2008 Bmw F800gs Confirmed!

[russh]

I must say i am surprised of the lack of interest.

I'm worried I'm going to come back from the NEC via the local BMW dealer and stick a deposit down! I hope when I take one for a test ride whenever they appear in the dealers I will hate it! And at £6695 otr ! just a grand and a bit more than the TA.

I agree with the sentiment in other postings, I would so love Honda to build something like the 800GS but they seem to be more interested in putting all there development into CBR's etc. Shame but to me this looks like the bike we've all be waiting for.

Dear Santa......

[beep]

I'm worried I'm going to come back from the NEC via the local BMW dealer and stick a deposit down! I hope when I take one for a test ride whenever they appear in the dealers I will hate it! And at £6695 otr ! just a grand and a bit more than the TA.

I agree with the sentiment in other postings, I would so love Honda to build something like the 800GS but they seem to be more interested in putting all there development into CBR's etc. Shame but to me this looks like the bike we've all be waiting for.

Dear Santa......

The prices sound close, but you can always get a discount on a Honda, which isn't always the case on a BMW. So the difference is much more like two grand, once the "new model" pricing disappears. By the end of next year the TA will be widely available for around £5000. Not sure that the 800 suffers the same teething problems that you often hear about with the boxers? I know most BMW dealers are pretty good but I'm not sure if I can be bothered going backwards and forwards to them to get niggling little faults corrected.

Having said all this, I think the F650GS is the Transalp's real competition, in which case the prices are lot closer.

I can see me getting a couple of test rides next year. Might even try the CB1000R, whilst I'm at it

[sproggy]

The prices sound close, but you can always get a discount on a Honda, which isn't always the case on a BMW.

The other thing to bear in mind is the "optional" extras without which a BMW isn't really properly specced - heated grips, luggage, trip computer etc etc. Believe me, I've been there - what starts as a reasonable basic price soon becomes a lot less reasonable.

I'd imagine that very few people will be riding away on an F800GS for £6,695 - most will have shelled out well over £7k, possibly closer to £8k. And that's a lot of money for a bike like this.

Personally I'd rather wait for a couple of years until the bugs have been ironed out (and there WILL be bugs - there always are with new BMW models) and then buy a used F650 twin and fit F800 cams, Acropovic can and a Power Commander to it - cheaper price, lighter bike, more manageable (for me, with short legs) seat height but full 800 power.

I must say i am surprised of the lack of interest.

Is it a lack of interest or just a degree of cynicism and caution from people who've dealt with BMW before? On paper (and on video) it looks like a great bike but the proof is in the riding and, more importantly, the owning. And as an ownership proposition some recent BMWs have been less than perfect, particularly once the waranty has run out Given time, more interest and enthusiasm may materialise - I'll reserve judgment at least until I've ridden one for an hour or so, or more likely longer than that until they've been around for a while and shown their true colours.