chicco
Grey Hound
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2007
- Messages
- 8,540
- Reaction score
- 2,161
- Location
- World Citizen
- Bike
- KTM 990 Adventure
While investigating my options for another bike I came across this article.
F800GS - R1200GS/ADVENTURE COMPARISON
A few months ago in one of the previous TFA NEWS/UPDATES, as a well traveled Trans Africa veteran, in my personal opinion and from personal experience, noted information about the best suited Adventure Motorcycles for Africa.
Because the R1200GS and Adventure models did not feature or get mentioned in the personalized summary, I was inundated with e-mails and calls from riders, who own R1200GS and Adventure models asking me why the R1200GS and Adventure models did not feature or get even a mention
Knowing and understanding that the South African mentality when considering investing in a suited practical and functional motorcycle leans towards “bigger is better” which is respected, but when purchased is not always the most suited or correct as expected
Acknowledging and appreciating that the R1200GS and Adventure models are one of the best selling models in the world and are extremely popular, with the F800GS model going in the same direction, below is a comparison of the pro’s and con’s from a serious Adventure Motorcycle Enthusiast and Africa Overland Adventure Motorcycle Travelers perspective regarding the F800GS and R1200GS/Adventure;
GS 800 PROS
• REALISTICALLY AND AFFORDABLY PRICED
• GET GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY
• LOWER INSURANCE PREMIUMS – BECAUSE OF THE LOWER PRICE AND RELATIVE TO EACH INDIVIDUAL RIDER
• A GOOD ALL ROUND CC CAPACITY
• THE ADDITIONAL COST TO BUY A R1200GS/ADVENTURE CAN BE SPENT ON GOOD QUALITY EXTRAS AND UPGRADES
• AN APPRECIATIVE AND ACKNOWLEDGEABLE WEIGHT SAVING OVER THE R1200GS/ADVENTURE MODELS ESPECIALLY FOR MATURING RIDERS WHO FIND THE R1200GS/ADVENTURE VERY HEAVY AND CUMBERSOME ESPECIALLY WHEN RIDING SLOW OR RIDING OFF-ROAD
• 21” FRONT WHEEL – EXCELLENT FOR AND MAKES DIRT/SAND/THICK SAND RIDING A LOT EASIER
• WELL GEARED
• THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE IS MOUNTED HIGH UP SO CROSSING REASONABLY HIGH WATER LEVEL RIVERS IS NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER
• AT A MINIMAL COST CAN CHANGE FRONT/REAR SPROCKET RATIOS TO SUIT RIDING PURPOSES [E.G.] GO SMALLER ON THE REAR SPROCKET TO LOWER RPM, IMPROVE FUEL EFFICIENCY AND INCREASE TOP SPEED FOR LONG DISTANCE HIGH SPEED TOURING
• BETTER FUEL CONSUMPTION THAN THE R1200GS/ADVENTURE
• CAN RUN AS FAST AS A R1200GS/ADVENTURE – IF AND WHEN PUSHED
• GIVE VERY FEW PROBLEMS
• EXCELLENT OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY
• GOOD POWER FOR 2 UP WITH PILLION RIDER
• EXCELLENT ALL ROUND MOTORCYCLE
• LESS UNSPRUNG WEIGHT/MASS (NO ADDED WEIGHT/MASS OF THE DRIVE SHAFT AND DIFFERENTIAL)
• GAINING POPULARITY
• PROVEN ITSELF ON TRANS-AFRICA EXCURSIONS
• HAVE EARNED EXCEPTIONAL CREDIBILITY
• PARTS ARE READILY AVAILABLE IN SOUTH AFRICA
• VERY WELL MARKETED IN SA
GS 800 CONS
• POOR HEADLIGHTS
• UNSUITABLE FRONT WINDSHIELD – ESPECIALLY FOR LONG DISTANCE TOURING
• DIFFICULT FOR A PASSENGER/PILLION RIDER TO STAND UP PROPERLY/COMFORTABLY BECAUSE OF THE SHAPE OF THE FUEL TANK WHEN RIDING OFF-ROAD WITH AN EXPERIENCED RIDER
• ON THE TALL/HIGH SIDE (WHICH CAN BE LOWERED WITH A FEW SLIGHT CHANGES)
• VERY SOFT FRONT SUSPENSION – THE MOTORCYCLE “DIVES” VERY EASILY WHEN APPLYING FRONT BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY
• TUBE TYPE WHEELS – A CURSE TO REMOVE AND FIT NEW TUBE/S IN AN EMERGENCY
• DO NOT HAVE SPANNERS IN THE STANDARD OE TOOL KIT TO REMOVE AND REFIT THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS IN THE EVENT OF A PUNCTURE HAVING TO BE REPAIRED OR TUBE REPLACED
• VERY MINIMAL “TOOLKIT” SUPPLIED WITH MOTORCYCLE
• NO PUNCTURE REPAIR KITS SUPPLIED WITH MOTORCYCLE
• HAVE TO LUBRICATE AND ADJUST THE DRIVE CHAIN REGULARLY
• HAVE VERY BASIC INFERIOR QUALITY STANDARD BASH PLATES AND NO BASIC/MINOR ENGINE PROTECTION
• SEAT IS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR LONG DISTANCE
• OE WHEEL RIMS ARE VERY SOFT – DENT VERY EASILY IF TYRE PRESSURES ARE NOT INFLATED HARDER THAN NORMAL CONSIDERING THE DAILY DETERIORATING ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE
GS 1200 PROS
• EXCELLENT LONG DISTANCE TOURING MOTORCYCLE ON TARRED ROADS
• R1200GS ADVENTURE MODEL HAS A GOOD FUEL TANK SIZE
• WELL GEARED
• ACCEPTABLE OFF ROAD CAPABILITY
• EXCELLENT POWER FOR 2 UP WITH PILLION RIDER
• PARTS ARE READILY AVAILABLE IN SOUTH AFRICA
• VERY WELL MARKETED IN SA
• NO DRIVE CHAIN ADJUSTMENT OR LUBRICATION REQUIRED
• VERY POPULAR
• PROVEN ITSELF ACROSS TRANS AFRICA EXCURSIONS
• HAVE EARNED EXCEPTIONAL CREDIBILITY
GS 1200 CONS
• PRICEY
• HEAVY, FOR SOME VERY HEAVY ……………… ESPECIALLY FOR MATURING RIDERS WHO CAN COMFORTABLY AFFORD TO PURCHASE THE R1200GS/ADVENTURE MODELS…………ANY ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT WILL EVEN MAKE IT HEAVIER
• TO MANY ELECTRONIC FEATURES (THAT MAY BE ATTRACTIVE FEATURES TO RIDERS WHO NEVER GO OFF - ROAD) THAT CAN GO WRONG AND LEAVE RIDERS POSSIBLY STRANDED – LESS IS MORE!!!
• OVER AND ABOVE THE HIGH PRICE OF THE BASIC MOTORCYCLE THE EXTRAS ADD ON A SUBSTANTIAL PRICE TO THE TOTAL OVERHAUL PRICE OF THE MOTORCYCLE
• 19” FRONT WHEEL – EXCELLENT FOR ROAD RIDING AND THE ODD GRAVEL ROAD BUT VERY CHALLENGING IN THICK SAND
• POOR HEADLIGHTS
• WHEN RIDING IN THICK SAND OR CHALLENGING CONDITIONS AND USING THE CLUTCH EXCESSIVELY RIDERS WILL EXPERIENCE A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING CLUTCH
• THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE IS MOUNTED VERY LOW DOWN JUST ABOVE THE RIGHT HAND CYLINDER WHICH CAN BE A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR RIDERS CROSSING REASONABLY HIGH WATER LEVEL RIVERS
• HAVE HAD THERE FAIR SHARE OF MECHANICAL AND ELECTRONICALLY RELATED PROBLEMS
• MORE REAR END SPRUNG WEIGHT OVER THE BMW F800GS BECAUSE OF THE DRIVE SHAFT AND DIFFERENTIAL
• NOT VERY REASSURING REAR SUSPENSION RELIABILITY IF LOADED AND VENTURING ON SERIOUS OFF ROAD ROUTES
• OE WHEEL RIMS ARE VERY SOFT – DENT VERY EASILY IF TYRE PRESSURES ARE NOT INFLATED HARDER THAN NORMAL CONSIDERING THE DAILY DETERIORATING ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE
• VERY MINIMAL “TOOLKIT” SUPPLIED WITH MOTORCYCLE
• NO PUNCTURE REPAIR KITS SUPPLIED WITH MOTORCYCLE
• DO NOT HAVE SPANNERS IN THE STANDARD OE TOOL KIT TO REMOVE AND REFIT THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS IN THE EVENT OF A TYRE HAVING TO BE REPAIRED/REPLACED
• CANNOT CHANGE THE REAR WHEEL GEARING FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES LIKE ON THE F800GS
• RIDER SEAT BECOMES UNCOMFORTABLE ON LONG DISTANCE
COPIED FROM TFA.
F800GS - R1200GS/ADVENTURE COMPARISON
A few months ago in one of the previous TFA NEWS/UPDATES, as a well traveled Trans Africa veteran, in my personal opinion and from personal experience, noted information about the best suited Adventure Motorcycles for Africa.
Because the R1200GS and Adventure models did not feature or get mentioned in the personalized summary, I was inundated with e-mails and calls from riders, who own R1200GS and Adventure models asking me why the R1200GS and Adventure models did not feature or get even a mention
Knowing and understanding that the South African mentality when considering investing in a suited practical and functional motorcycle leans towards “bigger is better” which is respected, but when purchased is not always the most suited or correct as expected
Acknowledging and appreciating that the R1200GS and Adventure models are one of the best selling models in the world and are extremely popular, with the F800GS model going in the same direction, below is a comparison of the pro’s and con’s from a serious Adventure Motorcycle Enthusiast and Africa Overland Adventure Motorcycle Travelers perspective regarding the F800GS and R1200GS/Adventure;
GS 800 PROS
• REALISTICALLY AND AFFORDABLY PRICED
• GET GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY
• LOWER INSURANCE PREMIUMS – BECAUSE OF THE LOWER PRICE AND RELATIVE TO EACH INDIVIDUAL RIDER
• A GOOD ALL ROUND CC CAPACITY
• THE ADDITIONAL COST TO BUY A R1200GS/ADVENTURE CAN BE SPENT ON GOOD QUALITY EXTRAS AND UPGRADES
• AN APPRECIATIVE AND ACKNOWLEDGEABLE WEIGHT SAVING OVER THE R1200GS/ADVENTURE MODELS ESPECIALLY FOR MATURING RIDERS WHO FIND THE R1200GS/ADVENTURE VERY HEAVY AND CUMBERSOME ESPECIALLY WHEN RIDING SLOW OR RIDING OFF-ROAD
• 21” FRONT WHEEL – EXCELLENT FOR AND MAKES DIRT/SAND/THICK SAND RIDING A LOT EASIER
• WELL GEARED
• THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE IS MOUNTED HIGH UP SO CROSSING REASONABLY HIGH WATER LEVEL RIVERS IS NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER
• AT A MINIMAL COST CAN CHANGE FRONT/REAR SPROCKET RATIOS TO SUIT RIDING PURPOSES [E.G.] GO SMALLER ON THE REAR SPROCKET TO LOWER RPM, IMPROVE FUEL EFFICIENCY AND INCREASE TOP SPEED FOR LONG DISTANCE HIGH SPEED TOURING
• BETTER FUEL CONSUMPTION THAN THE R1200GS/ADVENTURE
• CAN RUN AS FAST AS A R1200GS/ADVENTURE – IF AND WHEN PUSHED
• GIVE VERY FEW PROBLEMS
• EXCELLENT OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY
• GOOD POWER FOR 2 UP WITH PILLION RIDER
• EXCELLENT ALL ROUND MOTORCYCLE
• LESS UNSPRUNG WEIGHT/MASS (NO ADDED WEIGHT/MASS OF THE DRIVE SHAFT AND DIFFERENTIAL)
• GAINING POPULARITY
• PROVEN ITSELF ON TRANS-AFRICA EXCURSIONS
• HAVE EARNED EXCEPTIONAL CREDIBILITY
• PARTS ARE READILY AVAILABLE IN SOUTH AFRICA
• VERY WELL MARKETED IN SA
GS 800 CONS
• POOR HEADLIGHTS
• UNSUITABLE FRONT WINDSHIELD – ESPECIALLY FOR LONG DISTANCE TOURING
• DIFFICULT FOR A PASSENGER/PILLION RIDER TO STAND UP PROPERLY/COMFORTABLY BECAUSE OF THE SHAPE OF THE FUEL TANK WHEN RIDING OFF-ROAD WITH AN EXPERIENCED RIDER
• ON THE TALL/HIGH SIDE (WHICH CAN BE LOWERED WITH A FEW SLIGHT CHANGES)
• VERY SOFT FRONT SUSPENSION – THE MOTORCYCLE “DIVES” VERY EASILY WHEN APPLYING FRONT BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY
• TUBE TYPE WHEELS – A CURSE TO REMOVE AND FIT NEW TUBE/S IN AN EMERGENCY
• DO NOT HAVE SPANNERS IN THE STANDARD OE TOOL KIT TO REMOVE AND REFIT THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS IN THE EVENT OF A PUNCTURE HAVING TO BE REPAIRED OR TUBE REPLACED
• VERY MINIMAL “TOOLKIT” SUPPLIED WITH MOTORCYCLE
• NO PUNCTURE REPAIR KITS SUPPLIED WITH MOTORCYCLE
• HAVE TO LUBRICATE AND ADJUST THE DRIVE CHAIN REGULARLY
• HAVE VERY BASIC INFERIOR QUALITY STANDARD BASH PLATES AND NO BASIC/MINOR ENGINE PROTECTION
• SEAT IS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR LONG DISTANCE
• OE WHEEL RIMS ARE VERY SOFT – DENT VERY EASILY IF TYRE PRESSURES ARE NOT INFLATED HARDER THAN NORMAL CONSIDERING THE DAILY DETERIORATING ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE
GS 1200 PROS
• EXCELLENT LONG DISTANCE TOURING MOTORCYCLE ON TARRED ROADS
• R1200GS ADVENTURE MODEL HAS A GOOD FUEL TANK SIZE
• WELL GEARED
• ACCEPTABLE OFF ROAD CAPABILITY
• EXCELLENT POWER FOR 2 UP WITH PILLION RIDER
• PARTS ARE READILY AVAILABLE IN SOUTH AFRICA
• VERY WELL MARKETED IN SA
• NO DRIVE CHAIN ADJUSTMENT OR LUBRICATION REQUIRED
• VERY POPULAR
• PROVEN ITSELF ACROSS TRANS AFRICA EXCURSIONS
• HAVE EARNED EXCEPTIONAL CREDIBILITY
GS 1200 CONS
• PRICEY
• HEAVY, FOR SOME VERY HEAVY ……………… ESPECIALLY FOR MATURING RIDERS WHO CAN COMFORTABLY AFFORD TO PURCHASE THE R1200GS/ADVENTURE MODELS…………ANY ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT WILL EVEN MAKE IT HEAVIER
• TO MANY ELECTRONIC FEATURES (THAT MAY BE ATTRACTIVE FEATURES TO RIDERS WHO NEVER GO OFF - ROAD) THAT CAN GO WRONG AND LEAVE RIDERS POSSIBLY STRANDED – LESS IS MORE!!!
• OVER AND ABOVE THE HIGH PRICE OF THE BASIC MOTORCYCLE THE EXTRAS ADD ON A SUBSTANTIAL PRICE TO THE TOTAL OVERHAUL PRICE OF THE MOTORCYCLE
• 19” FRONT WHEEL – EXCELLENT FOR ROAD RIDING AND THE ODD GRAVEL ROAD BUT VERY CHALLENGING IN THICK SAND
• POOR HEADLIGHTS
• WHEN RIDING IN THICK SAND OR CHALLENGING CONDITIONS AND USING THE CLUTCH EXCESSIVELY RIDERS WILL EXPERIENCE A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING CLUTCH
• THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE IS MOUNTED VERY LOW DOWN JUST ABOVE THE RIGHT HAND CYLINDER WHICH CAN BE A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR RIDERS CROSSING REASONABLY HIGH WATER LEVEL RIVERS
• HAVE HAD THERE FAIR SHARE OF MECHANICAL AND ELECTRONICALLY RELATED PROBLEMS
• MORE REAR END SPRUNG WEIGHT OVER THE BMW F800GS BECAUSE OF THE DRIVE SHAFT AND DIFFERENTIAL
• NOT VERY REASSURING REAR SUSPENSION RELIABILITY IF LOADED AND VENTURING ON SERIOUS OFF ROAD ROUTES
• OE WHEEL RIMS ARE VERY SOFT – DENT VERY EASILY IF TYRE PRESSURES ARE NOT INFLATED HARDER THAN NORMAL CONSIDERING THE DAILY DETERIORATING ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE
• VERY MINIMAL “TOOLKIT” SUPPLIED WITH MOTORCYCLE
• NO PUNCTURE REPAIR KITS SUPPLIED WITH MOTORCYCLE
• DO NOT HAVE SPANNERS IN THE STANDARD OE TOOL KIT TO REMOVE AND REFIT THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS IN THE EVENT OF A TYRE HAVING TO BE REPAIRED/REPLACED
• CANNOT CHANGE THE REAR WHEEL GEARING FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES LIKE ON THE F800GS
• RIDER SEAT BECOMES UNCOMFORTABLE ON LONG DISTANCE
COPIED FROM TFA.
