BMW Riders

[Challenger Deep]

Hello all, i am in the final decision making process of buying my first motorcycle. My dealer has one 2014 BMW F800 GS in stock, good bike and i really like it for just over $13,200. I really dig the bike. I also really dig the BMW F700 GS, '14 or '15, either one. I am beginning to draw more to the F 800GS because of it's added chassis bulk, i.e heavier built than the F 700GS.

As in understand it that F 800GS is built heavier for off road riding. Both bikes have the same engine, same displacement, just that the F 800GS cranks out 10 more HP and weighs 11 more pounds. Not a huge difference.

For what i am going to be doing is everyday commute, over daily long distances within the city. On average, i can drive up to 45+ miles per day, paves roads, nice. The F 700GS would do well, for sure, but what i have also in mind is cross country riding. I moved from Michigan to Texas so i want to ride back up North and back, and around the country, so the added size, between my legs which is noticeable of the F 800GS is more to this fitting. Also, there are some fun roads back in Michigan that are very rough and fun that the 800's added beefiness would prove to be beneficial.

Either way, i am going to buy one of these two bikes, and i am thinking, subconsciously that it will be the F 800GS, but i'd like to ask if anyone rides these two particular models or has ridden, knows anyone that does, what they think of the bike.

I'm in love with them, and others, the Japanese makers, Triumph and Ducati can't fill the love i have that these BMW's do.

Thank you.

[Thatguy]

BMW makes a nice bike. I would go with the bigger model for the riding you described as long as it doesn't feel too heavy for you as a new rider.
Ride safe!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Challenger Deep]

Originally Posted by Thatguy

BMW makes a nice bike. I would go with the bigger model for the riding you described as long as it doesn't feel too heavy for you as a new rider.
Ride safe!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can feel the difference in weight, but as a new and virtually inexperienced rider, i am told that the 11 pounds makes no difference. I am confident in my abilities, not to be conduced with cocky.

I believe that you would respect a bike for what it is, a tool or anything for that matter, than fear it for what it is not. I am not afraid of the bike, and i'm not afraid of riding. With time and doing things in repetition build familiarity. With dedication and passion build perfection, and that is what i am ultimately after.

Thank you.

[nick c]

Bmw makes great bikes,cars,suvs

[lavaman]

sounds like you and i have similar tastes (Senna, f1, ducati, et cetera)

not sure about your finances or your dimensions, but, just to muddle the mix:

Kawasaki KLR 650?

BMW motorcycles are wonderful, but they are in my opinion ridiculously priced. yes their customer service and engineering are remarkable, but there are great alternatives (esp in the GT category: yamaha has them beat, in my opinion). I have never owned one, but several in family have. GREAT bikes to be sure, but bear in mind, depending on what you want to do, every doo-dad you add on is one that might fail you in the woods one day.

other option since you say you like Triumph:

a Scrambler? (live your inner McQueen)

bear in mind Ducati is releasing one as well.

do check out Aerostich catalogue. bear in mind dealer support for BMW or any Euro bike may not be that great in TX. Do try BMW /European Cycle Sport in Plano, or Lonestar BMW in Austin. Both HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Ride Well, Ride Safe

[Leasky]

The GS range are all good bikes, however, as has been said already; I would urge you to go for the bigger bike.

I have enjoyed their flat twins for well over a decade and wouldn't ride anything else.

Good luck with your purchase and enjoy the ride

[GermanyMatt]

A friend of mine just retired. He and his wife rode their BMW touring bike all the way from Stuttgart to.....well, right now they're in Thailand. There were a couple of areas along the way where I was prepared to make some calls if necessary. lol!

[Challenger Deep]

Originally Posted by lavaman

sounds like you and i have similar tastes (Senna, f1, ducati, et cetera)

not sure about your finances or your dimensions, but, just to muddle the mix:

Kawasaki KLR 650?

BMW motorcycles are wonderful, but they are in my opinion ridiculously priced. yes their customer service and engineering are remarkable, but there are great alternatives (esp in the GT category: yamaha has them beat, in my opinion). I have never owned one, but several in family have. GREAT bikes to be sure, but bear in mind, depending on what you want to do, every doo-dad you add on is one that might fail you in the woods one day.

other option since you say you like Triumph:



a Scrambler? (live your inner McQueen)

bear in mind Ducati is releasing one as well.

do check out Aerostich catalogue. bear in mind dealer support for BMW or any Euro bike may not be that great in TX. Do try BMW /European Cycle Sport in Plano, or Lonestar BMW in Austin. Both HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Ride Well, Ride Safe

I had considered these. BMW's were the first things that i read about, so they were the first with y experience. I did mosey on over to the store with the Japanese bikes, but they just don't have gumption when next to the BMW's in my book. They may be great bikes and all, and i am not disparaging them, but i don't want one. It's not what i want, shall we say. Buy what you want, exactly what you want and never look back. It that way with these BMW's.

The Triumphs are good bikes as well, not disparaging them at all, i was fascinated with them and still am. The Scrambler, Bonneville, Thruxton, Daytona and the Tiger but they don't fill where the BMW's do. I really liked the Scrambler, but i know i'd look good on one, but that's Steve's bike, and to him, i think respectively, there ain't nothing special about buying someones else's stuff. That's what i think he'd have to say about it. I think he'd say don't settle for what you can get, get what you want and don't hold back.

I live in San Antonio, so the BMW dealer in Borene(pronounced Bernie) is where i'll be buying from, but Austin is not far. I have heard that the best way to get to Austin on a Motocycle is the back roads, so if i do buy before Formula 1, October 31'st, i'll take the back road there.

Thank you for the input all.

[lavaman]

BMW in Boerne?

Hey, is KC Motosports back in busn?

They used to have a BEAUTIFUL showroom right there on the freeway

All good bro. I love 'em all. I've owned Kawi, Yamaha VStar, Duc Monster, and ridden and loved many others.

MSg me if you're gonna be at F1 (if you care to)

Cheers

[dysondiver]

hi , ive a bmw at the moment , had five or six in the last five years ,,,, ill play devils advocate , ,,,, tdm or a transalp , bought cheap, ride it for a year , gain some experience , and knowledge , then spend the bigger money on what you actually want , as opposed to what you think you might want , ,,, if you buy either of the above at the right money you will get back exactly what you pay for it now in a year , with or without a few scratches ,,, which are inevitable on first real bikes , pluss if you do fancy a play in the dirt , a few chips wont kill the resale value.
only thing i would say , buy good fitting gear and spend on it.... it will stay with you for many years ,,,, dont scrimp on protection.

oh ,,, and enjoy it ,,, but remember also , no matter whos in the right or the wrong the biker always looses.
ride safe.

[LCDR]

The perfect bike for you (or anyone). The HP2, 40 lbs less than the F800GS and a third more torque and hp.

Limited production, good luck if you can find one.

[dysondiver]

the hp2s is even sexier

[kilyung]

Love BMW bikes almost as much as Ducati. Had a R90 back in the day. Seriously thinking of getting a R Nine T.

[nsumner]

Originally Posted by LCDR

The perfect bike for you (or anyone). The HP2, 40 lbs less than the F800GS and a third more torque and hp.

Limited production, good luck if you can find one.

Very nice, I miss mine.

[East Bay Rider]

Check out www.advrider.com.

[Challenger Deep]

Originally Posted by LCDR

The perfect bike for you (or anyone). The HP2, 40 lbs less than the F800GS and a third more torque and hp.

Limited production, good luck if you can find one.

Thank you. What gets me about the F 650GS, 700GS, 800GS, 1200GS and K 1300R is the headlights.

Not my image, but courtesy of google search.

I like their "odd shape." They remind me of the old sedans from the 1980's, with their whole headlamps being one unit, square. It is unique, mature and unlike any other headlamp out there, where headlamps are concerned. It is noticeable and different. A single two stage headlamp, round or not never did sit well with me.

[colpol]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

hi , ive a bmw at the moment , had five or six in the last five years ,,,, ill play devils advocate , ,,,, tdm or a transalp , bought cheap, ride it for a year , gain some experience , and knowledge , then spend the bigger money on what you actually want , as opposed to what you think you might want , ,,, if you buy either of the above at the right money you will get back exactly what you pay for it now in a year , with or without a few scratches ,,, which are inevitable on first real bikes , pluss if you do fancy a play in the dirt , a few chips wont kill the resale value.
only thing i would say , buy good fitting gear and spend on it.... it will stay with you for many years ,,,, dont scrimp on protection.

oh ,,, and enjoy it ,,, but remember also , no matter whos in the right or the wrong the biker always looses.
ride safe.

Totally agree. BMW 800GS a lot of bike\ cost for a commuter

My brothers has had 1150 & 1200GS over the years & its motorbiking at the high end of the scale. The bikes are expensive to buy, they come with virtually nothing as standard so you have to start factoring all the bits\ pieces & then the service charges aren't cheap either

The translap a helluva bike for the cash & lots of them out there

Someone mentioned a KLR650. I had one for 8 years & commuted in\ out of Glasgow for a number of years. Nice & light for filtering or when the traffic going slow & your stopping starting. I fitted a good size Givi top box & very easy to change oil\ filter yourself. This was one of the older one's - there's been a facelift model since

If your going to be commutting - where you going to be parking it ? I was lucky in that every job I contracted for had an underground\ basement garage but would you be parking on the street ? Other bikes squeezing in beside yours, someone getting off & kicks your pride & joy ? You might want to consider something cheaper if your looking primarily for a work horse.

You could take 100 guys who ride bikes & everyone one would have a different idea of what they want to ride - just as long as you test drive a few bikes & weight up exactly what you want it for



Bike I've got at the moment which had for 4 years now is the Yamaha XT660Z. Great bike - no complaints although a single so maybe your looking for something a bit smoother

[josephvman]

I would also go for a boxer over the little BMW twins. A slightly used R1200GS is similar money and a lot more bike in every way. Riding an F800GS across country would be torture if you've ever done it on the big boxer.

[Challenger Deep]

Originally Posted by josephvman

I would also go for a boxer over the little BMW twins. A slightly used R1200GS is similar money and a lot more bike in every way. Riding an F800GS across country would be torture if you've ever done it on the big boxer.

I haven't done it but right off the bat, the 1200 just feels too big for me. Maybe years down the road, but i am liking the F 800GS.

The 1200 GS is a great bike, no doubt i'm sure. For me, personally i need the bike to look proportionate, does it like like it should belong? That's important to me, and i guess you could call that visually appealing or aesthetically beautiful. To me it's proportionate. Nothing is out of place, and when i look at the 1200GS i am first taken by it's size. I want a motorcycle, not a monster. Speaking in size, while the 1200GS has it's advantages in the long run, my daily traveling and requirements don't require such a large bike. The tank is large, and truthfully speaking what seals the deal for me on the F 800GS, and the F 700GS is the placement of the fuel tank. I've never like high volume tanks, that which you would see for the likes of a motorcycle on a sport bike or a touring bike. When i found out that the fuel tank is beneath you on the 800&700, that's great. It gives me piece of mind of not having to worry about the sloshing liquid.

Fuel is lighter than water, but weight is weight no matter what it is and where it is. The less that i feel it moving and the less that it is is better for me overall. Thank you guys for the help.

Today i went and told the BMW people to hold the bike for me. Going to pick it up Saturday, hopefully if all goes well. It will, i know but you still have to knock on wood. Pictures of it, will come in time.

[subtona]

i have had each GS since 1992.

all of the boxers from the R100GS, 650 Dakar x3, 1100GS, 1150GS to the 1200GS AND even the HP2.

took the 1100GS to Mexico … wish i had the 650Dakar Because of the relative short distances and twisty mountain roads covered in fresh oil and gravel.

took the 650GS to Alaska and wish i had the larger boxer 1100, 1150 or 1200 because of the very long distance traveled each day, ie wear and tear on the drive train.

point is, what type of riding will you do? all of BMW bikes can handle daily riding.

the 650 to alaska was 10 hour days at 90 mph no problem, the only set back was a chain drive BMW gets about 10000 miles before it needs to be overhauled.
(in my experience, it was 10K-11K if i maintained the chain each day or did nothing at all for it.)


i will advise you that, in my experience, BMW service costs are an absolute nightmare and there service in general leaves much to be desired, with rare exception.

after riding only BMWs for 20 years, at this point i would buy a Japanese motorcycle for their reliability.

[Challenger Deep]

For the remainder of this year, strictly local and city riding, 45 miles a day, maybe more or less. In nice weather, down to the coast which is a 2 hour drive, up to Austin which is only an hour. I do have plans to ride up north to Michigan on holiday, and that i am comfortable. After that, i can't for see much long distances requiring a few days on the bike. I might pay a visit to family in Tucson, from San Antonio only a 14 hour drive. I have family in Baton Rouge, La as well, and that's only a 10 hour ride, if not less.

To do the distances you have ridden, i would certainly buy a larger bike, but since my needs are 80 city and local driving, with the occasional two hour trip the F 800GS, i know is sufficient.

[subtona]

The GS650 Dakar was a single cylinder thumper, it sipped gas at 70 miles per gallon regardless of how it was being ridden. It also was very capable of two up comfort, I took a couple of 800 mile two up trips. The place it did show it's size was 2 up into a strong headwind in tight mountain twisties, for these things it felt just a tiny bit under powered, but a small sacrifice as it was so good in all other areas.

I am not familiar with the newer 700/800 versions, I understand the newer motors are made in China, this seems odd for a premium priced German product.
The original 650's motors were made In Austria by rotax.

700 or 800 Are they both 2 cylinder?
Sounds like they are very close together as choices.

Another big consideration is what type / how much of luggage system do you expect to use?
I started with all the bags, went to aftermarket huge side bags, then preferred no bags at all. If you like to travel with the kitchen sink, the extra power will be welcome.


Side note a good friend of mine who taught me to ride, now lives in Austin and our other Amigo lives in Baton Rouge :)

[Challenger Deep]

Originally Posted by subtona

The GS650 Dakar was a single cylinder thumper, it sipped gas at 70 miles per gallon regardless of how it was being ridden. It also was very capable of two up comfort, I took a couple of 800 mile two up trips. The place it did show it's size was 2 up into a strong headwind in tight mountain twisties, for these things it felt just a tiny bit under powered, but a small sacrifice as it was so good in all other areas.

I am not familiar with the newer 700/800 versions, I understand the newer motors are made in China, this seems odd for a premium priced German product.
The original 650's motors were made In Austria by rotax.

700 or 800 Are they both 2 cylinder?
Sounds like they are very close together as choices.

Another big consideration is what type / how much of luggage system do you expect to use?
I started with all the bags, went to aftermarket huge side bags, then preferred no bags at all. If you like to travel with the kitchen sink, the extra power will be welcome.


Side note a good friend of mine who taught me to ride, now lives in Austin and our other Amigo lives in Baton Rouge :)

The difference between the two engines is that the F 700GS cranks out 75bhp and has less torque. It's 798cc and the F 800GS cranks out 85bhp with 10+ more ft. lb. of torque than the 700GS. They're the same engine, except for power figures. The F 800GS weights 11+ lb. than the F 700GS and is built heavier for off road riding. Heavier suspension, more suspension travel, some 3" i think. The weight to me, on the stand is noticeable but i don't notice it while moving. I personally would rather have something that is over built for a use that i use slightly than have an item that is built less heavier and used for a hard task that can handle it and possibly break down.


Most people think of off roading as dirt biking, to my knowledge, and those are two different things. I know, that when i take trips up to Michigan that i will be on dirt roads and old country back roads...roads that were devastated by the cold of 2014 winter and have not been repaired. I plan on going through the LP and then up to UP, and the roads there are ok, but the one i am going to be on is a stretch of dirt for about 40 miles, and then more dirt roads up to Whitefish Bay and Whitefish Point, wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Down here in Texas, i stay in the cities mostly,living out in the Hill Country. Sad it be for me to say that the roads down here are unpleasant to drive on. For the most part they are smooth, but there is a lot of undulation and uneven surfaces that can be annoying...even in a truck. It feels like i'm riding a horse even in my pick up truck. So those roads i will avoid, and have been avoiding for months now. Taking the back roads up to Austin for the F1 race, MOTOGP, and WEC, it's going to work out splendidly.

For both my long hauls, up to Michigan and back, over to Tucson and up to the Grand Canyon, back. I'd like to tour the plains, Yellowstone and places like that, the Tetons, but that is in the future. Not right now. I have my year booked for 2015, with three weddings for family, in Texas and Michigan, MOTOGP, WEC, and F1. 2016 is already looking full, with again the events at COTA and the Mexican Grand Prix, for which i will fly and stay with family in Curenevaca, Mexico.

So, in reality the trips i may take to the Plains, Tetons, Tucson, Baton Rouge, most likely over to the Adirondacks will be 5-7 years down the road. In that time i may pick up a 1200GS. But that remains to be seen.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Challenger Deep

The difference between the two engines is that the F 700GS cranks out 75bhp and has less torque. It's 798cc and the F 800GS cranks out 85bhp with 10+ more ft. lb. of torque than the 700GS. They're the same engine, except for power figures. The F 800GS weights 11+ lb. than the F 700GS and is built heavier for off road riding. Heavier suspension, more suspension travel, some 3" i think. The weight to me, on the stand is noticeable but i don't notice it while moving. I personally would rather have something that is over built for a use that i use slightly than have an item that is built less heavier and used for a hard task that can handle it and possibly break down.


Most people think of off roading as dirt biking, to my knowledge, and those are two different things. I know, that when i take trips up to Michigan that i will be on dirt roads and old country back roads...roads that were devastated by the cold of 2014 winter and have not been repaired. I plan on going through the LP and then up to UP, and the roads there are ok, but the one i am going to be on is a stretch of dirt for about 40 miles, and then more dirt roads up to Whitefish Bay and Whitefish Point, wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Down here in Texas, i stay in the cities mostly,living out in the Hill Country. Sad it be for me to say that the roads down here are unpleasant to drive on. For the most part they are smooth, but there is a lot of undulation and uneven surfaces that can be annoying...even in a truck. It feels like i'm riding a horse even in my pick up truck. So those roads i will avoid, and have been avoiding for months now. Taking the back roads up to Austin for the F1 race, MOTOGP, and WEC, it's going to work out splendidly.

For both my long hauls, up to Michigan and back, over to Tucson and up to the Grand Canyon, back. I'd like to tour the plains, Yellowstone and places like that, the Tetons, but that is in the future. Not right now. I have my year booked for 2015, with three weddings for family, in Texas and Michigan, MOTOGP, WEC, and F1. 2016 is already looking full, with again the events at COTA and the Mexican Grand Prix, for which i will fly and stay with family in Curenevaca, Mexico.

So, in reality the trips i may take to the Plains, Tetons, Tucson, Baton Rouge, most likely over to the Adirondacks will be 5-7 years down the road. In that time i may pick up a 1200GS. But that remains to be seen.

I am all about the beefed up and taller suspension, my off road riding was in large part done in the potholed streets of Nyc.

1 of the things that would put it in perspective for me is this: the early model BMW R80 GS, the bike that had a front row seat at the beginning of this adventure riding thing, had much less power and torque than either of the models you are looking at, yet it was by numerous accounts very happy circling the globe

[Challenger Deep]

Originally Posted by subtona

I am all about the beefed up and taller suspension, my off road riding was in large part done in the potholed streets of Nyc.

1 of the things that would put it in perspective for me is this: the early model BMW R80 GS, the bike that had a front row seat at the beginning of this adventure riding thing, had much less power and torque than either of the models you are looking at, yet it was by numerous accounts very happy circling the globe

I believe it was Ted Simon who went around the world on a Triumph. I've also heard tell of someone, not famous, making the trip around the world on a Royal Enfield diesel.