Ah, but those are the words of a reasoned and educated man GULGo! - like you say in the last sentance, for a great number of people, it will be based on price and the badge...

My point was the old F650GS (that has become the G650GS for anyone who is not keeping up...) was a well respected all-road travel bike, in the same way as the Tenere has become (finally, after all the whiners banging on and on about the weight and the perceived lack of bhp!)...

The secondhand market for a late model F650GS (or Dakar version) is still healthy, and a lot of punters swear by them... they are also very economic by all accounts, which goes someway to addressing the small (under-seat) tank issue?

Like you, I'd certainly choose the Tenere over a 650GS for any number of reasons - primarily it's ability off road, it's ergonomics, and not least its styling - but on the showroom floor, the difference is perhaps not so marked?

Sure the GS has 'road' wheels (although they can still be shod with knobblies) and very short suspension travel - but I can see a lot of people liking the lower seat hight and the whole 'BMW' brand image thing?

Like I say, it will be interesting to see if any of the magazines put the two up head-to-head, or more importantly, if any potential purchasers on here have ridden both and can make some comparisons*?

Jx

*Not that I've ever bought any bike based on what anyone else has said anyway!

Tenere every time.

GS for a very long and faster road trip perhaps and just hope it doesn't break, but nothing off road and the money you'll save in purchase price and the ridiculous running costs and depriciation will make you love the Ten'....

Check out the size of the tank, its tiny. This bike is not in the same league as the Ten. So there!! I have owned both a Dakar F650GS and my current Ten, previous bike was an 1150 GS. Ridden them all off and on road. the Ten gets my vote. Its far from perfect but it gets the job done. The Ten is fast enough on the highway, big tank gives you the range and off road it is the best. No question. Any body out there who has ridden the Ten on tracks, sand, gravel and tarmac knows what Im saying is fact.
Ride Safe.

Yup the Ten get mine aswell . Have one now at last and never will I part with it for a very long time If I can put up with a vmax for 11yrs the Ten will outlast longer :notworthy:
Shweet .....Martin

Well I now have both sat in my garage!!

The Tenere has served me well over the winter and after years of owning large touring bikes re introduced me to the joys of riding a dual sport.

But...I'm sorry it is not as good a road bike as the GS, particularly if you're carrying a pillion and as over 95% of my riding is on the road the GS makes more sense (to me).

That said, The Ten would be a much better RTW/expedition bike.

I'm considering keeping both, the XT taking me to more off road places and as a winter bike. It also might be a long termer, I'm just not sure I can justify keeping 2 very similar bikes in the garage.

Low mileage, black, 60 plate Tenere anyone???

Hang on to them both for a while. When the GS either breaks or gets recalled - you may think differently..

Nice to have the choice - Lucky You..

This is my 7th BMW with an accumulated mileage of over 200k miles in the last 13 years. None of them have ever broken down or left me stranded. Yes there have been recalls and I have had some warranty issues but all have been sorted promptly and without fuss. I think the popularity of the GS brand stretched their quality control for several years, I would hope they've sorted that now.
But... They are expensive, many have had issues, the later ones are too complex to service and repair at the side of the road, I probably wouldn't own one out of warranty which says a lot in it's self.
The Ten has it's issues as well (I've just looked at my Cush drive after 4k miles!) but as a rule they are easily sorted and what you have is a simple reliable tool and as long as you don't expect too much from it, it will reward you with thousands of trouble free miles wherever you want to take it.

Buying a bike is very subjective with too many variables to make it as straight forward as some people make it. So back to the original question........Ten or 800GS? Only you'll know, but don't be put off by some of the anti BeeM comments. Me? No kids, no car, mostly road riding, reasonably well paid job, it's the GS, however if money's tight, I lived near miles of off road or was considering an un supported solo trip to a 3rd world country it would be the Ten.
Both are 'good' bikes. Only you'll know which is the right one for you. Hope this helps someone make the 'right choice.

Steve

Amen.

:campfire:

Very subjective topic and I agree with you completely.

The answer is................



Tenere!

I wouldn't compare the Ten to a G650GS. Not adventure riding. It is too soft and low. Have test ridden one and if I was shopping now for a 600-700ish bike the Tenere would be the one.