New BMW roadster! F800R

[Mollygrubber]

Just noticed this, and in case I'm not the only one living under a rock...

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogall ... 800R-6.jpg

I'd be a 'go' for a test ride, but it would have to be pretty damn impressive to lure me away from my RR, even with that impressive fuel consumption.

[tobes]

That is a very cool bike. I wouldn't mind test riding one. I like this version too:

[Lost Rider]

That is a very cool bike. I wouldn't mind test riding one. I like this version too:

Now that looks frikin' cool!

[vielzebub]

Now that looks frikin' cool!

Very cool indeed.
Joe as someone who's ridden both engines would you be willing to compare and contrast each?

I remember in one of your posts you mentioning that after 45,000 miles your R is still cruising, but with 20,000 miles your 800 GS has a few issues.
I wonder what those issues are?

If you've already written about this, pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Joe and thanks for the post Mollygrubber, I'm wildly tempted!

[bobw]

Those look bad a ss!

I don't think the baby GS is as tough as a KTM, but so few users use either the 1200 or 800 bikes like chi has I was very impressed with his results from both bikes.

[AllanCook]

For the life of me, I don't think I'll ever get used to those headlights.

[Mollygrubber]

I think the headlights look cool, form following function and all that - and it looks like Bill the cat...

[Caroanbill]

OK, so taste is very personal and (my favourite word, Harry, especially for Guzzi fanciers) idiosyncratic. With that disclaimer, time to got to town!

What is it with BMW and failure to fully resolve a design? I'm not talking about taste, I mean that the design elements seem to fight one another .. well unless the intention is a bike that looks cobbled together from bits ... The F800S/ST, bless 'em, are quite well resolved. The K1300S and GT are similarly resolved ... but the K1300R and the F800R both look like the bastard children of a tatooist and a couturier.

"Bill the cat" is the best description yet for THAT headlight set-up (yet it work in the F&RxxxxGS .. ) It needs a mini INTEGRATED fairing or cowl coz it sure isn't fish or fowl!

But enough with the front ... it's the rear of the F800R I don't get. The spars in teh fonrt frame section look straight from the S/ST parts bin ... quite nice. SOOOOO ... why didn't they use the S/ST belt drive and swing arm as well - that is a very good looking and functional unit (and anyway I hate chains). Even if BMW has research to show that the F800R market is for a gunfighter-style nekkid, why no show how BMW could produce a stylish gunfighter bike ... as it is, this thing looks like a ratbike - all bits, no bike. Lookit the R1150R - a weird style but a consistent one. Some folks even like it! OK, so the F800R scrambler version looks good in that pic - but I'd want to see how the headlight set-up was improved ...

When I look at my R1200R, I'm glad I didn't wait for the F800R as I originally intended ... our bike turns out looking good as anything from sports-nekkid to light tourer. The design is well resolved (even if R1150R chaps mourn the end of the arty telelever arm). Of course, I am a bit concerned that I might like the R1200R because it's "classic" in an ever-so-slightly conservative way. Still, there's my pipe and slippers, now for a decent cup o' cocoa!

[Lost Rider]

Joe as someone who's ridden both engines would you be willing to compare and contrast each?

I remember in one of your posts you mentioning that after 45,000 miles your R is still cruising, but with 20,000 miles your 800 GS has a few issues.
I wonder what those issues are?

If you've already written about this, pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

How to compare the engines...

The 800 is snatchy, very fast throttle response, spools up quick, and has plenty of torque all over. It's smooth.
It never leaves me wanting, especially off road where more power would be bad thing for me.... but it doesn't pull as hard as the 12R, partly because of the motor, partly due to gearing. It would be a fun motor geared for the street...


I've had a oil leak around the valve cover, bad gas gauge, stalling in heavy rain, and a broken chain.
It did get me to the Arctic Circle and back though... The full story's in my ADV story, you can skip to around page 25 I think if you're just looking for that.


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthre ... ost8931231



Here's where I attempted to fix the leak while camping in the Yukon

[websterize]

I like the mirrors but can't find a part number on realoem.com Anybody know?

[sjbmw]

Chitown, that pic, if it was my bike in that setting, would be enough to keep me up at night, years later.

wow.

[Lost Rider]

I like the mirrors but can't find a part number on realoem.com Anybody know?

Looks like my GS mirrors to me...

[websterize]

Looks like my GS mirrors to me...

No luck on the 650 GS and 800 GS on realoem.com — same mirrors as the R1200R. I'll see if Chicago BMW can help.

[vielzebub]

How to compare the engines...

The 800 is snatchy, very fast throttle response, spools up quick, and has plenty of torque all over. It's smooth.
It never leaves me wanting, especially off road where more power would be bad thing for me.... but it doesn't pull as hard as the 12R, partly because of the motor, partly due to gearing. It would be a fun motor geared for the street...


I've had a oil leak around the valve cover, bad gas gauge, stalling in heavy rain, and a broken chain.
It did get me to the Arctic Circle and back though... The full story's in my ADV story, you can skip to around page 25 I think if you're just looking for that.


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthre ... ost8931231

Thanks for the comparison and the advrider post.
GREAT READING!

Love the pictures too...

I might take a GS for a test ride this weekend. I just gotta feel that parallel twin engine....

Safe roads.

[websterize]

The 800GS mirrors will not fit on the R1200R — different mounts.

[snag]

Guys Guys Guys!

Two words: FUGLY

I'm looking at this on my iPhone, so maybe a bigger picture would make it look better, but I doubt it. Form follow function? Maybe if the function is to make me queasy. As I sit here on the deck, I can see the front end of my MGB through the open garage door. Smooth flowing lines, purposeful grill, beautiful scallop for the headlight, wires and the knockoff hub and those pretty little bumperettes, simply gorgeous. And not wasted line. Behind it, my CB750. Need I say more? Those two exemplify form follow function. This Beemer is a bike for the Transformer crowd. If you look at the Why The R1200R thread, most of us got hooked on the clean classic lines. Are we a bunch of design troglodytes? I don' think so. Sorry for the rant, but SHEESH!

The preceding brought to you IMHO.

Doug

[celticus]

That is a very cool bike. I wouldn't mind test riding one. I like this version too:

What kind of tires are these on this bike? I mean what is their purpose? Some sort of specialized racing?

Mark

[bobw]

Hey! Mark.

Looks like they laced some Excel rims and installed "trials" type dual sport rubber much like the Triumph Scrambler came with. Has that kind of design theme to it. They're "not bad" on pavement and work fairly well for mild gravel/dirt riding.