Opinions on the BMW F800S

[kkhalil76]

Any opinions on reliability, handling, comfort, quality etc. would be much appreciated.

I commute to work through central London every day so use it mainly as a commuter bike + occasional longer rides on weekends. Cheers

[map]

General opinion from what I've heard is good. However, I don't own one so that's just hearsay.

If you want to try one then BMW dealers will let you take a bike out for an extended test ride (i.e. all day). Lets you get used to the bike and also try a pillion if required (given touring is what BMWs are famous for then the OK of the one on the pillion perch is nice to have).

Suggest give your local dealer a call and see what they can setup. If they say they don't do that sort of test ride I'd be surprised.

BMW are trying to change their image from the grandad pipe and slippers as they realised that market is getting older. The new F series bikes are part of this image change.

HTH
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[garth]

I like the look of them and don't know why.

I'm 19 and ride a sportsbike I shouldn't want one.
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[neatbik]

i test rode the st version a while back. it was very comfy, very easy to ride and the engine was a lot pokier than i was expecting it to be. i didnt like the clunky gearbox. tbh i would have got one but they are pretty expensive - i would suggest you test ride one, if you can afford im sure it would be a good buy

[kkhalil76]

[Seb]

A mates dad has the ST model and recently did a 2 up tour across half of europe on it, I've never heard a bad word about it so it seems to be doing something right
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Black Knight]

You could embarass plenty of folk on one.

Very comfy.

Good tank rannge

Quick steering

Great dash

Main negative I noticed was the telescopic forks are far too soft.
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Where does a turn end? 'Where you can do anything with the gas you want to, where you are brave again, where your attention is free from the turn, where you are sure you can do it better next time; that's the end' - Keith Code.

[kkhalil76]

[Black Knight]

When braking hard the forks bottom out.

The front will bounce up and down till it settles.

The feedback from the tyres is lost before its gets to you the rider.


Had simalar problems on the SV. Both bikes are pushed towards newer riders. Slow riding you prob wont notice it but start pushing the suspension and you'll soon find its limits
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Where does a turn end? 'Where you can do anything with the gas you want to, where you are brave again, where your attention is free from the turn, where you are sure you can do it better next time; that's the end' - Keith Code.

[kkhalil76]

Thanks for the info

[nrml76]

The F800 GS is going to take a huge slice of the adventure bike market when it rolls out. It will be much lighter than the big KTM's and BMW's whilst having reasonable power and poke from the twin engine. I can also see it damaging the sales of single cylinder bikes severely if fuel efficiency is good.
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Everyone who lives dies, yet not everyone who dies has lived. We take these risks not to escape life, but to prevent life from escaping us.

[neatbik]

yep, im looking forward to seeing the f800 gs. im definatly going to test ride one, and might even end up buying one

[rovens]

I actually have a Deauville v F800st review open in front of me and they go for the Honda over the BMW but thats on cost really. From what i cant tell



Great mpg
quick steering
can easily cruise at 100mph



not as comfy as a honda deauville
slightly soft front end
not great with a pillion passenger.


Obviously this is just from a magazine but maybe consider a Deauville as well.

[sagalout]

[neatbik]

i can see that selling by the shed load. i bet it wont be cheap though

[spnorm]

They're reasonably quick, but I found the handling vague and the build quality poor - it ain't no VFR beater whatever Bike magazine say.

There are much nicer bikes available for the money.

[colin1]

[Zimbo]

Tried the F800 and quite liked it, reasonably comfortable, good spread of torque in the midrange, easy to ride, not bad two up, thought it was good value. Sounded like a sewing machine so it needs cans, otherwise it was ok if a little bland. I'd certainly buy one over a hairnet, residual values will be better too I reckon.

[Finglonga]

The 800 and the 1200 are not competing against each other. So I doubt it will hurt each others sales.

Not many people had the 1150GS when I got mine but as soon as Long Way Round was on they were everywhere. Its going to happen with the 1200's now as well. Its amazing how people buy them to appear popular.

The 800GS is more competition to the Transalp/V-Strom650 than the more powerful Varadero/1200GS/V-Strom/Tiger. They will attract different buyers.
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[neatbik]

[Milo]

I've got an r1100s for the proper rides, touring, etc and a f650cs for the short range stuff/daily commute and both a brilliant bikes.
The r1100s is amazingly comfy for a semi-sportsbike, is brilliant two up and full of luggage yet it still does 140 and is great at catching power rangers napping! It'll be a decade old next year, but still feels tight thanks to the front telelever.

The f650cs is much faster and smoother than it's got any right to be, very good on fuel, light and fun to ride. It's comfy for a pillion but the nonadjustable suspension doesn't copy amazingly well.

The f800 range will be somewhere between both bikes and i'd love to have a proper go of one to see if it is as capable as I'd hope, though there's a part of me that just doesn't like parallel twins.
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[nrml76]