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13 Oct 2011
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London
Posts: 286
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I had a Tiger for just over a week. I hated it. It was very top heavy and it struggled to make progress, it felt sluggish and awkward. I took it offroad and to be fair it wasn't too bad, far better than i expected but on the road it was not for me. It was fairly comfortable but just didn't feel good, it gave me no confidence.
The big R-gs's feel fine after a few days. They are intimidating at first but you soon get used to the size. Even now, no bike looks big to me any more after owning one. I had the 1200 but the build quality lets it down, the older ones are reportedly far better. I've chatted to owners and the story goes you buy the 1200 and replace bearings, batter and shocks, the 1150 and do something else (I forget what) or the 1100 and just ride it. They're not for everyone.
I had the F800gs. now it's a nice bike but it's massively compromised by gremlins. It's a through and through Chelsea-tractor built to seperate you from your cash, not to do the job its advertised to do. I'm off soon on a big ride and one of our guys is using one but his list of failures is comprehensive. I had many of them on mine, my brothers failed and we had a second one which also failed. Also you have to work them hard to get to that hidden power. It was not a fun bike to ride hard but it was a fun bike.
I just got back from Europe. We did a month 2 up on a little rotax powered G650 with lots of luggage. I took a girl so there was a lot of luggage! I'm not going to lie to you, on motorways we managed 65 fine but I would have liked more power, we got to cruise as fast as 80mph when we were running late and made better times than that on occasions but she did feel breathless sometimes. I had to replace the shock and springs and otherwise the load would have been too much I think but the Dakar, for instance, is taller and might have coped even better.
In my experience, if you have a passenger then you need to wonder if you're going to do any offroad work at all. I felt I would have been better off on a purely road bike some of the time. Having said that, I met a guy on the road, he was on a Bandit 600. I got 80mpg on average, he got around 40 so that was a big difference which made up for those slower days... also on occasions where a bike did blast past us we invariably caught them up at the next petrol station, massaging their wrists and back. Different strokes, I guess.
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19 Oct 2011
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Posts: 76
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jtw000
I had the F800gs. now it's a nice bike but it's massively compromised by gremlins. It's a through and through Chelsea-tractor built to seperate you from your cash, not to do the job its advertised to do. I'm off soon on a big ride and one of our guys is using one but his list of failures is comprehensive. I had many of them on mine, my brothers failed and we had a second one which also failed. Also you have to work them hard to get to that hidden power. It was not a fun bike to ride hard but it was a fun bike.
Different strokes, I guess.
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Everyone has different experiences I guess ... I've just got back from a 15,000 mile eastern europe, Georgia, Armenia, etc trip on an F800GS. 70% good tar, 20% poor tar and 10% dirt, one-up.
The bike was faultless. Never missed a beat, superbly reliable, comfortable (with a sheepskin), powerful, fuel efficient, flexible on all roads, not overly heavy, no gremlins, no cash outlay beyond the cost of purchase. Sold the bike for the cost of purchase, and will definately buy again.
For parts of my trip I travelled with several other F800GSs, and not one had a problem.
The 2008/2009 models were subject to a few recalls (chain, fuel sender), which seem to have been ironed-out now.
To me it was the perfect bike for all roads - it cruises comfortably on highways and can take the dirt. In my opinion the bike does precisely what it's built for.
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)

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(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)
Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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