[scorn]

Hi all,

Apologies to those on Boards.ie that follow the motorcycle section there, but this is a re-post of a thread I have there...
(is it ok to mention that on this forum?? - mods can remove the above if not so)

I'm looking to upgrade the Bros for a larger 'naked' style bike in the future. I've been pondering for ages and can't seem to find something that grabs me. To be honest, I haven't actually been out and tested any yet but just from forums and internet search.

Anyone on here own one that can give a bit of feedback? I'm mainly a commuter (every day, all weather) but would like to get out a bit more on the weekends. The Bros is now 20 years old so I need to treat it with respect - long distances are also not the most comfortable.

What are BMW like to service in general? (I'm not the type that needs to get a service from the dealerships - I know a good bike mechanic who will do, if that's any cheaper). Any other issues or advantages?

Would like to hear general feedback from folk here...

Thanks

[CBR 46]

Ask Boo Boo

[fabio]

Always liked the F800ST, the faired one for the weather protection (good if you're an everyday commuter...wish my Bandit was faired cos I'm like you, use it everyday in all weathers).

Meant to be very good fuel consumption on the inline-twin 800cc engine (which is made by Rotax of Austria apparently) and the belt drive needs no maintenance so that's good for commuting. Other than that though you need Boo Boo or another owner of said machine.

[Spiceburger]

Heard nothing but good reports about the F800st.I'm sure Boo Boo Will be along shortly to give you a more in depth opinion

[Fr Dougal]

scorn, on 13 April 2011 - 02:52 PM, said:

I'm mainly a commuter

This lad uses one for work every day......

This post has been edited by Fr Dougal: 13 April 2011 - 07:22 PM

[Blade RR]

Great choice of bike, yet another one i want to own at some stage.

The "R" version you refer to is chain driven unlike the F800ST (faired version more or less). Both bikes are reliable, look good and fit for what you want. The "R" may be a harder ride and more sporty but they both can come with all the goodies, on board computer, tyre pressure monitors etc. Lots of extras to be had for them. Why not.........they are different.

Take a trip to Maddocks in Bray or Joe Duffy in Finglas. Both should offer "test rides".

[bogman]

As posted elsewhere a few moments ago, just my & hello Ray also

Take a test ride on the new Triumph Tiger 800 and you wont be long making your mind up, for me it would have to be the 800XC, test drive both, also BMW servicing is frighteningly expensive @ around 100€ /hr+




Ive the XC on order

[Blade RR]

bogman, on 13 April 2011 - 07:44 PM, said:

As posted elsewhere a few moments ago, just my & hello Ray also

Take a test ride on the new Triumph Tiger 800 and you wont be long making your mind up, for me it would have to be the 800XC, test drive both, also BMW servicing is frighteningly expensive @ around 100€ /hr+

Hi Charles.


you made a very valid point, i shouldnt have looked over the Triumph. I aint all japanese these days (for a change).

Look forward to hearing how you get on with it

[scorn]

So far so good - nothing really negative (and thanks for the suggestion of the Triumph, bogman - saw the same posted elsewhere already )

What would the reliability be like, both on the BMW and the Triumph? As I use it as my primary transport to and from work, I need it to be reliable (I get paid by the hour, so a breakdown starts costing immediately!)

The R does have a chain drive (as Blade RR pointed out) and may be useful if wanting to change gearing, which you can't do with a belt drive. The chain drive is apparently cheaper to install than the belt - according to BMW - and they were trying to keep the costs of this bike down... Pity though, as it's not as maintenance free as belt drive.

Any feedback from actual owners (Boo Boo?) would be welcome too! Thanks so far.

This post has been edited by scorn: 14 April 2011 - 11:30 AM

[whose-law-anyway]

Think you mean shaft drive, anyway if it was my money and my income depended on it I'd buy a hornet or an sv 650 / 1000 ging for same price. Very easy to work on and run.

[scorn]

whose-law-anyway, on 14 April 2011 - 11:35 AM, said:

Think you mean shaft drive...

No - the F800ST has a belt drive, as far as I was aware...

Would the other bikes you mentioned be ok for longer distances with pillion?

[proinnsias]

Of course - coming from a Bros, for distance commuting ... it's hard to beat a Deauville (unbiased opinion - obviously !!)

Shaft drive
Half faired (plenty of weather protection)
Reasonably slim
Inbuilt panniers for shoes / rain-gear etc
Bulletproof
Frugal
Not overpowered, but gutsy enough to do the job
All-day comfort

Oh, and cheap!

Easy to service too - and no scumbag-cred, so cheap to insure !

P

[whose-law-anyway]

scorn, on 14 April 2011 - 11:49 AM, said:

No - the F800ST has a belt drive, as far as I was aware...

Would the other bikes you mentioned be ok for longer distances with pillion?

You could be right, I didnt realise anyone used belts save harley or some large capacity cruisers.

Sv 1000 for sure, has a very generous rear pad and a good fairing but is also sporty enough for spirited riding.

A hornet maby get by with an after market screen.

[KildareMan]

The Tiger 800 is more powerful, smoother and better handling than the bmw 800. The bm has better fuel consumption. I prefer the former obviously. Anyway I'm still getting 50 - 51 mpg.

[Hatcho]

scorn, on 14 April 2011 - 11:49 AM, said:

No - the F800ST has a belt drive, as far as I was aware...

Would the other bikes you mentioned be ok for longer distances with pillion?

If you plan on doing a fair bit of two-up riding I wouldn't go for the SV1000S. My other half really dislikes pillioning on the SV and she finds it uncomfortable pretty quickly. Seating position for pillion means very little weight on legs and ye end up bouncing about the place a bit. Likes of the Tiger or the F800S would be much better I'd imagine. That said - the SV is a fantastic bike in other respects - but it all depends on what you are looking for...

Just my 0.02c

[whose-law-anyway]

Hatcho, on 14 April 2011 - 12:46 PM, said:

If you plan on doing a fair bit of two-up riding I wouldn't go for the SV1000S. My other half really dislikes pillioning on the SV and she finds it uncomfortable pretty quickly. Seating position for pillion means very little weight on legs and ye end up bouncing about the place a bit. Likes of the Tiger or the F800S would be much better I'd imagine. That said - the SV is a fantastic bike in other respects - but it all depends on what you are looking for...

Just my 0.02c

What other bikes have you had her on? The SV 1000 got best ratings of all the bikes I had save the intruder 800 of coarse. Although the big lumpy nature of the bike makes it uncomfortable for both ride and pillion at low speed due to the jerking back and forth of gear changes no matter how hard i try to be smooth.

[KaosTheory]

whose-law-anyway, on 14 April 2011 - 01:42 PM, said:

What other bikes have you had her on? The SV 1000 got best ratings of all the bikes I had save the intruder 800 of coarse. Although the big lumpy nature of the bike makes it uncomfortable for both ride and pillion at low speed due to the jerking back and forth of gear changes no matter how hard i try to be smooth.

Yer missus probably just liked the way it vibrated soooo much, no wonder she loved it! And here you were thinking after each ride she was all flushed, red-faced and gunning for another type of ride purely on the fact you impressed her so much with your amazing motorsickle skills, 'fraid not lad

Kaos

[John Bulleteer]

proinnsias, on 14 April 2011 - 12:07 PM, said:

Of course - coming from a Bros, for distance commuting ... it's hard to beat a Deauville (unbiased opinion - obviously !!)

Shaft drive
Half faired (plenty of weather protection)
Reasonably slim
Inbuilt panniers for shoes / rain-gear etc
Bulletproof
Frugal
Not overpowered, but gutsy enough to do the job
All-day comfort

Oh, and cheap!

Easy to service too - and no scumbag-cred, so cheap to insure !

P

[nab301]

scorn, on 13 April 2011 - 02:52 PM, said:

Anyone on here own one that can give a bit of feedback? I'm mainly a commuter (every day, all weather) but would like to get out a bit more on the weekends. The Bros is now 20 years old so I need to treat it with respect - long distances are also not the most comfortable.

What are BMW like to service in general? (I'm not the type that needs to get a service from the dealerships - I know a good bike mechanic who will do, if that's any cheaper). Any other issues or advantages?

Would like to hear general feedback from folk here...

Thanks

I took one out about a year ago for the best part of a day and that would probably be your best bet. I found it (the F800r ) great , superb brakes ,handled well enough for me , surprisingly quick, a bit like a CB500 on steroids.... and similar (very good) fuel consumption. Not sure about two up but I'd imagine it would be ok.
The main thing I noticed was (admittedly it's a naked bike ) how cold I got despite heated grips ,hand guards and a large screen from another bm model. This could be a big factor for winter biking .
The canbus electrics will require someone with a code reader for servicing ,although there are alternatives to bm dealers.. The R is quite rare imo, and if you look at dedicated F800 forums you'll see that some of the early gs's had a pretty poor record , poor oe chain quality ,head bearings , etc etc
maybe look around the relevant section on ukgser ?
I've an old oilhead which i've managed to maintain myself over the last 7 odd years , and i imagine i'd manage the F800 too , but the brand commands a price premium in this country which may not be justified with all the other competition around. Main dealer servicing with other brands may be just as expensive ?