Hehe, after having a 123hp kawasaki for four years, last year I changed to the old 50hp F650 Funduro. No problem! Instead of terms like "brutal", "explosive", "insane" and so on, I now have "sympathetic", "chugging along" and "such a trooper". And I ride two-up tours with full luggage on the thing :D
To me this bike feels crazy fast and plenty powerful. Unless you ride a superbike all the time and never plan to hit the dirt with this thing you wont be disappointed. I can do no clutch wheelies in first gear thats plenty enough for me i dont need it to rare up in every gear.
These bikes are compromising on many facets. So maybe they don't have that extra 10Hp you said it needs so it can be effective off road. Sure the Tiger 800 has more power, but the GS out sells them like crazy. I ride a F800GS and i don't find it lacking at all. If you want to go crazy fast, buy a liter plus, road bike.
If you think that thing is useless in terms of power I could only imagine what you'd have to say about an 'ol KLR on the highway, haha. Definitely a pretty cool off-road bike, but from what I felt the tiger pulls down lower much better, and while I'm no off-road expert, I'm guessing that makes quite a difference down off-road.
Good video and I like the term jump the light! For some of us slow enjoy the scenery riders, your description of the F800GS makes it sound perfect as I’m looking for mellow, capable and comfortable. Anyways, I think I met you at ur shop, keep the videos rolling.
The 800gs isn't meant to be fast on the road... it's a badass dirtbike that happens to be comfortable on the road as well. On woodsy trails, it's got way more power than you could ever safely use, and down low where you need it. That being said, the 800 does fall on it's face at higher speeds on the highway, but it's 0-60 time is only 1 second slower than an S1000RR, which is pretty respectable, no? Also, that lack of high speed cruising power is very beneficial to gas mileage, which is desirable in an adventure bike. On a fully loaded 6,000 mile tour to Nova Scotia my 800 consistently averaged over 50 mpg... and I was far from gentle with it. Not bad, I'd say!
Just got my first adventure bike and am beginning to realize that these bmw guys are a lot like Harley guys. Aggressively defend the brand as if it is the only bike worth riding.
FWIW, I've also found stoplight loop sensors to be absolutely immune to the small amount of iron in the F800GS. A couple of hard drive magnets on the center stand don't really help.
Thanks CM, 'enjoyed your video but I've decided to get an 800GS anyway. I test-rode one on the motorway on the weekend and it was adequate - not spectacular but good enough since I'm going to be doing a lot of my kms on dirt roads and tracks, which I'm told is where it comes into its own. That's why I'm getting it - to do a lot of outback touring and camping in the bush and the desert while I finish writing the book.
Your review just cracked me up, i just left my BMW dealer and test rode the F800 Adventure......I put 150 miles on it....Haha i don't think they expected that long of a test ride...I'm buying one though! Rubber Side Down!
Great video. I bought a 2012 BMW f650gs (nearly the same 800cc Rotax engine) and don't find the power to be a problem at all. For me, the issue is all of the many, many quality defects I have had and the incredibly bad service from BMW. My latest issue is the plastic fuel tank has split from front to rear on the filler side. I also have two Suzuki GSX1250's - ZERO defects, cheaper cost, better performance. Nie Wieder! Never again shall I buy a BMW product.
Silly American. I'd most probably stop riding bikes, if I'd live in the boring US. So you're kinda right, the F800GS isn't really fun to drive on a straight. In the US. Almost no bike is. Here where I live, everything is different. I love the F800GS. It fits perfectly and there's no lack of power.
I disagree with the gutless, especially when you take it off road as thats where the lowered top power for better torque pays off, but I definitely agree that it's good idea to take it in adventure spec.
Hehe, after having a 123hp kawasaki for four years, last year I changed to the old 50hp F650 Funduro. No problem! Instead of terms like "brutal", "explosive", "insane" and so on, I now have "sympathetic", "chugging along" and "such a trooper". And I ride two-up tours with full luggage on the thing :D
To me this bike feels crazy fast and plenty powerful. Unless you ride a superbike all the time and never plan to hit the dirt with this thing you wont be disappointed. I can do no clutch wheelies in first gear thats plenty enough for me i dont need it to rare up in every gear.
These bikes are compromising on many facets. So maybe they don't have that extra 10Hp you said it needs so it can be effective off road. Sure the Tiger 800 has more power, but the GS out sells them like crazy. I ride a F800GS and i don't find it lacking at all. If you want to go crazy fast, buy a liter plus, road bike.
If you think that thing is useless in terms of power I could only imagine what you'd have to say about an 'ol KLR on the highway, haha. Definitely a pretty cool off-road bike, but from what I felt the tiger pulls down lower much better, and while I'm no off-road expert, I'm guessing that makes quite a difference down off-road.
Good video and I like the term jump the light! For some of us slow enjoy the scenery riders, your description of the F800GS makes it sound perfect as I’m looking for mellow, capable and comfortable. Anyways, I think I met you at ur shop, keep the videos rolling.
The 800gs isn't meant to be fast on the road... it's a badass dirtbike that happens to be comfortable on the road as well. On woodsy trails, it's got way more power than you could ever safely use, and down low where you need it. That being said, the 800 does fall on it's face at higher speeds on the highway, but it's 0-60 time is only 1 second slower than an S1000RR, which is pretty respectable, no? Also, that lack of high speed cruising power is very beneficial to gas mileage, which is desirable in an adventure bike. On a fully loaded 6,000 mile tour to Nova Scotia my 800 consistently averaged over 50 mpg... and I was far from gentle with it. Not bad, I'd say!
"Now that's the joy of owning a motorcycle!!!" You've got that right dude. Nice move!
I love these videos! It just fucking sucks that Rene is gone.
Just got my first adventure bike and am beginning to realize that these bmw guys are a lot like Harley guys. Aggressively defend the brand as if it is the only bike worth riding.
I have a BMW k1300s and a BMW f800gs. Yes the 800 is " gutless" as the motor was NOT designed for power. It was designed for low end tractable power.
FWIW, I've also found stoplight loop sensors to be absolutely immune to the small amount of iron in the F800GS. A couple of hard drive magnets on the center stand don't really help.
"I will not make illegal turns into the dealership" Now write it out a 100 times
Can you ride it like a sports bike aka go fast on it instead of going of road?
Thanks CM, 'enjoyed your video but I've decided to get an 800GS anyway. I test-rode one on the motorway on the weekend and it was adequate - not spectacular but good enough since I'm going to be doing a lot of my kms on dirt roads and tracks, which I'm told is where it comes into its own. That's why I'm getting it - to do a lot of outback touring and camping in the bush and the desert while I finish writing the book.
Thanks for your up-front about the power ! The 27 dislikes must be dealers who want to sell the ones on the floor.
Your review just cracked me up, i just left my BMW dealer and test rode the F800 Adventure......I put 150 miles on it....Haha i don't think they expected that long of a test ride...I'm buying one though! Rubber Side Down!
Great video. I bought a 2012 BMW f650gs (nearly the same 800cc Rotax engine) and don't find the power to be a problem at all. For me, the issue is all of the many, many quality defects I have had and the incredibly bad service from BMW. My latest issue is the plastic fuel tank has split from front to rear on the filler side. I also have two Suzuki GSX1250's - ZERO defects, cheaper cost, better performance. Nie Wieder! Never again shall I buy a BMW product.
Silly American. I'd most probably stop riding bikes, if I'd live in the boring US. So you're kinda right, the F800GS isn't really fun to drive on a straight. In the US. Almost no bike is. Here where I live, everything is different. I love the F800GS. It fits perfectly and there's no lack of power.
I disagree with the gutless, especially when you take it off road as thats where the lowered top power for better torque pays off, but I definitely agree that it's good idea to take it in adventure spec.
love your comments,