BMW executives didnt have to come right out and say it, but I knew that the new F 800 S and ST models being talked about at the press launch I attended recently are aimed squarely at the womens market. How do I know this? Because this pair of middleweights possess qualities many women want in a motorcycle. First, theyre middleweights an ideal end-all size bike desired by many female riders; theyre light and narrow; seat height is decent; power is decent; theres a low center of gravity; and the price hovers around an affordable 10 grand.
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The F 800 S is the sport version and the ST is the sport-touring version. Theyre basically the same motorcycle except for wheels, styling, and a few ergonomic features. This is a new platform for BMW bridging the gap between the single cylinder F 650 motorcycles and the larger Boxer (or opposed twin cylinders) engine motorcycles.
The 798cc engine is a new parallel-twin design meaning the two cylinders are side by side in an upright position. Those in the know are aware that parallel twins tend to cause a lot of vibration in a motorcycle. BMW uses a swing-action balancing rod to reduce vibration. To this technologys credit, I never noticed any annoying vibration on the F 800s.
The Ride
Im a touring kind of rider so I enjoyed the ST more than the S with its upright riding style, full fairing side panels that my knees comfortably hugged, and higher windshield. The S version has the rider leaning forward in a sportbike style crouch. There is plenty of get-up-and-go with these 6-speed fuel-injected machines. That sixth speed is an overdrive gear which reduces rpms so the bike doesnt consume so much fuel; plus it smoothes out the ride when cruising at top highway speeds.
Zipping along at 60 to 65 mph on Hawaiis curvy mountain roads where I road tested the two bikes, I never felt the need to shift from fifth to sixth. Most of the bikes torque is felt on roll-on propelling you forward throught the gears. Power really surged in the mid-range of the powerband so fifth gear did the job just fine. BMW spec sheets list peak torque at 63 foot pounds at 5,800 rpm, with peak output of 85 horsepower at 8,000 rpm. Out on the highway when I needed to pump it up a notch traveling 70-plus mph did I feel the need to use the sixth gear. Snicking through the gears is smooth and accurate, and finding neutral was always easy. Youll know what gear youre in thanks to the digital gear indicator on the dash.
The F 800s track smoothly through the corners. I felt confident as I tested both mine and the bikes limits leaning over through the banked twisties, with the forward riding position of the S model inspiring more confidence. The aluminum frame and swingarm and the conventional 43mm telescopic forks provide the bike with just enough rigidity (not too stiff like some sportbikes) to keep it stable and planted even when being ridden hard and flying over bumps.
Speaking of bumps, we tested the F 800s on one of Hawaiis most bumpiest thoroughfares, Saddle Road, which links one end of the Big Island to the other. I have to say, the suspension on the bikes is superior. Never once was I jarred out of the saddle as the F 800s blasted through miles and miles of cracked, uneven, and holey pavement. I did have to hold on tight, but I was surprised at how the bike elegantly “see-sawed” through the rough asphalt. The rear shock absorber is attached to the swingarm with a pivot joint accounting for the relative smoothness. I could adjust the preload of the shock absorber with a hand knob located on the right side, but the stock setting was dialed in just fine for me.
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The swingarm, which doubles as an aluminum styling piece on the right side of the bike, is combined with a low maintenance toothed belt drive. The F 800 uses a high performance braking system that brings the bike to a strong and solid stop. Two large 320mm diameter front brake disks are each squeezed by a Brembo four-piston hydraulic caliper; in the rear a 265mm diameter disk is combined with a twin-piston caliper. Anti-lock brakes (ABS), a feature common on many BMW models, is optional on the F 800.
Ergonomics
Seat height on both bikes is 32.3 inches – thats pretty standard for sport and sport-touring motorcycles. Whats great about the F 800s is that they are relatively light with the ST weighing in the heavier of the two at 450 pounds full of fluids. The bikes seat and profile are also very narrow. This, plus the light weight enable riders with a shorter inseam to handle the high-ish seat height.
There is a lower seat option that brings seat height down to 31.1 inches. In addition, a lower suspension option that can be ordered and installed at the factory brings the seat height to 29.9 inches when combined with that lower seat. Be sure to ask your dealer about these options. I found the stock saddle to be very comfortable after 200-plus miles. Theres a flat lower back support at the rear of the riders seat, adding to the overall comfort.
Reach to the clutch and brake lever, an issue for riders with small hands, was not an issue for me, nor was the clutch effort. To accommodate smaller hands though, there is a knob that can be rotated to bring the lever closer to the grips.
For a middleweight sport and sport touring machine, the F 800 platform does not feel top heavy. This low center of gravity is due partly to the fuel tank being located below the seat, instead of between the seat and handlebars like on most motorcycles. The tank holds a decent 4.2 gallons and the filler cap is located on the right side of the bike. This location has the added advantage of not having to remove a tank bag to refuel. It must be noted that the fairing and top of the bike where a tank bag would be placed is made of plastic, not metal, so magnetic tank bags wont work.
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Buying into the BMW brand
BMW executives cited the Kawasaki Z750S and Suzuki SV650 and SV650S models as competition to the F 800 motorcycles. These are popular bikes among women, particular the SV650 platform, because they are an affordable intermediate motorcycle providing plenty of power and reliability. Theoretically, a woman learns on a beginner 250cc or 500cc motorcycle, then hopes to find a bike on which shell spend the next several years building her skills, confidence, and adventure quotient.
BMW hopes those who normally wouldnt consider a BMW because of price will find the $9,950 for the S, and $10,950 for ST attractive enough to buy into the BMW brand. While higher than the competition, youre buying all the German engineering, reliability and status that goes with owning a BMW. In fact, company executives expect a 70 percent conquest rate – thats the number of buyers expected to cross over to the F 800s from another brand, a brand thats been owned for at least two years. The primary two conquest manufacturers are Harley-Davidson and Honda, the brands whose owners are most likely to buy a BMW.
BMW hopes to expand on this platform with future models. I think they’ve started with a winner, a bike that will have a permanent place in many women’s garages. Visit BMWMotorcycles.com.
The Specs at a Glance
BMW F 800 S/ST
Displacement: 798cc Parallel Twin
Seat Height: 32.3 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.2 gallons
Wet Weight: S model 450 pounds; ST model 461 pounds
Colors: S model: Flame Red non-metallic; Sunset Yellow non-metallic; Lahar Gray metallic; ST model: Blue metallic; Graphitan metallic
Price: $9,950 for the S; $10,950 for the ST
WRN Recommendation:
While BMW considers the F 800s an entry into the BMW family, an 800cc motorcycle is not a beginner bike. We see the F 800 as an intermediate motorcycle, a bike for which a rider can trade in their beginner wheels, or side-step from their Japanese middleweight. The $10,000 investment will make you want to hold onto the bike for many years to come. We think the quality of the ride, BMW’s reputation for longevity and reliability will make the 10 grand a worthwhile investment.
I moved from a Suzuki Bandit 650s which I had for a couple of years and did a lot of kilometers on it. I wanted to exchange this ride for something not necessarily bigger in horsepower but something a little different and better quality as far as suspension, build quality, weight. My choice was between the Honda 800VFR and BMW 800.
This was one of the many articles I read and I liked this review for its simplicity and honesty, and great to have a women's point of view.
I now have a F800s. It's definitely different from the Suzuki in its power delivery, the Suzuki being very busy down low and smooth, to the BMW feeling lazy down low to a torquey and strong in power in 3rd 4th 5th 6th gear.
I found around town 1st gear being a bit tall, and having to ride the clutch and be smooth, and determined with the throttle to get it moving along.
BMW gear indicators configuration although easy to work, left right, take some getting used to when busy with the throttle as well…kind of weird. I put a modified paddle extension from the self cancel switch to aid reach on the right thumb.
Sport position is fine with me though after a 1500km weekend trip my right wrist was very tired, but I have recently installed my 'cramp buster' and this is a great add on to elevate tired wrist.
The other thing I looked into is you can buy aftermarket handlebar height adjusters, so you can keep the sportbars and raise them 50mm higher and back towards you, if in the future you feel you want to do this.
I have not decided on a aftermarket pipe and don't know if I'll bother, but I did replace the horn with a Stebel Nutulis one which sounds like a truck horn. Perfect.
All and all, I love this BMW bike. It is comfy and well though out, nicely finished and enough to keep me interested for some time.
The 800 is a great bike. The 09 models have much better color options. I used to ride a F 650 CS and it was great bike for me, especially, as a beginning rider it balanced itself (practically). I used it for island riding, errands, to and from work. I also used it for long road trips, i.e. Death Valley, 300 mile trips.
My only complaint was the lack of wind protection. I purchased a larger windshield, that helped but my legs and back suffered. At high speeds she ran like a dream, smoothed out and I barely felt the engine. It was a wonderful bike with a great engine and no problems ever. I sold it and now I am seeking an 800ST. This bike is light, nimble and fantastic for women. I just wish it had more wind protection and a better windshield than the stock one. I will need bar risers but other than that, I can't wait.
Check Helibars.com as they offer risers and bars for some model BMWs. Their ad is on the right side of every page on WRN.
The 800 may not be for beginners, but the F 650 CS is. As a newbie to riding, my F 650 is perfect. The low center of gravity make it very easy to keep balanced even at slow speeds. It's not heavy so it's easy for me to get it into and out of the garage tight spaces. It fits like a glove with the lower seat so I become part of the motorcycle rather than riding on top of one. It even comes with it's own tool kit under the seat that has an emergency tire repair kit in it.
So far she's a beauty to ride to work and back through town, as well as having all the power and then some for the open roads, especially with the tall windshield to keep the bugs from hitting me. My Silver Beamer and I are having fun.
It is about time that BMW finally realized that women were into motorcycles. We have two bikes, a 2002 Suzuki 800cc (mine) and a 2004 K1200 LT BMW. I love to ride on the back of the Beemer, but I could never find one short enough in the seat for me. I know that I have been wanting a BMW. I like the ride and the speed. I don't like the noise of the Harleys. I can't wait to test ride the new BMW.
Your article is right on target! This is my very first bike and it is perfect for me. I'm learning to ride and am having a blast. It's BMW quality through and through. This feels solid, yet very zippy. This bike will serve me well for many years and feels as if it will grow with me as I develop additional skills.
Despite the fact that I am 5-feet-8, I didn't feel comfortable without the lower seat profile offered by BMW. That lower height was what I needed to feel stable on the bike. The bike is gorgeous and I am so excited about it.
By the way, I was floored when I received my welcome kit from BMW. My husband spent more money on his Honda and received a T-shirt from the dealer. I received a gorgeous paperweight, leather box for my bike documents, coffee table book on BMW history, binder, key chain and other goodies. No, I don't work for BMW but I sure am impressed with their class act.
I'm a fan!