand on a Bosu Ball, do legs (for standing on pegs), and lots of core exercises (back, shoulders, abdomen).
Hope the above help you in your decisions and riding.
BTW, I am very familiar with your location as before I returned to riding my wife and I boated through your area for 25 years - beautiful country.
I have an F800GS (as well as an '06 R1200RT). My wife has a '16 !200GSA. She loves it. She had a '10 G650GS and a '04 R1150RT. She likes her GSA better than both of those bikes. She says that it handles so much better and is better balanced. She searched and searched for a bike that she likes the handling and feel for on and off road riding. Again, she found that the GSA was a perfect fit for her riding.
I can say that riding my F800GS is way different than my RT or her GSA. Here's what I believe the difference is, the paralever suspension, the motor (design and weight), and drive train. My F800GS is "twitchy" that is, you think turn and it's already turned - it's very nimble compared to either the RT or the GSA. Either of those bikes I believe you work at turning them. Even her G650GS rode differently than my 800GS. It wasn't as high, and I suspect had a longer front fork rake, although it was more like my GS than other bikes. The biggest issue is the height of the F800GS versus any of the other bikes. The height makes it top heavy versus the other bikes. My wife's inseam is similar to yours so she got a factory lowered GSA. So the Center of Gravity is very low. It fits her perfectly. She rode through the Chilcotin and Fraser River Canyons off road in BC very capably through thick mud, gravel and large cobbles. She's also done long road rides. The only downside is when on the kickstand any strong wind can and will blow it over - it just doesn't have much of a lean. So, she's always careful of where she parks it.
When I first started riding my F800GS I was quite unsure if I made the right purchase - twitchy turning, top heavy had me concerned. At the gym I met a trainer who said build my core muscles and work on balance and it will get easier. It did! I took riding classes, but my gym workouts were the best training for my F800GS. Since then my riding on it has greatly improved and now I prefer it versus my RT. I use my RT for long distance pavement rides and my GS for everything else. As far as exercises... I stand on a Bosu Ball, do legs (for standing on pegs), and lots of core exercises (back, shoulders, abdomen).
Hope the above help you in your decisions and riding.
BTW, I am very familiar with your location as before I returned to riding my wife and I boated through your area for 25 years - beautiful country.
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