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BMW F800GT

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esullivan
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Joined: 06 Mar 2012
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PostPosted: 08:41 - 15 May 2014    Post subject: BMW F800GT Reply with quote
I'm looking at this one for the next bike, it's near the top of the list right now. They are pricey, but not bank breaking, even brand new. There's a used one near me, but I'm probably not looking to buy for some months yet.

Has anyone had one, or the previous ST? How reliable are they? Can they stand up to being outdoors 24/7? I don't have a garage.

I'm looking at it because it seems commutable, more so than a full-sized tourer, but comfortable enough for touring two-up. The main things I'm looking for compared with my current bike is some weather protection, a bit more power when loaded up and I'm getting bored of chain maintenance (so either shaft or belt, like this uses). I will still be commuting on this to work every day, so has to be something I can filter with and park easily.

A used Honda Deauville meets two of those requirements, but not much more powerful than my current bike, while a Pan-Euro is too big and thirsty (I think) to be an everyday commuter. There aren't a lot of non-chain bikes out there that aren't huge tourers or non-commuters like Harleys, are there?

I've done scooters. That's a bit too boring, even for me. But finding a practical bike that meets these requirements is harder than I expected.
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Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.
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map
Mr Calendar



Joined: 14 Jun 2004
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PostPosted: 08:57 - 15 May 2014    Post subject: Re: BMW F800GT Reply with quote
esullivan wrote:
...a Pan-Euro is too big and thirsty (I think) to be an everyday commuter...

I'm sure others will jump over that. So I'll start. The extra plastic/screen gives good weather protection. Ballpark 200 miles to a tank. Mine needs forks and clutch slave fixing (don't ask, another entry on the to do, pay out money list. Wife, for some reason, thinks washing machine has priority) but I did use as a commuter and it worked very, very well (for me).

For a commuter have you considered the less cc baby version?. IIRC Rogerborg rates his as it just works. Doesn't like BMW dealers though (who does?). Also slightly different beat to a Deauville.
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esullivan
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Joined: 06 Mar 2012
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PostPosted: 09:24 - 15 May 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote
I was put off the Pan when I sat on one last year. It felt so heavy! But I wasn't moving, just sitting on it and lifting it off of the side stand, and the owner swears the weight disappears while moving at any speed. I'll have to give them another look. I've yet to meet an unhappy owner.

When I took my DAS course a couple of years ago through the BMW riding school, almost every instructor arrived to work in a Pan. The only non-Pan user was on a Versys. What struck me then was that none of them were on BMWs, despite presumably getting a discount of some sort.
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.
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map
Mr Calendar



Joined: 14 Jun 2004
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PostPosted: 09:57 - 15 May 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote
esullivan wrote:
I was put off the Pan...felt so heavy!...the owner swears the weight disappears while moving at any speed...
He's right.
I find can be a bit hard to push backwards, but it's something you get used to (honest!).
Can ride the Pan at walking pace easily. Given the torque you could probably do that in 5th as well. I can roll through 30mph limit at virtually no throttle in top and then goto the limit in NSL without changing, I'm lazy like that Wink
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
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Rogerborg
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Joined: 26 Oct 2010
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PostPosted: 11:05 - 15 May 2014    Post subject: Re: BMW F800GT Reply with quote
map wrote:
For a commuter have you considered the less cc baby version?. IIRC Rogerborg rates his as it just works.

Oi!

The F"650"GS has the same basic 798cc engine as the 800GS, ST and GT, detuned a bit on the "650" and "700" so that your pipe and slippers don't blow off. The GT is up-tuned a bit.

They also share an under-seat tank configuration which helps to make them feel lighter than they are.

Mine's returning a claimed 67mpg as a commuter, and that's downgeared a tooth on the front.

The finish on the Rotax engine isn't great. If you're keeping it outside, the GS has a known issue with water ingress buggering up the ignition barrel. I've had no problems, but have ghettoed a cover for it using an aerosol cap.

Oil + filter change for these engines is every 6000 miles, valve clearance check every 12,000 miles. I was quoted £201 including VAT for a valve clearance service from BMW (not that I went with them), although adjustment is a cams-out job. Thumbs Down

The GT should be worth a look, I can't actually fault my GS.
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map
Mr Calendar



Joined: 14 Jun 2004
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PostPosted: 14:50 - 15 May 2014    Post subject: Re: BMW F800GT Reply with quote
Rogerborg wrote:
map wrote:
...IIRC Rogerborg rates his as it just works.
Oi!...

To clarify 'just works' as in reliable, keeps going, no hassle. Not 'just works' as in could explode at any moment.

Thumbs Up
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Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger? Very Happy
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Rogerborg
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Joined: 26 Oct 2010
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PostPosted: 14:55 - 15 May 2014    Post subject: Re: BMW F800GT Reply with quote
map wrote:
less cc baby version

Rogerborg wrote:
Oi!

It's got all the ccs, and is the feeble lady / timid old geezer version, not the baby version. Tut Tut
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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
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map
Mr Calendar



Joined: 14 Jun 2004
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PostPosted: 15:04 - 15 May 2014    Post subject: Re: BMW F800GT Reply with quote
map wrote:
less cc baby version
Rogerborg wrote:
Oi!

Rogerborg wrote:
It's got all the ccs, and is the feeble lady / timid old geezer version, not the baby version. Tut Tut

Quite right Roger. I apologise for any confusion and hinting that you liked riding around on a baby. That would just be Operation Yewtree so wrong.
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger? Very Happy
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Wonko The Sane
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Joined: 20 Jan 2013
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PostPosted: 15:15 - 15 May 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote
esullivan wrote:
I was put off the Pan when I sat on one last year. It felt so heavy! But I wasn't moving, just sitting on it and lifting it off of the side stand, and the owner swears the weight disappears while moving at any speed. I'll have to give them another look. I've yet to meet an unhappy owner.


The pan is good at what it's designed for, one mate uses his in central London happily, another commutes and also does midlands -Scotland to visit family.

Not ridden one myself, have ridden a ZZR1100 which I could barely get off the stand, once moving it was as weightless as my 125 varadero
I commute on a ZZR 600, heavy bike but used to it, can creep along at snails pace no issue and I imagine you'll learn to do so on any well designed bike.
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