F700gs – Touring 2 Up?

[jun19]

Originally Posted by vtbob

Here in the US the common perception is bigger is better.

As I suspect you know the F700 and the R1200 physical dimension are almost identical...ie the length of the f700 is as long as the r1200. (it think the F800 is slightly longer than the R1200) It does weigh about 50 lbs less. And the seat is lower and can be much lower with the low suspension model. I think that might be important to you and your wife.

If you are to ride dirt and paved roads there is NO need to have a tall bike...there are several reason why a low bike is better.

the R1200 certainly has more power, but the F700 is more than adequate...note it has more power than 75% of the Harleys on the road and those bikes, alone weight 600-800lbs. It has more power than the old R100 1000cc airheads.

The F700 burns considerably less fuel than the R1200.

Now that the F700 is available with ESA, which I highly recommend, the issue of adjusting the suspension for the load of your wife and gear and back to solo riding is solved. If you get a version with out ESA, is suspect you will find the rear suspension too soft...ie the stock spring rate is too low. An up graded spring rate will cost a couple of hundred or an aftermarket rear shock/spring assembly will cost $600-1100.

The R1200 duo lever/paralever is probably the best touring motorcycle suspension on the market today. There is no dive on braking, and the geometry allows better road dynamics...and some model of the 1200GS have ESA on both front and rear..unfortunately if you get a "low" r1200 you lose this dual ESA option as I understand it.

When I went true this decision process in 2010 i bought the F650GS...you F700 is better with the ESA.

Like several other have said...take them both for a ride....maybe evan a Muliti strada too.
Buy the one that makes you both smile the most

Thumbs up for your informative input.

Indeed, you scratch just whare it curiously itches. In terms of physical dimensions, R1200gs and F700gs
are not that different. But with a bigger engine and everything R1200gs is more like a "beefier & heavier" bike.
(And better equipped of course.)
Under this situation, I was curious about pillion comfort difference.

Before I take a test drive, I want to learn some technical aspects of both bikes and you just taught
what I need to look for. I should ask a dealer to get ESA equipped F700gs for a test run.

I am pretty sure beemer would be my next destination, but yes I will give second chances to
KTM, Ducati, and Honda.

[jun19]

Originally Posted by dip1

I ride 2-up on an BMW X-Country all the time. And thats a 650 single. Thousands of miles and no worries! I upgraded the rear shock thats it. Heck we even weigh more than you. It depends on pillion and what they like.

Yeah, I totally agree with you about pillion preferenece. From advices form here, my worries begin to fade away.

[jun19]

Originally Posted by david1983xtc

Hello!!!

I own a F650GS and I can tell you that is perfect for touring 2 up!!!

Yes, I know that 1200 is even better... but my little GS has near 15000 km and the only cons is the brake system so, having in mind that 700 has dual front disk... will not be your problem

I weight near 95kg and my girlfriend near 65kg... plus aliminium pannier and givi trekker 52 topcase

I you understand some spanish... take a look at my blog, I wrote about the F650GS and our travels :)

http://www.sumando-kilometros.com

Perfecto! In fact I don't speak spanish (what a shame for me) but I absolutely love to see your photos in your blog.

I will try google translate to get some major contents. Putting a dual-disk brake disk in the equation,

I am now getting the sense of confidence that F700gs would be ideal for my situation.

[jun19]

Originally Posted by roadspirit

We traveled 2-up on a F800GS across S. America, from Colombia to Ushuaia. 5 months, 27.000 klms.I'm also 175cm and 70 kgs.
It's a perfectly capable bike to go wherever you want. Really, there is not much difference with the F650/F700, maybe on some off road stretches the 21'' front wheel of the 800 will give you a better handling.

Taking into consideration my height and weight I wouldn't choose the 12GS. In fact, if I could choose now, I would take an even lighter bike than the 800.

What a trip! I totally envy your experience. Just a kind of thing that I hope to achive in the future.

Your physique seems to be similar, thus, I should listen to you. R1200GS is a wonderful bike w/o doubt

but as you said, it might be too heavy for me as well. (So as it would be way more difficult to handle on offroads.)

[jun19]

Originally Posted by wortho

Only had the F700 a couple of months now and not done any big trips as yet but the Wife is really happy on the back and said its very comfortable compared with the last bike (DR650). Seems to be no issues with power or braking and very stable so i'm pretty confident it will have no issues when 2 up on longer trips. I'm 5'11 and 85kg, Wife is 5'10 and 75kg.
We went for the comfort seat for an extra $190 at time of purchase and I'm very happy with it so far, its a little taller than the stock seat but perfect for me at 5'11.
Cheers
Mark

I also used to ride DR650. I loved this bike for myself but not my wife.
Glad to know that your wife feels F700gs more comfortable.

The comfort seat looks like worthy investment to make along with some safety&convenience options.
I can't wait the spring to come.

[jun19]

Originally Posted by Ken in Regina

As you might already know, the F650GS, F700 and F800 are all 800cc engine, just different tuning for horsepower output.

I have a 2011 F650GS and would not hesitate to take long trips 2-up on it. Unfortunately my wife is no longer interested in riding on the back of a motorcycle.

I cannot understand the thinking of someone who says you *need* a 1200 for 2-up touring. When my wife and I started touring in the '70s the biggest bike we owned was a Suzuki GT750. It had much less horsepower and much more weight than the F650/700/800. But it took us and our gear on extended touring trips with no problem.

My F650GS has a far better power-to-weight situation and is very happy the occasional time my wife agrees to come for a ride.

I have the factory-lowered model with low seat. I do not recommend this model for your situation. The rear suspension is set up for very light weight. I am 5'6" so you are a little bit taller than me. The standard model should fit. If you feel it is a little bit too tall, just buy a lowered seat.

I have tried my lowered seat on my friend's standard model and I could easily ride like that.

Even riding solo I have ordered a new rear suspension with a stronger spring and a little bit longer shock to give the bike some more ground clearance. If I was doing it again I would buy the standard bike with the low seat and be very happy. I'm 185 lb. with all my riding gear on.

...ken...

I see your points sir and sorry for lost interest.
However, considering almost 40 years of your experiece you should be fond of golden memories.

Just like you mentioned, I believe that in my case, there is no such thing as I "need" a specific model to
do something. It more depends on how much I am willing to commit.
But, I just couldn't find a way to describe better with so many advertising pharases in nowadays.

I think after I take a test drive, I will order one with the comfort seat (height would be almost same as the standard)
and ESA and a few more nice things to add.

[BudMor]

My wife and I ride all over the place on my F650Gs the only thing you will need is a good seat. I tried a few and we settled on the Sargent I highly recomend it over any of the OEM options http://www.sargentcycle.com/bmwwsf800.htm

[AviatorTroy]

Test ride a 1200 with your wife. But you better be ready to buy it.

Sorry, yes, the smaller GA is adequate for 2 up, but nothing, nothing beats the 1200 in this regard.

[jun19]

Originally Posted by BudMor

My wife and I ride all over the place on my F650Gs the only thing you will need is a good seat. I tried a few and we settled on the Sargent I highly recomend it over any of the OEM options http://www.sargentcycle.com/bmwwsf800.htm

So, a good seat seems to be the one that I really should focus on finding. I know that Sargent has gained
its fame from many riders. I will include Sargent into candidates.

[jun19]

Originally Posted by AviatorTroy

Test ride a 1200 with your wife. But you better be ready to buy it.

Sorry, yes, the smaller GA is adequate for 2 up, but nothing, nothing beats the 1200 in this regard.

Yeah, I know R1200gs would make me soooo thrilled and general conception.

I will test-drive both R1200gs and F700gs and see how it's going to turn out.

But whatever I end up with, I am a man with pleasant worries.