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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #16  
Old 20 Oct 2008
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Sebastian Klein
Met a German guy at the Sepang GP yesterday. Sebastian Klein - ( Seppotage | Blog ) we became good friends instantly! what a nice bloke!

He travelled from Germany to India then into Malaysia on an F800GS. Had no complaints about the bike and infact strongly advised me to use the same for my next long journey - instead of the 1200GS.

He is also the guy in the "Scissors" and "Unstoppable" F800GS videos!

Way to go Sebastian!

pictures of Sebastian and me here

Norman to Cape Town: Sepang GP and Sebastian Klein
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Last edited by Norman Rahman; 15 Nov 2008 at 06:39.
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  #17  
Old 20 Oct 2008
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I bought an 800GS about a month and a half ago and have been very impressed with the handling. All though it can be a bit twitchy in first gear it seems more than capable off road. I'm planning on using it for a london to Oz trip starting next April.
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  #18  
Old 20 Oct 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Norman Rahman View Post
I'm not "very tall" at 5' 7" thus the choice of a lower bike.
BMW F800 "now" comes with lower seat ... you can purchase a seat which is ( as i recall) 7 cm.lower. Something definetly nice for "not tall" drivers like you and me ...
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  #19  
Old 20 Oct 2008
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Originally Posted by usl View Post
BMW F800 "now" comes with lower seat ... you can purchase a seat which is ( as i recall) 7 cm.lower. Something definetly nice for "not tall" drivers like you and me ...
Forgot to mention that I did a test ride on the bike (the new ones, not Sebastian's) - and it felt great. The height is not too much of a problem but a 7cm lowered seat would be even better, me thinks.
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  #20  
Old 4 Nov 2008
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Originally Posted by Norman Rahman View Post
Hey, Thank you Wildman!
Yeah, I'm not "very tall" at 5' 7" thus the choice of a lower bike. Did a Borneo trip though (lots of pictures on BMW sponsored bikes i.e the 650X-Country and a lowered seat 1200GS. Backside wasn't very happy. Is that an airhawk on your 800 seat? Looks comfortable even from the picture.
Hi Norman

Yes, I'm using an Airhawk on the low seat until I can get a comfortable aftermarket seat.

Cheers.

Paul
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  #21  
Old 6 Nov 2008
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F800gs
I was at the dealer today for some part for my bike and looking at the F800GS they will not compete with the 1200 when you want to travel 2 up , the back seat look like you will kill your butt are 100 miles ( on good road), 3 were left in the store? they may not sale as oon as they were supposed to???

Hendi
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  #22  
Old 6 Nov 2008
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Here is a thread over on ADV about this BMW GS800 Tunisia Rally. Some good pics further in the thread of the F800GS's in the deep sand

The link here starts on page 5.

BMW GS Trophy in Tunisia - Page 5 - ADVrider
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  #23  
Old 6 Nov 2008
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F800gs
Not very impressif in deep sand , I still prefer my XR650R, I guess we all have to understand that each bike is good for a specific use??
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  #24  
Old 14 Nov 2008
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This is a street bike that you can ride off-road. Or an adventure bike, one capable of going off-road, with caution. The suspension is set for street riding. If you want a really BIG dirt bike get an HP2 or a KTM 950SE, there is a really big difference, trust me.

Or as Hendi Kaf said, the XR650R.
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  #25  
Old 14 Nov 2008
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With your height I'd suggest you look at the F650GS twin. It's still 800cc but is lower.

Check out rider reviews here: F650/800GS road test reports by UKGSers - ::. UKGS'er.com .::

Tim
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  #26  
Old 15 Nov 2008
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A friend has one, a very nice bike. What I would say is that you can see where BMW spent your money, and importantly where they did not and cheaped out. The major bits are all good, but the little finishing details like the brake levers are waiting to be bent.

A good nearly new 2nd hand buy.
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  #27  
Old 15 Nov 2008
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Norman,

He is sponsored and rides for BMW he HAS to say it's a good bike! Also it has spent a lot of time on a aeroplane! Did you meet Dirk who HAS rode all the way from Europe to MY including China? He was there too!

Cheers.
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  #28  
Old 15 Nov 2008
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Norman,

He is sponsored and rides for BMW he HAS to say it's a good bike! Also it has spent a lot of time on a aeroplane! Did you meet Dirk who HAS rode all the way from Europe to MY including China? He was there too!

Cheers.
Hi Dingo,
Sepp Klein was introduced to me by a local bike regular editor only because she (the ed) knew I was going to do a trip of a similar kind. Sepp also did a few modifications to his bike:
1. Air intake protector
2. Extended the windscreen (touratech extension)
3. Touratech seat
4. Engine/body protector
4. Of course, handguards

He also changed his rear suspension to accommodate the extra weight (his girlfriend joined him in Nepal - 2up) during his journey. Although it didn't bother him too much, he didn't quite like the lower gears.

Yeah, he was very careful (almost whispering the answers) when asked about the things he didn't like about the F800GS.

I wish I had met Kirk too.
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  #29  
Old 18 Nov 2008
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Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
With your height I'd suggest you look at the F650GS twin. It's still 800cc but is lower.

Check out rider reviews here: F650/800GS road test reports by UKGSers - ::. UKGS'er.com .::

Tim


Im 5'7" and the bike is fine with the low or high seat. Dont settle for the 650gs. Go try both and make your decision. Oh and the 650gs is a detuned 800cc engine, it doesnt put out 85 hp
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  #30  
Old 17 Sep 2013
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f800gs vs r1200gs
I have had a '88, '98 and '07 r12. I was going to buy another new one about 18 months ago and I decided to try the F model. I was so impressed I bought it instead. I put on Jesse bags, PIAA lights, new seat, windscreen, etc etc etc. All the yuppie crap. I rode it from New Orleans to SF and back, about 5500 miles. On the return trip, my wife flew out and drove back with me. About every hour she would comment on how awesome and comfortable the bikeway. I second that. I'm 63 and have been ridding since I was a teen. I've ridden all over the world and have owned more bikes than I think is sensible. From experience I can say that the F is lighter and easier to handle. It provides all the touring capabilities of the bigger bike and has more power and capability than more riders know how to use. The only reason I can see to buy the R is ego.
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