F800GS or R1200GS?

[Polarbear]

You put the right tires on either of these bikes and go anywhere. The 800 is a really better dirt bike, less a grand tourer but will... add farkles, lots of 'em to get comfy. The 1200 is a giant dirt bike, with rider talent added, will go anywhere with right tires and tourer extrordinaire, cannot be beat. My GSA1200 does all that. Tires make a huge difference in what you do with bike. 50/50 tires are probably best as in HeidenausK60s. Randy

[AntonLargiader]

... Those in the group who rode the 700 and 800's were told by the coaches that their bikes "needed" more clutch/throttle 'feathering' for control vs the 1200...

Maybe 'can tolerate more' was the origin of that?

I am sure anything the 800 could do, the 1200GSA can do easier

The 800 is lighter, narrower, has a bigger front wheel and more suspension travel, easier to change the gearing... why do you think the 1200 must be better?

[bikerfish1100]

Maybe 'can tolerate more' was the origin of that?



The 800 is lighter, narrower, has a bigger front wheel and more suspension travel, easier to change the gearing... why do you think the 1200 must be better?

because it's BIGGER, and in 'merica, we all know that bigger is automatically better.




yeah, right.

try this on your 1200GS- only 1 gallon of fuel left, and 55 miles to the next gas stop. The 800 gets there with a few miles to spare, the 1200 gets there after being pushed, trailered or towed the last 5-10 miles

[AZ-J]

The new wet head is certainly a better bike than the F800GS. It has much more features making the bike safer (much more power too).

[bikerfish1100]

The new wet head is certainly a better bike than the F800GS. It has much more features making the bike safer (much more power too).

True, but it's gonna be pretty tough to find a used wethead, I suspect (which is what the OP is seeking).
I would hope that at close to 1.5-2x the price of the F8 that the new R12 is a better overall bike. We'll have to wait to see if it's a better in the dirt.

[mt10ride]

Just my .$02, I traded in my F800 for a 2013 1200, I found the 800 a really uncomfortable bike to ride on the road. I lowered the bike with progressive springs front and back and that fixed the to tall problem. BTW I have a 30" inseam The seat was miserable for more than a few miles. Having said all that I liked the bike on gravel and dirt roads, did a little cowpath riding but that is not the bikes strong suit. The 21" front tire is a boon off road but kinda of problem on superslab. The snatchy throttle on the 800 was a learning curve to climb, but it could be fixed aftermarket. FWIW.

[ROBERTSI]

I find my 1200 GS well suited for long days on the saddle and handles itself quite well off road ...but there is a limit.....when the going gets tough...TKC80 would help you get farther off the beaten path.