F800GS with 30" inseam?

[Bucko]

Not a bad idea (the crashbars and spraypaint), though I'm doing fine with a 30.5" inseam (just to be annoying ) on a 68" body. Unless you have legs like an NBA star, you're probably going to put a foot down and find air at some point. Like when the front wheel's on a rock or you're on a sidehill. First line of defense is be situationally aware to prevent that. Plan B is slide off and plant a foot. If necessary, you can let the bike down from that position without breaking an ankle. The better you learn to ride, the shorter your legs can be. At this point, mine are just long enough.

[Saki_N_Ice]

Does an 800 lie almost flat on its side when dropped?

[Bushwhacker]

Originally Posted by Saki_N_Ice

Does an 800 lie almost flat on its side when dropped?

Not if you put the right crash bars on -



-

[Maddaddy]

Originally Posted by Bushwhacker

Not if you put the right crash bars on -

and some pretty highway pegs.

[scottpoley]

Years (OK, decades) ago I saw a short kid racing an open MX and his father had to hold the bike up at the starting line because there was no way he was going to touch on either side. Damn, he was fast and won the moto going away.
However, anyone that recommends a high CG/seat height bike to any novice is doing them a great disservice. If someone is scared to death everytime they stop, because they can't easily touch, they will find a reason NOT to ride.

confidence is king.

[Sutherngintelmen]

There is a guy that does Dakar who needs a running start to mount his ride - my hero

Don't take this as expert - I'm anything but. I do ride both a 800gs and a 690e. They are each a bit high for my 30" britches. Stops find me on my right ass cheek with left foot flat on the ground and right foot on the peg.

My experience is that bike weight and center of gravity are more important in control and confidence than height. The 690e is taller than the 800gs but I'm happy to billy goat up stuff on the 690e I'd pass by on the 800gs.

Most important in my own mind is that the bike responds quickly to input. I find that I can muscle the taller 690e around much more easily. The trade off is tarmac. So I choose based on the day.

I'd say buy the 800gs - you'll be fine with the 30" I put 10k on it this year and it went from 'huge' to 'glove.'

Originally Posted by scottpoley

Years (OK, decades) ago I saw a short kid racing an open MX and his father had to hold the bike up at the starting line because there was no way he was going to touch on either side. Damn, he was fast and won the moto going away.

confidence is king.

[Pangit]

5' 4" 29" inseam, low seat, thick soled boots, no problem. Just be mindful to slide to the right to plant your foot flat on the ground with the left still on the peg when you stop. You will get used to it. Fit AdvSpec crash bars, Barkbusters and Jessie bags and you are good to go. You will plant your foot in a pot hole sometime or get caught in slow traffic, then you will suffer a tip over. Dont worry, the slight damage will be minimal at best if you follow my advice above. Will provide photos if you require.

[Saki_N_Ice]

Originally Posted by Sutherngintelmen

My experience is that bike weight and center of gravity are more important in control and confidence than height. The 690e is taller than the 800gs but I'm happy to billy goat up stuff on the 690e I'd pass by on the 800gs.

I was under the impression that the 650 had a lower center of gravity than the 800. Sitting on them in the shop doesn't necessarily give a true picture. Can anyone confirm?

Originally Posted by Pangit

5' 4" 29" inseam, low seat, thick soled boots, no problem. Just be mindful to slide to the right to plant your foot flat on the ground with the left still on the peg when you stop. You will get used to it. Fit AdvSpec crash bars, Barkbusters and Jessie bags and you are good to go. You will plant your foot in a pot hole sometime or get caught in slow traffic, then you will suffer a tip over. Dont worry, the slight damage will be minimal at best if you follow my advice above. Will provide photos if you require.

I'd love to see the pix! I'd hate to get pushed into the 650 just b/c I'm short. My current bike is a Kawi 650 and I' like to experience a "true upgrade" when I buy the new ride.

[Bike4Fun]

Originally Posted by Pangit

5' 4" 29" inseam, low seat, thick soled boots, no problem. Just be mindful to slide to the right to plant your foot flat on the ground with the left still on the peg when you stop. You will get used to it. Fit AdvSpec crash bars, Barkbusters and Jessie bags and you are good to go. You will plant your foot in a pot hole sometime or get caught in slow traffic, then you will suffer a tip over. Dont worry, the slight damage will be minimal at best if you follow my advice above. Will provide photos if you require.

Why would you leave your left on the peg? If you stop you should have already downshifted into first. So if you are on any type of incline you are using your front brake to keep the bike from rolling? In the mountains where inclines average 5% or more its nice not to have to control the brake and throttle at the same time to prevent from rolling backwards.

Just curious cause I leave my right on the peg where I have control of the rear brake and just hold the clutch in. Lights don't last that long that I can't hold a clutch lever for 30 or 45 seconds!

[omnivore]

Saki-He said 690---as in he is comparion his 800GS to a KTM 690, not BMW 650.

Yes the BMW 650 willhave a lower centre of gravity, since it is basically a lower version of the 800, with shorter suspension travel and less ground clearance.

[Sutherngintelmen]

Originally Posted by omnivore

Saki-He said 690---as in he is comparion his 800GS to a KTM 690, not BMW 650.

Yes the BMW 650 willhave a lower centre of gravity, since it is basically a lower version of the 800, with shorter suspension travel and less ground clearance.

Thanks, omnivore - that's true KTM690 not BMW650.

Biggest difference between 690e and 800gs will be weight alone. Dry 690e is ~ 310 lbs where 800gs is ~ 400lbs. Makes a huge difference and when riding off road, I'm more capable/confident on the 690e even though it's a taller bike than the 800gs.

I guess my point is that I'm less concerned with bike height than some other factors. My personal experience is that height can be managed. Hell yes I'd like to have 33" to the floor but that ain't happening.

I guess the best advice is to spend as much time as you can comparing the 650/800 on the floor or much more preferably on a test ride.

Second to that I'd say get the 800 if you have confidence in you physical skills. This bike is very sweet.

[johngil]

Changed tire/rim sizes and now my feet dangle like a little kid sitting on Dad's big bike. Yikes!

[Saki_N_Ice]

Thanks for the info guys!

[Captain Beardylocks]

I'm 5'6" with 30" inseam. Right now I'm riding my F8 with the lowered seat, soft on the rear stock suspension and I lowered the front about an inch. The bike is a big upgrade for me, so I went low on the suspension to keep my confidence up while I get used to the thing. I can tip-toe the bike on both feet at a stop, but I usually flat foot one side instead and it's fine. So far, the height is not nearly as much of an issue as I thought it would be for comfort and handling, so I'm thinking I'll tighten up the back and put the forks back to normal in about a month.

hope that was helpful. If you want the bike, you'll find ways to make it work for you.

[FredRydr]

I was NOT going to shorten suspension travel, so I had an inch added to the soles of a pair of boots dedicated to use on the F800GS.

Fred