What's the BMW F800 like?
Discussion
I'm looking for a modern (newer than my BSA) bike as a do it all bike. I'm after something, fun to ride and comfy, with a 2k-ish budget. At the moment the top contenders for my stable are bandit 1200, sv1000, Fazer 600*, Aprilia Falco, triumph 650 Daytona*.
Current favorites
The F800 keeps up, but I worry riding one would be like riding my old NC700, Which was competent, but a bit dull.
Current favorites
The F800 keeps up, but I worry riding one would be like riding my old NC700, Which was competent, but a bit dull.
Depends on which one and how you use it. The GS (the only one I have ridden) is very dull on road, but apparently easy to ride off road, making it fun there. The S is apparently more enjoyable. The engine is rather dull for a twin IMO, but that may be coming from a 650 single, which had a lot of character. Not much else mind, but bags of character. BMW dealers are generally excellent with test rides so give it a try.
crofty1984 said:
I'm looking for a modern (newer than my BSA) bike as a do it all bike. I'm after something, fun to ride and comfy, with a 2k-ish budget. At the moment the top contenders for my stable are bandit 1200, sv1000, Fazer 600*, Aprilia Falco, triumph 650 Daytona*.
Current favorites
The F800 keeps up, but I worry riding one would be like riding my old NC700, Which was competent, but a bit dull.
Dull dull and probably not such a safe bet as a Fazer 2nd hand, etcCurrent favorites
The F800 keeps up, but I worry riding one would be like riding my old NC700, Which was competent, but a bit dull.
+1 about the dullness, had a F800R as a loan bike recently, the thought of a slim 800 twin appealed but as above, just dull.
To be honest, there was nothing wrong with it but the motor just seemed lethargic and there was nothing else to make up for it. My sister's old CB500 was more fun.
For the money there's more fun bikes out there: SV1000, Firestorm, TDM900 even. Will the budget stretch to an early Street Triple/KTM 950SM?
To be honest, there was nothing wrong with it but the motor just seemed lethargic and there was nothing else to make up for it. My sister's old CB500 was more fun.
For the money there's more fun bikes out there: SV1000, Firestorm, TDM900 even. Will the budget stretch to an early Street Triple/KTM 950SM?
The tank range puts me off the firestorm, otherwise that would be up there. But think I'll give the BMW a serve. If I want dull economical commuting I'll take the car.
Oddly, when it comes to Fazers I think I'd rather have the early 600 than the 1000. Don't know if an R1 engine (albeit detuned) is a bit much. I quite like the peaky delivery of a 600 of I'm going 4-cylinder. I know I have a lot of these threads, but I appreciate the input, I'll check back in a couple of months when I've bought one!
Oddly, when it comes to Fazers I think I'd rather have the early 600 than the 1000. Don't know if an R1 engine (albeit detuned) is a bit much. I quite like the peaky delivery of a 600 of I'm going 4-cylinder. I know I have a lot of these threads, but I appreciate the input, I'll check back in a couple of months when I've bought one!
crofty1984 said:
The tank range puts me off the firestorm, otherwise that would be up there.
A mate used to commute from Newbury to Bristol on one, a round trip that was more than his tank range so he was filling up 3 times in 2 days. That would annoy the crap out of me 
As a commuter the F800 is renown for very good fuel economy.If you're thinking Fazer 600 then make sure you take a long test ride, I found the tank shape meant it was digging quite uncomfortably in to my legs.
crofty1984 said:
The tank range puts me off the firestorm, otherwise that would be up there. But think I'll give the BMW a serve. If I want dull economical commuting I'll take the car.
The later Firestorm had a bigger tank, I don't know where the budget would get you. I want to say the tank range isn't an issue but I only used to travel distances with my father when he had his and you were stopping just after 100 miles if gentle, 80 miles if pushing on but realistically you don't have the chance to push on for more than an hour (if that makes sense) - he usually needed a pee before the tank ran out anyway.How about a late carb Fireblade, pre-2000. I found both of mine were 600 mile a day comfy with decent range.
How about a Z750? Depends whether you want a fairing or not (you can get the half faired S model but it looks pretty gash)
Bit more refined and modern looking than an original Fazer 600, the engine has a fair bit more grunt and also revs up a bit quicker. I've ridden a couple of early Fazers and they seem to rev in a bit of a lethargic way.
Bit more refined and modern looking than an original Fazer 600, the engine has a fair bit more grunt and also revs up a bit quicker. I've ridden a couple of early Fazers and they seem to rev in a bit of a lethargic way.
They're not completely boring .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2hJnPFFVS4
graham22 said:
The later Firestorm had a bigger tank, I don't know where the budget would get you. I want to say the tank range isn't an issue but I only used to travel distances with my father when he had his and you were stopping just after 100 miles if gentle, 80 miles if pushing on but realistically you don't have the chance to push on for more than an hour (if that makes sense) - he usually needed a pee before the tank ran out anyway.
How about a late carb Fireblade, pre-2000. I found both of mine were 600 mile a day comfy with decent range.
you know, I've had a look after reading that and a fireblade does look very nice! It's been added to the list.How about a late carb Fireblade, pre-2000. I found both of mine were 600 mile a day comfy with decent range.
I owned one for a couple of years and it was a good middleweight sports tourer spoilt by poor build quality and reliability. The main issue is stalling which the dealers can't seem to fix and is caused by a combination of kinked breather hoses and a faulty idle control valve. The rear wheel bearings also fail but most have been fixed under warranty.
Handling and brakes are excellent, it needs more power and the riding position is strangely tall like a super moto. Personally I wouldn't recommend one, a VFR800 is a better bike for about the same money.
Handling and brakes are excellent, it needs more power and the riding position is strangely tall like a super moto. Personally I wouldn't recommend one, a VFR800 is a better bike for about the same money.
RizzoTheRat said:
crofty1984 said:
The tank range puts me off the firestorm, otherwise that would be up there.
A mate used to commute from Newbury to Bristol on one, a round trip that was more than his tank range so he was filling up 3 times in 2 days. That would annoy the crap out of me As a commuter the F800 is renown for very good fuel economy.If you're thinking Fazer 600 then make sure you take a long test ride, I found the tank shape meant it was digging quite uncomfortably in to my legs.
I've got a much maligned F800S now. I went from a 1999 Fazer 600 to a 2007 Z750S to the F800 (2006). I've had it three years now (42K miles on the clock). Didn't like it so much at the start when I realised it didn't match the power of the others. However, as I commute all year round, I've grown to love the belt drive and the heated grips! (Plus, it's a tool, not a toy). I've been putting up bravely with the piston slaps and occasional stalling! The question is - what do I replace it with when it finally goes pop? I quite fancy a Sprint GT. (Hate the under seat pipes on the ST). Does this just prove I often make odd bike choices??
Piston-slapper said:
I've got a much maligned F800S now. I went from a 1999 Fazer 600 to a 2007 Z750S to the F800 (2006). I've had it three years now (42K miles on the clock). Didn't like it so much at the start when I realised it didn't match the power of the others. However, as I commute all year round, I've grown to love the belt drive and the heated grips! (Plus, it's a tool, not a toy). I've been putting up bravely with the piston slaps and occasional stalling! The question is - what do I replace it with when it finally goes pop? I quite fancy a Sprint GT. (Hate the under seat pipes on the ST). Does this just prove I often make odd bike choices??
There's nothing wrong with F800's but as said earlier they are not the most exciting of bikes but as a tool they do the job they were designed for very well, as for odd bike choices, everyone's different, it'd be boring if everyone was riding round on the same bikes.Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff