KTM 990Adv vs BMW F800GS vs whatever

[Billbob]

For that kind of riding and klms no question. 1200GS. I only wiegh 73Kg and do long off road rides mostly, never had a problem. However, the KTM is really nice.

[Willehond]

You can always fit after market springs to a BM 800 for just over R2000 makes all the diference, not everyone sets up adjustable suspension correctly anyway. Have you consider the 1200 Yamaha

I read posts by Wolweseun and it seems one has to do more than just the springs. If I remember correctly the total comes to about R7000.

The Yamaha is heavy for my build. I really enjoyed my Honda VFR800, but one thing I did not like was the side mounted radiators. In traffic the engine used to run hot. The S10 my also have this problem, especially in SA's heat.

[popipants]

The front suspension on the 800 is really not that bad. I have done 30000 + and have never bottomed out, not even when going to the Molopo, Bray etc loaded with 57 Kg's worth of luggage on the bike.

+1 So far I'm happy with mine.

[Snafu]

I still want to know what is so bad about the 800 front suspension, or is everyone trying to do enduro's with the bike?

I assume you will be working "away". You will be servicing the KTM every 2 months and the BMW's every 3 months. Do you have a dealer close to where you will be working?

[ETS]

The front suspension on the 800 is really not that bad. I have done 30000 + and have never bottomed out, not even when going to the Molopo, Bray etc loaded with 57 Kg's worth of luggage on the bike.

+1 So far I'm happy with mine.

I have both, 990 and 800.Just returned from a redroutre ride in Lesotho on my 990. Heavy on juice, but exhilarating. Personal preferences would make the choice. The BM is just a bit plain, but not everyone is a windgat raasgat like me.

[I&horse]

Buy with your heart.

Having said that, you can do a 450km trip on a GSA without stopping for fuel, if you are in a hooligan mood, you may have to stop twice with the Katoom

[Jakkals]

For that kind of riding and klms no question. 1200GS. I only wiegh 73Kg and do long off road rides mostly, never had a problem. However, the KTM is really nice.

Or a Yamaha Super Tenere, shaft drive less maintanance for that km's.
Me thinks.

[Kamanya]

If you make a choice based on what is said here without getting your arse onto all options for at least something that represents the kind of riding you do, then you're a sheeple and deserve any bad feelings you may have later for your pony.

[BiganDaft]

Wait for a month and get the new Triumph Tiger XC 800. by all acounts it is a good good bike, I have my order in for a Orange one 

[MaxThePanda]

Buy a used 1100/1150 for the mileage and distance-eating ability (cause it's going to mount up fast, and you'll be doing 5000km/month from the sounds of things - doesn't seem like 1-yr old 990's with 60,000km have much resale value) and then whatever floats your boat for having fun on the weekend in the countryside... XR/690/endure bike... etc.?

[Grrrr....]

9/11 on

Does anybody know what a new F800GS goes for these days? To lazy to call BMW.....

9/11 off

[Crowley]

Those are reasonable questions and also difficult to answer as a lot that differentiates the two bikes is not stated.
The BMW cost less. It will however require that invest a lot of money to improve the suspension (The upgrade involves the valves as well and not only the spring) or alternatively you can get a drop-in replacement. You will also be bound to splash out money on other pieces of bling that you feel the bike require.
What is nice about the BMW is the dealer support network. In my experience BMW is head and shoulders above the other dealer support networks in SA as a whole. Individual dealers might be better in some brand/area but that is near impossible to determine upfront.
 The F800 GS is a brilliant commuter in my mind. For one person with luggage it can do a lot of distance with ease and very little maintenance. That being said if something do go wrong you are very reliant on the dealer to sort you out. If you have a look on the internet you will find a definitely lack of “How to” threads regarding the F800 GS.
If you ride at a moderate pace and don’t try to get the maximum performance out of the 800 then this bike can work for you.

The KTM on the other hand is a more expensive bike and for good reason. There is very little required in additional bling – don’t worry you will still need to spend some money to make it more into what you require.
What you have to keep in mind is that the KTM is a higher strung motor than the BMW and will therefore require more TLC.
The KTM in all fairness will give more when you start riding hard. You will also find a much larger knowledge base of how to do repair/service the bike on your own. Keep in mind that the services are more expensive than the BMW and a lot of the dealers will only do halve the service items because they think that some of the rest is not needed (don’t ask me why  - think that the BMW does it as well they are just better at hiding it)
A small but very important point to me is also that the KTM crashes better in general than the BMW.

Don’t know of anyone that has done a lot of kilos on a 990 yet but ask H2/hh his opinion on the 800, he has done more kilos than most and on fairly tough terrain. Last time I checked he was in the region of 80/90k. I think that his and the likes of his opinion would be worth more than most.

[thefrog]

I have an 800 which I commute on daily but it's not highway stuff and it's about 70km round trip urban. If I was doing longer trips at speed with a bit of dirt (non technical) then I'd look at a lightly used GS12 (not even a GSA) - it's much more comfy and will eat up the miles.

[Grrrr....]

I have an 800 which I commute on daily but it's not highway stuff and it's about 70km round trip urban. If I was doing longer trips at speed with a bit of dirt (non technical) then I'd look at a lightly used GS12 (not even a GSA) - it's much more comfy and will eat up the miles.

Want to trade? 

[Tabasco]

Change your avatar to ....

[Battlestar]

9/11 on

Does anybody know what a new F800GS goes for these days? To lazy to call BMW.....

9/11 off

R105 STD
R111 ABS HEATED GRIPS

[Grrrr....]

9/11 on

Does anybody know what a new F800GS goes for these days? To lazy to call BMW.....

9/11 off

R105 STD
R111 ABS HEATED GRIPS

Ok maar duur geraak....

How much is a TW200?

[bud500]

You "could" do that commute on a B200 pharmacy bike with "some" modification to the suspension etc.. What's the point in that??
Buy the right tool for the job, with the least modification needed. To me that tool would be one of the GS12 options, no 2 ways about it.
I did 40 000km on my GS before owning my 990 on which I've done about 14 000km. Sure, the 990 is more fun, especially when it gets rough.

But for long distance commuting, different seasons and conditions you can't fault the GS. When you have to do a trip that will become mundane, and it sounds like it will, you want something that will make it as effortless as possible. With heated grips, height adjustable seat, shaft drive, good wind protection and long service intervals the GS is your answer. Add to that the light handling and tubeless tyres and the decision becomes an easy one...

PS: I fully agree with the statement that you need to go ride all the options properly though.

[ChrisL - DUSTRIDERS]

Ive never ridden a 1200GS but I think it would be the best for you(weight/lenght) and the job you want it for.
Pm Mother. He commutes between Gaberone and Joburg every week on his 1200.

[plonker]

For the open road like that and to put so many km's on, I would suggest you also look at the 1200 GS. Better long distance tourer than the KTM IMHO.

The engine on the BMW 1200 can handle more KM's as well with less going wrong.

My 2 cents

I also agree.