F700GS test ride ....

[slparry]

Well while the KGT was having its fuel pump recall and fuel strip fitted I took out the F700GS, while my mate Paul took out the F800GS.

It's been a genuinely long time since we had such an enjoyable day out on bikes. Paul agreed with me that they were a pair of very engaging bikes.

It was a joy to have something so light, with adequate performance levels.

This was what influenced me the most to do a deal on the 800 when we got back to the mothership.

We rode the 55 motorway miles from Williams Manchester to the Ponderosa café, then took the unclassified road behind the café and over the mountain back towards Wrexham for some town work then the A roads from Wrexham to Chester via Farndon before picking up the motorway for the trip back.

The little GS's took it all in their stride.

The K felt distinctly porky on the way back, although the voluminous fairing was appreciated in the biblical showers on the way home

[eyore]

Less is definitely more

[popsky]

Now just think what it must be like to ride a true F road bike Steve

F800r

[slparry]

Now just think what it must be like to ride a true F road bike Steve

F800r

I've seen your better half and Andy's ST .... just that with living where I do I need a trailey tyre shod bike for winter commuting duties

[Gromit]

Now just think what it must be like to ride a true F road bike Steve

F800r

Moot point, Phil - if I didn't look so ridiculous riding an F800R (it's just too small for me) I'd be giving one serious consideration. I had an F800S as a loan bike a couple of times when my old BCR was in for service/warranty work and usually took the day off work to put some miles on it. A storming little bike, easily as quick as the BCR and great fun with it.

A friend of ours has an 800GS and loves it, doesn't hang about too.

[eyore]

Now just think what it must be like to ride a true F road bike Steve

F800r

I've seen your better half and Andy's ST .... just that with living where I do I need a trailey tyre shod bike for winter commuting duties

Is the Funduro being pensioned off then ?

[slparry]

Now just think what it must be like to ride a true F road bike Steve

F800r

I've seen your better half and Andy's ST .... just that with living where I do I need a trailey tyre shod bike for winter commuting duties

Is the Funduro being pensioned off then ?

In two minds at the mo, I may ebay it to cover the £1000 deposit on the 800 or I may keep it as a winter hack so the F800 can stay prettier longer.

Either way the K is going as being honest I only really keep it for the annual highlands tour which is a bit stupid. It was originally intended to be for me and g/f to tour on but as I've been single these last few years it's not really justifying itself.

I had so much fun on this little lightweight bike today it was a revelation and was just fun again

[slparry]

some pics from today of the F800GS and F700GS that we used, was quite surprised to come across some highland cattle at Worlds End (just down from the Horseshoe Pass), she was naturally very defensive of the calves

[f90x]

Now just think what it must be like to ride a true F road bike Steve

F800r

Moot point, Phil - if I didn't look so ridiculous riding an F800R (it's just too small for me) I'd be giving one serious consideration. I had an F800S as a loan bike a couple of times when my old BCR was in for service/warranty work and usually took the day off work to put some miles on it. A storming little bike, easily as quick as the BCR and great fun with it.

A friend of ours has an 800GS and loves it, doesn't hang about too.

I like the look of all the F series and the 'R' would certainly be a contender for me in the future (the GS is too tall but a mate has one and I really like it) but why did they have to make it the only one with a chain? Having had two BM's with a shaft and now the HD with a belt I really don't want to go back.

[dave the german]

Steve. totally agree with the weight thing - I loved my 650 Versys and rode that more than the BCR - I should be getting a cheap get to work bike shortly, would love a GS and a 1200s but funds won't allow. I really like the look of the 800GS but..... the 1 thing that puts me off is chain drive ( I did check and adjust when need with the Versys and got used to it so maybe...)

[Gromit]

I like the look of all the F series and the 'R' would certainly be a contender for me in the future (the GS is too tall but a mate has one and I really like it) but why did they have to make it the only one with a chain? Having had two BM's with a shaft and now the HD with a belt I really don't want to go back.

Good point re the chain Steve, why the hell BMW didn't put a belt on the 800R I really don't know. Understandable on the GS but on a road bike a belt is superb. Also, the chain drive is on the r/h side which makes it a right pain for lubing, or using a Scottoiler. A chain itself wouldn't put me off though as I've found on the Blackbird, using a Scottoiler makes a huge difference - the 'Bird is about to go through 80k miles and still only on its 2nd set of C&S.

Anyone ridden an 800 Tiger?

[Hayden]

Less is definitely more

wise words, some of the most fun I`ve had have been on board a CB500 , I also had an F800s for a while, cracking bike, very underated, but could keep up with bigger bikes no bother.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/40007933@N04/6785827244/

I still fancy an 800r ( or Tiger 800) Mrs Popskys looks great

concrats on the bike Steve, going to lots of fun...

[Dog Tyred]

Less is definitely more

wise words, some of the most fun I`ve had have been on board a CB500 , I also had an F800s for a while, cracking bike, very underated, but could keep up with bigger bikes no bother.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/40007933@N04/6785827244/

I still fancy an 800r ( or Tiger 800) Mrs Popskys looks great

concrats on the bike Steve, going to lots of fun...

Bloody hell Steve (Hayden) looking at your Flickr page photos reminds me just how many bikes you have had over the years !!

My current total is 4!! and I still have two of those

DT

[popsky]

Bloody hell Steve (Hayden) looking at your Flickr page photos reminds me just how many bikes you have had over the years !!

My current total is 4!! and I still have two of those

DT

That's what it's like when your so young Greg!!!!! Don't worry you'll catch up one day

[Gromit]

Been doing a bit of homework since Steve started this thread - it's got me interested in the idea of changing my bike. I don't do many miles now (done less than 3k on the bike since MoT last Aug) and am rapidly coming round to the idea of a bike which is comfy, more upright, fun and with enough power to not frustrate.

Seems the F bikes' engine problems are now a thing of the past - the originals suffered piston slap issues for example - and a revvy parallel twin does appeal.

Reckon one of these could become an 'only bike' Steve?'.

I love the Blackbird, had it 7.5 years now, but as 90% of my riding is just pootling around backroads it's a bit of a beast and I just don't ride it enough to justify any more. In the Blackbird's favour though is that it's probably worth more to me as a bike than what I could sell it for (I'd probably ask c£1300 for it with all the bits).