BMW F700GS vs rivals 

So you rented a bike in Argentina and believe in your bias that the BMW is the only bike which can do this, what a surprise. It may shock you to know that the Wee strom (650) has several people riding around the world. Sjaack Luccaasan did so on a R1, the world record for circling the world goes to a man on a R1 as well, he did so not once, but twice. Many bikes fit the bill properly, people who pay the "well my brand is better game" are dim witted trolls, no offense.

SlayerofFiction I actually own a F700GS now and I've ridden the V-Strom too (BTW, V- NOT Wee!) * Nice bike but "world records" come and go. I stand by what I say, the Beemer is far better than these plastics but then again, it is your choice. I know a few guys who own V-Stroms and THEY agree with me. The thing is too clumsy. I used to ride a 1200GS which I now regret selling. The 700GS can do much the same except for touring at speed. The 700 GS is much more fun and can easily be picked up after I drop it in sand or mud. *Nothing shocks me anymore except when people can't spell the name of the bike they're hollering about. Fact not fiction!!

eric gibson Im not a fan of the Vstrom myself, the wee I love however opinions very and the rock solid dependable aspect of it cannot be denied. All the bikes have plastic on them but I realize this is something the elites of the GS crowd has to put out there to distance themselves from other riders. Talk about ignorant and childish.

After 8 Years, I'm going through the same transition, just reversed. Have you gotten to the GS700 and how was it? I just sold mine and thinking about the Tiger

@ the Tiger has 20 more hp and you definitely feel it. I don't know what they're on about with the lack of top end that said it's only a big difference when you rev it, on casual driving I suppose the F700 with it's torquy engine is pretty close both great bikes, can't get it wrong

Idk about that. The Vstroms with low mileage (apples to apples) sell for damn near what they cost brand new back in 2012. You are correct that low mileage F700/F800GS retain value very well.

triumph and bmw are shite

spokes are shite

The bmw or the kawasaki.

like... a weight class?

True - the brand that comes out tops is the Yamaha.

I don't know about completely out to lunch, as he does have a point about the engines although he tends towards hyperbole. While the numbers on paper make for very similar bikes, the engines really are quite different, which is simply a function of one being a parallel twin and the other being a V-twin. I currently own a '12 V-strom with the Gladius engine, which replaced an '06 Ninja 650R, which has the same engine as the Versys, and I have to say that I was very surprised at just how much smoother the V-strom's engine runs, as well as how much stronger it feels like it pulls. Does that mean the Versys is a piece of crap? Certainly not. I really enjoyed riding the Ninja 650R, but despite all the similarities, the engine is a significant difference, considering you always feel its presence while riding. Another significant difference for me, and granted I am comparing an '06 with a '12, is the Ninja's suspension was pretty much horrible -- too hard up front, too soft out back, and would cost about 1/3 of the bike's original value to fix it with aftermarket parts. I understand the current 650R's suspension is better, so that may be a wash these days. The biggest difference for me, however, is my legs don't feel as cramped on the V-strom as on the Ninja 650R. The smoother engine was a pleasant surprise, and the 5.3 gal tank + 50+ mpg combination doesn't hurt either. In the end, everyone thinks their bike is the best and all the competitors suck. My biggest issue with the Versys is that I think it fell out of an ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. Just my $0.02. :-)

It has the most torque and the most features.

I'm thinking the same about the vstrom, it's an amazing bike just wish it looked sexier.