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F650GS twin versus F800GS Adventure - upgrade from V-Strom DL650 F650GS twin versus F800GS Adventure - upgrade from V-Strom DL650
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 28 Jun 2019
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I have a similar inseam as you. Twice I was faced with the decision between a F650GS twin and a F800GS (non-Adventure). Both times I bought the 650GS twin.


Crossing Lak Iriki solo in winter time, but still 30ºC. Luggage offloaded, about to get bike free (again).

I hate punctures in tubed tyres and mainly ride solo, so tubeless is a massive plus for me (and one of the reasons I have just bought a KTM 790 Adventure). I wasn't concerned about the strength of the alloy wheels as I wasn't doing crazy stuff. I did a lot of off-tarmac riding mainly in Morocco with the bikes. It would have been good to have the narrower taller 21-in front wheel, but I had TKC80s which performed well.


Not really technical, just a bit unnerving!

The 24-litre tank in the 850GSA would obviously be useful against the 16 litres in the 650GS but seeing as your riding companion will be limited to the same 16 litres in the F700GS that won't help you much.

The other bike to look at is the XT660Z Tenere which is better out of the box for what you are looking at, but as with the F800GSA it lacks the tubeless tyres.
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Last edited by Tim Cullis; 28 Jun 2019 at 15:24.
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Old 28 Jun 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
one of the reasons I have just bought a KTM 790 Adventure
Congrats, I love the specs on that bike. But way too expensive for me right now - and I still have some reliability issues to look for. If it proves OK, maybe somewhere after 3-4 years, the title would be: Yamaha T700 vs KTM 790A (R?) )

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
It would have been good to have the narrower taller 21-in front wheel, but I had TKC80s which performed well.
I will use K60 Scouts or Mitas E07, but yeah, 21" front does look tempting. Mandatory though? I still don't know.

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Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
your riding companion will be limited to the same 16 litres in the F700GS that won't help you much.
For regular riding 16L is more than enough. For more remote stretches, we can share the extra gas in the GSA tank. Anyway we will have extra gas with us, a couple of Rotopaxes at least.

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Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
The other bike to look at is the XT660Z Tenere which is better out of the box for what you are looking at, but it lacks the tubeless tyres.
It's also very top-heavy - and single, less power, etc.
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Old 28 Jun 2019
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I did, looks amazing, but not that well suited for off-pavement riding (too low ground clearance). Plus it's quite heavy. The shaft it's a big plus though, indeed .
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  #4  
Old 29 Jun 2019
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Quote:
So far, I prefer the F650GS for the following reasons: ...
These are all good, practical reasons for imo, a much under-rated machine.
When it came out I borrowed a 650GS SE with K60s for month in Morocco and road and trail, really liked it apart from the truly terrible saddle. More here.
The tank was good for 250 miles which is fine by me, and so was the 19er front which is matched to the bike's actual off-road ability, primarily held back by its weight. Stock suspension was surprisingly good (your all-up weight is the same as me). Because of that, ground clearance was never an issue and will I think be better than a V-Strom anyway.
Last year I also rode an old 700GS for a week and even on road tyres, I was reminded what a great motor and suspension you get as stock, especially the fork. You really appreciate the low centre of gravity (under-seat tank) – opposite of the XT660Z.

I've ridden 800s but for real-world travelling, as you're planning, would take the tubeless tyres and $2000 in change for 650/700 every time.
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Old 29 Jun 2019
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Hi Chris. I've read your F650GS SE review many times (and it's at the base of my most probable choice . Also the book.
2 questions please:
- why not F800GS
- F650GS or F700GS
Thanks a lot.
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Old 29 Jun 2019
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Not 800GS because:
Why pay more?
Don't want taller saddle
Don't need more power
Definitely don't want inner tubes
Prefer the lower-rpm torque and economy of the 650

(You can retune an 800 to a '650/700', as a mate did - much nicer motor; you can also reset both for 91 octane - may be useful on the road)

650/700 differences easily Googled and not deal breaking, imo.
Primarily '700' was to stop confusion with the 650GS single.
So I suppose get the best one in your area for the money, bearing in mind that the 700s will be newer and maybe easier to sell later.
They seem to hold their value annoyngly well.
Last edited by Chris Scott; 29 Jun 2019 at 22:11.
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Old 29 Jun 2019
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Thanks a lot Chris for your input. I have yet to check:
- ground clearance on F650/700GS versus V-Strom. I hope to have at least 2-3cm more usable clearance (after sag, not on paper)
- sit/ride a F800GSA to see how I can handle the extra height and weight

The F650GS can be reset for 91 octane? I know F800GS can, but not too sure about 650/700 twin.
Research continues .
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