F800GS for commuting
Discussion
I’m moving out of London a bit, and instead of the scooter may want to start using a proper bike again.
The R1200GS is a bit ungainly crossing town and squeezing beteeen lanes of stationary traffic, so I could so with something slimmer and a bit more agile.
I’ve not ridden one, but the F800GS looks the part. What are people’s opinion on them? It’s only 12 miles each way, but none of it on open, flowing roads.
Am I better sticking with a scooter, or is there another obvious choice to use instead?
The R1200GS is a bit ungainly crossing town and squeezing beteeen lanes of stationary traffic, so I could so with something slimmer and a bit more agile.
I’ve not ridden one, but the F800GS looks the part. What are people’s opinion on them? It’s only 12 miles each way, but none of it on open, flowing roads.
Am I better sticking with a scooter, or is there another obvious choice to use instead?
jjones said:
I commute on a 1200gs, the main issue is not the engine heads but the wing mirrors and handle bars - they are around the same height as SUV/van mirrors. Not sure what the 800 is like in this regard.
I’ve occasionally used the 1200 on the current short commute, and it’s just not been much fun for me. Balancing the clutch and throttle while trying to thread it feet-up in a queue of traffic was hard work.I’m probably going to get the new C400 BMW scooter when it comes out, and space in my new place means only two bikes in total, so I am cautious about giving up the big GS and then not having it for the big European trips.
Codswallop said:
Honda NC700 or the later NC750 seems made for commuting - does loads of mpg and has the handy false fuel tank which can store a full face helmet.
Seems ideal if you will be threading through traffic the whole time. They even do a DCT auto version if you expect loads of traffic.
I should try one. The helmet store is great, and it’s pretty likely that it will all be heavy traffic, start to end.Seems ideal if you will be threading through traffic the whole time. They even do a DCT auto version if you expect loads of traffic.
With haggling I got my new Africa Twin with DCT for less than a new F800GS costs.
I'm not sure if you can do similar, but it seems a much better option if it's still available at the same price point.
That said the Africa Twin is pretty w
k at filtering. I can't speak for the F800 as not ridden, but I'm struggling to see how it would be worth paying more for.
I'd not get an adventure bike (half baked or otherwise) for your purposes personally. NC750 DCT seems like a much better shout...
I'm not sure if you can do similar, but it seems a much better option if it's still available at the same price point.
That said the Africa Twin is pretty w
k at filtering. I can't speak for the F800 as not ridden, but I'm struggling to see how it would be worth paying more for.I'd not get an adventure bike (half baked or otherwise) for your purposes personally. NC750 DCT seems like a much better shout...
Prof Prolapse said:
With haggling I got my new Africa Twin with DCT for less than a new F800GS costs.
I'm not sure if you can do similar, but it seems a much better option if it's still available at the same price point.
That said the Africa Twin is pretty wk at filtering. I can't speak for the F800 as not ridden, but I'm struggling to see how it would be worth paying more for.
I'd not get an adventure bike (half baked or otherwise) for your purposes personally. NC750 DCT seems like a much better shout...
You’re probably right, but given that I’ll only have one “proper” bike I don’t know that I can face the big trips away on an NC750.I'm not sure if you can do similar, but it seems a much better option if it's still available at the same price point.
That said the Africa Twin is pretty w
k at filtering. I can't speak for the F800 as not ridden, but I'm struggling to see how it would be worth paying more for.I'd not get an adventure bike (half baked or otherwise) for your purposes personally. NC750 DCT seems like a much better shout...
I should,probably try one, and the Africa Twin.
I've got the Africa Twin and use it for commuting. I filter a lot coming in and out of Glasgow and will be honest, it's a hard work at times. As said before, the wing mirrors and bars are at the height of vans and 4wds which have bigger mirrors and wider as well, so often less gaps to get through. That said, I. Manage fine with only a bit of restraint needed and everyone sees it and you can see everything up there. It does everything tho, proper offroader , tourer and commuter!
I used to take the piss out of adventure bikes, but since randomly buying one i’ve decided they’re actually brilliant all rounders and I really think they’re perfect for distance on bad roads
They are tricky when it comes to high speed corners and filtering however. You do need to weigh up how important that is to you, especially if it’s your only bike.
As for off road, yes they can (and should) but tyres, weight and a whole different skill set are all factors. Realistically you will need to be quite brave/stupid/experienced to start throwing around £8,300 and 230kg of metal in field full of rocks.
They are tricky when it comes to high speed corners and filtering however. You do need to weigh up how important that is to you, especially if it’s your only bike.
As for off road, yes they can (and should) but tyres, weight and a whole different skill set are all factors. Realistically you will need to be quite brave/stupid/experienced to start throwing around £8,300 and 230kg of metal in field full of rocks.
I was recently in the market for a commuter and was also looking at the 800GS and others. I ended up with a DL1000 which are terrific value for what you get. They're a bit smaller than most of the other adv bikes and filter fine, although clearly not as well as a scooter would. I had a DL650 before but I wanted something a bit quicker so didn't test the new one but if you're ok with 70ish HP I would think that would be worth a look.
I wouldnt think the 800 is that much smaller than the 1200 for commuting purposes as its the wing mirrors that are the widest point.
As it happens I used to commute on a 1200gs and then moved to the adventure and actually preferred the adventure, just seemed more stable, and was fine for filtering, although that was manchester level filtering, not the london level - I gave up commuting into London on a motorbike years ago, and moved to pushbike - is that an option? I used to do 12 mile each way no bother in all but the worst weather
As it happens I used to commute on a 1200gs and then moved to the adventure and actually preferred the adventure, just seemed more stable, and was fine for filtering, although that was manchester level filtering, not the london level - I gave up commuting into London on a motorbike years ago, and moved to pushbike - is that an option? I used to do 12 mile each way no bother in all but the worst weather
If you want a pure commuter, get a Super-scoot. Anything else is a compromise. If you want a weekend bike aswell then get a proper bike. If you're set on a GS of some sort, get a GSA. R-series GS' get better to ride the heavier they are. The base model R is poo in my opinion (or just very dull), the F800 is even duller but with less comfort.
The boxer engine in the R commutes very well because their weight is down low and wide and they have bags of torque. The 800 isnt the boxer engine, its a para twin. Its weight feels up much higher and requires much finer clutch regulation and more gear changes. The GS adventure will offer bags more weather protection y virtue of the wide tank and fairing, the F800 almost none - a bit like my XR. And the GSA will also be much nicer on the odd motorway run.
for width, the bars and bar height are quite similar on both - marginally higher than mine I think. You will knock van mirrors. Width down low is rarely an issue and a GSA with crash bars is a girthy old thing but so was my RT. The marginal saving in width of the F800 in that department wouldn't be significant enough to put it on top.
But again, for pure commuting a super-scoot is by far the best option.
The boxer engine in the R commutes very well because their weight is down low and wide and they have bags of torque. The 800 isnt the boxer engine, its a para twin. Its weight feels up much higher and requires much finer clutch regulation and more gear changes. The GS adventure will offer bags more weather protection y virtue of the wide tank and fairing, the F800 almost none - a bit like my XR. And the GSA will also be much nicer on the odd motorway run.
for width, the bars and bar height are quite similar on both - marginally higher than mine I think. You will knock van mirrors. Width down low is rarely an issue and a GSA with crash bars is a girthy old thing but so was my RT. The marginal saving in width of the F800 in that department wouldn't be significant enough to put it on top.
But again, for pure commuting a super-scoot is by far the best option.
Edited by 308mate on Tuesday 14th August 13:17
Edited by 308mate on Tuesday 14th August 13:31
keirik said:
I wouldnt think the 800 is that much smaller than the 1200 for commuting purposes as its the wing mirrors that are the widest point.
As it happens I used to commute on a 1200gs and then moved to the adventure and actually preferred the adventure, just seemed more stable, and was fine for filtering, although that was manchester level filtering, not the london level - I gave up commuting into London on a motorbike years ago, and moved to pushbike - is that an option? I used to do 12 mile each way no bother in all but the worst weather
The plan is to cycle in on some days, but not all.As it happens I used to commute on a 1200gs and then moved to the adventure and actually preferred the adventure, just seemed more stable, and was fine for filtering, although that was manchester level filtering, not the london level - I gave up commuting into London on a motorbike years ago, and moved to pushbike - is that an option? I used to do 12 mile each way no bother in all but the worst weather
I suppose I could take the train on the other days. I paid a fortune for a house next to the station...
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