F800GS

[slparry]

I had more fun yesterday on a bike than I've had in years ...... even though I'm running it in and couldn't exceed 5k rpm (80) .... there are now no chicken strips on it

[Steve1200S]

Looking good in white.

How are you finding the front wheel? The big wheel was the only thing I've found very strange on GSs, sometimes it just feels slightly like it doesn't want to turn (though the wide bars almost cancel it out!).

[popsky]

Hi Steve

You might want to invest in one of these


http://www.m.powerbronze.co.uk/907636/8 ... CLEAR.item

Karens headlight broke on last years Yorkshire w/end costs about £275 for a new one

This is a good alternative to the mesh style which could still let a stone crack the glass. It fits by Velcro pads, is secure and quite unobtrusive. Don't let the out of stock worry you we had the same and delivered within the week.

[slparry]

Hi Steve

You might want to invest in one of these


http://www.m.powerbronze.co.uk/907636/8 ... CLEAR.item

Karens headlight broke on last years Yorkshire w/end costs about £275 for a new one

This is a good alternative to the mesh style which could still let a stone crack the glass. It fits by Velcro pads, is secure and quite unobtrusive. Don't let the out of stock worry you we had the same and delivered within the week.

I have been looking at something similar that bolts to the headlamp bolts but that looks just as effective, ta

[slparry]

Today involved bimbling around locally up some unclassified roads and mild tracks.









I really can't describe how pleased I am with the handling on this, it's fantastic.

Sure the 21" wheel takes a bit of adaptation, and took me right back to blatting along on my DRz400 I guess if it wasn't for the lack of space because of the telelever the big GS would have been fitted with a 21" too?

An S1000RR pilot was a bit taken aback when I followed him through the twisties on the Horseshoe .... and still maintaining the 5K rpm max for running in

It's lack of bulk (yeah yeah made up for by the rider) means it rarely needs brakes for corners to be honest just a flick on those big wide bars to coax the front 21" and down she goes tracking well and positively once the line is chosen.

OBC reckons the MPG is about 58 at the mo, and a positively balmy 23C in north Wales today

It's shod with Pirelli Scorpions, seem ok as a road tyre not had any moments, not sure they'd cope with snow or mud tho' as they're not particularly heavily treaded.

First gear is a tad too high for my taste, certainly for any softroading. I guess I could drop a tooth or two on the gearbox sprocket but then that would reduce it road cruising. May drop a couple of teeth for the winter perhaps.

Cannot comment on the power range with it still running in but up to 5000 rpm it's very pleasant and certainly more than adequate 5K equates to about 80 mph so is quite useful cruise speed.

There's no avoiding the fact that it's tallish, I'm 6ft and 32" inside leg, and the old bones don't swing over a saddle as smoothly as my younger days, however, it's no problem at all. For the height challenged they do lowered suspension and lowered seat options, and being honest unless you particularly "want" or "need" the off road version the F700GS is just as good and more tarmac focussed.

Yesterday the saddle seemed a bit on the "firm" side but today seemed better so perhaps it too is "bedding" in.

Brakes are excellent, but as previously mentioned rarely needed as it doesn't carry the mass of bigger bikes. Tried the ABS on dirt too and it copes well in enduro mode, activating a little later allowing a little sliding, certainly more than road bikes do.

[Sherrif]

My S in for service (24Kgulp) and new boots !!!
Just hoping loan bike is the 800gs
I had an 800 st a while back but was to big and fat for it but was a good un, the GS if I could afford out sit next to the S in garage
Enjoy and be safe

[nab 301]

Steve, nice bike and some lovely scenery too.

[Mitch1100]

Great landscape and bike? Much buffeting behind the little screen?

[slparry]

Great landscape and bike? Much buffeting behind the little screen?

Really surprised that there isn't, sitting at 75 - 80 is fine to be honest I'm 6 foot so was expecting it to be not too good but it's perfectly acceptable

[Blackal]

What do you see you using it for, Steve?

Touring, instead of the BCR? Or- just general hoofing-around?

(Dorsetboy says he could "take you" on his tiger 800 )

Al

[Gromit]

Nye spix Steve - and a what gorgeous weather to be out and about running in a new bike.

<not sure this belongs in 'Boxerpix' though - although I'll let you off cos you is a sound geezer>

[slparry]

Steve, nice bike and some lovely scenery too.

[slparry]

Nye spix Steve - and a what gorgeous weather to be out and about running in a new bike.

<not sure this belongs in 'Boxerpix' though - although I'll let you off cos you is a sound geezer>

I'm generally misunderstood

[slparry]

What do you see you using it for, Steve?

Touring, instead of the BCR? Or- just general hoofing-around?

(Dorsetboy says he could "take you" on his tiger 800 )

Al

My BCR is generally used for weekend hooliganism Al, in fact I may take the pannier rails off the BCR and sell them and the panniers as realistically I'm not going to go touring on it, and if I go away for a weekend then a tailpack would hold all I needed.

The K12GT is normally the distance tourer of choice largely because it's so damned good at the job, 500 miles is still fresh as a daisy stuff on the GT.

The F650 has been my year round commuter/general use bike (I've taken my car off the road as I wasn't using it to be honest)

The F650 will "probably" go on eBay soon, as soon as I do a few tidying up jobs to it.

My R80RS really is just tucked away for sentimental reasons, I do keep promising myself that one year I'll do my annual Highlands tour on it as my Uncle would have approved hugely of the old bike doing the trip Having said that apart from the new GS the R80 is my lowest mileage bike

[rob1170]

Great shots of the bike and scenery looks really nice, haven't seen much of North Wales.
Cheers
Rob