This is a good video and review covering some of the characteristics of the F700GS, but those are overshadowed by the “bigger is better” perspective. Riding and motorcycle preferences are subjective so I think it’s important viewers take this video in context and read other observations. From someone who was considering bigger and owns two middleweight bikes. I thought the video missed why someone might prefer and be best served by a middleweight bike vs a larger 1000cc or more bike. First, If you travel 2up and loaded with luggage/gear, you may benefit from a larger more powerful bike. Secondly, if you’re on long highway runs frequently, a larger bike will likely be more stable or planted as the reviewer comments. And lastly if you want 100+HP for launches into the triple digits on the speedo with your passenger, then….that’s another issue. However, If you’re making jaunts in town/urban, carving mountain roads or trails, you may feel more in control on a middleweight; while also being a well suited on the highways as well. Sure you can do the technical stuff on a large bike, but it’s easier on middleweights and smaller. Secondly, If you’re riding mostly solo with gear, as a larger rider myself, this bike, and my Bonneville T100, are more than capable. After years on a middleweight, and over a year on the the F700GS riding in every situation these bikes are capable of, I’ve found it much more than capable. BTW-They make larger screens for the F700/800GS such as MADSTAD. After trying two tall GIVI screens and a MRA spoiler, I elected to fabricate a flyscreen.
Hello, thank you for your comment. I take your point entirely, in my head I thought that I was clear that this bike is more than suitable for every need. I think I was being specific to our situation, where being 2-up and fully laden is more suited to a bigger bike (and has been so much more comfortable). Definitely did not get it to speed around with a pillion! I think if I was riding solo I would elect for a middleweight as well, especially for the off-road capabilities. I am a huge middleweight fan, so I may have to do another video championing them so I don't come across as a big adv bike knob!
What attracts me in this BMW, is it's very low dry weight; only 410lbs, so far couldn't find another 800c bike with such a low dry weight...Owning at present a true classic, a Suzuki GS750 from '79, (that same model I rode from '77 till '81) so, that was a trip down memory lane, and while I attract a lot of looks from every person who sees it, it's heavy: dry weight is 492lbs, now, 41 years ago that didn't bother me, but that stamina is long gone....LOL, so thinking now of getting such a BMW....
@@boondockpuffins3760 Not as yet, I think I'll ride this bike till end of season, and then decide to sell it (I'll be 70 in November) or to exchange it for such a BMW F700GS, if I feel that I've got some stamina left, LOL
Great video! My nephew owns a 2015 BMW F700GS. I recently purchased a KTM 890 Adventure, but I sometimes wonder if I made the right decision. Heh-heh. I noticed that all the trucks I saw on the roads had the forward control cabs (we call them cab-overs or cab-over-engine here in the States). They used to be popular here in the 1970s, but a lot of states repealed and/or revised their load length laws and now most trucks here use the bonnet style cabs. Cheers! Enjoy your new motorbike.
Thank you! How has the KTM been?! I have always heard mixed things about some of them, but I have never owned one so this is all rumours. Interesting about the trucks, I think the bonnet style ones look cooler!
I'm getting this bike next week... very nice looking forward to owning it. It's from 2013... I had a honda cbr 600 rr before so this is a way different riding style
Thank you very much, I am back from spending a year living in the French alps. So I am very excited to start making more videos and riding my bike again!
It is such a good bike, it will always hold a special place in my heart. The bigger adv bike has been good for us being 2-up with lots of luggage, but otherwise the F700GS was faultless.
if you want to hear what it really can sound like (even though you sold yours), i have a video testing out the akrapovic exhaust pipe on it, and another video testing out the mivv exhaust pipe on it which is what i currently have
What a difference the mivv exhaust made! I would definitely have considered doing that if I still had the bike. Did it make any noticeable difference to performance?
Hello, I did indeed get a new bike. Rather boringly we went with the R1200GS. It has been so so good for us though with being 2-up and heavily laden. In an ideal world I would also have a smaller middleweight to nip around on, but need money first!
I would definitely look at the F800GS or F850GS then, I believe they are taller than the F700GS and much better suited to adventure biking (more suspension carry, spoked wheels...etc) I found that the F700GS was actually quite low and I am only a mere 5'10 haha. I would imagine you would feel very cramped on it. I may be wrong about this, and maybe other tall people find it fine but that would be my guess.
Question time. i found a sweat deal for a used one but i dont know if i fit, I am 1.94 cm tall and it seems that you are also quite tall yourself, but do you believe i will be compfortable with this bike?
Hello! I am flattered that you think I am tall! I am unfortunately only about 175cm tall! My opinion would be that the 700GS would feel a bit cramped for you. I think (and I may be wrong) that the f800gs is a higher bike, so maybe that would suit you better. The best thing would be to pop into a local dealer and sit on the various bikes, that is the best way to get a feel for if you will fit them or not, especially being tall like yourself. Hope that helps, sorry to not be able to give a definitive answer!
@@boondockpuffins3760 i bought the f700 gs and i made a roadtip of 1,5 thousand kilometers...ofcourse a bigger bike would be better but even so the f700 is on the margin for me to feel comfortable. so i do enjoy riding it.
Hello, I know this is a year late. BUT I think it is a great bike for an A2 rider. It allowed us to tour all over Scotland, I commuted on it and it was enough fun to get around on as well. What bike did you end up getting?
@@boondockpuffins3760 ended up getting a 1999 transalp 600 . Was neglected but I've fixed her up, had to rebuild the head and do the timing as the old head fell apart n cracked .
This is a good video and review covering some of the characteristics of the F700GS, but those are overshadowed by the “bigger is better” perspective. Riding and motorcycle preferences are subjective so I think it’s important viewers take this video in context and read other observations. From someone who was considering bigger and owns two middleweight bikes. I thought the video missed why someone might prefer and be best served by a middleweight bike vs a larger 1000cc or more bike. First, If you travel 2up and loaded with luggage/gear, you may benefit from a larger more powerful bike. Secondly, if you’re on long highway runs frequently, a larger bike will likely be more stable or planted as the reviewer comments. And lastly if you want 100+HP for launches into the triple digits on the speedo with your passenger, then….that’s another issue. However, If you’re making jaunts in town/urban, carving mountain roads or trails, you may feel more in control on a middleweight; while also being a well suited on the highways as well. Sure you can do the technical stuff on a large bike, but it’s easier on middleweights and smaller. Secondly, If you’re riding mostly solo with gear, as a larger rider myself, this bike, and my Bonneville T100, are more than capable. After years on a middleweight, and over a year on the the F700GS riding in every situation these bikes are capable of, I’ve found it much more than capable. BTW-They make larger screens for the F700/800GS such as MADSTAD. After trying two tall GIVI screens and a MRA spoiler, I elected to fabricate a flyscreen.
Hello, thank you for your comment. I take your point entirely, in my head I thought that I was clear that this bike is more than suitable for every need. I think I was being specific to our situation, where being 2-up and fully laden is more suited to a bigger bike (and has been so much more comfortable). Definitely did not get it to speed around with a pillion!
I think if I was riding solo I would elect for a middleweight as well, especially for the off-road capabilities. I am a huge middleweight fan, so I may have to do another video championing them so I don't come across as a big adv bike knob!
This is a great video! I'm looking at getting the F700gs and this video was really great at getting an insight into the bike.
Thank you very much!
Just bought one...thanks for the review...
No worries! Happy riding, hope the bike is going well!
Great review! Handy for anyone getting their first big bike.
Thank you very much, first ‘proper’ review so still lots to improve!
What attracts me in this BMW, is it's very low dry weight; only 410lbs, so far couldn't find another 800c bike with such a low dry weight...Owning at present a true classic, a Suzuki GS750 from '79, (that same model I rode from '77 till '81) so, that was a trip down memory lane, and while I attract a lot of looks from every person who sees it, it's heavy: dry weight is 492lbs, now, 41 years ago that didn't bother me, but that stamina is long gone....LOL, so thinking now of getting such a BMW....
An absolute classic though!
Did you get a new bike in the end?
@@boondockpuffins3760 Not as yet, I think I'll ride this bike till end of season, and then decide to sell it (I'll be 70 in November) or to exchange it for such a BMW F700GS, if I feel that I've got some stamina left, LOL
Great stuff, really useful thank you!
Thank you very much! Lots to work on, but excited to do more!
Great video! My nephew owns a 2015 BMW F700GS. I recently purchased a KTM 890 Adventure, but I sometimes wonder if I made the right decision. Heh-heh. I noticed that all the trucks I saw on the roads had the forward control cabs (we call them cab-overs or cab-over-engine here in the States). They used to be popular here in the 1970s, but a lot of states repealed and/or revised their load length laws and now most trucks here use the bonnet style cabs. Cheers! Enjoy your new motorbike.
Thank you! How has the KTM been?! I have always heard mixed things about some of them, but I have never owned one so this is all rumours.
Interesting about the trucks, I think the bonnet style ones look cooler!
I'm getting this bike next week... very nice looking forward to owning it. It's from 2013... I had a honda cbr 600 rr before so this is a way different riding style
How have you gotten on with it?
Good Video keep going
Thank you very much, I am back from spending a year living in the French alps. So I am very excited to start making more videos and riding my bike again!
still riding this bike since 2013....bit lazy to think about getting bigger adv bike...
It is such a good bike, it will always hold a special place in my heart. The bigger adv bike has been good for us being 2-up with lots of luggage, but otherwise the F700GS was faultless.
if you want to hear what it really can sound like (even though you sold yours), i have a video testing out the akrapovic exhaust pipe on it, and another video testing out the mivv exhaust pipe on it which is what i currently have
PS: I'm your 100th subscriber, way to go!
What a difference the mivv exhaust made! I would definitely have considered doing that if I still had the bike. Did it make any noticeable difference to performance?
Amazing! I have been waiting a while for that, thank you!!
Just came across your review as am looking into one luckily found one, did you get your new bike?
Hello, I did indeed get a new bike. Rather boringly we went with the R1200GS. It has been so so good for us though with being 2-up and heavily laden. In an ideal world I would also have a smaller middleweight to nip around on, but need money first!
Spot on review! What new bike did you get?
Thank you very much! I was a bit boring and got the R1200GS. But it has been awesome! Video should be out shortly about it!
How is this for tall riders? Im 6'6 looking for a adventure bike
I would definitely look at the F800GS or F850GS then, I believe they are taller than the F700GS and much better suited to adventure biking (more suspension carry, spoked wheels...etc) I found that the F700GS was actually quite low and I am only a mere 5'10 haha.
I would imagine you would feel very cramped on it. I may be wrong about this, and maybe other tall people find it fine but that would be my guess.
Question time. i found a sweat deal for a used one but i dont know if i fit, I am 1.94 cm tall and it seems that you are also quite tall yourself, but do you believe i will be compfortable with this bike?
Hello! I am flattered that you think I am tall! I am unfortunately only about 175cm tall! My opinion would be that the 700GS would feel a bit cramped for you. I think (and I may be wrong) that the f800gs is a higher bike, so maybe that would suit you better. The best thing would be to pop into a local dealer and sit on the various bikes, that is the best way to get a feel for if you will fit them or not, especially being tall like yourself. Hope that helps, sorry to not be able to give a definitive answer!
@@boondockpuffins3760 well you are considered tall in my country..and im considered abnormal .
@@boondockpuffins3760 i bought the f700 gs and i made a roadtip of 1,5 thousand kilometers...ofcourse a bigger bike would be better but even so the f700 is on the margin for me to feel comfortable. so i do enjoy riding it.
Glad to hear it, it was such a good bike for me as well!
is it an ideal bike for a an a2 rider ?
Hello, I know this is a year late. BUT I think it is a great bike for an A2 rider. It allowed us to tour all over Scotland, I commuted on it and it was enough fun to get around on as well. What bike did you end up getting?
@@boondockpuffins3760 ended up getting a 1999 transalp 600 . Was neglected but I've fixed her up, had to rebuild the head and do the timing as the old head fell apart n cracked .
Hello are you selling this bike
Hello, I sold it over a year ago!