BMW F800R - Is it a worthy contenter ???

Highwayman · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 17 Nov 2013 Karma :

Been a proper 2wheeler for about 10 months now and although I quite like my ol' CBF600, Honda, I'm naturally looking, reading about, researching considering what else is there to try.

Although having been impressed over the years with the Japanese mechanical engineering, Cars/ Garden machinery etc, I have my head slightly turned at the moment by BMW in the guise of the F800R.

Anyone out there got one? Anyone migrated from a IL4 to one, 599 to 798? Is this pesky exhaust note as bad as these hard-nosed industries writers are bemoaning ? Is there a mirror blurring vibration at 5K plus?...

All comments observations & opinions welcomed....

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

I'd rather than a Yamaha MT03 than the BMW offering. Yeah it has less CC, but it looks far nicer and is likely to be made mostly in Jap land rather than Noodle kingdom.

I've gone from Thundercat to TTR600 and enjoyed it, the noise... ooooh.

But, would I trade one for the other now, nope. I'd have 2 bikes!

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

The new MT07 maybe, MT03 is similar weight to the F800 with half the power or something - and won't be very good for sustained motorway+ speeds I expect.

I've had sports inline 4's and a TRX850, SV650s and so on.

Compared to the sports inline 4, they don't offer much.

Haven't ridden a new CBF, but suspect it won't be too much of a step backwards to the F800.

andys675 · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Karma :

when I was in the trade they were only bought by people who were after high mpg for distance commuting, after that it didn't matter
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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

I wouldn't pay any attention to the MCN review. Half the time they clearly haven't even ridden the bike in question ("electric start" on the KLR 250, "excellent mirrors" on the GPZ500S and so on).

Ride it and see, BMW dealers do at least make a good shake of offering test rides. Don't expect it to scream, it's an engine designed for torque and economy, especially in the detuned version in my bike, but how often do you actually hit peak power at WOT anyway?
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike