Convince me to sell mine and buy a 800GS

stef · 11-07-2010, 12:34 PM

They've been around for a while now and the look is growing on me, except for the well documented reservoir location/size.

I love my 690 Enduro, but feel it might need to go as the often highway riding is killing me, not to mention the wife hitching the odd ride for fun. No need to compare these two please, as they are different. Any glitches or monsters I should be looking out for.

Wish I could keep both. Maybe I should take the 800 for a test ride, you never know?

johngil · 11-07-2010, 01:06 PM

I'm thinking of ditching my 800 for a 690 R.
Where are you located?

stef · 11-07-2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johngil

I'm thinking of ditching my 800 for a 690 R.
Where are you located?

I'm in England, own the E model which still puts a smile on my face. Why dya wanna ditch the 800?

stef · 11-07-2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanI

I have had a look for more info regarding the pros and cons of the 800 here, but would appreciate more updated info of recent weeks and latest 800's.

Must say, took a 990 the other day for a spin and it was great.

Ducksbane · 11-07-2010, 02:29 PM

The most convincing thing I could tell you is that most of the early beta testers on this forum (including myself) seem to still have them (sometimes much modified) and still seem to have a soft spot for them despite a few problems, most of which have been fixed on later models.

Since you have a KTM 690, I'm surprised you haven't considered the KTM 990. It sounds like a great bike ... good suspension, great motor. I personally don't really want one ... too heavy, turning circle like a truck, not very economical, time consuming maintenance, and so on.

Most of the F800 shortcomings are fairly easily fixed ... seat, screen, but the front suspension seems to be a bit of a problem. I have Hyperpro progressive springs, and it pretty good, but I would like something a bit better and most of the options like Ohlins seem to cost quite a bit.

Summary ... The 800 is a good bike and is more fun than you think it's going to be. It's quite capable if you understand it's limitations and there is a mod or farkle for just about everything you could imagine.

And now a few photos of F800's in action ...

Apostolos · 11-07-2010, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducksbane

And now a few photos of F800's in action ...

Yikes, have you checked your shock bolt yet, because I think those are still in the "beta testing" phase.

God Bless,
David

bodhizafa · 11-08-2010, 12:01 AM

I want a video of that jump!

Ducksbane · 11-08-2010, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apostolos

Yikes, have you checked your shock bolt yet, because I think those are still in the "beta testing" phase.

God Bless,
David

It has the IndyUnlimited shock bolt reinforcement ... so hopefully it is OK!

The real problem with jumps like that is the forks ... even with the Hyperpro progressive springs it still bottoms pretty badly. It's also not the sort of thing you would do very often!

stef · 11-08-2010, 08:45 AM

[QUOTE=Ducksbane]

Most of the F800 shortcomings are fairly easily fixed ... seat, screen, but the front suspension seems to be a bit of a problem. I have Hyperpro progressive springs, and it pretty good, but I would like something a bit better and most of the options like Ohlins seem to cost quite a bit.

Summary ... The 800 is a good bike and is more fun than you think it's going to be. It's quite capable if you understand it's limitations and there is a mod or farkle for just about everything you could imagine.

Thanks for the pics and all, there is surely not a perfect bike out there.

Bushwhacker · 11-08-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stef

Convince me to sell mine and buy a 800GS

I love my 690 Enduro, but feel it might need to go as the often highway riding is killing me

If you need to be convinced to change bikes, chances are you are sufficiently happy with what you have and don't really want to spend the money on a new one.

If as you say the 690 is killing you on the highway and you really need a different bike but just need to decide which one, my advice is -

Do some paper research and make yourself a short list of the ones that, on paper, meet your needs.

Take that short list, go ride them all, and buy the one that puts the biggest smile on your face and leaves you feeling "God, I gotta have that thing!"

In my opinion, if you buy a bike because someone else convinced you to, chances are, you will never be really happy with it.

ZXMorty · 11-08-2010, 09:34 AM

Those are some great pics, that is a lot of bike to be getting that much air. I bet you would go crazy (or have) on a 250cc moto-x bike.

RetrogradE · 11-08-2010, 11:56 AM

I love my 800GS.

I've had it for a year and logged on 8k miles this summer without a problem.

I put it up for sale this fall (I normally keep my bikes a year) but every time someone came to look at it, I felt awful. So far, it's the bike that fits me the best. Period.

Ceri JC · 11-08-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teleiosGS

I love my 800GS.

I've had it for a year and logged on 8k miles this summer without a problem.

I put it up for sale this fall (I normally keep my bikes a year) but every time someone came to look at it, I felt awful. So far, it's the bike that fits me the best. Period.

Why were you selling it? Is it just habit of changing it every year?

Captain Beardylocks · 11-08-2010, 12:29 PM

I've been thinking a lot about the 690 recently, but every time I decide to keep the 800. It just fits my riding style better, which involves a lot of long distance and regular 2-up. I'm willing to accept the extra weight/hassle off road, and the 800 has more off road capability than I personally even use in a dual sport.

I feel like the 690 is a dirtbike tweaked for road use, and the 800 is a dirt-capable road bike. The latter is a better fit for me personally.

Ceri JC · 11-09-2010, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Beardylocks

I've been thinking a lot about the 690 recently, but every time I decide to keep the 800. It just fits my riding style better, which involves a lot of long distance and regular 2-up. I'm willing to accept the extra weight/hassle off road, and the 800 has more off road capability than I personally even use in a dual sport.

I feel like the 690 is a dirtbike tweaked for road use, and the 800 is a dirt-capable road bike. The latter is a better fit for me personally.

Sums up the way I feel about mine perfectly. After a go on a mate's one, I've been tempted by the 690 and the bikes are great fun, but I do too much superslab and dual carriageway (through necessity, not choice) to accept their shortcomings in this department for the improvement in offroading (which I'm a novice at anyway). If I only rode recreationally and had a shortish distance to go to trails, or trailered my bike there, I think the 690 would be the bike for me. As it is, the 800 is near-perfect, when it isn't in the garage.

11-07-2010, 12:34 PM	#1
stef ^OP Ex-POW Joined: Jul 2007 Oddometer: 48	Convince me to sell mine and buy a 800GS They've been around for a while now and the look is growing on me, except for the well documented reservoir location/size. I love my 690 Enduro, but feel it might need to go as the often highway riding is killing me, not to mention the wife hitching the odd ride for fun. No need to compare these two please, as they are different. Any glitches or monsters I should be looking out for. Wish I could keep both. Maybe I should take the 800 for a test ride, you never know?

11-07-2010, 01:06 PM	#2
johngil Reseda, CA Joined: Jun 2007 Oddometer: 3,489	I'm thinking of ditching my 800 for a 690 R. Where are you located? __________________ http://johngil.whereamiriding.com

11-08-2010, 12:01 AM	#7
bodhizafa How hard can it be? Joined: Jan 2010 Location: Louisville, Co. Oddometer: 551	I want a video of that jump! __________________ I'll have one if you do.....

11-08-2010, 12:29 PM	#14
Captain Beardylocks travelling beardo Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Birthplace of the Revolution (MA) Oddometer: 7,218	I've been thinking a lot about the 690 recently, but every time I decide to keep the 800. It just fits my riding style better, which involves a lot of long distance and regular 2-up. I'm willing to accept the extra weight/hassle off road, and the 800 has more off road capability than I personally even use in a dual sport. I feel like the 690 is a dirtbike tweaked for road use, and the 800 is a dirt-capable road bike. The latter is a better fit for me personally. __________________ "She was a real woman. Nothing but guts. And ass." -Bukowski EX500 Ratbike Rebuild: http://advrider.com/forums/showthrea...1#post15001161 Livin' on the road, my friend, was gonna keep you free and clean...

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11-07-2010, 02:29 PM	#5
Ducksbane Quaaack!!! Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Northern NSW Oddometer: 1,120	The most convincing thing I could tell you is that most of the early beta testers on this forum (including myself) seem to still have them (sometimes much modified) and still seem to have a soft spot for them despite a few problems, most of which have been fixed on later models. Since you have a KTM 690, I'm surprised you haven't considered the KTM 990. It sounds like a great bike ... good suspension, great motor. I personally don't really want one ... too heavy, turning circle like a truck, not very economical, time consuming maintenance, and so on. Most of the F800 shortcomings are fairly easily fixed ... seat, screen, but the front suspension seems to be a bit of a problem. I have Hyperpro progressive springs, and it pretty good, but I would like something a bit better and most of the options like Ohlins seem to cost quite a bit. Summary ... The 800 is a good bike and is more fun than you think it's going to be. It's quite capable if you understand it's limitations and there is a mod or farkle for just about everything you could imagine. And now a few photos of F800's in action ...

11-08-2010, 08:45 AM	#9
stef ^OP Ex-POW Joined: Jul 2007 Oddometer: 48	[QUOTE=Ducksbane] Most of the F800 shortcomings are fairly easily fixed ... seat, screen, but the front suspension seems to be a bit of a problem. I have Hyperpro progressive springs, and it pretty good, but I would like something a bit better and most of the options like Ohlins seem to cost quite a bit. Summary ... The 800 is a good bike and is more fun than you think it's going to be. It's quite capable if you understand it's limitations and there is a mod or farkle for just about everything you could imagine. Thanks for the pics and all, there is surely not a perfect bike out there.

11-08-2010, 09:34 AM	#11
ZXMorty Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2010 Location: Holland, MI Oddometer: 317	Those are some great pics, that is a lot of bike to be getting that much air. I bet you would go crazy (or have) on a 250cc moto-x bike.

11-08-2010, 11:56 AM	#12
RetrogradE Banned Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Cap City, Utah Oddometer: 1,076	I love my 800GS. I've had it for a year and logged on 8k miles this summer without a problem. I put it up for sale this fall (I normally keep my bikes a year) but every time someone came to look at it, I felt awful. So far, it's the bike that fits me the best. Period.