I think its a KTM beater

[Buggles]

I've read mixed reviews on the 800GS... I loved the bike when I first laid eyes on it, but I have to say that I like KTM more and more each time I see it...

If I don't get another tiger after this one (another 955, no 1050 for me) it'll be an Adventure... Probably a 990, but if the 690 does long distances well, i may go back to singles (since I'm not anymore, my bike might as well be)



JB

[phil w]

O yes the 690 is a great looking bike, mind does it have too much power for off road, 67 bhp??? If using road is the seat good enough, I dont think so!! Can it be fitted with screen for protection. Did see a 690 with touratech panniers at their open day and it looked good.
And does it need lots of engine work after a few miles???
Still pipping it is a G650 X challenge

[Buggles]

O yes the 690 is a great looking bike, mind does it have too much power for off road, 67 bhp??? If using road is the seat good enough, I dont think so!! Can it be fitted with screen for protection. Did see a 690 with touratech panniers at their open day and it looked good.
And does it need lots of engine work after a few miles???
Still pipping it is a G650 X challenge

My DR800 has 62 HP and that's plenty. Only problem is long distances on-road. The wind protection isn't very good upwards of 50mph.

Is the 690 adventure out then? I haven't seen it yet... Or do you mean the Rallye replica?

JB

[phil w]

No 690 I mean the enduro, dont even think of any Dakar/Adv coming out before 2010 so the chaps on the stand at Dirt Bike Show were saying

[Muzz]

Yeah, that Schnitzer 800 is up against the SM or the SM-T, rather than the Adv and frankly, in that company, my money's on Orange every time.

[Buggles]

No 690 I mean the enduro, dont even think of any Dakar/Adv coming out before 2010 so the chaps on the stand at Dirt Bike Show were saying

Ah...

I'm quietly hoping they'll bring out the Rallye they presented for Dakar recently. Mind you, I can't afford to buy it, but it would still be nice to have something to drool over that's actually available to buy.

**thread hijack has now completed, back to gushing over the 800GS**

JB

[doglegdon]

Well for me at least, it was either the Beamer 800 or the Adventure, my personal opinion mind, but I think I made the right choice. Only the @ has ever captured my heart as much as the Adventure has.
Yes, I've ridden alot of Beamers in my time, eg. 1150R/1150GSA/1200GS/ 1200GSA etc, as my best mate here is a BMW nut, (and despite being Canadian, he's otherwise pretty harmless!)
Didn't like the gearboxes on any of them really, handling okay, comfy yes, but seemingly rather on the heavy side.
I've read alot of mixed reviews on the 800, some glowing and some not so, unfortunately it all helped to sow the 'seeds of doubt' about them for me.
The 800 still isn't available in this country, maybe summer next year and the price they're gonna charge for it is nothing short of outrageous, but "whatever floats your boat, folks"!

[ca6cbe]

I think I can add something useful to this post. I own a BMW F800GS, which I traded in a KTM 990SM for, so I have had experience of both. Both have their plus points and minus points, but here's a summary.

F800 - very comfy but suffers from vibes. Engine is boring but does nothing badly, just does not excel at anything. Exceptional on fuel, I have managed 280 miles on one tank which is almost unbelievable. Remus stainless exhaust fitted, which makes little as no diference to performance, just a lot of noise, and it is road legal.

KTM 990SM - seat is hard as nails, you can't do long distance on this without some extra padding. Not sure what the SMT is like though, but would like to find out. Thirsty engine and expensive to service. Kills tires if you play with it, and you will not be able to avoid playing, it's that much fun. Handling is like nothing I've ridden before, no matter how hard you push, it just gets on with it, far better capabilities than me. Brakes are phenominal. The engine is the real star, eager, responsive, lovely noise and quick. It will hammer an F800 on any roads (except dirt perhaps) and I have hammered several 1200 GS's too.

In retrospect, it was a mistake to change, but the 800 is better at distance, that's it. I might change back to the SMT if I can get a good test ride.