F800GS (2008 - present) review
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.
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
