bmw f800

[skelstar]

Just sitting behind vehicles watching the wide eyes staring out the back as you follow them at a constant speed, just floating the front wheel above their boot!

Now that I would like to see...preferably from a bike, not inside the car

[Beemer]

My fetish for shiny metal objects got me again. The shop simply made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

Ah, so you're the bastard responsible for the local branch of the BMWOR missing out on a test ride of said F800 this weekend! We had a test ride lined up for Sunday and my husband was dead keen to give it a try, but we got an email this morning to say it had been sold so we have to settle for the R1200R instead.

Suffice to say, said husband is not impressed! Better not show yourself around our way unless you're prepared to hand over the keys!

[MD]

Not guilty Beemer. I almost bought their demo but after I had thrashed it for 700kms on a 'test ride' I decided to take the new one on the showroom. The shop wasn't keen to part with the demo anyway- for obvious reasons, they need it to sell more bikes. I heard the demo has been sold now though.

[Beemer]

Not guilty Beemer. I almost bought their demo but after I had thrashed it for 700kms on a 'test ride' I decided to take the new one on the showroom. The shop wasn't keen to part with the demo anyway- for obvious reasons, they need it to sell more bikes. I heard the demo has been sold now though.

Bit silly of them to sell it before bringing it up here to show it off in front of an interested audience then - we had to book appointment times! Hope you enjoy it, wonder who got the demo then?

[et al]

Nice one MD. If I had seen this post BEFORE seeing you and your new toy in action I would have thought you had joined the Coronation Street watching Pipe and Slippers brigade! But NO - having seen the shagged rear tyre and the way you punt that thing around I can see that the cliche "less is more" is working for you. Have to say that is a very interesting looking bike, I had seen pictures of it and was not overly impressed however it looks way better in the flesh. I like the clean and tidy lines, especially of the engine and I reckon that has the thickest coat of engine enamel I have ever seen, which will keep it looking mint forever.

[Blackbird]

Nice write-up and it pretty much mirrors the comments by the biker journos from Oz and NZ who attended the official Australasian launch in Coromandel. I had a Beemer (K100 RS) before the Blackbird and have a great affection for the make. I think you've proved that Beemers can foot it with anything else in real world conditions. They will still be running in a couple of decades too.

Well done on your choice

[MD]

Well I've clocked up 7000km in 6 weeks and absolutely lovin this machine.
Now that I've changed both tyres to Conti Sport Attacks, today was the first 'hard' ride to sample the tyres. What was excellent handling just got better.
The motors loosened up nicely now and seems to enjoy revs. Very un-BMW like this bike in so many ways. Funny how less seems more?. It's never going to beat any 600/4s or 1000 V2s in a straight line. But I actually enjoy the power surge (cut me some slack here Ok). Its such fun to thrash through twisties because of the ease it flips side to side and just inspires confidence when ridden hard and given plenty of corner speed.
There's some really clever engineering on this machine and quality of build.
Scorpian are bringing out a cool stubby muffler soon.

[Clivoris]

Meh. Only 7000km? Family and work holding you back eh?

[MD]

Good review in latest AMCN vol 56 No. 16. Like them I've found a false neutral pops up sometimes from 4th to 5th. Another good point they picked up is how a parallel twin pulls smoother from low revs than V twins. All the way home fro Manfeild I stayed in top most of the time. It's a pleasure to doodle through townships at 45kph in top and just smoothly pull away. My old VTR would shake, rattle and kick up stink if you tried that.

Now I've got a track day under it's belt and the F800S was a hoot. Handling was superb. Some mags have to mention that there's no adjustment up front. Atleast one test qualified that, saying that they wouldn't change anything if they could. I couldn't unsettle the front wheel no matter what I threw at it. The F800 felt so planted at full lean despite Manfeild's crap seal & ruts. The back would hop and skip a bit coming out of the tightest turns- probably just my lack of interest to play around with the rear settings, or to bother checking tyre pressures (just sounds like work to me)

Sure there were a few times when I missed the acceleration rush on the straights, but the high corner speeds it thrives on made up for that. Don't get me wrong, it's surprisingly quick off the mark and out of turns. Just don't take on feather weight chicks on RSV 1000s in a drag.
Seemed odd being so comfortable while on the track! Maybe that's why I got in so many sessions in one day and for the first time actually enjoyed the whole ride home.

Apparently BMW are bringing out an offroad version - that motor will be fantastic for that. Also a R model naked. Errr? Isn't mine a near naked already? Maybe it will wear a g-string.
Looking forward to getting it on Taupo now. And a replacement muffler.
Oh and let's not forget the 20,000km service intervals. Nil, zip, none, zero cleaning or adjustment to the belt drive - which also means no grease & shit thrown over the rear wheel. Then there's the 385km I got on a tank taking 15.7L to refill. That's 24 km/l or 68 mpg.

[F5 Dave]

Think I might have to ride one of these.

But I'm not 50 yet! & the dreadful BM switchgear
Any thoughts about 2up?

[limbimtimwim]

Oh and let's not forget the 20,000km service intervals.

Not even an oil change? Does it have a dry clutch and separate oil for the gearbox?

[SPman]

The more I hear about the 800, the more interested I am in trying one. A bit like a modern TRX 850 (another under rated bike).
You don't need wads of horsepower to have fun on the road (although it certainly is nice on occasions) and more people are coming to realise that, which means, we might get a better selection of very competent, balanced, sports (as opposed to race) bikes, that work well in all road conditions.

[F5 Dave]

Yeah? I kinda thought the TRX was overrated. 850 twin that couldn't get out of it's own way & had dreadful off-idle carburetion thrown in. Even Jim decided (probably subconsciously) that his deserved a violent death.

[scracha]

modern TRX 850 (another under rated bike).

Take a TRX 850, cross it with a TDM850 to give longer travel suspension, luggage and a bigger screen. Double the price...voiala. A BMW F800.

[MD]

Not even an oil change? Does it have a dry clutch and separate oil for the gearbox?

That's right. Just checked the manual to be sure. First service (and oil/filter change) is at 10,000km then every 20,000 after that. Engine & gear box all one unit.
Manual says it's a dry sump but when I rode in the rain the motor got wet.. well I thought that was funny.

F5 Dave- hey Im not 50 (yet) and there's not a single grey hair on my head. Edit- and it's got the perfect seat/grab rail for passengers.
The switchgear is brilliant, not odd. It becomes second nature to use, much easier than traditional switchgear.
There are a few demos around at the mo. The UK Sports & Leisure M/C mag has a current test as well "handling is simply superb" and other flowery stuff.
Built tough. I bounced off the tyre wall at Manfeild entering the pits. A slow hit but still they are usually the ones that do heaps of damage.I expected some unpleasant broken fairing, indicators and such but simply loosened the bent back indicator and re-fitted it. Turps took the black rubber off the paint without a mark. I couldn't believe there were no cracks or bent/broken plastic?