Ahhh, the f800GS. How do you like it?
It's actually an F700GS. However, the engine and displacement(798cc) are the same on both bikes. How weird is that? The main differences are: 19" front wheel vs 21" front on the F800, cast wheels vs spoke wheels on the F800(which means the F800 uses tube type tires), the engine is tuned for a few more HP on the F800, the F800 is more expensive.
I used to own a 2000 R1150GS. I put over 85,000 miles on it and had zero problems. Since I sold the big GS a few years ago, I've owned several others bikes, but just hadn't found one I'd been completely happy with. Most recently I owned two; a Suzuki DR650 and a Kawasaki Versys. I liked the Versys a lot, but didn't like the way it handled off road and the fact you couldn't add a centerstand because of the bottom mounted exhaust. I added the DR650 to take care of the off road stuff, but grew weary of maintaining two bikes.
A few months ago, I decided I wanted to get back to owning only one bike. I wanted an "all rounder" like my old GS, but no longer wanted a bike of its size and heft. Thus, I started looking at the F800GS. Well, although the F800 is lighter than its big brother, it's also taller! I wasn't crazy about getting a bike that was taller than my old R1150GS, and unlike the spoke wheels on my old GS, the F800 spoke wheels require tubes. I didn't like that either.
Thus, my attention turned to the Triumph Tiger 800(with cast wheels) and the BMW F700. I liked both bikes, but have a BMW dealer 15 minutes from my house. The salesman there, who also sold me my Versys, offered a deal I couldn't refuse, while taking both my bikes on trade.
My experience, thus far, with the 700GS has been outstanding! I think I've found a "keeper". I should say that I'm familiar with the Rotax engine in the F700, having previously owned an F800ST. The engine in the ST, is the primary reason I bought the 700GS. It's a great engine and in the ST, and now GT models, is tuned perfectly. The only reason I sold my ST was I didn't like the ergos.
The highlights of the F700GS for me are: very flickable, very good on road handling, almost on par with the excellent Versys(I love sporty riding on twisty back roads), off-road handing is infinitely better than the Versys, good ergos(except for the seat, which sucks, the bike is very comfortable), excellent fuel economy(averaging around 50 mpg), extra travel suspension almost makes riding on pot hole filled streets fun(this is an often overlooked feature of Adventure bikes that makes everyday riding more enjoyable), centerstand(makes lubing the chain a breeze and will make changing tires easy, as well), Dual Sport tires(I will get almost double the mileage from a set of Dual Sport tires than a set of tires for any of the street bikes I've owned, while not giving much away in handling), creature comforts(BMW have always been good at this. Heated grips, acc. outlet, lockable-hard luggage, multi-function computer, etc.)
Niggles: I wish the F700GS had a belt(problematic off-road), or shaft drive. I would also like the extra horses that are tuned into the engines of the ST, now GT. With these two additions, the F700GS would be about perfect for me. As it is, it's pretty darned close.