GS for two up touring .
Tenere for everything else.

Well the thread seems to have gone off-topic rather. Since moving to London I get far fewer waves, I think it's only natural that owners of one particular bike brand will wave more often to similar bike owners than everyone.

Anyway, to focus on the original questions.

The 16-litre tank on the F800GS is actually about 17.5 litres and fuel economy is far better than on the Tenere. 80mpg is achievable. I can't think of many occasions, even in Africa, when you would need to carry additional fuel.

You don't have to buy ABS with the F800. That narrows the gap.

The engine on the F800GS is amazing. It also has a six-speed gearbox but unfortunately BMW just took the close ratio box from the F800S/ST, so first gear is higher than I would prefer, top is lower.

The Tenere has a five speed box. Top gear on the Tenere is very high and the engine isn't particularly flexible, so it makes sense to drop a cog on the front sprocket.

Due to the high top gear the Tenere is fine for motorway cruising at 80mph, but it wouldn't handle the 960-mile in 23 hour journey I did on the BMW. The Tenere is better in city traffic.

There have been a load of reliability problems with the F650/800GS and some (e.g. chains) are still outstanding.

I get more vibes through the handlebars with the BMW than the Tenere.

The BMW has modern electrics (headlight switches off automatically when engine stops so battery isn't discharged) but the Tenere's basic engineering is better for wilderness trips.

What would be lovely is a cross between the two bikes--the basic setup of the rally-styled Tenere but with the BMW engine and gearbox (with wide ratios).

Which do I prefer? I keep my Tenere in southern Spain with motoadventours.com so I can easily access Moroccan trails. The BMW sits outside my house in London.

Tim

Thanks. How do you find the GS in the dirt compared to the Ten?

So far its definitely maybe one of them!

Having owned a BMW from new, they are costly and need things like warranty extending and regular servicing to have any kind of residual. Perhaps true of any mark, but try selling a BMW without all of the ad ons..

Once you have given BMW your hard earned you'll see what I mean about how they treat you, it's very different and changes again when the 24 month warranty runs out.

A 'Tosser' is someone from the GS forum, not a dirty word at all, but a group of GS riders..

I rode the 800GS and it's an OK road bike. Prefer the Ten' by far which is why I have one.

Warning, blatant thread hi-jack!
 

Buy this one:

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=14714

You could even put the pillion pegs back on if you want!

J x

ps. fwiw. by all accounts, I think an 800GS is probably one of the best "if you could only have one bike" bikes out there... however, if dirt/travel/long term ownership is your bias, I'd say there are better prospects, and the Tenere is far more focused machine in the respect... the GS is an SUV, not an overlander...

Shot!
 

Thanks guys. Curtain gets drawn...

:toothy1:

Brilliantly put JMo..

A couple of points, 1, I've ridden lots of Beemers on and off road. The 1150/1200 BM is a fantastic long distance machine, we all know that. In my opinion, the smaller BM's dont do anything particularly well and they are expensive in every department. I now own a 2010 XT660Z and for my level of ability off road, that means gravel, rutted tracks, Salisbury Plain terrain, this is the bike for me. Love it!
2. BM riders. Probably the most unfriendly snot nosed bunch of txxxs you could wish to meet.
The famous GS web site says it all, a right bunch of Tossers. The exception to this generality being the team at Bristol Motorrad. Apart from the owner, very strange IMHO, a good bunch. They remain mates even though I sold my last BM, GS650 Dakar, to buy the Tenere.
Also, Uncle Ricky is a bit of a diamond, if you get the chance, join one of his rides, great fun! Hey Ricky hows tricks?

But
 

You can buy two XT660Rs for the cost of one F800GS!

T
I am well thank you. I was going too do
a ride out last August, but work got in the way
I will do one when early next year