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View Full Version : Picked up my '10 F800GS today - first impressions


Houston_Rider
08-25-2009, 08:00 PM
What a long *** day..lol... I rode THIS first part of the day (about 140 miles), I wanted to have a good base comparision (close as I could get, lol). very comfortable, but my butt was numb around 70 miles, and lots of pressure on my wrists.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f324/dgcoop996/P8250007.jpg


Visited Alamo BMW and picked up my 2010 F800GS. I decided on this bike for a few reasons. I first thought I wanted a 1200GS, but after research figured it was a tad on the heavy side for dirt/trail/touring (what I wanna do with this bike). I realllllly wanted the 1200GS, but knew I would have regretted it.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f324/dgcoop996/P8250008.jpg

Then I narrowed to a few bikes (KTM 690, F650GS, F800GS). The F800GS seemed to be "beefy" like the 1200GS (front end, bars, frame, brakes, rims), and strong enough to ride long distance if I wanted. I was unsure of the power at speed, but I can tell you this thing picks up pretty well for a 85hp bike. Its not a 200hp bike, but I'm willing to adjust :) the "orb" in this pic is just a ghost, nothing to concern yourself with ;)

I rode this bike roughly 150 miles today. Traffic, highway, cruised at 80 (up to 100), even rode a bit in the dirt near my house when I got home, lol.. I forgot how squirrelly bikes are in the dirt, lol.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f324/dgcoop996/P8250009.jpg

I sat really upright, feels like nearly a foot higher than that ZX14, lol. Factory screen keeps direct wind off your helmet ok, its uncomfortable for me to duck down (like a sportbike) because I sit so upright. Arms are up a ton higher, and its a comfortable feel. I drove the whole 150 miles at 80mph (avg) and other than wind buffeting the crap out of me, I could have ridden another 100. My butt didn't get numb like when I rode the 14 today, but I did have to stand up occasionally. Granted it was easily 109 (heat index) today, and I survived. The weather won't be much different in a few weeks in Junction for sure.

Anyway, those are my first 150 mile impressions of my new GS. So far its better than what I expected.

poser
08-25-2009, 08:06 PM
good to hear!
great color too.

just outa curiosity, if the big GS was on your list, why not the KTM 990 ADV? I've sat on it at the dealership and the seem plenty comfy. Though I haven' ridden one [yet]

gixxerjasen
08-25-2009, 08:07 PM
Very nice bike. I'd love to be able to add one to my stable. You'll get used to the riding position. I went from sportbikes to a DRZ400SM and it felt very strange for a while, but I grew to love it and the seating position on my FZ1 is about perfect. Not crouching is a good thing you'll find.

Houston_Rider
08-25-2009, 08:47 PM
good to hear!
great color too.

just outa curiosity, if the big GS was on your list, why not the KTM 990 ADV? I've sat on it at the dealership and the seem plenty comfy. Though I haven' ridden one [yet]

I did look at the 990, even found a used one in the Valley, but didn't have the BMW rep, and I wasn't sure of the look. I've owned a KTM 380 SM back in 2001 (I think), and it was great, I loved it. The 990 looked like a "first draft" of the Stealth Bomber, didn't know if I could live with it. :zen:

JasonJ
08-25-2009, 08:53 PM
great looking bike!

poser
08-25-2009, 08:57 PM
Very nice bike. I'd love to be able to add one to my stable. You'll get used to the riding position. I went from sportbikes to a DRZ400SM and it felt very strange for a while, but I grew to love it and the seating position on my FZ1 is about perfect. Not crouching is a good thing you'll find.

definitely, I've come to really love the upright seating position with wide bars.

I did look at the 990, even found a used one in the Valley, but didn't have the BMW rep, and I wasn't sure of the look. I've owned a KTM 380 SM back in 2001 (I think), and it was great, I loved it. The 990 looked like a "first draft" of the Stealth Bomber, didn't know if I could live with it. :zen:

yeah, the 990 is certainly a "love it, or hate" in the looks department. They've got a strong following over on ADVrider.com