BMW Updates 800 Series

[leafman60]

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/2015/november/bmw-f700gs-f800gs-2016/

[LongRanger]

Ooooh... Cosmetic fuel tank covers. Meh.

[fotoguzzi]

minor cosmetic changes aimed at giving the duo a mild refresh,

Mild it is..

[ohiorider]

Has anyone here spent any time on any of the F800 Series bikes?  I took the opportunity a few years ago when I was waiting on Jamie the tech to replace my R100GS's notchy steering head bearings.  The bike (F800ST) seemed like it would make a nice middleweight sport tourer.  But it had to be 100 degrees F the day I tested it, and I had a young gal (relative to me!) on back whose 110 pounds certainly didn't upset the bike.  But I probably should have tested it solo on a nicer day.  Anyone have any opinions on the current version of that bike .... I don't know the new name for it.

Other question would be .... has anyone done back to back ...... F800GS // Triumph 800 Tiger XC?  Any opinions?

Bob

[jas67]

Has anyone here spent any time on any of the F800 Series bikes?  I took the opportunity a few years ago when I was waiting on Jamie the tech to replace my R100GS's notchy steering head bearings.  The bike (F800ST) seemed like it would make a nice middleweight sport tourer.  But it had to be 100 degrees F the day I tested it, and I had a young gal (relative to me!) on back whose 110 pounds certainly didn't upset the bike.  But I probably should have tested it solo on a nicer day.  Anyone have any opinions on the current version of that bike .... I don't know the new name for it.

The bike that replaced the F800ST is the F800GT.    I have one (a 2013).    It is a great lightweight sport tourer.    At 90 HP / 480lbs it is quick enough to keep me entertained, has good brakes and suspension to go with it.  The wind protection is good, though not as full coverage as an R1200RT -- it's close to the R1200RS.   I got mine used; it came with a madstad adjustable windshield in a box plus the stock one mounted.   I'm going put the madstad on for the winter for more wind protection.

The engine is very smooth with only very mild buzz on the bars at high speeds.    Fuel efficiency is fantastic.   I get 55-60 MPG with it in warmer temps (above 60), though, my commute MPG has fallen from 55 to 50 in cold weather.

Mine came with the touring cases, which are WAY better than the semi hard/soft expandable ones that the ST had.
I like that the cases use the bike's key to lock, and don't need to be locked with the key to be latched closed like Givis, and some other aftermarket cases need to be.

The ergos of the GT are more upright than the ST.  Forward lean is about halfway between the Breva 1100 and VFR800 that I had.

It has dual stage heated grips that get VERY warm on high.    It has ABS and traction control.    I haven't tested the traction control that I know of, but, have tested the ABS, which works well without drama.

The stock seat sucks.   A $280 slightly used Sargent seat fixed that.   The seat is interchangeable with the F800ST for those looking for used parts, as are rear luggage racks.   I put a Hepco & Becker F800ST top case rack on mine.    The one H&B market for the F800GT won't work with the touring cases.

My one complaint (OK, two) is that, like all canbus equipped BMW's it has light bulb monitoring which precludes using LED replacements for the tail light and headlight.   

Complaint two is that electrical power is modest at 400 Watts.   That leaves enough excess power for heated jacket and gloves, but, not much more.   Those items plus heated socks and auxiliary lighting would likely result in poor or negative charging.   My solution on my V7 to this was an LED headlight replacement (ADVMonster) and an LED tail light.  The combination frees up about 30 watts.    Because the F800GT has separate low and high beam bulbs, going LED can save about 50W when running the high beam.  BUT (see complaint #1), this would result in a "Lamp Fail" error on the digital readout, leaving you unable to use the trip counter and other features.

My solution to this problem might be to put an LED only in the high beam, and power the aux lights from the high beam circuit as well, adding resistors if needed to get the power consumption back to the stock halogen bulb alone.   This would give me aux lights with my high beams w/o additional power consumption.

I've added Skene Design P3 aux stop/turn lights for rear visibility, and Skene Photo Blaster visibility lights to the front for (be seen) visibility.   I HIGHLY recommend both products.   I will eventually be adding both to all my bikes that I ride regularly.
http://www.lights.skenedesign.com/

[ohiorider]

Thanks, Jas ...... good writeup!

Bob

[jas67]

LongRanger --  :1: on your comments.

Being a 360 degree parallel twin, the exhaust pulses rhythm is the same as a boxer.   The power curve is also very boxer light, similar to that of the R1150 oil head boxer, only a little higher in RPM.   It makes nice, smooth, linear torque from 2,500 to 8,000 RPM.
In normal commuting, I typically shift by 5,000 RPM.   It is as happy to loaf along in traffic at 2,000 RPM as it is to go 80 MPH on the highway.
Gearing is a bit taller than most twins this size, 70 MPH is about 4,000 RPM.

The F800S, F800ST, and F800GT are all belt drive, thus no chain maintenance, but, lighter than shaft drive.    The only downside is that the belt is quite expensive at around $400, though, some on the F800 forum have done group buys for the F800S and F800ST for half that from some place in Europe.  I haven't found a similar deal yet for the GT, which uses a longer belt.

[canuguzzi]

How its done, offer various seat heights and ergos. BMW sold more than a fee 650s because riders without giraffe legs could get low seat heights. Smart.

Same bike appealing to many different riders. Accessory upsell. Have one you might sell later on? No sweat, it can fit anyone. Someone there is thinking ahead.

[PeteS]

The bike that replaced the F800ST is the F800GT.    I have one (a 2013).    It is a great lightweight sport tourer.    At 90 HP / 480lbs it is quick enough to keep me entertained, has good brakes and suspension to go with it.  The wind protection is good, though not as full coverage as an R1200RT -- it's close to the R1200RS.   I got mine used; it came with a madstad adjustable windshield in a box plus the stock one mounted.   I'm going put the madstad on for the winter for more wind protection.

I have a 2011 Triumph 800 XC. Haven't ridden the BMW 800 but road tests say they run within a tenth or so of each other in the quarter. The BMW gets slightly higher marks off road. The new XCs are supposed to be improved off road.
As for the Madstad I just put one on my Triumph. First time for me behind an air balanced windscreen. It definitely cuts down on the buffeting but lets much more air in. Great for warm weather riding but no so great when it gets cold. Almost like riding with no windscreen.

Pete

[jas67]

As for the Madstad I just put one on my Triumph. First time for me behind an air balanced windscreen. It definitely cuts down on the buffeting but lets much more air in. Great for warm weather riding but no so great when it gets cold. Almost like riding with no windscreen.

Since it came with the bike, it doesn't cost me anything.  If it doesn't do the trick, I can always buy a taller "normal" windscreen -- or just toughen up.

[Noguzznoglory]

I've put 8,000 miles on a GT . Don't disagree with anything posted so far. Great bike. Plus one on the seat. Mine has the comfort seat option and it and my rear end don't agree with each other. Ergos  are ok otherwise. Rode it to barber's vintage(4 hour trip one way) and other than the aforementioned seat was not uncomfortable. there are better touring bikes but it will do.

[leafman60]

The early versions of the 800 twin were plagued with many problems but, hopefully now, 9 years later, they are getting the bugs worked out (except for the splitting tanks).

I loved the looks and performance of my '07 F800S.

[jas67]

The early versions of the 800 twin were plagued with many problems but, hopefully now, 9 years later, they are getting the bugs worked out (except for the splitting tanks).

I loved the looks and performance of my '07 F800S.

Splitting tanks?   

[LongRanger]

I believe the early 650/700 and 800 GS's had issues with fuel tanks. I've not heard of similar issues on the R / S / ST / GT variants.

[leafman60]

Splitting tanks?   

The GS models and maybe others, as late as 2015 models, tend to have splits in the molded fuel tank crease that runs parallel and below the seat. Most of the 800 riders I know have had theirs replaced.

http://f800riders.org/forum/showthread.php/55931-POLL-Has-your-F650GS-F800GS-twin-gas-tank-cracked/page4?s=9ca9ca4a281fed2f35cee2d59514a7e7


.

[leafman60]

Also, the switchgear, even on the late bikes, are problematic and recalled.

http://f800riders.org/forum/showthread.php/227490-Both-L-amp-R-switchgear-recalled-for-my-VIN-FWIW?highlight=switch+recall

[jas67]

The GS models and maybe others, as late as 2015 models, tend to have splits in the molded fuel tank crease that runs parallel and below the seat. Most of the 800 riders I know have had theirs replaced.

http://f800riders.org/forum/showthread.php/55931-POLL-Has-your-F650GS-F800GS-twin-gas-tank-cracked/page4?s=9ca9ca4a281fed2f35cee2d59514a7e7


.

Hmmmm.   Is this only a problem on the GS, or all the 800's?

[leafman60]

Hmmmm.   Is this only a problem on the GS, or all the 800's?

Well, personally, I have only seen the problem on the GS model.  However, this is because other models have a cover over that part of the fuel tank. I suspect that any model with that same plastic tank is likely to have the problem.

BMW is replacing them all but I usually find one or two on the floor of any dealer I visit. I think BMW has said somewhere that, even though they are replacing them, the crack does not go all the way through to the fuel - yet.

[leafman60]

I hate to be beating up on BMW again.  They were my main ride for years and I still own more than one - but- if you buy a new BMW, be SURE to keep it in warranty. If your original warranty is expiring, get an extended warranty.

I say this often and I know it sounds very hostile and bitter but: BMW is the most problem-prone motorcycle sold nowadays. Even my motorcycle friends in Germany say the same thing!  They perform well, when not broken, but there's always something coming up with them.

The 650 Single seems to be the most sorted out bike in the line-up since it's been there for years. Also, I have not monitored the latest water-cooled boxers.  They may be better.  I hope so. I would buy another if they get their quality control up to standard.

[Travlr]

I've got an F800R set up as a scrambler with 80/20 tires and some tweaks.  I bought the bike on a lark with the intent to flip it in a couple of months.  It's still in my garage.  I can't think of another middle weight I'd trade for. 

M

[leafman60]

I've got an F800R set up as a scrambler with 80/20 tires and some tweaks.  I bought the bike on a lark with the intent to flip it in a couple of months.  It's still in my garage.  I can't think of another middle weight I'd trade for. 

M

Looks good.  You have it tricked-out nicely and I am sure it's a hoot to ride.

I'd be curious to remove those colored cover panels on the side of the tank and look at the crease.

.

[Kev m]

If it doesn't do the trick, I can always buy a taller "normal" windscreen -- or just toughen up.

So I guess you'll be buying a taller windscreen eh... 

[leafman60]

I really liked my 800S.  They only offered it one year, 2007.  I bought it a couple of years ago with very few miles on it but sold it due to all the first-year problems.  I pulled 140MPH on it once!