BMW F800GS (2008 - present) review

Smaller adventure GS is all the better for it. Fast, light, strong and comfortable
Very little.

AFTER ALMOST 300km of on and off road in heat and humidity only South Africa can produce, I can safely say the new F800GS is brilliant bike and a machine that's worthy of the legendary GS badge.

Its parallel-twin engine works perfectly in the chassis, making usuable power with a fantastic rasp that's not dissimilar to the R1200GS. The 85bhp is delivered in a smooth yet nippy fashion and the handling, although a bit loose due to the large 21-inch front wheel, is planted and predictable. Get a shift on and it wobbles a bit, but that’s purely a result of long suspension and off-road sized wheels.

On the off road sections the GS was easy to use and I found myself simply squirting the power on and off and leaving the bike in second most of the time. It's fun, not too heavy (something I hated about the 1200) and easy enough for someone like me, who's not a regular off-roader.

The rest is as you would expect from BMW. The riding position is comfortable, indicators are the usual ridiculous three button system, and there are enough accessories available to put M&P out of business.

I honestly reckon a lot of R1200GS owners would enjoy this bike a lot more than the 1200 because it’s far nimbler at both high and low speeds. It's also a lot easier to pick up if you drop it...

I reckon the new F800GS will lure those that have always hankered for a GS but been put off by the 1200's gargantuan size. So, top marks BMW, we reckon you’ve hit the nail on the head with this one.

The F 800 GS retails at £6,695 (OTR).

Read more: http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news--general-news/bmw-f800gs-first-ride/3782.html#ixzz0xc7X3PPI

AFTER ALMOST 300km of on and off road in heat and humidity only South Africa can produce, I can safely say the new F800GS is brilliant bike and a machine that's worthy of the legendary GS badge.

Its parallel-twin engine works perfectly in the chassis, making usuable power with a fantastic rasp that's not dissimilar to the R1200GS. The 85bhp is delivered in a smooth yet nippy fashion and the handling, although a bit loose due to the large 21-inch front wheel, is planted and predictable. Get a shift on and it wobbles a bit, but that’s purely a result of long suspension and off-road sized wheels.

On the off road sections the GS was easy to use and I found myself simply squirting the power on and off and leaving the bike in second most of the time. It's fun, not too heavy (something I hated about the 1200) and easy enough for someone like me, who's not a regular off-roader.

The rest is as you would expect from BMW. The riding position is comfortable, indicators are the usual ridiculous three button system, and there are enough accessories available to put M&P out of business.

I honestly reckon a lot of R1200GS owners would enjoy this bike a lot more than the 1200 because it’s far nimbler at both high and low speeds. It's also a lot easier to pick up if you drop it...

I reckon the new F800GS will lure those that have always hankered for a GS but been put off by the 1200's gargantuan size. So, top marks BMW, we reckon you’ve hit the nail on the head with this one.

The F 800 GS retails at £6,695 (OTR).

Read more: http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news--general-news/bmw-f800gs-first-ride/3782.html#ixzz0xc7X3PPI