A bit of an advertisement for the 1200GS but watch the entire video and it will show you why we all should ride ADV bikes…LOVE the one grrl in this video and she tells the truth…we need more grrls riding on these bikes!
170 riders on a 5-day adventure through NSW, the 2012 BMW GS Safari was a great success. See the BMW R 1200 GS in action along with other models from the legendary GS range.
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Advgrrl Motorcycle Adventures & More 
Looks like fun bit as far as riding in big groups like that I typically look to follow well behind the pack as what normally happens is you tend to over ride trying to set, or keep up with, a pace that is just slightly ahead of your capabilities.
No matter what they say, the 1200 is a huge beast in the dirt. Drive hard for half a day and lay it down then try to pick it up. My friend who has a 1200 looks to my F800 and likes what he sees. He is thinking that he may go to the 800 as it is a bit more nimble and lighter but still more than capable to tour.
That being said i look at his 1200 and think that might be a bike I would like to step up to. Decisions, decisions, decisions, still have another years warranty on the 800 so may let the bugs get worked out of the new 1200 and take the plunge.
like they said in the video the 1200 is not for the novice rider and just like anything else, if you have the skills to take that bike where it wants to go…then it’s probably the bike to own regardless of weight. That is why we have choices. I just love seeing videos like this showing the road bikers what they are missing! 😉
I had a F-650 several years ago that I rode basically from Vegas to Phoenix and back in a day and that little bike beat me up. By the end, it was no fun at all. I know the 1200 is well known for gobbling up highway miles but how is that 800 between the 650 and 1200? I’ve been riding my whole life and can handle any bike but want to get insight from an 800 owner.
My 2 cents as a F8GS owner:
The F8GS is no touring bike. The position might be comfortable but the seat is rock hard and very narrow. Easily fixed with an AirHawk cushion or similar tho. The standard screen is great for off-road but comes short for HWY riding (lots of buffeting and noise). It has enough power to overtake other vehicles with ease but it vibrates more and more over 130 km/h (80 mph). It’s not a wife-carrier, for that get a 1200 bike. Fun on twisty roads with the right tyres. Get the gadgets (ABS, heated grips, etc) b/c they are worth it.
Cheers,
Alberto.
the new ESA is quite interesting on this 800. We will be getting our seats tweaked as we are way too familiar with the OEM plank. To be fair though the low seat allows you to move your ass back a bit into the pit of the seat…there is an area where you actually get relief from the pressure points being stressed. In the end though we will modify out Renzaco seats, make sure the nose of the seats are made more narrow and use gel inserts. A local woman will be doing this and when she does I will blog about it and review how she does.