F800GS Pix (is this the REAL GS???)

[Lawn Dart]

Well well well!  Lookie what I found.  Looks like the pix of the F800GS have finally been "released".  The official announcement date is scheduled for Nov. 6th, so these MIGHT change...Still, these are the closest and most sensible pictures I've found yet.

Note that the top pic is likely the F800GS "Funduro" type.  The second pic looks like an F800GS Dakar or Adventure type model to me.  The suspension of the second bike is taller...and a couple of other mods as well.  USD forks, tank plastics are marginally different.  Bash plate.  Dual discs up front.  Spoke rims too!

I'm liking the second one a LOT!

[atadaskew]

Ooooooo baaaaaby! The GS looks hawt!  It looks like there are centerstand lugs ready for the optional (should be standard) stand.  I'm thinking 800cc of twin FI is about perfect size for this type of bike.  While I have bee-yotched about the standard F800 bikes for being too pricey etc compared to their "competitors", this GS does not have any competitors.  The 1200GS and KTM 990 are much bigger and (hopefully) much pricier.  The 650 dps do not offer enough motor IMO ( I had a KLR650 that was 'kitted').  Vstroms are out too, cuz they're basically road bikes with big wheels (nice though).
This will look sweet next to my Ducs.
I'm guessing $11500 for the GS...
(and no fd worries!   )

[garry]

Looks like a solid effort at first glance. I'll be looking forward to some details from the Milan show.

[Mr Sunshine]

I need to sit on it.....while I drive it out of the dealer ship.  

[Hickey]

I sort of figured that it would come with a chain drive, but I am disappointed to see a conventional swingarm.  I was hoping for a single sided swingarm like the rest of the F800 family, especially if it was going to have a chain drive.  It also appears to have that weird cockeyed headlight arrangement of the boxer GS.  

I'm a bit disappointed to be honest.  If that is indeed an official picture.  Maybe Triumph will do better with the Tiger Cub.  If they actually ever make one.

[Rincewind]

I wonder what it looks like from the front.  Twin headlights, I'd guess.  That GS has me drooling.  I love the trellis frame, and that it doesn't have those big jugs hanging out.  Slam dunk, BMW - they get my vote for best new bike for US in 08.    ...oh wait, it is coming to the US, right??  Remember what they did to us with the F800S and ST - we had to wait a year for them to import 'em here.

I don't agree with Hickey on wanting a single-sided swingarm.  The previous F650GS's, and the new F650X family have conventional swingarms - it has only been the belt driven F650CS and later F800S/ST's that have had them.  Besides shaft-driven models, I can't think of any single-sided swingarm adventure bikes - just doesn't seem applicable to me.

[Mr Sunshine]

I sort of figured that it would come with a chain drive, but I am disappointed to see a conventional swingarm.  I was hoping for a single sided swingarm like the rest of the F800 family, especially if it was going to have a chain drive.  It also appears to have that weird cockeyed headlight arrangement of the boxer GS.  

I'm a bit disappointed to be honest.  If that is indeed an official picture.  Maybe Triumph will do better with the Tiger Cub.  If they actually ever make one.

Those headlights are very functional. (on the R1200gs)

Also a single sided swing arm is heavier and fragiler than a conventional swing arm.  I suspect this bike is going for a MUCH better offroad bike than the R1200GS.

[Zen Rider]

I'm told BMW will unveil 5 new models at Milan.  I believe these are two of them.  

What's the other three? Any speculations?  

The 450 is one, for sure ... how about a revised LT, and or RT.  As the F650GS has been dropped from the line, maybe a revised 650GS?  

[Lawn Dart]

I'm told BMW will unveil 5 new models at Milan.  I believe these are two of them.  

What's the other three? Any speculations?  

The 450 is one, for sure ... how about a revised LT, and or RT.  As the F650GS has been dropped from the line, maybe a revised 650GS?  

#1:  F800GS "Funduro"
#2:  F800GSA
#3:  F450
#4:  R120GS (minor changes)
#5:  R1200GSA (minor changes)

 That's to the best of my knowledge...  And yes, I know.  It's not like the R12GS/A are exactly "new"...

[Zen Rider]

#1:  F800GS "Funduro"
#2:  F800GSA
#3:  F450
#4:  R120GS (minor changes)
#5:  R1200GSA (minor changes)

 That's to the best of my knowledge...  And yes, I know.  It's not like the R12GS/A are exactly "new"...

Good call.  

I gotta believe the K12R and K12R Sport are going away some time soon ~ simply based on sales.  

BMW has yet to release info on the '08 R12S - this may be a contender for the list.  

[kevrider]

I'm thinking 800cc of twin FI is about perfect size for this type of bike.

i'm no fan of the beemers so i almost hate to admit it.  but this the ideal bike for way i would care to do with a d-s/adv machine.  yamaha could hook us up with a great adv bike using the TDM motor, but that's a pipe dream.  a tiger cub would be a three-cylinder wee strom, road-biased just like tiger daddy.  so if this 800 is reliable and lives up to it's lineage, it's probably as close to perfect as is available right now.

[AZSprint]

That new GS looks great...I can't wait to see one at the dealer. I do have a question though. Why do these bikes have a front wheel that is larger than the rear? I believe Triumph did this with the Tiger several versions ago also.

[Mr Sunshine]

That new GS looks great...I can't wait to see one at the dealer. I do have a question though. Why do these bikes have a front wheel that is larger than the rear? I believe Triumph did this with the Tiger several versions ago also.

Cause when you are offroad you need the front wheel to be able to deal with obsticals.
(I suck at spelling)

[kevrider]

Why do these bikes have a front wheel that is larger than the rear? I believe Triumph did this with the Tiger several versions ago also.

MrSun answered it, but if you have to ask you probably don't need to know.  

[AZSprint]

MrSun answered it, but if you have to ask you probably don't need to know.  

Well, there's no denying that! But as someone that looks down dirt and gravel roads and wishes he had a bike for them, that new GS may find it's way into my garage. I've never noticed...do the F650GS and R1200GS have a larger front as well, or is this new to BMW on these 800GS's?

[kevrider]

yes, all d-s bikes have a bigger front hoop, 19" or 21".   the ones with the 21" spoked hoops are generally lighter and more capable offroad.  those with 19" cast wheels usually have more limited offroad ability.  BMW does not own the d-s market.  if you're interested, you should take a look around before you jump onto the beemer bandwagon.

[Hickey]

I'm fairly certain that the older GSs have all had larger front tires.  I think there might have been a version of the 650 with a belt final drive and street wheels.

I really want to see other pictures of the F800GS, from other angles.  And some solid info about if that bike is coming to America and at what prices.

Does anyone else think that the fuel tank looks different than the tank found on the other F800 models?  Perhaps bigger?

[Rincewind]

Does anyone else think that the fuel tank looks different than the tank found on the other F800 models?  Perhaps bigger?

The tank is under the seat on the other models, and I assume it is the same for the GS.  So what you see as a tank is an airbox cover.

My question is whether they were able to increase the fuel capacity from the ~4.1 gallons of the other models.

[Hickey]

I understand that the tank is below the seat as with the other F800 models.  It does look different though and I wonder if it is larger.  Given the fuel economy of the other F800 models, if they managed to get another gallon of capacity, that bike might have impressive range.

[Mr Sunshine]

Well the frame is really different so they could have done alot of things.