BMW F 800 (ST specifically)

nitrosurf · Trackday Trickster Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Karma :

Hello all.

Theory test next week, plus a riding assessment with my chosen riding school on the same day. Provided they're happy with my ability on the 600cc I'll be putting myself through MOD1 and 2 ASAP. Knowing that if I don't have a goal I'll just buy the first bike within budget that I see I've been looking whilst saving up. My mind was set on an an 80's or 80's style naked/half faired sports, but having sat on a load of bikes at a dealer today I have inadvertently fallen for a BMW F800ST. Does anyone on here have experience of them? I'm specifically looking for advice regarding the feasibility of home servicing and known issues.

Thanks in advance!

drzsta · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Apr 2009 Karma :

I Have one, great bikes!

Stock up on ACF50 though because if you ride these things all year round they start to look like a cbf125 (BMW Quality Laughing

)

Have a look over at https://f800riders.org/forum/

nitrosurf · Trackday Trickster Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Karma :

Thanks for the link! It will get used all year round, and having seen what the winter and our salty roads has done to my 125's I'll be taking the advice on the acf50...

Done any servicing yourself on yours?

Cheers!

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Servicing on my 800 twin is fine. You'll just need some Torx bits and sockets and you're good to go. There's nothing crazy or custom in there, the ABS system is easy enough to bleed, the only minor niggle is that there's no way to reset the service warning nag without a visit to Motorrad or a "GS-911" diagnostics tool. I just ignore mine.

ACF-50 is if course a boon. Nothing has furred on mine (it's my winter bitch), but the paint on the bottom of the sump will flake off. It's not corrosion, it's just that Rotax apparently don't know how to get paint to bond to alloy. They really do all do that. Nip it in the bud as soon as it starts.
____________________
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

nitrosurf · Trackday Trickster Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Karma :

Thanks, that's good news. I really wasn't expecting to like a beemer, but sitting on it was like settling into an armchair that fits just right. But an armchair that will cross a 1/4 mile faster than your average sports car. The guy at the dealer was really hot on selling me a ducati 848 for some reason. Follow your heart he said. It's not my heart I'm concerned about I said, is the agony that's in my arse from sitting on this thing...

Thanks both for your input.

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

These 800s twins are BMWs best kept secret. There were rear bearing issues on the early belt drive S/STs but they should long since have been sorted. Other than that bloody sump, I honestly can't find a single thing wrong with my GS, and I do try. Some people don't like the seats but I find mine fine and the ST is plusher. Everything falls to hand, they're economical, well balanced, easy on consumables, and even my detuned engine will take off fast enough to make my eyeballs hurt.

Mudshark has a GT, I think, it might be worth PM'ing him for the skinny on the belt drives.
____________________
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

drzsta · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Apr 2009 Karma :

Belts are a doddle. I'm still on the original after 19k miles. Plus no chain fling and no scottoiler.

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Yup, I loved the belt on my '305 and I wish they'd put one on the GSes and the R as well as the S/ST/GT. Sad

____________________
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

nitrosurf · Trackday Trickster Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Karma :

Yeah, seeing that belt on it made me smile. It's odd that despite all the modern tech that gets fitted to bikes these days the first choice to drive the back wheel is a (rather agricultural) chain.

The service light was mentioned, is the trip to BMW to sort that kind of thing out expensive?

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

It's not necessary. There's no light or constant nag, just a brief nag on the LCD screen on startup. You're fine to ignore it, I just DIY it, keep the receipts and labels, and stamp my own book.
____________________
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