2013 BMW F800GT Reviewed

[Snapping Twig]

Recently had occasion to go to the dealer, so I sat on a GT and found it to be very nice, much nicer than the ST I had tried a while back and certainly fit me better than the R I compared it to.

Didn't ride one yet, but I plan on it.

I do question how it could compare to the R1200R at $13,800, being so close in price. R12R doesn't weigh much more at 497# wet either.

Different bikes, different riding experience I suppose, and whatever floats your boat making choice for all.

Perhaps it's the Urban bike to fill the gap for a shorter statured rider as compared to the R12R.

That said, I DO like it. Well put together.

 

[Kornholio]

R1200R's are problematic for shorter riders?

 

[crick]

Between the r1200r and the f800 (GT or R), the f800 series are more flickable. it just feels that way even tho the weights are close. i'd assume it be because they shoved all the gas weight under your bum on the f800.

 

[Surj]

R1200R's are problematic for shorter riders?

The F800GT, F800R, and R1200R all have the same standard seat height - 31.5" - and all can be lowered.

 

[Kornholio]

I know the R1200R has a low suspension available too. Also, don't the R's have the two-level seat setting too?

 

[Snapping Twig]

R1200R's are problematic for shorter riders?

I can see that I used the wrong words.

Smaller stature, not shorter.

I'm thinking out loud here, it's more of a question really because I don't know the answer.

Perhaps the GT is a detuned version of the R12R, little lighter, little less power, etc., because it felt a bit like a R12R to me when I sat on it.

Similar - but different.

 

[Kornholio]

It's a completely different engine. Parallel vs. horizontally opposed.

 

[WWWobble]

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.

OK. All I can say is.... Impressive! As long as a bike can go 200 miles on a tank, I'm happy --- happy about the range at least

WWWobble

 

[GAJ]

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

The R1200S Sport Rider tested in '06 had these roll on seconds: 60-80= 4.1, 80-100= 5 secs.

The F800S they tested in '08 had these numbers: 60-80=4.09, 60-80=4.24.

The F800GT is likely a bit slower in those number due to bigger windscreen but, still, very comparable.

1/4 mile times were 11.4 for the R1200S and 11.3 for the F800S.

So it would seem the $12,000 F800 is quite the bargain compared to the nearly $18,000 RT's of the mid 2000's.

But, no question, the RT would be a better choice for two up riding.

http://www.sportrider.com/performance_numbers/146_motorcycle_performance_numbers/bmw.html

 

[crick]

I know the R1200R has a low suspension available too. Also, don't the R's have the two-level seat setting too?

i dunno bout the R's but i know the RT's do.

I dunno if seat height is such a valid measurement. i've sat on some seats that were a lot narrower, so i can flatfoot easier, while others with the same seat height had a larger seatpan, causing me to tiptoe.

 

[iehawk]

R1200R's are problematic for shorter riders/stature?

I know the R1200R has a low suspension available too. Also, don't the R's have the two-level seat setting too?

Not a built-in 2-level seating like the RT or GS. You can get a low seat option, that's it.

The seat width should also be taken into consideration... the wider you have to straddle, the less leg dimension you have left to cover the vertical distance. Or something like that.

The seat on the F800S/ST/GT is narrower than the R1200R, which is narrower than the R1200RT.

 

[vato_loco]

Nice review, TT. We need more of these on BARF.

Anyway, I agree with others that the GT -- and BMWs in general -- are overpriced. Why even Aprilia slashed their MSRPs recently... :|

 

[iehawk]

Nice review, TT. We need more of these on BARF.

Anyway, I agree with others that the GT -- and BMWs in general -- are overpriced. Why even Aprilia slashed their MSRPs recently... :|

It's usually an indication that it doesn't sell well... they want to move their bikes. As much as people say they love the bike, that never mean they will buy it.

 

[Kornholio]

Try to find an Aprilia dealer outside of California.

 

[Surj]

It's usually an indication that it doesn't sell well... they want to move their bikes. As much as people say they love the bike, that never mean they will buy it.

Yeah. BMW doesn't need to reduce their prices to move bikes, overpriced or not. That should tell you something.

 

[Lunch Box]

Yeah. BMW doesn't need to reduce their prices to move bikes, overpriced or not. That should tell you something.

It tells me that koolaid is delicious.

The fact is that BMW make some very good bikes. They don't have a huge, loyal following for nothing. Not my cup of tea, but I can respect them.

 

[Surj]

It tells me that koolaid is delicious.

The fact is that BMW make some very good bikes. They don't have a huge, loyal following for nothing. Not my cup of tea, but I can respect them.

I pay good money for tasty koolaid that's just the flavor I want, sir.

 

[Triple Threat]

That's not koolaid, it's hateraid, there's a difference.

Triple

 

[Archimedes]

It's usually an indication that it doesn't sell well... they want to move their bikes. As much as people say they love the bike, that never mean they will buy it.

Pretty funny comment given the BMW dealerships I've visited recently have 2012 S1000RRs in every color still on the showroom floor.

Funny how BARFers get so butthurt the minute someone posts comments remotely discordant with the lovefest of a thread.

 

[Surj]

Pretty funny comment given the BMW dealerships I've visited recently have 2012 S1000RRs in every color still on the showroom floor.

Funny how BARFers get so butthurt the minute someone posts comments remotely discordant with the lovefest of a thread.

Who's butt-hurt? Not me, that's for sure. It's well known that A) BMWs sell well, and B) the price drop by Aprilia wasn't about them being more "fair" with their prices, but an attempt to move some inventory.

I don't know current sales numbers on the S1000R, but they're pretty popular, right? Maybe they stock lots of them because they're a good seller and they move fast?