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Test Ride Reports |
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· · · Rideouts, Events and Tours 575 photos 1 comments |
· · · Rideouts, Events and Tours 575 photos 1 comments |
· · · Rideouts, Events and Tours 575 photos 1 comments |
· · · Rideouts, Events and Tours 575 photos 1 comments |
· · · Rideouts, Events and Tours 575 photos 1 comments | |||||
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Published by Wee Jack
24-07-09 |
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By
russh
on
25-07-09, 01:16 PM
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Re: BMW F800GS Test Ride
Thanks WeeJack, an interesting report.
Owning one of these I do tend to agree on a number of your points. On a number of the other issues I hope it doesn’t look like I’m disagreeing with you just because I’ve bought a F800GS they’re just my opinions. In fact in some ways the F800 is such an almost there bike, IMO overall a really great dual purpose bike it would only take another 2% to make it an almost perfect all rounder. But hey ho. It's not up there with the KTM990ADV but I think it's being aimed at a slightly different market. How many F800s will ever see dirt? Regarding the muck being thrown up onto your legs, I ended up fitting a small plastic fenda extender. ![]() ![]() Maybe another reason for more crud being thrown up is the mudguard is mounted somewhat higher than on say a Transalp / AT (don’t know about the KTM) However an advantage to this came to light on last weeks Beds. Northants. Trail ride, the TA’s in particular were suffering with mud clogging up under there front mudguards stopping the wheel from going round where as the BM didn’t suffer this at all. There is no excuse for the most stupid of indicator switches full stop, it even worries me somewhat trusting a manufacture who thought these were a good idea to get anything else on the bike right!! ![]() On your point with the tyres, mine originally came with Michelin Anakees, basically road tyres, on these the bike felt totally planted. I’ve recently fitted a pair of TKCs. Although they obviously have less grip I’m still surprised how well the bike feels and handles, a lot better than my Africa Twin felt on the same tyres. A lot of people seem to complain about the wobbly master cylinder, to be honest I don’t notice this too much. (Until you’ve now mentioned this, I will now be forever watching the wobble now!!) I think there were some brake fluid foaming issues with the original design caused by vibration hence the big wobbly rubber mount. (Or so I read on an internet.) ![]() Regarding the seat, I find the standard height item more comfortable that the seat on my Transalp, albeit only just. Looking at the lower seat option there doesn’t seem to be much padding there. For me at 6’2” I find the riding position very comfortable. What I do like is no sculptured cut out so on a longer run I can move about a bit. My mind isn’t made up on the exposed rear shock. Why didn’t BMW just fit a little plastic guard for the extra €1.00 I don’t know? However closer examination reveals the damping rod on the shock is well and truly hidden from crud and there is no rising rate linkage to suffer. Whereas many bikes with linkage suspension it’s usually mounted under the swinging are right in the path of crud anyway. So I hope BM did consider this and feel it has sufficient protection. ![]() I find the computer very useful; the countdown to next fill up feature is pretty useful and worth the cost. What I really like with the BMW is the feeling of a low centre of gravity even with a full tank of fuel. It’s a lot easier to pick up when on it’s side than the TA. Fuel economy is very good. The side stand is badly though out (again BMW do have a history of this) When putting it down the bike has to be almost vertical, get stuck in even a shallow rut and you cant get the stand down. See below the only alternative! ![]() The biggest problem for me is the very sensitive throttle, I found this quite a problem when riding on very slippy trails especially when standing up on the pegs, I found it very difficult to keep everything smooth, lots of wheel spinning. I’m not wholly convinced how well the BMW will cope with a few years of salted British roads, we will see. IMO the BMW falls in-between say the Africa Twin and the KTM990ADV. From what I understand the KTM now comes in at nearly £10,000 nearly £3000 more than the Beemer The F800GS is my main transport, winter summer and trail riding toy, and overall, excluding the prior points ideal for my needs. OK, I’ve only had the BMW for 7 months but I’m not yet yearning for a different bike so it’s the most satisfied I’ve ever been with a bike,….however, if I was to replace the bike and money was no object it could well be Orange! However for a really good all rounder has anyone considered a Transalp?? |
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Last edited by russh; 25-07-09 at 01:18 PM..
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By
Wee Jack
on
27-07-09, 12:18 PM
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Re: BMW F800GS Test Ride
Russh,
Your pictures are great and illustrate the bouncing brake cylinder very well. Your bike looks like what I would do if I was to have one , - fenda extenda , TT pannier rails, crash bars and some sort of rack and top box. I would prefer NOT to have ABS, I've had bad experiences with ABS units failing in the past and on a Pan European ended up with a bill of £1300 ! to repair a failed rear ABS unit......... Boogger that !!! I note your point about the shock absorber - no linkage and yes on reflection there was no exposed rod, but for the cost of a wee plastic flap, it would at least give the impression that BMW had thought of everything. What MPG do you get for "normal" riding (whatever that is !!!) I was thinking that for the size of the tank , you would have to get about 60 - 70 MPG to make it practical - is that really possible on this bike ?? if so WOW !! And yes !! the KTM is £3000 more , but it's not a £3000 better bike !! The F800 GS is not far away from my ideal , but far enough away at present to make me think a little longer. |
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Last edited by Wee Jack; 27-07-09 at 12:23 PM..
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By
AlanH
on
13-08-09, 11:24 AM
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Re: BMW F800GS Test Ride
Quote:
It's the 360 degree crank that does it. Both pistons move up and down together and fire alternately making the exhaust pulses evenly spaced. |
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