Paul's Thoughts - 2013 BMW F800GS
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- Опубліковано 28 лис 2012
- Paul Guillien, Touratech-USA's General Manager, shares his thoughts on BMW's updated mid-weight adventure bike, the 2013 F800GS.
Having ridden nearly every adventure bike on the market, both on and off-road, Guillien is able to provide a unique perspective on BMW's updated F800GS. "I've spent the bulk of my time adventure riding on this motorcycle," said Guillien, "I've logged about 10,000 miles, half of which were off-road on a 2009 F800GS and I am really excited to test the new 2013 F800GS."
"The F800GS was the first mid-weight adventure motorcycle," says Guillien. "Prior to its arrival, your only options were 650 singles and 1200cc twin cylinder bikes, but this was the first parallel twin 800cc motorcycle on the market and really created a new category." The benefit of a mid-weight motorcycle, Guillien says, "is that you still have really good power but the bike is a lot easier to manage, it's easier to turn around and it's a lot easier to get off of the sidestand, which makes it a really good fit for a lot of people."
For 2013, BMW Motorrad added a handful of new features to the F800GS, one of them is their ESA suspension system. "They've added dampening in the rear shock," said Guillien, "there's nothing in place in the front fork, but the rear has three different setting for dampening - there's normal mode, there's a comfort mode and then there's a sport mode, which you use for off-road or aggressive riding."
One of the other new features on the 2013 F800GS is a traction control system. "There's a switch that allows you to turn the traction control on and off. When you leave it on it basically cuts the ignition whenever the rear tire is spinning, which keeps the tire from rotating when you don't want it to and helps to keep the back of the motorcycle behind you," said Guillien.
Because the F800GS has long travel suspension, one of the features Guillien feels makes the F800GS such a great bike off-road, some people, however, feel that it's a little too tall. So for 2013 BMW is offering a lowered version of the F800GS, which, according to Guillien "is great because it allows more people to have both feet on the ground and be comfortable." However, if you have an F800GS that is older than 2013, Touratech offers a lowering kit which decreases the seat height of the older model bikes.
"One of my favorite features of the F800GS is the transmission," said Guillien. "It's got a really quick shifting, dirt bike feel to the six-speed gearbox, and I was relieved when I rode the 2013 model and found that they hadn't changed that."
Another feature found on the F800GS that Guillien feels is essential for off-road riding and adventure touring is the 21" front wheel. "For me it's a lot more fun to ride off-road," Guillien said, "because you can go a little faster, you can go on more interesting off-road terrain, you can actually ride on Jeep trails and things with water crossings and washouts and you can just really have a lot more fun on a bike with a bigger front wheel and taller suspension."
When asked what his overall impression of the updated F800GS, Guillien replied; "I really like the 2013 bike, it retained all of the things I liked about the older model, but they improved the suspension which was my biggest complaint, so I think that BMW did a good job addressing its weakness; they've fixed it, they've made it a better motorcycle and it continues to be my favorite bike."
For a look at all of the Touratech accessories available for the F800GS, click here:
www.touratech-usa.com/Store/29... - Авто та транспорт
I just got one in 2023!
It’s been a joy.
Thanks
It's 2021. Who is still watching this video besides me? Wet clutch on this bike right? Beautiful "B roll" video visuals on this. Well done.
Yep, wet clutch on the F800GS. Glad this video is still enjoyable.
@@TouratechUSA thanks for the answer.
I'm watching because I can't afford a new one and want to see the reviews of my now "old one". 🙂
Me. I am looking at buying a second hand bike.
2023 and watching again 😑👌
picking mine up this weekend. I can't wait!!!
Christopher Kueber I pick mine up most weekends 🤣
Well done overview. I’m looking to get a second bike, this would be an easy choice for some truck trails etc. Ride on!
I bought an f 800 gs last year and they are great.
Awesome looking bike!
I agree with you 100% Paul...we rode the Triumph Tiger 800XC loaned to us from Triumph Canada for 44 days in the summer of 2011 and we really liked that bikes street comfort. I got a custom seat made for my new '13 F8 and with the ESA on highway this BMW has been made into a really comfy ride. I like the lean new look too....Both my partner and I thought we would for sure buy the Triumph when ready to buy but we are both 100% we made the right decision buying the Beemer again.
What is the music on the background??? Awesome video!!
How do those nobby tires handle on the street? Slippery? What about wet roads? Thx!
What about other complains, the rims, are supposedly soft and bend too much.
The bold from the rear suspension that bends and deforms?
@m3ld4r10n: The Africa Twin was first available in 1988. The BMW R80G/S was first available 1980. Doesn't matter what bike "founded" the mid-size-adventure-touring-class but one thing is for sure: it was not the AfricaTwin. Even Yamaha's XT600Z Tenéré was released 5 years before the Honda AfricaTwin.
What model do you mean by EXP500? Never heard of a Honda with that name. But if you're thinking of the XL500 (1979-1984) I still have to proof you wrong. That bike was just an "answer" on Yamaha's XT500 (available from 1976 till 1989).
So much for history lessons...
How about weak rear subframe that can't take much weight with panniers? how about immobiliser antenna that keep loosing signal from the key, bendy rims, buzzy engine? There few things that are better on 800gs than on triumph are ABS button and a bit grippier brakes.
what a bike!!!!
I read that the 2012 weighs 207 kgs wet and the 2013 onwards weighs 215 kgs wet is this true ?
I just bought a 2013 but I didn't get a manual with it. How do you turn off the rear traction control?
THanks
+TheDirtyyoungman1 keep the "ABS" button pressed until the traction control sign light stays on, it's the one with the warning sign.
+Nicolás Nückell Thanks, I'll try that.
I really have my eyes set on the 1200. right now I have a 750 Honda. and after seeing this with the 800 I am wondering if I should get the 800 or 1200. so I pose a question why would I need the 1200 over the 800
+MO AK I went with the 800 just because it's my everyday bike, if I go for a coffee downtown or crossing the Andes, it's in the 800, if I had another bike for commuting, I would have gone for the 1200gs
What tires would you recommend for primarily road use on the F800GS? I have the tkc80 but the vibration on the highway here in Texas is like hell
The Continental Trail Attack is a great road tire that will fit the F800GS. If your TKC80s aren't badly worn you might consider having them re-balanced as that can contribute to really bad vibrations at highway speed.
What's your take on the Michelin Anakee adventure? I'm mostly doing asphalt these days
@@batman.._ I haven't run them personally but I'm sure they are a good tire for 80%+ road use.
How can I turn off TC? I only have ABS and ESA buttons. I can jump between road and Enduro modes but even enduro cuts off the power sometimes. Help please :(
The BMW manual describes the process but a LONG hold on the ABS button will cycle between canceling the ABS and the TC. It's all done using the ABS button.
@@TouratechUSA I tried today and it works well. Thanks!
whats up with so many F800GS owners never upgrading their exhaust to something that looks less like a trash can
What about a disclaimer that this guy was paid to say all that?
🔥🔥
Amen! 800GS started it all? WTF? Also what about the XTZ750 Tenere????
Sport mode for off road riding ?!
Some riders prefer the quicker throttle response in that setting.
Great video but the background music is killing me. Silence is better
what was transalp?
Good point but we haven't had the Transalp in the USA since 1989.
@@TouratechUSA oops. Why not? Old Africa twin too?
@@sredju We never got the RD03/04/07 in the USA.
@@TouratechUSA i knew that usa is poor, but that much.
Don´t forget the DR 800, way before the BMW
The DR is a single, and not great at anything.
marcus mcc I think Fernando was commenting on the fact that Paul claimed the F800 GS was the first in it's class, which it wasn't. DR 800 was waaay before it.
Would somebody comment on what the 2013 BMW F800GS is like to ride on the highway at 70 MPH for long period of time. I'm very interested in this bike but most of the reviews focus on how it functions as a dual purpose bike, and that's what I'm looking for, but I what to know how it effects your upper body on long hauls on the interstate.
Mike A I have a KTM 990 but have two friends with F800 GS's. Great bikes and we've done 500 mile days on interstate, no problems. You'll be right at home on the highway.
It really depends on the tires. I have a 2009 F800GS with a set of TKC 80's. 70 MPH is no problem on the highway, much above that and there seems to be some wiggle. I used to have some TKC 70's on the bike, on the highway 100 MPH was smooth.
Em breve vou comprar uma .
Oh dear. He never rode the Triumph 800XC then....
Great video, terrible choice of background music.
I owned the 2009 and then bought the 2013. The introduction of ASC in this 2013 model is nothing short of a disaster - where fitted. The problem is you simply cannot permanently disable it. If you do mostly off-road riding, you will come to loath this junk addition. BMW should be sued for this dangerous feature. I can understand it on a road bike but it absolutely should have an "always-off" or an "always-on" option on the GS. It can get you into trouble - potentially serious trouble in certain circumstances. Absolute FAIL
Just a fuckin' 5 minute commercial. And a very boring one at that.