Is motorcycling allowed?

[Kalahari Vegmot]

The 60k km valve service is a big bill if you can't do it yourself......

Ahhh so that would explain the pricing......

[BenReaper]

Please keep us updated. How tall are you?

Will keep you posted.

I'm 1,79m tall and weight in at 101kg, my wife is about 1,76 and pretty close weight wise.

To give you an idea here we are on the DR before the 2018 Canola run, the first and last offroad trip we did together as we realized this is not exactly a 2up bike.

 

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Will keep you posted.

I'm 1,79m tall and weight in at 101kg, my wife is about 1,76 and pretty close weight wise.

To give you an idea here we are on the DR before the 2018 Canola run, the first and last offroad trip we did together as we realized this is not exactly a 2up bike.

 

Ok sweet thanks. I'm 1.78 so that matches pretty good. interested to see what the gs800 will be like height-wise for us shorter people..

[BenReaper]

Just be very sure of what you are getting the bike for.

The tiger and 800gs cannot be compared to the v-strom 1000.

The former can very easily be ridden offroad and will be very competent. The V-strom is very much a road bike with the looks of something that could go offroad but will probably be horrible and more than likely break.

Just something to think of.

I realize I will be limited for offroad riding with a V-Strom, just not sure yet how much as we haven't done any real offroad touring yet so not sure what were in for.

The V-Strom has always popped up in my price bracket.

As mentioned above we've only ever ventured offroad on the DR and although it was a horrible ride with the bike I still maintain for that type of riding it was a great bike.

I'm hoping the 800gs will give us a more comfortable and powerfull but equally ruggedly ready experience as the DR.

I guess I'm hoping if I buy an older V-Strom we will manage to get buy until I can afford something better equipped.

If that makes sense....

[BenReaper]

https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-motorcycles-scooters/new-germany/triumph-tiger-800xc/1006920505320911305600209

 

https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-motorcycles-scooters/new-germany/triumph-tiger-800-xc/1006472933550911305600209

Saw a few other bikes from this shop aswell, but I'm a hands on guy for the most part, I'd like to be able to go have a look and touch and possibly test if I was interested in a bike.

Those guy's are on the other side of the country.

[IceCreamMan]

The V-Strom range are great bikes and the best bang for buck in the adventure tourer market. I had a 1000 Strom and it went all over sub saharan africa. Thick sand in Mozambique to dirt roads in Botswana. It handled it all well. Not the best for when the road gets bumpy but taking costs into account it was a fine motorcycle and really came into its own on smooth dirt and highways. WEnt through Baviaans a number of times and into Die hel too. No worries. 

 

And the strom is relatively cheap in comparison to the others. Dont treat it like a dirt bike and it will be great. Awesome fuel economy, reliable as an anvil and a stonking V twin motor which has been around for a long while now in 650 form. 

 

Dont look at the strom as a make do bike , its a great bike and the 650 will have more than enough power relative to the DR. 

 

Edit: DOnt buy the 1000 strom, the 650 is plentiful. When i bought mine only the 1000 was avaiable otherwise i would have bought a 650.  I had VIN number 34 Strom. 34th strom ever made. 

Edited March 17, 2020 by IceCreamMan

[shova1]

I realize I will be limited for offroad riding with a V-Strom, just not sure yet how much as we haven't done any real offroad touring yet so not sure what were in for.

The V-Strom has always popped up in my price bracket.

As mentioned above we've only ever ventured offroad on the DR and although it was a horrible ride with the bike I still maintain for that type of riding it was a great bike.

I'm hoping the 800gs will give us a more comfortable and powerfull but equally ruggedly ready experience as the DR.

I guess I'm hoping if I buy an older V-Strom we will manage to get buy until I can afford something better equipped.

If that makes sense....

 

Having had a 800gs, I rate it highly. In fact, considering selling my 1200gs and getting the 800gs again.

 

I didn't do much in terms of long trips with a pillion, but I understand it's not the most comfortable place for a pillion with the fuel tank being under the seat. Perhaps someone here with pillion experience could comment?

 

Best test ride with the wife regardless.

[BenReaper]

The V-Strom range are great bikes and the best bang for buck in the adventure tourer market. I had a 1000 Strom and it went all over sub saharan africa. Thick sand in Mozambique to dirt roads in Botswana. It handled it all well. Not the best for when the road gets bumpy but taking costs into account it was a fine motorcycle and really came into its own on smooth dirt and highways. WEnt through Baviaans a number of times and into Die hel too. No worries.

 

And the strom is relatively cheap in comparison to the others. Dont treat it like a dirt bike and it will be great. Awesome fuel economy, reliable as an anvil and a stonking V twin motor which has been around for a long while now in 650 form.

 

Dont look at the strom as a make do bike , its a great bike and the 650 will have more than enough power relative to the DR.

 

Edit: DOnt buy the 1000 strom, the 650 is plentiful. When i bought mine only the 1000 was avaiable otherwise i would have bought a 650. I had VIN number 34 Strom. 34th strom ever made.

There is a very neat, clean, low mileage 1000 Strom available now for a decent price.

I probably won't be wandering across our borders soon but the trips I have in mind do consist of places like Die Hell, Baviaans Kloof and some Karoo riding.

I won't be doing any GS Trophy type stuff soon. I'm basically just a gravel road guy. If we go anywhere with the bakkie I'll check to see if there's any gravel roads to get there by. As other mountain bikers will know, some of the best views are found off the beaten path.

I am still keeping my DR for playing in the bush or hopefully doing the odd funduro soon but need something reliable with a push button start to able to hop on and go almost anywhere on a whim.

 

Both my DR and my SRAD have left me stranded or limping home more than once in 2019 and it's become really frustrating.

 

Ek is moeg gevkn sukkel met die goed!

[IceCreamMan]

There is a very neat, clean, low mileage 1000 Strom available now for a decent price.

I probably won't be wandering across our borders soon but the trips I have in mind do consist of places like Die Hell, Baviaans Kloof and some Karoo riding.

I won't be doing any GS Trophy type stuff soon. I'm basically just a gravel road guy. If we go anywhere with the bakkie I'll check to see if there's any gravel roads to get there by. As other mountain bikers will know, some of the best views are found off the beaten path.

I am still keeping my DR for playing in the bush or hopefully doing the odd funduro soon but need something reliable with a push button start to able to hop on and go almost anywhere on a whim.

 

Both my DR and my SRAD have left me stranded or limping home more than once in 2019 and it's become really frustrating.

 

Ek is moeg gevkn sukkel met die goed!

 

Nothing wrong with the 1000 if you can get it for decent money, just wanted to point out that the 650 is more than capable too. 

[IceCreamMan]

Isle of Man TT been cancelled. ;( Had booked and paid for it and been granted leave by the big boss at home. Think i will defer my trip to TT 2021. Then take the week i would have been on the island and ride up to scotland and chill a bit there. Ride the NC500.

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

I realize I will be limited for offroad riding with a V-Strom, just not sure yet how much as we haven't done any real offroad touring yet so not sure what were in for.

The V-Strom has always popped up in my price bracket.

As mentioned above we've only ever ventured offroad on the DR and although it was a horrible ride with the bike I still maintain for that type of riding it was a great bike.

I'm hoping the 800gs will give us a more comfortable and powerfull but equally ruggedly ready experience as the DR.

I guess I'm hoping if I buy an older V-Strom we will manage to get buy until I can afford something better equipped.

If that makes sense....

 

I also had high expectations of offroading adventures and the Tiger ended up as a road commuter.

The only last advice I would give is around wheels. Alloy wheels just don't hold up well offroad plus the tyres will be limited as proper knobblies tend to be 18/21 inches whereas the road based models you will stuck with 17 inch front and rear.

Proper offroading, which doesn't sound like your aim, will also benefit from being able to disable electronics like ABS.

Good luck with the decision:)

[RocknRolla]

My 19 year old son is my pillion, he never complained about comfort. but being 19 he is farkign hardegat out of principle.

 

Never did long trips with pillion. have done two loaded trips to the garden route, and the bike can do 800km days easily.

 

I am also mid-range height wise. and the bike has the lower seat fitted. This does effect inseam reach to the floor, but also bum to footpeg, which after 4 hours in the saddle becomes a bit uncomfy.

 

In my opinion the 8gs is capable offroad, but it really is a great mid-sized engine tourer.

[BenReaper]

Ok sweet thanks. I'm 1.78 so that matches pretty good. interested to see what the gs800 will be like height-wise for us shorter people..

Went to have a look at that BMW last night, hadn't realized it was a GSA and not the normal GS. Only sat on the bike to get a feel for it and I must say it's quite comfortable.

The seat is quite high, I couldn't quite put my feet flat on the ground with sneakers on, but seeing as the normal GS models I'm interested in have a slightly lower seat height it should be perfect.

 

I have an inseam of 870mm just for reference.

[sawystertrance]

I think the GS800 is higher even than the GS1200

[sawystertrance]

And I'm sure that, like the 1200, the seat is adjustable for height.

[BenReaper]

Went to go have a look and test drive a F800GS this afternoon. Had the wife along aswell to check seat sizing. It's a well used, but well maintained bike for a very good price. Just about what I expected handling and power wise and the seat height is just about perfect for me.

 

I'm still going to go test my mates V-Strom this afternoon, but I might be sold on the GS.