2013 BMW F800GT Reviewed

[Surj]

Great looking bike, with a proven engine design (assuming it is actually a parallel twin, and not an opposed twin).

Parallel twin is the proven design? You know BMW's been building opposed twins for 90 years, right?

 

[Kornholio]

Sorry, but any way you cut it, that's a 90hp parallel twin with parts bin suspension and brakes. For $13k. For that price you could buy a 160hp Tuono with APRC, decent suspension and monster brakes. Slap a $250 Ventura rack on it and it'll take you anywhere that BMW will with way more grin per mile. Only BMW can get $13k for an $8,000 bike.

Only Aprilia can make such a superior machine...that no one buys. To each their own.

 

[WeekEndWarrior]

Those that don't own a bmw don't get it.

 

[ThomD]

Actually, stock, $11,890.

That comes with the following features:

ABS; on this type of bike, $1,000 value
Belt drive: $500 value
3 year warranty: $500 value
Electrical power socket: $200



Strip all those features and you're at $9,700; $2,100 higher than a Ninja 650.

But nobody else offers all those features anywhere near the price; especially if you don't want a bike over 500lbs.

Minor corrections, the Ninja 650 is available with ABS for an extra $500 and I'm pretty sure it didn't cost me $200 to add power outlets to my bike.

 

[Archimedes]

Only Aprilia can make such a superior machine...that no one buys. To each their own.

You could plug any of 10 bikes into my sentence and it would still hold. I love BMW's product line up right now, but, save for the S1000RR and maybe the K1600, they're anywhere from somewhat to ridiculously overpriced. This one is on the ridiculous end of the spectrum.

 

[Triple Threat]

Much Like a Neutered Dog

Those that don't own a bmw don't get it.

Exactly.

Triple

 

[Kornholio]

You could plug any of 10 bikes into my sentence and it would still hold. I love BMW's product line up right now, but, save for the S1000RR and maybe the K1600, they're anywhere from somewhat to ridiculously overpriced. This one is on the ridiculous end of the spectrum.

So you think the K1600 isn't overpriced?

That's the only one that's overpriced as far as I'm concerned. I'm not paying over $20,000 for a motorcycle. And before you go there, no, my RT did not cost over $20,000. I'm not suggesting that the K1600 isn't a great bike. But for what it has and does, it's not worth the extra coin over the RT....to me.

Aprilia's are beautiful machines. But with an abysmal dealer network in the US, there's no way I'd own one.

 

[Archimedes]

So you think the K1600 isn't overpriced?

I guess you missed the 'maybe' part... And, no, when you compare against the other full on luxo tourers, which is what it is, it's comparably priced. Maybe 5-10% higher when you add on some of the bells and whistles, but it's not 30+% over market like that GT. And the K1600 is a pretty ground breaking bike with some awesome technology, while that GT is largely a parts bin yawner. I'm sure it's a solid bike, but the price is just retarded. To each his own.

 

[Lunch Box]

Parallel twin is the proven design? You know BMW's been building opposed twins for 90 years, right?

Yes, but not in that size. If it were an 800cc opposed twin it would either be a brand new engine, or something from 20+ years ago. The 800cc parallel twin, however, has been in use for quite a few years now. Comprende?

 

[Kornholio]

I guess you missed the 'maybe' part... And, no, when you compare against the other full on luxo tourers, which is what it is, it's comparably priced. Maybe 5-10% higher when you add on some of the bells and whistles, but it's not 30+% over market like that GT. And the K1600 is a pretty ground breaking bike with some awesome technology, while that GT is largely a parts bin yawner. I'm sure it's a solid bike, but the price is just retarded. To each his own.

No I saw the maybe part. I'm just surprised you'd even go that far. When I was shopping for my current machine, I literally laughed out loud when I saw the price tag on the K1600. While it has a lot of bells and whistles and I'm sure it's a competent machine, for $300 more (MSRP), you can have a Goldwing...which has A LOT more.

FWIW, the actual MSRP on this bike is $11,890. Many riders can deal without ESA and that's what pushes the MSRP so high in the case of the unit reviewed in this thread. In an era when a 600cc super-sport will run you $11,500, I'm not sure how you can complain about the pricing on this motorcycle.

 

[luckett]

Arguing with BMW owners about the superiority of their bike is like trying to convince a Heaven's Gate member that there really isn't a UFO behind the comet. Just hand them a roll of quarters and smile while you slowly back away.

 

[Kornholio]

I'm not saying it's a superior bike. Personally, I wouldn't own one as it doesn't suit me. I'm saying that it's price is typical in today's market.

 

[GAJ]

FWIW, the actual MSRP on this bike is $11,890. Many riders can deal without ESA and that's what pushes the MSRP so high in the case of the unit reviewed in this thread. In an era when a 600cc super-sport will run you $11,500, I'm not sure how you can complain about the pricing on this motorcycle.

Nearest competitor in terms of factory built ST is the NT700V.

Base price on the Honda NT700V is $11,199.

One year warranty (vs 3 for the GT), 5 speed tranny, 100lbs heavier than the GT, (though comes stock with hard bags), 65hp vs. 90 on the GT and 49 lb/ft vs 63 on the GT.

So for $691 you lose 100lbs, gain one gear in the tranny, get 2 more years of warranty, an extra 25hp and 14lb/ft but have to buy hard bags.

Expecting these bikes to be priced like the 800cc Yamaha FZ8 naked ($8,890) which comes without a fairing, no ABS and chain drive is a bit unrealistic.

The GT has essentially the same performance as the previous generation R1200RT which in '05 went for about $17,500.

 

[Surj]

Yes, but not in that size. If it were an 800cc opposed twin it would either be a brand new engine, or something from 20+ years ago. The 800cc parallel twin, however, has been in use for quite a few years now. Comprende?

Of course - and they still don't make one in that size. I know there was this error in the OP, but it's pretty damn easy to determine that there's not a new 800cc boxer in that thing even if you don't know the whole F/G/K/R thing off the top of your head - so it's a non-issue.

 

[Triple Threat]

Nearest competitor in terms of factory built ST is the NT700V.

Base price on the Honda NT700V is $11,199.

One year warranty (vs 3 for the GT), 5 speed tranny, 100lbs heavier than the GT, (though comes stock with hard bags), 65hp vs. 90 on the GT and 49 lb/ft vs 63 on the GT.

So for $691 you lose 100lbs, gain one gear in the tranny, get 2 more years of warranty, an extra 25hp and 14lb/ft but have to buy hard bags.

Expecting these bikes to be priced like the 800cc Yamaha FZ8 naked ($8,890) which comes without a fairing, no ABS and chain drive is a bit unrealistic.

The GT has essentially the same performance as the previous generation R1200RT which in '05 went for about $17,500.

You bring up some good points regarding price. BMW's just cost more, they're not Toyota's so you do pay a premium, as with their cars and motorcycles.

As far as the 800 vs the RT performance you mentioned. A 2006 R1200RT will walk away from a F800GT on the straightaway. How do I know? I drove them back-to-back on the same day, the RT is noticeably faster.

Triple

 

[Ant]

Arguing with BMW owners about the superiority of their bike is like trying to convince a Heaven's Gate member that there really isn't a UFO behind the comet. Just hand them a roll of quarters and smile while you slowly back away.

You're just jealous n shit because we can afford the finer things in life like grey poupon and drink bottled water flown in from Switzerland. Ride a suzuki indeed

 

[iehawk]

I could be tempted, but do wish it had greater fuel capacity for more range. I doubt the 55mpg, especially at speed and going over mountains, but other than that, it looks to be an attractive machine.

I rode the 09 F800ST from Union City up to North Bay once with a group of touring bikes. Topped off before leaving, went through Hwy 1, etc, all the way to Marin Cheese Factory. At one point, everyone stopped at a gas station, I thought I should do the same... 129 miles on the trip meter and the fuel tank topped off at 2 gallons exactly.... that's 64.5 MPG on freeway plus some spirited rides.

Arguing with BMW owners about the superiority of their bike is like trying to convince a Heaven's Gate member that there really isn't a UFO behind the comet. Just hand them a roll of quarters and smile while you slowly back away.

Agreed with Kornholio, it's not that it's superior. The way I see quality is the attention to details.

For example the aerodynamics and wind protection, you don't really get beaten up as much because they put extra effort in wind tunnel to shape everything down to how the windshield curved on certain places. Prime example, the 2010 R1200RT and up has 2 extra bits sticking out to both sides up top which actually help to push the wind around the rider even more.

My old K1200R, for being a naked bike had very minimum air flow onto the upper body and the rider's legs are protected from the flow too. I've ridden home as it started to rain and my jeans would barely get wet.

Heat/cooling managements: I used to ride a Speed Triple now and then and I remember my old K1200R's fan would always come on much later than the ST3 while going through the same street in the similar traffic conditions. The BMW is always noticeably cooler, which is nice in a stop-go situation.

Awesome fueling: on average (not max MPG), my old K1200R would go close to 50 MPG on a long freeway tours, even the S1000RR now have gone as high as 47 MPG. I've seen 51 MPG on the K1600GT, 55-57 MPG on the R1200R, RT, and GS.

On that note, Ari Henning stated that the Aprilia RSV4 he rode for the long-term test got 27 MPG (or 31 MPG after adding something).

Many of the things BMW 'put' on their bikes are invisible really to the riders. There's a reason why it's been said that BMW bikes tend to be soul-less, because they are very good at disappearing from under the rider, making the bikes feel just right and not too much, just do the job well, the rider doesn't feel they need to put much effort in riding.

Many don't care about MPG, many want to feel they are doing something when riding (the excitement, etc.), many just want bikes that will do the basic stuff well and that's it... all are good and there's nothing wrong with them.

But when you want more and the company is putting the effort to give you more, that's the reason for the price difference. Value is not about being the cheapest. Value is about making people feel that they are getting at least what they pay for.

Otherwise, most of us would've been driving Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics out there, right?

 

[CurveSurfer]

Neat bike. Reminds me of my 955 Sprint ST. Comfy, practical, sporty. Things have gotten so specialized, and ST bikes upright, nice to see something in the VFR class coming back.

Yeah, it's expensive. But 600 and 1000cc sportbikes have gotten expensive too. Nothing new coming from Japan, the Europeans are innovating and bringing new models, and that isn't free.

Support them! And BMW fit/finish and service are great.

 

[luckett]

You're just jealous n shit because we can afford the finer things in life like grey poupon and drink bottled water flown in from Switzerland. Ride a suzuki indeed

I have Cristal in my radiators and I use foie gras for anti-seize. Where do you guys import your Kool-Aid from?

 

[unhinged]

The F800R version has more comparable competitors. The GT has a belt drive and single-sided swingarm and all the touring accessories.

BMW F800R 2013 MSRP $10,600 (including ABS)
2013 Triumph Street Triple $9,400 (R=$10,000)
2013 Yamaha FZ8 $8,890


Not sure about destination fees etc. The BMW doesn't have an USD fork. The FZ8 has fully adjustable suspension, but no ABS. The BMW weighs in between the other two and gets better MPG than either. Being a twin it has less power but significantly more torque than the others. BMW has a 3-year warranty, Triumph 2-year, Yamaha 1-year.

I think you basically get what you pay for with maybe a little bit of premium for the brand. With the GT a lot of people probably assign zero value to the various extra features. That's fine it's not for them. (Not for me either, but if I was really interested in touring it would be on my list).

edit: another one:
2013 Ducati Monster 796 ABS $10,495