Paging: BMWisti

I'm going to be hiring a bike for a little touring trip in Spain and
have the option of an F650GS or an F800ST. The price difference is 17
euros per day. A couple of days will be quite long ones, i.e. many
hours in the saddle. Obviously both will be more comfortable than my
ZX9, but wondering if my arse/wrists/back will notice the difference
between them.

 

That's interesting, coz they both have the same seat height
(apparently). I'm taller than you too, so very much noted. Ta.

 

Do they do the 800gs? Its a fucking great bike.

--


Nige,

Land Rover 90
Yamaha R1
Range Rover Vogue

 

The old F650 single or the new (confusingly) twin?

If the single, go for the 800. If not, dunno.

 

If it's the new F650GS it's the sameish chassis but detuned

--
Steve Parry
87 BMW R80RS, 03 BMW R1100S Boxercup, 07 BMW K1200GT SE
02 Suzuki DRZ400SY-GT edition, 87 Yamaha FS1, Sukida SK90PY,
91 Kawasaki AR50, 82 Suzuki GN400, BMW 330Ci
www.gwynfryn.co.uk

 

Parallel Twin. Chain driven 800cc job, just to be confusing.

The 800ST has slightly more power and is belt driven.

Apparently.

 

Nope. They have the 1200GS though, but I think that's going to be overkill.

 

Can you not get a test ride on them?

 

I think that rather depends on their stock level on the day that I turn
up. I don't want to wait and end up with nothing. Then the trip really
would be fucked.

I could go the local BMW dealer and try and blag some test rides, but I
hear they're quite strict. Well, they were when my mate wanted to try
the S1000.

 

Not the experiance I had, "here ya go, have fun, see you in a couple of
hours mate"

I had a BLAST that morning.
--
Gavin.

Moto Guzzi California Aquila Nera
GSXR600K1
Twitter: http://twitter.com/gavin_wilby
Blog: http://www.stoof.co.uk

 

But the 800 is fucking great, the 650 is low, slow & shite

 

Yeah, they chuck test rides at spastics round here.

 

I sat on both in our hotel last year, that had a BMW test fleet. The F-GS
is very tall, even compared to my R-GS, and with panniers on provided a
comedy moment getting off. F800ST seemed okay but as Mark says, the
peg/seat arrangement might be a bit close if you are used to an R-GS type
bike. For that reason, I'd plump for the F-GS and try to make sure nobody
is watching as I get on/off.

 

Based on what you and Mark said, this is what I've gone for. Thanks. If
I fall off, I'm sure it'll reach someones facebook thing before I even get
back on the plane.

 

From my limited experience riding both, I think if any speed is involved
you'll be more comfortable (well, I don't know about you; I'd be more
comfortable) on the ST. The GS riding position is very upright, and
there's not much protection. If it's really bumpy you might appreciate
the long suspension travel of the GS - it sucks up speed bumps without
noticing them.

 

Cant complain about mine...

But, if I was to... Its bloody top-heavy ona tank full of gas...