BMW's 2 new offerings

[goodtimes]

The long rumored G450X enduro (which we have seen pictures of), and the new F800GS......

clicky-clicky (http://www.motociclismo.it/edisport/moto/Notizie.nsf/AllDocID/I50A64B2915C5374FC1257387004F8386?OpenDocument)

:roost:

[Hltoppr]

Wow...love the 800GS....bumblebee colors and all!!

...must resist urge to lighter bike.....

-H-

[LaOutbackTrail]

Looks like a good contender for my next bike...
http://www.motociclismo.it/edisport/moto/gallery.nsf/0/16E719F7C1EDF451C125738700622455/$file/25.jpg

That or a used KTM 950 with all the kinks worked out.:)

[goodtimes]

I took a f800s out for a test ride a month or three ago....the engine is supurb. It (F800GS) won't have any trouble keeping up with traffic when loaded down like my F650 does.

If my 'lil GS wasn't so new, and I didn't have so much time and money into it (I'm just a couple components away from having it how I want it)....I'd be looking real hard at the F800GS. As it is, I'm drooling over the F800ST for a slab bike.

[Bighead]

Has anybody found any details on the F800?

[805gregg]

The 800 GS looks like a good bike, I've been looking for a smaller bike but won't buy another single. I would cut that ugly beak off though.

[Sleeping Dog]

Here's a link to a summary of the F800 GS from WebBikeWorld. At the bottom is a graph of the HP & torque curves, peak torque is pretty much available starting at 3000 rpm to over 5000, :arabia:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/BMW-motorcycles/bmw-f-800-gs/

Jim

[Wanderlusty]

:drool:

Me likey a LOT!

Here in 2-3 years or so when I can get a bit more serious about buying...some of these might be showing up used, though the price from what I see, isn't really too bad.

It certainly gives me MORE motivation to stay on track trying to rid ourselves of debt, though...

[goodtimes]

Has anybody found any details on the F800?

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/etc/utils.jsp?t=announcements&idx=0

[Wanderlusty]

Does anyone think that BMW will rob from their own marketshare (ie...sales from the 1200?) with this bike?

[goodtimes]

I'm sure there will be some loss on the 1200GS....but those are still BMW customers, so there really isn't a loss. The also stand to gain a large number of customers who would look elsewhere because the F650 was not right for them (thumpers are not right for a lot of people), and 1200GSs are just to big for them as well. The F800GS looks to be a good mid-weight bike. We are looking at roughly 440 pounds wet, 4.2 gallon under-seat tank, USD forks, rumor is that it is "short leg friendly" (nice in traffic), and the engine/trans is just awesome.

[Sleeping Dog]

It will poach customers, which maybe why it took so long for them to bring this bike to market and why they boosted the HP of the 1200.

At 33.46" and 34.65" the seat height is hardly low but the bike should be narrower than the 1200.

The MSRP for the base FGS is $10,250 so figure $12,500 for a bike with ABS, heated grips and delivery. A similar 1200 is about $15,500-16,000.

Here's your choice, save 50 pounds and about $3K or have 20 more HP and around 25 ftpd of torque.

For me its a no brainer, I'll take a lighter bike over a heavier one anytime and 85 HP is plenty.

Here's a promo vid of the FGS off road.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCeC2K_fBUg

Note the very chainsaw like exhaust note. The Husqvarna influence is already taking hold. :shakin:

Jim

[Hltoppr]

Hmm...I don't know what effect it will have...likely, those who may do more off tarmac riding may go for the 800 (I'm definitely tempted....) but those who would like the higher hp/bigger bike for touring will still look towards the 1200s...

I think BMW made a good choice offering the 800 in a GS!

-H-

[805gregg]

Amazing how easy a professional rider makes it look.

[kbellve]

I have been getting the itch to ride motorcycles again. I stopped in at a BMW dealership last Thursday night and sat on a 2007 R1200GS-A. Very sweet bike but also a very large bike. I am 5'10". They wanted $18K for it, which included several options.

I could get the ball of one foot on the ground. I assume if I had some more gear on the bike, I would be able to stand better. But, I can't imaging taking this bike off of the tarmac to explore a single lane trail. The bike is just too massive and you would get a work out.

I think I would need a nice hand winch to get the bike upright if it flopped :)

The new 2008 800GS looks like it could fit down a narrow trail, but also could handle the tarmac. I have been reading about it as much as I can.

Not sure if the wife will let me purchase one...but who knows..