F800GS to a 1200GS

Emf#53 · Post by **Emf#53** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 4:42 pm

Has anyone changed from an 800 GS to a 1200GS - if so what did you think?

Reason for asking is that my 800GS was in for a service on Saturday and I was given a nearly new 1200GS as a courtesy bike. Turns out it had a lowered chassis on it and I could touch the ground really easy - easier than I can on the 800 and that's got a low seat on it - I'm only 5'6" - and it felt lighter than I was expecting.

I really enjoyed the extra power and how smooth it was. Before getting back on my 800 I thought I could really live with a 1200 but then riding my bike home it felt sharper and more responsive than the 1200.

Now I'm confused :pinch: and was wondering what other peoples thoughts are on this?

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 5:03 pm

I had an GS800 and a GSA1200 simultaneously. I've just traded my 1200 GSA for a GSA 800 T.
So I've got two 800's!
The1200 is a great road bike. The 800 is more manageable off road, not too far behind on road either.
If you are road based, carry a pillion and loads of kit get a 1200.

Agent Orange · Post by **Agent Orange** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 5:21 pm

Gotcha! That's why they lend you new bikes as courtesy bikes. As people will bite and trade up. I think you may of answered your own question in your last comment. Steve also made good points too. What does the missus say!! :whistle:

vRSG60 · Post by **vRSG60** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 5:33 pm

Emf#53 wrote:I could touch the ground really easy - easier than I can on the 800 and that's got a low seat on it - I'm only 5'6" - and it felt lighter than I was expecting.

I'm 5'-6" too , nice to read this (thumbs)

Emf#53 · Post by **Emf#53** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 5:39 pm

Agent Orange wrote:Gotcha! That's why they lend you new bikes as courtesy bikes. As people will bite and trade up. I think you may of answered your own question in your last comment. Steve also made good points too. What does the missus say!! :whistle:

I'm sure it was just a coincidence that I happened to be given a lowered chassis courtesy bike - either that or they really do have a comprehensive method of targeting potential new customers with bikes to suit them !!

And I'm sure it was a coincidence that they had just taken in a customers 2010 model 1200GS with a lowered chassis for sale - that just so happened to be one of the last bikes they were putting away when I got there to hand the courtesy bike back.

I do mostly road miles over here - the idea when I bought the 800 was that its a bike that is capable of being ridden down to Morocco quickly and in comfort and also suitable for riding off road piste stuff once there - in the past I've flown to Morocco and hired bikes out there so I fancied doing a big trip on my own bike instead one day. Not only has that not happened but when I did a big trip to South America to follow the Dakar I bought an XT660R to do it on as I thought I'd be riding over mountain goat tracks which would be too tricky on the 800.

The missus has said go for it - might do a back to back this weekend with her on the back and see what its like

Sloth · Post by **Sloth** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 10:16 pm

Hi , I went the other way (1200 Gsa to 800 Adv T) and wouldn't consider going back,

coddy · Post by **coddy** » Thu Sep 17, 2015 9:43 pm

Hi all
I had 2 f800 gs,s and then traded up to the 1200 gs wc.
I have a short leg also and found the 800 a little bit tall even with the low seat.
I tried the 1200 with a low seat and traded up ! No regrets whatsoever although I don't ride off road much !
You won't regret it .
I also do a few euro trips with full luggage and the Mrs on the back and the bike is fantastic .

I feel more comfortable on the 1200 than I ever did on the 800, not knocking the 800 though still a fantastic bike but wouldn't go back ! Just sayin !!!

hennieontanks · Post by **hennieontanks** » Thu Sep 17, 2015 10:20 pm

I'm going through a similar process and picking up a R1200GS in a couple of weeks.

Main reason I changed from the 800 was that I also realised I rode more on roads and the 1200 felt smoother at high speed. I was also lucky with a good offer from BMW. The 800 was however a great bike that I thoroughly enjoyed.

johnnyboxer · Post by **johnnyboxer** » Fri Sep 18, 2015 7:44 am

coddy wrote:Hi all
I had 2 f800 gs,s and then traded up to the 1200 gs wc.
I have a short leg also and found the 800 a little bit tall even with the low seat.
I tried the 1200 with a low seat and traded up ! No regrets whatsoever although I don't ride off road much !
You won't regret it .
I also do a few euro trips with full luggage and the Mrs on the back and the bike is fantastic .

I feel more comfortable on the 1200 than I ever did on the 800, not knocking the 800 though still a fantastic bike but wouldn't go back ! Just sayin !!!

No substitute for cubes, as the Yanks say (except when taking a bike off-road)

On road & touring with luggage & pillion the Boxer GS is a cracking ride, that's why it outsells every other Adv bike over 1000cc

johnnyboxer · Post by **johnnyboxer** » Fri Sep 18, 2015 7:50 am

Sloth wrote:Hi , I went the other way (1200 Gsa to 800 Adv T) and wouldn't consider going back,

My BMW dealer tells me they sell very few F800GS in comparison to Boxer GS

Hence the 0% on the 800 now

For every F800GS sold they sell 15 Boxers new - nobody seems interested in the smaller bike or going off-road with them in uk