The new bmw800gs

**scott j** · 10th March 2009, 17:39

Has any one got one?.whats it like on/off road?.i,m sick of all the media hype every one saying its the best bla bla bla .a little biased i think as they surely get paid or some sort of kick back?.whats your thoughts on this bike.

**Taz** · 10th March 2009, 17:53

Like the look of it. Think it would be a good replacement for my R1100GS but haven't any direct experience with one yet.

**warewolf** · 10th March 2009, 18:05

For on-road performance, fellahs down here love the F800 (in all models) as much as they hated the F650.

Which reminds me, I should try to blag a test ride.

**XF650** · 10th March 2009, 18:10

Saw a couple of GS800's in the Haka Pass on our way to the March Hare in the weekend, then caught up with the riders at the Rally. Turned out I knew one of them, who is a very experienced adv rider and has featured in adv ride stories in print media.
Anyway they were both rapt with the 800's and have no regrets buying them.

**scott j** · 10th March 2009, 18:24

Hey thanks ,it looks good and maybe easeier to throw around offroad and back road stuff .maybe not as good on longer trips as a 1200gs but must be some where between a ktm 990 and a xt660 what do ya think

**bishxt** · 10th March 2009, 21:15

Saw a couple of GS800's in the Haka Pass on our way to the March Hare in the weekend, then caught up with the riders at the Rally. Turned out I knew one of them, who is a very experienced adv rider and has featured in adv ride stories in print media.
Anyway they were both rapt with the 800's and have no regrets buying them.

The GS800 duo are both mates of mine and I've ridden with them (on my XT600) on gravel roads, tracks and metalled road. The bike definitely belies its apparent size and even with fairly road biased rubber they handled well in the conditions. I know one of them has clocked up about 7k already and is well happy with it.

Having had a blat round on one, I'd say the stock gears are too high for serious off road use and would definitely put a smaller sprocket on the front. It handled well when standing up or sitting and has serious (compared to my XT) amounts of power!

**Underground** · 10th March 2009, 21:24

Mountie's got one, and he's coming down here to get it dirty next month

**AllanB** · 10th March 2009, 21:30

Bah ha I want one of these.

**jafar** · 10th March 2009, 21:33

Originally Posted by scott j

Has any one got one?.whats it like on/off road?.i,m sick of all the media hype every one saying its the best bla bla bla .a little biased i think as they surely get paid or some sort of kick back?.whats your thoughts on this bike.

$20,000.00

Thats a lota hooter for a 800cc bike

The bike mag's always talk the bikes up , that way the distributor will give them more..... Not that I'm cynical or anything

**Garry.W** · 11th March 2009, 08:22

Rode one, liked it a lot. More like $25k by the time you put all the enduro bits on it - but worth it if that's what you want. Plenty of stick, spins up something wicked in gravel, particulalry 1st - 3rd gear, and could do with a smaller front sprocket for the tighter stuff. Not quite ready to swap the HP2 for one though

**Mountie** · 11th March 2009, 13:58

Yep Undeground is right back down to the wonderful South for some more back country riding. And yes riding my new steed the f800gs. The bike is impressive on the seal. Havent done too much on the back roads to date just dipped its feet at this stage. Only little niggles are the snatchy throttle and a small vibration between 120 - 130 ks. Had a software upgrade on the throttle which has sorted it some what. Cant wait to get more ks on it. Worth the money? I am relaxed with what I paid and what ill be using it for. Value for money over the enjoyment factor to be determined.

**awayatc** · 11th March 2009, 14:04

Took one for a testride.......
shouldn't have..
I want one.
First Beemer that sounds like a motorbike to.....
No way would i be able to keep my licence for long on the road...
definitely need gravel....
Will wait a bit untill some appear on the market secondhand.....

**thepom** · 11th March 2009, 17:04

Test rode one from the shop in chch,not impressed with his atitude but was with the bike,only niggles are the brake cylinder vibrates in your peripheral vision,no handguards and the silly indicators,most can be fixed with bolt on goodies apart from the indicators and I was well impressed but for 20 grand I ll be waiting a few years I think.

**scott j** · 11th March 2009, 20:15

Yeah all'n'all a good bike but to expensive for what you get,maybe ktm 990 is a better bet ,not much more and you get larger tank,screen,engine.maybe for long distance adventure touring ,even being a little heavier could be more comfortable.