Anybody made the change: 1200GS to 800GS?

Speak to Boesman (Tian van Heerden) on the Forum.

He has both bikes!!

Being his son, and victim to his motorcycle addiction, I have ridden both bikes quite a bit (1200 not offroad though).

The 800 is a lot more flickable and usable in the real world where super-tourers arn't that much use. The 800 is a lot more responsive to steering input and footpeg pressure. If I saw both keys lying on the table I would take the 800 every time.

the only time the 1200 would be better is if you intend on taking a pillion. Both can carry roughly the same luggage so thats not a huge issue if you intend on doing 1 to 2 night trips?

My 2c.

I've changed from a 1200GS to 800 and recall posting my impressions here:

http://www.bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/800gs-pros-cons

Regarding point 10 of my comments above on reliability, I need to state that 8 000km later, I had a catastrophic engine failure and completely destroyed it, although BMW did replace the whole engine under warranty. Check posts out on this subject here:

http://www.bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/my-800gs-broken

You're more than welcome to give me a call 082 8260630.   

45 000km and the 800gs is still going strong, only minor things like rear bearings failed twice, and thats about it.

I have both, prefer the 1200 for long trips. The 800 is much better for me on the dirt as I am not 10 feet tall like some oakes!

Hallo Jaco

Ek het altwee fietse vir twee jaar gehad en was ook altyd slegs een persoon op die motorfiets. Die 1200GS se rygenot het geen gelyke nie en is by vêrre die beste "allrounder" en meer geskik vir langer afstande. Ry baie lekker op die grondpad teen hoë spoed en is baie vergeeflik en laat jou toe om foute regte maak. Het dus nooit 'n val gehad in drie jaar nie.

Die F800GS het altyd 'n glimlag op my gesig gesit. Hy is nippie en baie "fun" om te ry.  Voorste suspensie baie swak en moet verander word. Fiets is baie lief om 'n tankslap te kry op los oppervlaktes asook teen 140+. Kon altyd deur die probleem ry maar is 'n irritasie vir minder ervare ryers. Verder kom die fiets sonder baie noodsaaklike toerusting wat onmiddelik by gesit moet word. Byvoorbeeld "hand guard protectors", "bashplate" om olie filter te beskerm, "handlebar razors" want die stuurstang is laer as die 1200GS, 'n bagasie-rak want daar is geen voorsiening vir bagasie en 'n "crash bar" is ook 'n sterk aanbeveling. Die kostes van die F800GS is baie dieselfde van 1200GS as die noodsaaklike ekstra's opgesit is, maar 'n F800GS sal nooit die krag van 1200GS hê nie.

Het 'n trip na Botswana ± 1600 km, 50% twee spoor sand gery. Definitief nie 1200 GS wêreld nie en F800GS was okay. HP2 en KTMs het gebaljaar.

Het op die ou einde 14 000km met F800GS gery. Vier voor "rims" later as gevolg van die swak voorste suspensie. Ek het albei fietse baie geniet. Het tans 'n HP2 wat ek baie meer geniet.  Persoonlike behoeftes/ gebruike en voorkeure sal die hoofoorweging wees van besluit wat geneem moet word.

Phillip Hörstmann

082 443 6156

Why oh why couldn't they have made the 800 with a boxer engine?

The answer is quite simply that when designing a completely new bike, there is no reason to be restrict by traditionalism. One can start with a clean slate, and design according to sensible engineering principles.

When designing from a clean slate, any configuration is possible, including a boxer layout. Much depends on the will, imagination and capability of the design team. A boxer layout was very much possible, yet they decided not to go that route. Pity.

The boxer layout is as old as the history of bikes. So are the in-line engines, transverse engines, singles, twins, triple cylinder etc etc. Each has advantages and disadvantages.  

I would have liked to see a new 800-size boxer, it is a matter of nostalgic preference. Now we have a 800 that is very similar to many other mid-size bikes. Nothing to distinguish it from its peers.

The boxer layout has an impressive track record, ironically most impressive during the time it was a 800cc (R80GS.....)

The boxer never pretended to be the fastest or smoothest or whatever. It is reliable as can be and has character. No wonder so many enthusiasts vote for it  with their money.

I agree with Geelkameel.

An inline engine is just like any other bike out there.

The boxer engine has character, it's distinctly BMW. This lack of character in the 800 is possibly the only reason i wouldn't get one.

it would be the new Triumph Tiger 800 XC:

• More power than the 800 GS
• Similar weight
• No bulge at the pillion's knees
• A unique engine (3 cylinder) designed for the task
• Symmetrical headlamps
• A more powerful battery and alternator designed to drive all the electrics one runs on an adventure bike
• Something different

Triumph Tiger 800 XC

I agree. On paper it looks like an excellent bike and I hope to travel South America with this 800!!!!!

Oh the lyrical waxings of sentiment. When people speak of the boxer, you will inevitably see "enthusiasts" use words like "character" and "nostalgia". I also happen to like the boxers, but only for reasons of sentiment and distinction, and I like the Guzzi Vs for the same reasons.

The problem with the boxer engine in a motorbike, is that it is heavier than an engine layout where the cylinders are close together.  On an inline engine, the cylinders can share the cylinder head and camshafts and cooling and parts of the engine block.  On the boxer, each cylinder has its own.  So, for motorbikes, the boxer is not a great layout.

The advantage of the boxer is that the engine is more (not completely) balanced, and does not need a counterbalancer.  But in modern engines that problem is well-solved anyway.

For me the advantage of the boxer layout is that the pots protect me and the bike when I fall - but that is something you can also do with lighter crashbars, and with a lighter engine it matters less anyway.

I have been through them all, starting with the 1100gs in 1997

Simply put these are 2 very different bikes and the only reason i would change back to a 1200 is if i had to ride 2-up again. I know my 800 is not as comfy, or as great on long distance (i just stop more opten) but I smak it too much.

Besides the usual bling a decent mod is the MP fork upgrade

I have just fitted a throttle tamer, but yet to try it off road (waiting for my ribs to heal)

Although I have no doubt that the triumph will be a brilliant bike I would be hesitant because of back-up and service, especially in cape town with a single dealer

Good luck