What's the BMW F800 like?
Discussion
Note it is only the 2002 & 2003 FZS600 the huge 22litre tank and nice long 230 mile range. Earlier ones had smaller tanks, along with rubbish headlights and crappy mirrors.
Fazer's are rock solid, load about, super cheap to maintain. And as you not in London, you should find a tonne coming up cheap soon, as us London commuters have to ditch them because of the ULEZ coming in 2020. Had mine 4.5 years, love it. Did consider a F800S as a replacement, but from everything I've read, I think I'd be disappointed coming from the Fazer.
Fazer's are rock solid, load about, super cheap to maintain. And as you not in London, you should find a tonne coming up cheap soon, as us London commuters have to ditch them because of the ULEZ coming in 2020. Had mine 4.5 years, love it. Did consider a F800S as a replacement, but from everything I've read, I think I'd be disappointed coming from the Fazer.
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??
I don't know what to replace mine with either. 45,000 miles on it so far and it is looking a bit worse for wear but refuses to go wrong despite being treated as a commuter (ie. never washed)Everything else seems too compromised.
I had mine for 3 years. During that time I think I had the rear bearing failure, though that seems to happen on every BMW bike I've had! Left heated grip failed, a known issue. Kinked breather hose I think, got replace/remedied.
Before I tried the K1300S I was pretty happy with it. Good range and about 60mpg I think, and I could actually get more/less depending on how conservatively/stupidly I rode. It was an uninspiring engine though, and never felt like it enjoyed any kind of revs.
Disappointingly - and after asking BMW every time they serviced it (I was doing 12k a year ish) if it had any piston slap symptoms - they decided it had piston slap when I came to trade it in.
Mine was a 57 plate. Silver engine case colour.
I've had a few variants as courtesy bike since and... the K1300S has spoiled me.
Before I tried the K1300S I was pretty happy with it. Good range and about 60mpg I think, and I could actually get more/less depending on how conservatively/stupidly I rode. It was an uninspiring engine though, and never felt like it enjoyed any kind of revs.
Disappointingly - and after asking BMW every time they serviced it (I was doing 12k a year ish) if it had any piston slap symptoms - they decided it had piston slap when I came to trade it in.
Mine was a 57 plate. Silver engine case colour.
I've had a few variants as courtesy bike since and... the K1300S has spoiled me.
GriffoDP said:
I had mine for 3 years. During that time I think I had the rear bearing failure, though that seems to happen on every BMW bike I've had! Left heated grip failed, a known issue. Kinked breather hose I think, got replace/remedied.
Before I tried the K1300S I was pretty happy with it. Good range and about 60mpg I think, and I could actually get more/less depending on how conservatively/stupidly I rode. It was an uninspiring engine though, and never felt like it enjoyed any kind of revs.
Disappointingly - and after asking BMW every time they serviced it (I was doing 12k a year ish) if it had any piston slap symptoms - they decided it had piston slap when I came to trade it in.
Mine was a 57 plate. Silver engine case colour.
I've had a few variants as courtesy bike since and... the K1300S has spoiled me.
I average 60mpg on my commute. If I do a motorway run I get around 75 mpg doing about 80-85mph. If I do 90-100 I still get 65mpg on a run! Before I tried the K1300S I was pretty happy with it. Good range and about 60mpg I think, and I could actually get more/less depending on how conservatively/stupidly I rode. It was an uninspiring engine though, and never felt like it enjoyed any kind of revs.
Disappointingly - and after asking BMW every time they serviced it (I was doing 12k a year ish) if it had any piston slap symptoms - they decided it had piston slap when I came to trade it in.
Mine was a 57 plate. Silver engine case colour.
I've had a few variants as courtesy bike since and... the K1300S has spoiled me.
I like the look of the K1300s, but I think its a bit too big/fast for what I use mine for.
I tried a Speed Triple, which I really really liked, but the lack of screen would be a bind in winter. And it doesn't look like it will stand up well to all-year abuse
Had one of these for 6 months and lots of Wales trips, commuting and one Euro tour. Longevity is great, mine had 53,000 on and condition was still excellent. They go ok too.
However... I could never get on with it. The engine never felt 'comfortable' and as a result it was really hard work to ride unless you were sitting at a constant speed on the motorway. It needed to be revved and worked hard to get and power out of it, but revving it hard was the last thing you wanted to do as it all started getting very vibey and rough. Felt a lot slower than 87bhp or whatever they are. Very 'searchy' as if it was always hunting for the right speed. The slightest bump in the road would stop you holding a constant throttle.
I had to replace the fuel breather pipes as everyone seems to, and a belt change at BMW was the best part of £500. Ease of maintanance was excellent though. Good commuter too as it's very thin.
Never really felt comfortable with the riding position either. You felt very perched on the top, didn't give me any confidence. Handled the Welsh roads well though and the brakes are excellent. I got sick of it and bought a Sprint 1050 which was a revelation after the f800. Smooth, genuinely quick and with a fantastic, 'sitting in' feel.
However... I could never get on with it. The engine never felt 'comfortable' and as a result it was really hard work to ride unless you were sitting at a constant speed on the motorway. It needed to be revved and worked hard to get and power out of it, but revving it hard was the last thing you wanted to do as it all started getting very vibey and rough. Felt a lot slower than 87bhp or whatever they are. Very 'searchy' as if it was always hunting for the right speed. The slightest bump in the road would stop you holding a constant throttle.
I had to replace the fuel breather pipes as everyone seems to, and a belt change at BMW was the best part of £500. Ease of maintanance was excellent though. Good commuter too as it's very thin.
Never really felt comfortable with the riding position either. You felt very perched on the top, didn't give me any confidence. Handled the Welsh roads well though and the brakes are excellent. I got sick of it and bought a Sprint 1050 which was a revelation after the f800. Smooth, genuinely quick and with a fantastic, 'sitting in' feel.
Tim1989 said:
Had one of these for 6 months and lots of Wales trips, commuting and one Euro tour. Longevity is great, mine had 53,000 on and condition was still excellent. They go ok too.
However... I could never get on with it. The engine never felt 'comfortable' and as a result it was really hard work to ride unless you were sitting at a constant speed on the motorway. It needed to be revved and worked hard to get and power out of it, but revving it hard was the last thing you wanted to do as it all started getting very vibey and rough. Felt a lot slower than 87bhp or whatever they are. Very 'searchy' as if it was always hunting for the right speed. The slightest bump in the road would stop you holding a constant throttle.
I had to replace the fuel breather pipes as everyone seems to, and a belt change at BMW was the best part of £500. Ease of maintanance was excellent though. Good commuter too as it's very thin.
Never really felt comfortable with the riding position either. You felt very perched on the top, didn't give me any confidence. Handled the Welsh roads well though and the brakes are excellent. I got sick of it and bought a Sprint 1050 which was a revelation after the f800. Smooth, genuinely quick and with a fantastic, 'sitting in' feel.
Yours is a very similar experience to mine. My 2008 F800ST had 53,000 miles when I sold it and looked pretty good considering the mileage. I agree about the strange riding position, even with a lower seat it felt as if I was perched right on top of it, it made me feel strangly disconnected with the bike. It also felt big and cumbersome for a middleweight tourer.However... I could never get on with it. The engine never felt 'comfortable' and as a result it was really hard work to ride unless you were sitting at a constant speed on the motorway. It needed to be revved and worked hard to get and power out of it, but revving it hard was the last thing you wanted to do as it all started getting very vibey and rough. Felt a lot slower than 87bhp or whatever they are. Very 'searchy' as if it was always hunting for the right speed. The slightest bump in the road would stop you holding a constant throttle.
I had to replace the fuel breather pipes as everyone seems to, and a belt change at BMW was the best part of £500. Ease of maintanance was excellent though. Good commuter too as it's very thin.
Never really felt comfortable with the riding position either. You felt very perched on the top, didn't give me any confidence. Handled the Welsh roads well though and the brakes are excellent. I got sick of it and bought a Sprint 1050 which was a revelation after the f800. Smooth, genuinely quick and with a fantastic, 'sitting in' feel.
The engine is completely characterless, it sounds like a Briggs & Stratton lawn mower engine and doesn't feel comfortable at higher revs.
What I did like however was the integrated heated grips, the switched dedicated power connection for a Sat Nav. The belt drive I thought was a solution to a problem that didn't really exist.
And I quite liked the looks.
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.
I like V-twins so the SV or Falco stand out for me. However, rather than the Falco have a sit on an equivalent age RSV if you can. Though it's a sports bike they are very comfortable, probably the most comfy bike I've ever had. The Falco is still a good bike though.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.
Gunk said:
What I did like however was the integrated heated grips, the switched dedicated power connection for a Sat Nav. The belt drive I thought was a solution to a problem that didn't really exist.
And I quite liked the looks.
That's interesting,because the belt drive was what attracted me to the bike in the first place and I'd say it is a really good thing.And I quite liked the looks.
My old Ducati Monster used to need chain and sprockets replaced every 12-15,000 miles, and had to be cleaned/lubed every few weeks. And I had a Scotoiler on it which neede to be refilled every so often.
In all, it was a pain in the posterior in the winter.
The F800s belt has had zero maintenance and got replaced at 38,000 miles. Cost was a bit over £100 for the belt and about £50 for a mechanic to fit it (would do it myself but didn't have time)
boyse7en said:
My old Ducati Monster used to need chain and sprockets replaced every 12-15,000 miles, and had to be cleaned/lubed every few weeks. And I had a Scotoiler on it which neede to be refilled every so often.
If the Scottoiler was working properly then there should have been no need to clean/lube every few weeks. IME you don't get the horrible build up of gunk with an oiler that you do with spray on chain lubes, the chain on my RSV looked like new with just a quick wipe.Mr2Mike said:
boyse7en said:
My old Ducati Monster used to need chain and sprockets replaced every 12-15,000 miles, and had to be cleaned/lubed every few weeks. And I had a Scotoiler on it which neede to be refilled every so often.
If the Scottoiler was working properly then there should have been no need to clean/lube every few weeks. IME you don't get the horrible build up of gunk with an oiler that you do with spray on chain lubes, the chain on my RSV looked like new with just a quick wipe.Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff