The F 800 GS has always been underestimated. I have been driving it for 6 years and have driven over 80,000 km with it. She is perfect... great movie ... great camera work!!!
Love mine. Have had it since 2009. It's my 8th motorcycle. Best allrounder I've ever owned. It rocks on gravel and curvy roads, it's decent offroad, and good enough on the highway.
I'm so excited to pick up a used 2013 this coming weekend. I've owned 4 bikes before this one, going from ninjas to dr650 to sv650, and I test rode it last weekend and fell in love _instantly_. I almost went with a KLR650, then almost put a deposit down on the tenere 700 despite having to wait 6 months for delivery, and I am sooo glad I decided to go test ride the GS first. Love at first rev (and corner). It felt like an old glove.
Thank you for uploading this. I just did an approximately 3000km round trip northern Germany to Tuscany and back. Crossing the Alps twice. Absolutely loved it. Great bike. My top tip is to get a lambskin from your local tanner and strap it to the seat with velcro. Riding for hours and hours is not a problem.
No problem! Thanks for watching. I love the sheepskin! I have one on my Dr650 and always run it on any of my overnight trips. Makes a good camp pillow too
I purchased a 2009 yellow one like this in February because I did not want to wait for the Tenere 700. Put a cartridge kit and 50/50 tires, and the off road ability goes way up.
Andreani, the off road version. Adv rider has a long writeup. I was very happy it fixed the brake dive, and the adjustable damping will control the stiffer springs. Gained some ground clearance as well, but no extra travel.
Just recently completed a long distance trip on my 2009 f800gs, I felt in love with the bike again, so nimble, and quiet, perfect low center of gravity great power to weight ratio and very reliable 🏍️
I have a 2008, one previous owner to me, who only gave it light use. It’s always a gamble when buying a bike, a test ride won’t give the the info needed , this video says it all. I’ve done very few mods to mine, shows BMW got it right.
I agree with 100% of what u said. I took my 800 for a 3300 km long trip this summer, up to the north of Sweden. No problem. I use it on gravel and trails. No issues at all. Nice and simple. I also commute in a town with about 750k people in it. Works fine. The only thing I would wish for is a few pounds lighter. I am 6 feet, and at a stop in uneven terrain...well it gets heavy fast when youre at tippytoes...
I got mine a month ago, and had an accident one week later (a lady didn't see her stop sign) but still going to buy the 800 beemer. Great video, the whole cinematography reminded me of Ryan's from FortNine and trust me, this is a compliment.
Oh no that’s the worst, I hope you came ok on the other side. And thanks so much! That’s definitely a massive compliment, I’m a huge fan of Ryan and his video guys work.
Great video, thanks for sharing! I live in the Colorado desert, and 10 minutes from my home incredible trails begin. My dual sport bike of choice is a 2018 KTM 350 EXC-F...super light and with a few mods, has more power than most off-road riders have the skills to use. I have been riding for nearly 55 years and have owned many different bikes. The problem with 'adventure' bikes like the BMW F800GS and others in its class, it is too heavy for any meaningful or quasi technical trails, unless you are an expert rider. So...I recommend having two motorcycles, this bike or one like it, and a lightweight dual sport bike like a KTM for dedicated off-road adventures. I have always driven a vehicle that can transport the KTM on a trailer hitch carrier, so I am very happy to never spend much time on the road, and more time on the dirt.
Thanks! I’ve been to the Colorado dessert area and it is beautiful! You’re very lucky. I think that’s the conclusion a lot of people come to, it’s either two bikes or one bike they comprises one thing or another. Sounds like you got a great set up!
I have , from new, a 2010 F800 GS and i have to say I too really love this bike. I love its looks, riding characteristics and abilities. I keep her in NYC where i am part of the year and she's an amazing urban machine ducking in-between bumpy traffic and taxis like an antelope dodging Crocs! I did, years ago put Ohlins front and rear suspension on her and man, is that an upgrade to which can all be adjusted how i like and need. (I highly recommend this mod). Furthermore, this summer 21, i actually rode up to Vermont and did a hairy 3 days of BDR Vermont riding and wowww, aside from the "holy shit" technical terrain, and dropping the gear laden bike some 7 times and permanently damaging my side panniers, She, the bike was rather flawless! Always starting right up after taking beatings on and through wet rocky steep riverbed terrain. I have a new fondness and respect for her and i will close by saying that i have actually bonded quite deeply with this bike. More so than my two other pricier, larger bikes. Not sure how common that is or why but , all I can say is she will soon be vintage' and so will I. I still to this day turn around after parking her outside my downtown door and gaze at her sharp and capable lines, often. GS Power forever!. (My only niggle is a little more power on the highway would be welcomed , but she can go quite nicely non the less w/ an added Remus race exhaust, K&M filter and a remapping chip, i think i squeezed an extra 6 or so HP out of her). Thank you for your entertaining and unpretentious video of a real gem of a bike* Mh aka VB
That sounds like an awesome trip! And I can’t even imagine how much the Ohlins would make a difference on the bike (and your wallet) Thanks for sharing and watching the video!
I started an adv. riding group up here in the Hudson Valley, we do mostly nebdr and Backroads, if you'd like to join up with us for a Sunday ride, look for us on the app Meetup.
Fantastic video. I have an F800GSA and feel the same way. BMW got it right over a decade ago. I sometimes find myself a little envious of some of the new tech, but at the end of the day, the new bikes don't do anything that mine doesn't do well already. I know I'd take a huge bath on the depreciation, and I would rather put that money back into this bike instead. Full suspension upgrade is next. Some days I wish it had 20 more HP or weighed 100 lbs less, but everything is a compromise and at the end of the day this is an excellent "do it all" bike.
Previous owner of my Kawasaki had removed the reflectors - the screws to add them back on were $30 from kawasaki. I think Japanese bikes aren't nearly as cheap as people act. They do break parts way less often than bikes from other countries, but they still are expensive to fix.
i could not agree more with you. Our options are KTM 790 and Tenere 700 with a minimum spent of 12.000 considering that your will have to buy all the accessories around the bike! And compared to T7 it has a longer front suspension!
I use my gsa 2017 adventure like a enduro I.am 6.6 and 127kg so it's a little bike for me to handle love it and wouldn't change it for 20k 1250r I take my bike where a 1200 can't even dream about.
Just came across this video... I've had my yellow and black, '09, f800gs for about 6-1/2 years now. No rider aids, no abs to think about, kind of a mix of old school and new. I keep thinking I need to get something different, but it does everything I need it to do... I want a drz400, then realize that I already have 2 drz' s between my legs. I'd like a new ktm 890, but I already have this Beemer f800gs farkled out (and it was a bit more than half the price for all of it...) It does fine for my skills on the trails and forest roads here in the Colorado rockies and also does my 50 mile commute (100 miles a day, 5000' elevation rise to work) in rain or shine! I still would like something new, but can't justify it... It's a big pig, but so am I... I guess, I'm content! 😊 For now...
Yup, I hear that! That’s a big deterrent for a lot of those premium bike brands for me too. And probably most Dr650 owners haha.. we are a frugal bunch.
Tenho uma há um mês e meio...versão de 2017...mesmo das últimas f800gs. Que mota !!! Muito prática...fácil de conduzir...excelentes consumos...e desejando de trocar o escape de origem!
That is a good point, and the Vstrom is sweet! Although I think with the 21” front wheel, rear tank, higher ground clearance I feel like the F800GS is closer to some of the current middle weight adventure bikes that are super popular right now like the t7 and 790adventure.
Im close to buy an exact model that have been sitting in a garage with 900miles, not sure if the low mileage is worth it, since this type of motorcycle could brake because the lack of use. Maybe that’s not an issue on a German bike but not sure. Thanks for the video.
My 2014 F800GSA is just plain perfect for me. I don't think I'll ever need anything else. In fact, I bought a 2021 Africa Twin and guess which one I'm selling? It's not the BMW.
Nice review, I’m looking to switch my bike to a gs800 and your review just addressed every point I was looking for; how do you think about suspension being too soft? I have seen many people complaining about it
I think that mostly depends what you’re comparing it too. Compared to some of the KTMs it would be softer, I personally didn’t find it that soft. But I might be too accustomed to a squishy bike already. If anyone else in the comments owns one or has an opinion please leave a comment!
Hallo zusammen , ich fahre meine jetzt seid 60000 km und bin voll zufrieden...........wenn man erlich darüber nachdenkt braucht man eigendlich nichts anderes . Das ist ein Mopped für alle lebenslagen 😉 . Ich hoffe wir bleiben noch lange zusammen 👍😅
I agree on most points made in this, but - might be me - 8h of highway numbs my butt down like... well. i was exploring the italian alps with a bud on his honda ST1100 and more than once I would have loved to sacrifice my weight advantage for his plusher bench. On a 8h highway trip I'd prefer any street(only)' bike, even my wives Yamaha FZ-6. Cant imagine a Harley bein worse than The F. Also in my experience the parts are pretty comparably piced to the japanese brands.
I went riding with a guy once he had a new 800 gs. I thought we were going to ride around a bit but he was gonna show me what his gs could do on trails I guess because is was riding my Yamaha xt250. We hadn’t rode 10 minutes before he dropped it and couldn’t pick it up. So I help him get that heavy ass thing up and he keeps on going then comes to a log and was bound and determined to try to go over it. I said if you get stuck on that log I’m not strong enough to lift it off. So then I helped him get it facing the way we came in and I says I didn’t bring water I need to get out of these hot woods and head back.😆
I love that story. I’ve heard many similar stories to yours. I’ll always take the lighter bike given the option. Everything’s great till it’s on it’s side and you gotta pick it up.
That’s A very good point.. I must have forgotten about that bike when I made the video. I’ve ridden a 990 recently a few times and that has got to be one of the best sounding bikes I’ve ever ridden
You are an outstanding film artist. Any more DR 650 videos coming up? I'd be interested to see what mods you've made. Are you thinking of getting a windscreen? Regards from a fellow Edmontonian.
Hey! Thanks so much for the kind words! And yes a 1 year review/mods of I’ve done/problems I’ve had will be coming out sometime this spring. I haven’t purchased a windscreen yet. Although “screensforbikes.com” has some good ones that I’ve read lots of good reviews on.
@@rangeroadmoto My neighbour let me testdrive his 1250 he want's to sell, but it didn't impress me. Worse fuel economy and the bulky engine - for what?! 😂 I've got the Scorpion Ralley tyres on mine. Do you know which ones are Bryce riding?
Ohhh that’s a hard one.. I’ve ridden the 990 a few times and that is a really special bike. The F800 is a lot more highway cruiser feeling than the 990 in my opinion.
@@rangeroadmoto I'm interested in the F800 and yours is one of the best, most watchable reviews I've found on here. I've only ever ridden my 125 trail bike on farm land though (no license yet), so should probably look more around the 650cc mark, I guess. I want something manageable. Honda NC700, G650 GS etc..
@@rangeroadmoto i am suggesting that the format resembles suspiciously strongly to what fortnine do, from the intro drone shot, the rhetorical rant, the naration afterwards, the outro, to the way it overall feels. not saying necessarly it is bad, it's obvious a lot of time was spent over it, and and even as far as specs go, the presentation wasn't boring at all. it's just that i was expecting ryan to pop out any second and continue the video as it were a parody of his own video or something. be original, you have the resources to🤷🏻♂️
@@iustinkevin8826 That all makes sense. And just to clarify, Fort9 is responsible for inventing the following: Drone shots Rhetorical speak Narration to express an idea and if any of these standardized techniques of story telling are used In any video featuring a motorcycle they should expect the comment section to be full of emotes of people being sick to their stomach?
@@rangeroadmoto well, somehow, although there are hundreds of reviews, none, or rather extremely few do feel so inspired by a particular one. and although many creators do use these tehniques, it's statistically almost impossible for any of them to use all the said tehniques in the exact same order as another one without... you know. but whatever, if you say you didn't take inspiration whatsoever, then i am mistaken, and it just happens (however unlikely) that your review is a carbon copy of ryans work, and i appologize🤷🏻♂️
No need to apologize, being compared to fort9 is not a diss, sick emoji or not. I just think your opinion is formed on the fact fort9 hired a videographer a couple years back that uses pretty standard techniques most videographers use, including myself. What makes fort9-fort9 is Ryan. Ryan is the host and face of the channel. You know in five seconds you’re watching fort9 because of Ryan not because of any standard videography techniques. Ryan doesn’t interview owners of motorcycles to hear their opinions like I do, he gives you his opinion directly, usually speaking to the camera breaking that 4th wall. I don’t think I could ever replicate fort9 because of that reason. I am not a host, or a skilled presenter like he is. And unfortunately for you my style probably isn’t gonna change. I’ve been a videographer for 7 years now and this is how I make my stuff. Professionally or just to put on RU-vid to make people sick to their stomachs 🤷🏼
Hey thanks! I’m sure you could make it work. I believe the factory set up can be lowered to around 33.5 inch’s (85cm). Bryce the owner of that bike is around 177cm tall and it’s totally fine for him. As far as adventure bikes/dual sports to I believe it is one of the lower seat heights out there. Hope that helps. Maybe some other people with more experienced can chime in too!
That’s a good question, it’s not a traditional beginner bike as it is relatively heavy and on the taller side for a first bike. So I would say as far as handling the bike that will depend on your abilities and comfort level. The power delivery is really predictable and easy to manage, not gonna throw you off the bike or anything. I would say go sit on one and just move it around on foot and see how it feels.
Bryce is a little shorter than me, but I am 6’2” and the bike fits me really well. He’s got factory foot pegs and I believe the previous owner put aftermarket bars, but no crazy risers on them and it fits me nicely as is. I know Ryan at Fort9 (great RU-vid channel if you don’t already follow them) has a F800GS and he is 6’4 or maybe even taller I believe. He’s got a review out as well.
I think you will find it taller than the 1150, I am 6"3 and 115kg fitted a set of raisers and can ride for hours standing up its like a giant Segway I love it.
I am an ER nurse 5 accidents in 40 years. What I have learned is that there are no coincidences. When your number is up; you go. Nothing you wrap yourself in will delay that
I’m a bit taller than that and I had no issues. I wouldn’t say it’s a particularly tall bike compared to KTM/Yamaha/Triumph. But I don’t know the seat height off hand, might be worth checking that.
That will do, that will do nicely, ugly duckling😊all the power you'll ever need. I'll stick with my old Transalp 650V till it breaks eventually but i'm definitely not getting a 1200 behemoth. And i can't afford bmw prices, so a used T7 or a new used Alpie.