Well, I got to ride the F800GS and, well nothing new there. it does everything you expect it to do and I was not really excited about less powered GS.

The big suprise was the new F650 GS.

As I first got on the bike it had that feel of the old 650, comfy, wide bars, light feel and felt like an old friend. OOPS, as I fired it up I knew I had misjudged, the engine vibe is very different. The twin is smoother and revs easier, it does not have that asthmatic cough that the 650 has and seems very willing. Ok, lets see how she rides. Mistake number 2. I took it out of the dealers yard and headed through town to the highway. it took me a few minutes to get comfortable riding the bike but I put this down to being used to the bigger GS. After a few more minutes I still could not get comfy and started to try figure out why. It was me, I was riding this bike all wrong, treating it like a lady and being gentle.

Time for an attitude change, lets treat this bike like a bad girl and see what happens. Best decision I made all day. Crotch against the tank, shoulders high and over the bars, more Motard style than dual cruiser. Instant success. Now I am more than comfy, now I am downright excited. the riding style changes and as I join the highway I zip in and out of traffic until I get the next off ramp. I need to get this into semi urban to see how she really handles. After a few quiet streets I get into some real quiet roads and start to push a little. Loading up the front end and waiting until the last second before hitting brakes gets you a sweet tight corner and an exit any racer would approve of. Short shifting the box gets you up to 180kmh in no time but you need to hang on the bikini screen does nothing except catch a few flies.

Braking is a pleasure with just enough lift on the back wheel to load the front and get good feedback from the lever, something that is lacking on most beemers. Turn in is precise and is most fun when you are working the bike and weighting pegs. The ergo's allow you to climb all over the bike to your benefit without that butt clinching fear that you have gone too far. Grip was so steady that I forgot all about it and never thought about it until I wrote this down. Accelarating on the lean was nothing to be feared and this was done on the long left and right handers pushing from 140 up to 170-180 with confidence. It was the tight turns that provided the best feedback for me as to what was expected to be a tame bike. Not so, gunning out of 60kph corners from the apex to 140 still on the lean was a revalation for a bike of this type.

My GS had new tyres fitted, washed and ready to leave, an hour before I got back. I felt so guilty for staying out too long, I filled the tank before I took it back. The DP just smiled as I gave him back the keys.

I did notice a little hand written note on my invoice when I went to pay.

"Looking forward to the ride report"

I fail to understand BMW's marketing tactics sometimes, this bike has got to be one of the best kept secrets, but why?? Do they think the market is in the boxers and K series. This bike will compete as a street motard and cross over to the commutor market in one buy. Huge amounts of fun with go to work and back capability plus a bit of back road confidence. Man, money well spent if you ask me.

by4now

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I spent my therapy money an a K1200S
The therapy worked, I got a GS now
A touch of insanity crept back in the shape of an R1200R

I'd have a sixfiddy in the garage in a heartbeat. Such a sweet machine. Light, fun, responsive, fun.

Not in the cards until kids are out of college or someone gives me one <sigh>

P

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ATGATT: Becuase walking away in disgust beats riding away in an ambulance.
Admitted BMW MC snob.

It escpaed me, until now, that the new 650's were twins. They're also $2k+ cheaper than the 800GS. Hmm, maybe I'll be lusting after yet another bmw... IF WE EVER GET THE DAMNED THINGS OVER HERE. I STILL havn't seen an 800 state side, dealer said not til end of this year at the soonest. Any chance of a little more detail into the 800? It seems only a few pounds heavier than the 650, with the torque and hp to make the difference not there, at least in terms of speed performance. The 650 seems to have cast wheels, that's always seemed a no-no for an offroad bike to me. And only one front rotor. I'm sure it stops well, but how does it stop next to the 800?

I guess I'm a tad biased, I've been looking foward to it for a while now, I've been itching for a dual sport. I figure in a few years when they're available used (with low miles and no dirt time, as most used GS bikes seem to be. The people keeping them are too busy in mongolia or some such place to sell it) for a few grand less. The 800 (and 650 now that I see it's a twin) seems to offer EVERYTHING I'm looking for in my next bike. Dirt capable, motors that can run highway speeds without much vibes (compared to a single), plenty of available farkles and useless "poo poo" I'll never need (but want ), useful stuff, like luggage and maybe heated grips (don't need to spoil myself TOO much).

And the worst part is, the only BMW dealer near me sells Moto Guzzis and I almost left with a Breva 750 last time I went in there.

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Thanks for the ride report Sapaul. That F650GS (silly name when it is really an 800), has caught my eye and recently received a glowing review in a Canadian bike mag where the tester said it would be the one bike he would spend his own money on. He is an active racer with 35+ years of riding experience! 370 km to a tank, optional hard bags, and heated grips don't hurt either.

As you mentioned the riding position, how did you find it compared to the old 650 single? I had one of those out once and I found the seat was too short making the bike downright painful after 1/2 an hour. Hopefully there is a little more room for someone who in 5'11" on the new twin.

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HighSides Trips and Pics
http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=16003

Higher seating position for sure. I am only 5'8" and could not really flat foot. I found that the old 650 had you sitting on your butt bone and very upright. Lazy riding style using more bar leverage than anything else. The new one allows for more hip tilt to the front and more peg leverage hence the more aggressive riding style.

Cannot compare the two for performance, you can get quite manic on the new model and much more torque theough a very revvy engine. You know that I hated the 800 ST and S models, still do. Cannot gel with them at all. This model had me seriously impressed in a market that is struggling with a decent 800 model.

As always though the bike will pick you.

I have a cycle race that the THINK BIKE marshals have duty on the 17th of this month. Google "Tour De Soweto", no I am not joking Ha Ha, and we are show casing the Yamaha TDM 900's on the day. Will be an interesting comparison. Look out for the report on that one.

_________________
I spent my therapy money an a K1200S
The therapy worked, I got a GS now
A touch of insanity crept back in the shape of an R1200R