You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Have an old BMW 650ST single which I do enjoy. No off-roading, easy commutes, sunny Sunday rides. Like the riding position (have back problems but find the position and lightness a win), not bothered about racing around.
Looking at doing some occasional longer rides, poss off to Europe so wonder if the 800 would make longer distances comfier, Vs the Dakar which gets solid reviews and will be v similar to my ST.
Seems to be mixed views on the web so interested if anyone has tried both? Pros and cons of each (bearing in mind it's all road use - and until Triumph Tiger 800 becomes affordable(!), not too interested in other bikes as having to sell my GPZ & sold my ZZR because my back doesn't bend!).
Thanks
Have you looked at the Yamaha MT09 Tracer? I've just picked one up for some light touring next year and it's a hell of a piece of kit for the cash.
Havent ridden the 800 but would imagine the 800 would be much smoother whereas the dakar is just an f650 single with longer suspension.
I've noticed them and they do look go ... however, I have some daft liking at the moment to lumpy singles (poss twins) and the lazy riding style
Tiger 800 'Road' versions have been out since the end of 2010 - getting more affordable now. I've had a road one and I've just got a new XCX version - awesome bikes. Better build quality than a certain German brand, IMHO.
I've had both. 800 is the far superior machine in every respect, save bush mechanics repair. I enjoyed the 650 as it was my first machine, but the 800 was epic - even better (on balance) than the R1200GSA I replaced it with...
So, interesting to hear. I quite enjoy the relative lightness and smallness of the 650, manhandling and when riding (rap with a sore back). How would you compare them size and weight? Thanks
I did 6000 miles on my 800gsa this summer. One trip was to Hungary and involved a 3 day dash back through Germany etc. The bike was perfectly happy at speed and a *really* comfortable place to be, certainly more comfortable than a car. (I also have a bad back - in my case slipped disc at L5/S1)
Cruise control would have been nice but not available on the 800.
Rachel
I used to have a 650 single but not the dakar. On longer rides especially a couple of hours at motorway speed the buzzynes was very tiring. Miss the chuckability and the feeling like you can actually push the bike hard without doing crazy speeds though.
Thanks ... Rachel, do you find it comfy to manhandle, push around, handle when riding (thinking of your back)?
And anagallis - agree with the idea that you can push it hard but seldom are you going crazy fast. How does the 800 compare in this way?
Cheers
Well, mine is the Adventure model, which is a good big bigger than the standard 800gs. I'd still say it was fine to (wo)manhandle - trick is to think first and push later! I will admit one thing, though - I’m not strong enough to pick it up. As much as it massively annoys me, I have had to ask a passing guy to help!
Riding it is totally different - it’s *really* easy to ride! I can just about trackstand it at the traffic lights!
Rachel