F650GS or F800GS ????

[Boxerkuh]

Greetings, I have owned Airheads and early Oilheads and am back on the Airhead now. One of the things that I have learned is never to sell one of my bikes again. So, my Airhead is staying, but I am considering adding a new bike to the garage in the spring of 09 and the F650 or F800 would be great due to the 70 mpg. My riding is mostly superslap, commuting to work daily about 100 miles a day.
I am considering either a F650GS, F800GS or if they would make it a F800R....
I really don't ride off road and don't plan on doing so. Here is my delema.... I love spoked wheels!!! I love the look of the F800GS (it is already talking to my soul), but it has tubed tires. What is up with that, this day and age? I really dislike the new wheels of F650GS (they look like a knock off a set of Lester Wheels and it is not talking to my soul). BMW has yet to produce F800R, that might solve all my problems. What am I to do? I have searched the net on the tubed F800GS wheels, but can't really find any helpful information. I have gotten flats in my tubeless tires and really don't want to deal with tubes anymore... that is so 70's. Do R1200GS tires and rims fit? Any feedback, thoughts, ideas would be appreciated.

[Newstar]

I really can't comment on tubes vs. non but I'm wondering how tall you are?

I have a 650GS and had planned on moving up to the 800GS when it arrived. I was sadly disappointed when I saw how tall it was. I'm not in to lowering the bike and wanted something I could ride out of the dealer. The 800GS was way too tall for me.

[FredRydr]

I was faced with the same comparison, and in spite of all the club hoopla over the F800GS, I read the European reviews and blogs and finally ordered the F650GS twin. It's not the wire spoked wheels, but rather the wheel size with the softer suspension and longer fork travel on the F800GS that helped me decide. I plan to take it onto the dirt roads all the time, but I ride a long way to get there, and I want the dual-sport and not a heavy enduro. The 19"/17" dualsport tubeless tires on a firmer suspension will do me just fine. Not to mention my 29" inseam will be a bit happier.

I usually ride before I buy, but not this time. I hope I don't regret it!

I love my Roadster. I wonder, will it become neglected? Nah!

Fred
'07 R1200R
'09 F650GS

[Kutcher]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you get those rims sealed so you do not need tubes?

[Boxerkuh]

[QUOTE=Newstar;346104]I really can't comment on tubes vs. non but I'm wondering how tall you are?

I am 5'10", but only have an inseam of 30". I have test ridden a R1200GS and the one foot flat on the ground was not a problem for me. Although I am the reference man's average height, I have a longer torso when compared to others. I have never considered the seat height to be an issue, probably since all my prior Beemers it was never a problem. I will definately test ride both before making a decision, but know that I can't be only one out there with this question and wonder what others are thinking. The experience, thoughts, findings of others that makes it so helpful for my thought process.

Thank you for all your feedback, please keep it coming...