G650GS Sertao vs. Tiger 800XC?

[ro9397]

I owned about 80 bikes. This bike will be riden solo only.

I'll test ride both bikes shortly, but only on pavement. I lean to the Sertao for cost, styling (Tiger looks fairly ugly to me in images only), and perceived better off-road manners. Please don't comment about styling unless the Tiger looks better in person than in images.

Off-road I presume there is no way the Tiger can overcome its extra 50 lbs.

Comments welcome, especially if you rode both exact models specified, and even more so if you rode them both off-road.

What, if any, earlier BMW model year has similar mechanical specs vs. the Sertao?

What, if any, mods exist to coax a little more power out of the Sertao?

Thanks!

[sasrocks]

on road the XC will rape the thumper (duh). depends on what your intended use will be which one is preferable. Given the wide disparity in your 2 selections, the choice shouldn't be difficult based on your intended usage. Personally I have no use for a 400+ lbs single. One can infer off road performance is more important based n your comments, but is not clear.

[gusutavot800]

The tiger have far more power and handles a lot better on road than the Sertao, I have not riden the sertao, however I would imagine it is better of road than the Tiger. It depends what the primary use will be.

[cug]

Not directly comparable but I guess closer than most people here: we have a F650GS single and Tiger Roadie. The F is not much better or easier on unpaved roads than the Tiger, just slightly so. The Tiger absolutely kills the F on road if the speed is above 10mph. Below that, the F handles slightly easier due to the wider handlebars (not an issue with the XC) and the smaller turn radius.

Other than seating position - there is no comparison between the two, completely different characters.

[Scaredofthedirt]

I sold a 650 Dakar ( ie same bike as sertao ) and bought an 800XC.

Offroad One is heavy, slow, poorly suspended and about as much excitement as dinner at the nursing home with yer grand parents, then there is the Tiger .

I have yet to try single track (didn't do it on the Dakar either) but in every other situation the Tiger is just so much more fun than the Dakar ever was.

[ro9397]

I read nothing but praise about the motor in the Triumph 675, then rode it. Yes, the 675 motor's top end is tits: unintentional wheelie at freeway speed-WHAT? But below adequate low end torque, too much motor noise (unsure intake, mechanical, exhaust, or combination of all) and possibly mechanical buzz (maybe it was just noise).

Hoping the 800 motor is much better, and it probably is.

That's pretty telling that someone replaced a Dakar with a Tiger XC.

How costly to make a 650 Versys II or V-Strom II as dirt-worthy as the Tiger XC?

[aslackjawedyokel]

The Tiger 800 does have all the Triumph triple's industrial sewing machine noise. It just how that engine is. Cracking engine though with a wonderfully flat torque curve. Power all the way up to red-line with an awesome growl coming on around 5k. Mines a bit vibey around 4k, but I'm told that's due to the emission testing tune. Can be ironed out apparently.

Originally Posted by ro9397

I read nothing but praise about the motor in the Triumph 675, then rode it. Yes, the 675 motor's top end is tits: unintentional wheelie at freeway speed-WHAT? But below adequate low end torque, too much motor noise (unsure intake, mechanical, exhaust, or combination of all) and possibly mechanical buzz (maybe it was just noise).

Hoping the 800 motor is much better, and it probably is.

That's pretty telling that someone replaced a Dakar with a Tiger XC.

How costly to make a 650 Versys II or V-Strom II as dirt-worthy as the Tiger XC?

[twinrider]

I own a Dakar and test rode a Tiger XC. Of course the tiger was much faster than the Dakar but the riding positon felt a lot more like a street bike than the motard-like, ultra nimble Dakar. While the XC felt physically much bigger than the Dakar, it didn't have that "big bike" grunt that should go with that size. If I was in the market for that size bike I'd rather get a used R1200GS or a Super Tenere.

I didn't take the Tiger offroad, but I could tell by the size and the way it carried its weight that the smaller Dakar would be easier to ride on dirt at least for my skill level.

[docsherlock]

Recently test rode a Sertao and Tiger; I own an XT660Z Tenere.

Sertao was a total piece of shit; can't see why anyone would buy one at all.

Tiger was an ace bike - loved it.

But I'll stick with my Tenere for now....

Look at the F800GS as well; test rode one of those too - lovely bike.

[fatboy]

Sure sure ... Rub it in. Wish we could get the xt660.

[twinrider]

Originally Posted by fatboy

Sure sure ... Rub it in. Wish we could get the xt660.

Don't feel too envious. Less power/more weight than the Dakar and it's a LOT taller.

[Xcountry-Rider]

Originally Posted by docsherlock

Recently test rode a Sertao and Tiger; I own an XT660Z Tenere.

Sertao was a total piece of shit; can't see why anyone would buy one at all.

Tiger was an ace bike - loved it.

But I'll stick with my Tenere for now....

Look at the F800GS as well; test rode one of those too - lovely bike.

Yeah seriously was looking at the Sertao in the BMW dealership. Looks so freaking cheap. Feel sorry for those suckered by the BMW symbol on the side.

[Loutre]

If you want a BMW thumper get the older Dakar. Bigger tank and they are cheaper. Otherwice i'd suggest the F800GS great bike. More offroad oriented than the Tiger

[Xcountry-Rider]

Originally Posted by Loutre

If you want a BMW thumper get the older Dakar. Bigger tank and they are cheaper. Otherwice i'd suggest the F800GS great bike. More offroad oriented than the Tiger

I kinda agree as far as IF your going to go BMW go for the F800GS. Don't agree that the F800GS is more off road capable than the Tiger though,

[Jonny955]

I test rode a Sertao and I really wanted to like it. I took it out for maybe 45 minutes over town roads, country roads, a but of high speed etc. I don't have any experience of the 800XC.


What I liked:

• I can imagine the Sertao being pretty good off-road, although I didn't try it
• It has enough power for solo riding
• Surprisingly smooth for a single - OK at highway speeds.

What I disliked

• Poor quality suspension
• Less-than-precise handling around sharp low-speed corners and before anyone shouts "21 inch front, they're all like that", I can tell you right now that my heavier 990 Adventure feels way more nimble and precise under these conditions.
• The shape of the sides of the dummy tank felt uncomfortable against my legs - it seems to have an edge at just the wrong height for me
• ABS kicked in a bit too early

It could be such a better bike with a few small changes. Unfortunately, these would be expensive (suspension) or difficult (dummy tank shape). BMW have certainly built this one down to a price but that's part of it's affordable appeal.

Jon