What have we here? A middleweight version of the venerable R1200GS? A lighter, more manageable iteration of the long-way-around traveler? Well, not quite....
At 521 pounds gassed up and ready to ride, the all-new 2009 BMW F800GS is only 20 pounds lighter than the 2008 R1200GS we tested last year (Rider, August 2008). But those figures aren’t directly comparable. The F800GS you see here was tested with side cases (26 pounds), plus brackets for those cases and an optional centerstand that probably add another 10-15 pounds. But the 1200 had an Electronic Suspension Adjustment package that added weight via a hydraulic pump, associated hoses and such. Suffice it to say, the F800GS isn’t much lighter than its R1200GS brethren. And, in terms of dimensions, the 800 is actually larger, with a 62.1-inch wheelbase and 34.6-inch seat height versus the more compact 59.3-inch wheelbase and 34.3-inch seat height of the 1200.
Rather, the F800GS is a cheaper, less powerful alternative to the R1200GS. The 800’s base price is $10,520 vs. $14,600 for the 1200. Four large will subsidize a lot of Gelände/Strasse (off-/onroad) miles. Got a dream to ride the AlCan Highway that’s burning a hole in your bank account? Screw the uncertainty of the stock market; go where value is golden: on two wheels.
Read the full road test, including detailed specs and more photos, in the January 2009 issue of Rider, which is on newsstands now or available to subscribers.
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