The Triumph bolt on stuff is fairly poor quality in comparison with the BMW, even the heated grips look like something of an afterthought. If buying new get one with heated grips and the on board computer, specify road tyres and touring screen. Most other stuff can be bought much cheaper by becoming a paid member of UKGSER. The only brand new things I bought was the rear Mudslingr, ARD Cases and Touratech frames. If you can wait you will pick up everything eventually. Where are you based ?
Looking at new, some ot the items are standard, plus a few other things. Not sure about the screen. I'm based about 20 mile from Belfast.
My brother had one until it was stolen in Amsterdam after a euro trip. He liked everything about it except the seat. Said it was like sitting on a plank with nails in. Used various concoctions to pad the seat(and his arse).
The standard seat on both the Triumph and the F800GS are rubbish, I had a comfort seat, which was much better, but the Corbin was offered to me on a try before you buy basis. It's the best m/c seat I've used by far.
Went back today before I make a decision. The 1000xr was there. Not really for me. Dealer was saying they move on a bit.
Funnily enough I test rode the S1000XR whilst my F800GS was being serviced. It has an awesome engine and is very very quick, but it has a horrible vibration through the bars between 50-70 mph. Even now several hours later my fingers and hands have a slight tingle. I wouldn't swap my Multistrada for it. Its a completely different beast from the GS and not comparable IMO.
The multi is a much nicer looking bike than the XR, as reliable and easier to keep? The dealer sold his allocation, no new again until I think he said October. Would you pick the XR over a GS?
Would you pick the XR over a GS? Assuming you mean 1200GS, if you do Im not sure. Im not a fan of the boxer engine, but the liquid cooled version is a massive leap forward, but the GS has a shaft drive, which I do like. I think if I could only have one bike and it was between the GS & XR, probably the GS
All depends what you want out of a bike, the XR is the bike you will want to take out on a Sunday blast and yeah it can tour but it's not a tourer, the GS is the tourer and it's deffo not the bike I want to take out on a Sunday ! It's as boring as sin tbh even the wc version . I had em all F800GS will go along way on a tank of juice, £14 used to brim it, stock suspension is shite, i fitted intron shock and different fork springs with different oil to stop it head butting the tarmac, at 80-85mph is it's sweet spot and carries some vibes in the pegs any faster it feels stressed, there no perfect screen out there for it. But it is what it is. 2013 wc (this bike tried to kill me) Bmw replaced it with 2014 wc This bike was rejected and went back to BMW for a refund after the engine was fubar after a Euro trip to the ring . I brought this 1st aug 15 Sold it a week later, did not like the harsh suspension-vibes-bike covered in black plastics gives it a cheap look. Whilst I've owned all the above bikes I've always had this tucked away as a backup bike. Twin cam gs, its the best of the gs bikes ......but still boring but if you really want a GS buy the best twin cam you can find and you'll always get your money back. I've now also brought a Dvt after a test ride, it confirmed the multi can be all of the above bikes in one and do it all with a lot more character.
If you do decide to get a GS, then the annual cost of being a full member is peanut compared with the money you will save on bargains.
A guy I know has one or one of the GS800 Family, He liked it, we were touring around France etc camping, with his Girlfriend, even loaded up he rode it fast, it went well for what it is, and seemed to handle well too. BMW do have good after service, and make some good bikes, go ride and see what you think, as long as people give good reliability and running costs etc. and you love riding it than all good
Well, I bought the 800 adventure T. It certainly won't break any speed records, but I really like it. Its a much better bike than the little Versys and I loved that for some reason. Yep, I can imagine the seat being crap over long distances. I had to change the position of the gear lever, I couldn't change gears. It's a well built bike, some nice techy things that I doubt I will use. But hey, some day I might see a big puddle and want to ride through it. It is most definitely built for a purpose, but I love the looks. It's a bit of a lump, looks like it could take a bit of abuse, but not as imposing as the 1200's. I am very very fortunate to have the Evo and to have bikes from different spectrums works for me. Thanks for taking time to post responses.
First commute done. Not a problem at all. Quite nibble and light through the traffic. Comfortable and a nice relaxed ride in the rain this morning. Ordered a top box for my picnic sandwiches and a sump guard, do I need? Na The little led lights are great. It's got ride modes, no idea what that's about. Its got something else, can't remember, something to do about safety. Heated grips are a strange thing, I'm not sure if I like them, I like to feel the cold. I will post a pic once I get a dead bug on it, im not really going fast enough at the moment. I want to fit a CB radio and 2 massive antenae.
