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The Village People moustache is a nice touch, but I miss the beret.

Airbear wrote:The Village People moustache is a nice touch, but I miss the beret.

What beret?

Oh god. Here we go again...

Hey ZM & Michael: On every review I read about the 800GS, they mention the vibration. What was your impression of it? How would it compare to an Airhead.

Brad

Good question. My R 65's motor is smoother than the single cylinder F 650 motor but the F 650 has real suspension. Wait, isn't the 800 a twin?

bbelk wrote:Hey ZM & Michael: On every review I read about the 800GS, they mention the vibration. What was your impression of it? How would it compare to an Airhead.

Brad

There are some vibes but not objectionable IMO. A bit more intense and higher frequency at upper rpm's compared to a good airhead, smoother at low revs in normal commuter mode. After three weeks of daily riding in the Alps, it never was a problem. I think it's difficult to argue against the parallel twin for a motorcycle application.

Zombie Master wrote:

bbelk wrote:Hey ZM & Michael: On every review I read about the 800GS, they mention the vibration. What was your impression of it? How would it compare to an Airhead.

Brad

There are some vibes but not objectionable IMO. A bit more intense and higher frequency at upper rpm's compared to a good airhead, smoother at low revs in normal commuter mode. After three weeks of daily riding in the Alps, it never was a problem. I think it's difficult to argue against the parallel twin for a motorcycle application.

Getting out of Texas requires a mind and butt numbing day of travel at 70 - 80 MPH. In pretty places, I am happy at 60, but going 60 on a Texas interstate is not a safe thing. Is "a bit more intense" something you could stand for a day?

If you wanna gitthefuckoutta TexSux at good speed, just go straight to the big-bore K-Bike. Those things can MOVE.

I've heard nothing but good about the 800s, but they're too small for my ergonomic comfort.

The Veg wrote:If you wanna gitthefuckoutta TexSux at good speed, just go straight to the big-bore K-Bike. Those things can MOVE.

I've heard nothing but good about the 800s, but they're too small for my ergonomic comfort.

It has to fit in the back of my truck and the R65 is tight:

bbelk wrote:

Zombie Master wrote:

bbelk wrote:Hey ZM & Michael: On every review I read about the 800GS, they mention the vibration. What was your impression of it? How would it compare to an Airhead.

Brad

There are some vibes but not objectionable IMO. A bit more intense and higher frequency at upper rpm's compared to a good airhead, smoother at low revs in normal commuter mode. After three weeks of daily riding in the Alps, it never was a problem. I think it's difficult to argue against the parallel twin for a motorcycle application.

Getting out of Texas requires a mind and butt numbing day of travel at 70 - 80 MPH. In pretty places, I am happy at 60, but going 60 on a Texas interstate is not a safe thing. Is "a bit more intense" something you could stand for a day?

I don't find it a problem, but when forced to ride the autoban a bigger mulit cylinder machine, as the Veg recommended would be better, but when you arrive on the roads we really want to be on the larger machine is a drag. If you are on a chain drive model changing gearing is a piece of cake, and with 6 speeds you have a lot of gears to choose from. The F800R that I rented has lower gearing to enhance performance in town, which was great for the Alps bur may have been a bit of a detriment on the autoban. In Canada where bikes cost a bit more than Stateside, the F800R is about $10,000. I think that is great value. If you are coming from an airhead the 800cc parallel twin will be a revelation for power, and the fuel economy is astounding. Sometimes I wonder why I bothered with my new KTM 990 SMT. Yes it has more performance, higher end suspension, but in terms of cost, efficiency, and ease of maintenance, the 800 makes much more sense.

You have a lot of choices with the 800 engine in terms of riding style. I feel the GS version when fully loaded is heavier than it should be. I have a buddy who spent a bunch of money of a GS800 and got if fully loaded under 400pds, but I think that would cost a lot, but would be a great machine.