Why the 800GS is a better 2 up touring bike than the 1200GS/GSA

[tau]

Well good luck in finding a pillion willing to prove your theory, as the GS 800 must be the most uncomfortable bike to pillion (off -road) 

My wife did one trip on the 800 and never again. She will sit on the ADV all day long.

[DUSTRIDERS]

Gemak op die langpad en n 800 en 1200GSA hoort nie in dieselfde sin nie.
GSA staan darem kop en skouers bo die 800 uit maak nie saak wat die vrag weeg nie.

[Slaaiblaar]

Well good luck in finding a pillion willing to prove your theory, as the GS 800 must be the most uncomfortable bike to pillion (off -road) 

My wife did one trip on the 800 and never again. She will sit on the ADV all day long.

hoop jou bynaam is ADV.....

[Eisbein]

I don't think a couple that weigh 200kgs are going to be the active outdoorsy types

Baviaans twice, the wild part of the Wilddcoast, Swaziland, couple of muddy backroads in the Eastern and Western Cape and a couple of others (of which the two significant ones were 3500 km to Rhodes and back and about 7000km 'round the country).

All on the 1100/1200 and us weighing in (together) at about 240kg (most of that obviously mine).

No I'm not proud, but you gots to think a little before you assume...

[Dwerg]

I don't think a couple that weigh 200kgs are going to be the active outdoorsy types

Baviaans twice, the wild part of the Wilddcoast, Swaziland, couple of muddy backroads in the Eastern and Western Cape and a couple of others (of which the two significant ones were 3500 km to Rhodes and back and about 7000km 'round the country).

All on the 1100/1200 and us weighing in (together) at about 240kg (most of that obviously mine).

No I'm not proud, but you gots to think a little before you assume...

Was just kidding around 

Does the 240kgs include luggage?

[Eisbein]

Back to the issue at hand - there is just physically more space on the 1200s than on the smaller bikes.

Me and the wife fit on the 1200 with a tankbag and a topbox with space to spare.
On the smaller bikes either the tank sticks into mah belleh or the wife gets squeezed in between me and the topbox.

 

[Eisbein]

I don't think a couple that weigh 200kgs are going to be the active outdoorsy types

Baviaans twice, the wild part of the Wilddcoast, Swaziland, couple of muddy backroads in the Eastern and Western Cape and a couple of others (of which the two significant ones were 3500 km to Rhodes and back and about 7000km 'round the country).

All on the 1100/1200 and us weighing in (together) at about 240kg (most of that obviously mine).

No I'm not proud, but you gots to think a little before you assume...

Was just kidding around 

Does the 240kgs include luggage?

I figured


Nope - that is excluding luggage.

I tried not to think about it too much, but us, the luggage and the 1100 was just about 500kg all up with a full tank.

Scary then to think that I sometimes (especially through Baviaans) bumped the front over a ditch or so, having all that weight effectively on the one wheel at the back over a bump or three with said wheel being held in place by a single swingarm.



But somehow it kept on working...

[Gérrard]

Gee weer terugvoer wanneer jy volgelaai, met jou pillion getoer het, en hier en daar moes staan vir tegnies ry.   Dis die laaste keer dat daai pillion saam jou toer op 'n F800.

[Dwerg]

I don't think a couple that weigh 200kgs are going to be the active outdoorsy types

Baviaans twice, the wild part of the Wilddcoast, Swaziland, couple of muddy backroads in the Eastern and Western Cape and a couple of others (of which the two significant ones were 3500 km to Rhodes and back and about 7000km 'round the country).

All on the 1100/1200 and us weighing in (together) at about 240kg (most of that obviously mine).

No I'm not proud, but you gots to think a little before you assume...

Was just kidding around 

Does the 240kgs include luggage?

I figured


Nope - that is excluding luggage.

I tried not to think about it too much, but us, the luggage and the 1100 was just about 500kg all up with a full tank.

Scary then to think that I sometimes (especially through Baviaans) bumped the front over a ditch or so, having all that weight effectively on the one wheel at the back over a bump or three with said wheel being held in place by a single swingarm.



But somehow it kept on working...

Not very many bikes that will handle that 

[Soundboi]

I don't think a couple that weigh 200kgs are going to be the active outdoorsy types

  Luister mannetjie ek het al groter kakke gehaad as jy. Ek en die lang haar baas met die klein voete is seker naby die 200 merk saam.

[Dwerg]

I don't think a couple that weigh 200kgs are going to be the active outdoorsy types

  Luister mannetjie ek het al groter kakke gehaad as jy. Ek en die lang haar baas met die klein voete is seker naby die 200 merk saam.

 

Dis hoekom ek sukkel om dit te picture. In my wêreld is alles huge!!

[Eisbein]

Not very many bikes that will handle that 

That's the 1100/1150 final drive for you.
The paralever on the 1200 don't like that. Not at all.

[Jacko]

Due to the 800's tank that protrudes from the sides of the saddle, it is almost impossible for a pillion to stand on the pegs.

They can, but it hurts like kak.

To be sure, when touring two up the 1200's torque vis-a-vis that of the 800 makes it a no-brainer.

1200 for the win.

[Soundboi]

I don't think a couple that weigh 200kgs are going to be the active outdoorsy types

  Luister mannetjie ek het al groter kakke gehaad as jy. Ek en die lang haar baas met die klein voete is seker naby die 200 merk saam.

 

Dis hoekom ek sukkel om dit te picture. In my wêreld is alles huge!!

[Sho`t Left]

I think the lower payload on the GSA is due to the single sided swing arm or drive shaft... that could be the weak link on the bike. If not, then elsewhere.
For instance, you can tow a heavier trailer with an A4 2.0 TDI then with a Audi RS4... reason being that the cooling system just about keeps up with the power of the V8... read it on an Audi forum a while back.

[the real Takbok]

I've toured off road with the fiance on my f800 and she had no issues whatsoever.
On the road was a different matter, she didn't last long. 

I have to agree that the 1200 or gsa is a much better tourer on road or gravel highways, on more technical terrrain I think the f800 is better.

[Moondog]

Gee weer terugvoer wanneer jy volgelaai, met jou pillion getoer het, en hier en daar moes staan vir tegnies ry.   Dis die laaste keer dat daai pillion saam jou toer op 'n F800.

+1 With the comfort seat, the pillion is much more comfortable, and has enough space sitting on the 800 - can go all day, but standing is very uncomfortable. I would not do Namibian roads with a pillion on the 800 - full stop! If I was faced with the choice on which bike to use for two-up touring, the Adv would win by a counrtry mile.

[Sithe]

Why haven't the mods moved this thread to the comedy section .... 

[Swart Baard]

Gee weer terugvoer wanneer jy volgelaai, met jou pillion getoer het, en hier en daar moes staan vir tegnies ry.   Dis die laaste keer dat daai pillion saam jou toer op 'n F800.

+1 With the comfort seat, the pillion is much more comfortable, and has enough space sitting on the 800 - can go all day, but standing is very uncomfortable. I would not do Namibian roads with a pillion on the 800 - full stop! If I was faced with the choice on which bike to use for two-up touring, the Adv would win by a counrtry mile.

Longest tour on my 800 with wifey and luggage was 4 days and we both agreed that it is the most pillion unfriendly bike, especially off road. She needs to stand in technical stuffs but those fancy wings of the petrol tank chow into het calves.

We bought those airhawk seat covers and used them once...no mayor difference 

So our next bike will be an 1200 GSA no question  Now if only my bank manager could understand this    

[ClimbingTurtle]

GSA for King of the Touring Road!
Looked and tried the F800 before buying the GSA - the deciding factor was that the usable area is better on the GSA - pillion sits & stands more comfortably and the extra torque is welcome. My pillion & I weight in at 140kg without luggage, so the "Max Load" is not all that applicable.... And I always thought we were supposed to back light anyway!!