Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


Anyone ridden or own a BMW F800S?

Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> General Bike Chat
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

froggeh
World Chat Champion



Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 15:26 - 23 Feb 2007    Post subject: Anyone ridden or own a BMW F800S? Reply with quote

Just trying to pin down where to spend my money on a new bike up to about £6500 give or take a few hundred

I have given up on the idea of any off-road ability or dual purpose (for now) - will pick up a cheapy older bike if I need to...

I have come down to a current list of 3...

2007 Hornet 600 - Still not seen in flesh, but I like the pics and vid.
2007 Z750 - Like it except for the silly shoulder pads.

and the BMW F800S - I really love the look of this bike, and while it's a little down on power to the other 2, it's not that important.

So has anyone got one? or ridden one? What do you think?
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

mark83
World Chat Champion



Joined: 19 Sep 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 16:17 - 23 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

Someone's got one here at my work.

The noise it makes in our underground carpark is deafening. Thumbs Up

Having said that, I've hear it said more than once that the horizontal cylinders mean that the bike 'pulls to one side' under heavy acceleration.

Then again, I never believe anything I hear, so go and try them all out, and buy the BMW anyway because it's the most original!!
____________________
Kawasaki ER6n -> Honda CBR600RR -> Honda VTR 1000 -> Moto Guzzi Norge 1200
Buy my Mercedes 350 Sport AMG Evo
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

mchaggis
World Chat Champion



Joined: 09 May 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 17:53 - 23 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

mark83 wrote:
Someone's got one here at my work.

The noise it makes in our underground carpark is deafening. Thumbs Up

Having said that, I've hear it said more than once that the horizontal cylinders mean that the bike 'pulls to one side' under heavy acceleration.

Then again, I never believe anything I hear, so go and try them all out, and buy the BMW anyway because it's the most original!!


F800 is a parallel twin, like the GPZ/ ER5/ TDM. There're no horizontally opposed cylinders there. Less than £6k.
____________________
I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush. Very Happy
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Cillit-BANG
World Chat Champion



Joined: 05 Oct 2005
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:19 - 23 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

My old man has one.

For the money that are very good value considering the build quality and features you get. I rode it for an hour or so but it was still being run-in so I was trying to be gentle with the revs. The riding position I felt to be spot on for an all rounder and the fairing offered loads of protection from wind balst.

Power isn't going to knock your socks off but it has plenty of poke for day to day riding and seemed to have a nice spread of power. They are also suprisingly light. Pillion comfort I was told was nicer than his older and sofa like K1200RS.

They have had some great reviews since their launch last year.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

drumwrecker
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 18 Oct 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 23:00 - 23 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

I rode one just after they came out. It held the road well, great brakes and was fast enough for me. but it was awful at slow speed with lots of clunking from the the transmission. The engine sounded just like my Toyota Corolla which I hate. When I totoalled up the price of the spec I was riding the price would be another £800 or so over standard.
I got back on my Suzuki SV650s and it was wonderful in comparison, Mind you it SV is still nice to ride even though I now also have a VFR 750FL. I really wanted to like the BMW but it was far too expensive for what it offered. Just think of the cost of those BMW excessories you will need/want.
____________________
I know that you believe you understood what you think I said but I am sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

_Will_
World Chat Champion



Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 23:02 - 23 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

According to BIKE its the new VFR800.

If i were in your position the F800s would be my choice hands down.
____________________
Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50|
| 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|
| 2005|Kawasaki Z750s | | 2006 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer |
|| 1999 Cbr1100xx Blackbird ||
||| 2000 Kawasaki Zx12R ||| (|2009 Street Triple R |) // 2004 Honda Hornet Streetfighter \\|=| 2000 BMW R1100S |=| ------ My Bikepics page ------
Suffering Bike Withdrawal.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

froggeh
World Chat Champion



Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 19:40 - 24 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

vee wrote:
According to BIKE its the new VFR800.

If i were in your position the F800s would be my choice hands down.


Just read that article, looks good (although that was the more touring version, the ST)
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

drumwrecker
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 18 Oct 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 20:27 - 24 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

The one thing it does have in its favour is good fuel consumption but I still prefer my 2002 SV650s and a 1991 VFR 750FL.
____________________
I know that you believe you understood what you think I said but I am sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

Jack_Cheese
World Chat Champion



Joined: 14 Jul 2005
Karma :

PostPosted: 20:54 - 24 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd buy one just to make it look like Chris Pfeiffer's stunt bike! Damn that thing looks sweet!
____________________
www.bikepics.com/members/jackcheese <--- NOW FOR SALE! 51 Plate Cagiva Planet 125
Quacker_boy: "Jack, you really are a dick!"
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

froggeh
World Chat Champion



Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 21:01 - 24 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

drumwrecker wrote:
The one thing it does have in its favour is good fuel consumption but I still prefer my 2002 SV650s and a 1991 VFR 750FL.


I like the VFR, but (no offence meant) I really don't like the looks of the SV, plus I imagine its quite a bit down on power.

I am still slightly in favour of the 2007 hornet, which with 100 bhp, and 176kg will be pretty damn quick.

The BMW however, I love the looks. It definitely ticks all the right boxes... Smile
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

_Will_
World Chat Champion



Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 21:16 - 24 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is a case of really subconciously you have made your mind up, your just checking other peoples opinions to see if its the right choice.
You want the bm, so go for it Thumbs Up Razz
____________________
Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50|
| 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|
| 2005|Kawasaki Z750s | | 2006 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer |
|| 1999 Cbr1100xx Blackbird ||
||| 2000 Kawasaki Zx12R ||| (|2009 Street Triple R |) // 2004 Honda Hornet Streetfighter \\|=| 2000 BMW R1100S |=| ------ My Bikepics page ------
Suffering Bike Withdrawal.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

Zimbo
World Chat Champion



Joined: 09 Jul 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 22:00 - 24 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

froggeh wrote:
drumwrecker wrote:
The one thing it does have in its favour is good fuel consumption but I still prefer my 2002 SV650s and a 1991 VFR 750FL.


I like the VFR, but (no offence meant) I really don't like the looks of the SV, plus I imagine its quite a bit down on power.

I am still slightly in favour of the 2007 hornet, which with 100 bhp, and 176kg will be pretty damn quick.

The BMW however, I love the looks. It definitely ticks all the right boxes... Smile


I'll bet if you rode the BM and Hornet back to back you'd swear the BM has a lot more go in it. Parallel twins tend to make decent torque right through the rev range and it will pick up better in the midrange, losing out to the hairnet only at high rpm. The result is a bike you can ride comfortably at low rpm, that will pick up instantly when you open the throttle without having to knock it down three gears.
I know which I'd have, and the BM is one of only a handfull of bikes I'd consider owning.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

drumwrecker
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 18 Oct 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 22:46 - 24 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

My SV was much more tractable than the BMW. It was the revvy engine that I didn't particularly like plus it vibrated badly when accelerating but smoothed out when at the chosen speed. I just felt you could buy a cheaper bike, spend the extra £1000 on the extras you would want/need and end up with a much better bike.
____________________
I know that you believe you understood what you think I said but I am sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

froggeh
World Chat Champion



Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 23:06 - 24 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

drumwrecker wrote:
My SV was much more tractable than the BMW. It was the revvy engine that I didn't particularly like plus it vibrated badly when accelerating but smoothed out when at the chosen speed. I just felt you could buy a cheaper bike, spend the extra £1000 on the extras you would want/need and end up with a much better bike.


I have no need of extras.

I come from a car backgound, where modding is considered very chavvy.
Not that I have a problem with proper performance mods - Its just endless cosmetic nonsense that makes me gag - I loved the looks of my 1999 Hornet. I love the looks of the standard BMW.
The Suzukis for me look ugly. That includes the bandit (Although the new 1250 looks to be a serious bargain and is definitely on my must try list)

In the end I guess its like getting a new girlfriend tho...
You need to fancy her first, and then check out the handling, and performance Smile
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Finglonga
World Chat Champion



Joined: 27 Jul 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 11:21 - 25 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

The BMW dealership will let you test ride it, I have had test rides for a couple of hours on some of their bikes and you realy get a feeling for their capabilities in that amount of time.

You have nothing to lose, but only do it if you can afford it as if you can't and you like it you will be dissapointed.
____________________
Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

G
The Voice of Reason



Joined: 02 Feb 2002
Karma :

PostPosted: 11:26 - 25 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds like you particularly want new, but I'd also recommended looking at the TRX850. However...
Zimbo wrote:

Parallel twins tend to make decent torque right through the rev range and it will pick up better in the midrange, losing out to the hairnet only at high rpm. The result is a bike you can ride comfortably at low rpm, that will pick up instantly when you open the throttle without having to knock it down three gears.

That's definitely not the case of the TRX, which is actually quite 'revvy' despite a 8k rpm redline, due to it's five valve head apparently.

As I've shown before, between two similar bikes, range of torque is generally (though not in the case of the TRX Smile) based on cc, not engine configuration.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

froggeh
World Chat Champion



Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 11:31 - 25 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

Finglonga wrote:
The BMW dealership will let you test ride it, I have had test rides for a couple of hours on some of their bikes and you realy get a feeling for their capabilities in that amount of time.

You have nothing to lose, but only do it if you can afford it as if you can't and you like it you will be dissapointed.


No probs. I'll be buying once the sale of our house goes through, and from a dealership in Sweden (which is a pain coz VAT is 25% :/)

The money is already earmarked. (6-7K).
The BMW is 89900 Swedish Kroner ~ £6500
The Hornet is 79900 ~ £5800
The Kawasaki is 79900

I'm guessing that the BMW will hold value the best, in case I fancy the 1000 Hornet that's coming out next year Smile
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Kickstart
The Oracle



Joined: 04 Feb 2002
Karma :

PostPosted: 11:33 - 25 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

More stroke than just capacity.

TRX850 has a 67.5mm stroke. F800 has a 75.6mm stroke. The capacity gives it the amount of shove on the crank, the longer stroke gives that shove more leverage on the crank.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Jack_Cheese
World Chat Champion



Joined: 14 Jul 2005
Karma :

PostPosted: 11:42 - 25 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kickstart wrote:
Hi

More stroke than just capacity.

TRX850 has a 67.5mm stroke. F800 has a 75.6mm stroke. The capacity gives it the amount of shove on the crank, the longer stroke gives that shove more leverage on the crank.

All the best

Keith


Agreed Thumbs Up

Longer stroke, narrower bore bikes generally won't rev as high, the engines will normally be a bit heavier, but there'll be more torque to play with.
____________________
www.bikepics.com/members/jackcheese <--- NOW FOR SALE! 51 Plate Cagiva Planet 125
Quacker_boy: "Jack, you really are a dick!"
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Zimbo
World Chat Champion



Joined: 09 Jul 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:48 - 25 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

Not sure whether it's relevant, but didn't the TRX also have a 270 degree crank offset so it fired like a V-twin rather than a conventional parallel twin?
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

G
The Voice of Reason



Joined: 02 Feb 2002
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:49 - 25 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote

Zimbo wrote:
Not sure whether it's relevant, but didn't the TRX also have a 270 degree crank offset so it fired like a V-twin rather than a conventional parallel twin?

It did; suspect that was more to try and get that slightly off beat noise though - I'm still of the opinion that you've got to be a /damn/ good rider to be able to make use of the extra traction offered by a big-bang firing order.

Note that I mentioned 'similar' bikes; ie sports v-twin vs a sports in line 4, etc.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts
Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 18 years, 350 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> General Bike Chat All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 

Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.11 Sec - Server Load: 1.34 - MySQL Queries: 17 - Page Size: 125.34 Kb