BMW F800 ST - Test ride and Review

[@karamlevi]

I was a absolute hologan on this bike in another lifetime. It's torque is super powerful from 35-90mph and that's allot of fun. If you have a 2nd pillon it hardly handles any different... that's what's crazy amazing. There's high vibration at 140 and it climbs from 124-140+ like a snail! However up to that it's really really fun. If you drive nice fuel is about 50mpg+:-D It flicks well. Really well but feels very very stable. I hit ice in a turn and flicked it upright as the wheels slide and the abs baulked... It's really sport side of touring. You'll need a taller wind screen because the air flow hits you mid chest and on freeway you'll want to speed hard and tuck 100mph feels really nice but is too fast, 85 is much more reasonable. However with tall screen you'll ride slower and feel a nice air flow while upright in a strong lean forward "sport like" position. Bike gets hot when it's hot out. True story. Feels great winter, fall, spring... not very nice on hot day- You'll gulp Cold Water to stay frosty mid day commute FOR SURE. On free way and with wind flow open legs and air thru is perfect, however annoying. Not annoying evil, just annoying yet I still love you honey:-D smooch- The looks -cough- their great, lol! Once you on and riding your very very happy. Fun bike to live your life from, luggage rocks- Hope my words help keep the experience clear. Seams lame at first then a month in you like "this shit rocks... now I know how to love you" inspires aggression effortless once understood. Terrific Bike!

[@PierreC71]

I agree, it's a very "underrated" bike. I, for one, wasn't the biggest fan. After testing it out though, as you can see in the video, I had a total 180 about it! :)

[@alfiospuson7165]

just talk properly not like code wat a pile of craps 🤮

[@nautica1973]

I've had this from 2012, a belt version and i still enjoy riding it. It's torquey and mid sized so if you're in the city, you'd enjoy zipping around in it. Maintenance wise, it's nothing. ALLL vehicles need to be maintained and this one no more than others.

[@Xeblae]

Just picked one up. 2008 F800ST and it rides pretty darn nice, granted the road getting it running has been fun. Mine started off with a bad key antenna and bad key. $400 later those are fixed. Well Then I rode it on a short ride to see how it did. During my 10 - 15 mile trip it would stale out after getting close to 80 F. After removing the right side panel I saw why. Low on antifreeze, granted the internet said bad firmware and the shop said possible bad valves. I guess I need to check my fluids more often. I enjoy this bike and if you are thinking of getting one yourself you should!

[@vinnieliotta9963]

I have a beloved Kawasaki 7X7R...then I got my F800ST...first few miles the engine felt very coarse and under-powered. Then as I got to know the bike I realized it is deceptively fast. The riding position is great and the torque is great. For riding in the real-world this bike is great...I think I am faster on country roads on the F800ST than my Kwacker cos of the torque and flickable handling.... On a race track my 7X7R would absolutely totally destroy the BMW...but on 'normal' roads...in my humble opinion...the Beemer 'rools'

[@PierreC71]

I agree! The ST is literally built to be enjoyed on some twisties, while the Kawa is more of a trackday beast!

[@Delpuertadecabetha]

thanks for the review..... from my point of view you could trust the bike a little bit more in terms of leaning into the kurve and speed. this is where the bike gets fired up. my self i have a ktm (upride sitting poture) have to say if you give the torque of the motor a chance its allot like a KTM in higher RMP. very interisting

[@crjmoto]

What a great testing-grounds! Thanks for sharing this with us Pierre!

[@PierreC71]

crj moto eheh Thanks! This is the most famous twisty road around where I live, I've been riding up and down that mountain pass since I was 18! :)

[@crjmoto]

I'm saving my Euro's to ride it someday!

[@clayfarnet970]

I test rode a 2006/07 a couple weeks ago and found it uncomfortable/cramped in the legs, plus the engine had a knock. Does the Rolex produce a knock at idle? I’m not tall and I have the same leg issue with my nt700.

[@martinkadlec6070]

I am one of the few people who likes the looks of this bike and I want to buy it BUT I've heard some pretty bad things about maintenance etc on these. Can someone with long term experience please tell me they are all right :-D. Thanks

[@PierreC71]

Martin Kadlec Hi! The one I tested was a 2008 model, from a dear friend of mine. He currently has around 50.000km on it, and never had a single issue!

[@martinkadlec6070]

Pierre ADV Thank you so much for reply. I fell in love with this bike so I really want it as my first ever "adult" bike. I guess the reliability may be different piece from piece. If you say this one was flawless, my may be as well :-) Thanks again

[@PierreC71]

Martin Kadlec You're welcome! :)

[@tqminnz1405]

Hi, my 2007 F800ST has now covered 125,000 km. At 120K I replaced the clutch as the plates were cracking and I replaced the cam chain & tensioner for peace of mind, other than that it is still going strong. The engine sounds rough but I know that it is robust. I take it to track days and I tour on it. Very happy. If it dies I will either buy another one or the younger GT version.

[@martinkadlec6070]

tqm in NZ Thank you!

[@brunomaiamusic]

Hi, the video quality is good, nice road, and probably the comments, too. I would have Watched it to the end and enjoyed the nice sound of the machine, if not for the awful third class bad rock in the background. What made you think that would be cool at all?

[@PierreC71]

Hi Bruno! Regarding your issues with the video, what can I say? Personal taste made me think and do that. Sometimes the viewers agree with what I choose, sometimes (as in this case), they don't. In any case, thanks for the comment and also for the (partial) view! Ride safe!

[@oxwilder]

I keep looking up hoping his camera will tilt up a little

[@PierreC71]

Sorry man, I totally forgot that my camera was set up for when I was riding my bike, and that the ST had me more hunched over the handlebar

[@oxwilder]

@@PierreC71 haha, no worries. I just noticed myself doing it and thought it was strange.

[@AlbesADV]

I like the f800r especially the ones before 2014, but the ST, I just can't get myself to like it, it's too............plain and ordinary.

[@PierreC71]

Albe's Adv yeah. On a "style-note", me too. But as the overall package, I gotta admit it's a nice bike, inexpensive (especially used) and very capable even in the long-distance-touring section.

[@AlbesADV]

I agree, if you can get over the way it looks, but I can't even remember last time I bought a bike cause it was a convenient bike. This could open a giant debate about what do you look for when you buy a new bike.

[@PierreC71]

Albe's Adv Very true, and also a potentially very interesting one! ;)

[@Depp500]

R is naked, simple rear axle, chain.. Ordinary. ST is special bike for gentlemans 😎

[@RiccardoFiaccadorisGoProPOV]

A me non dispiace esteticamente! PS il bauletto lo toglierei 😂

[@GDLOTKIDOG]

Looking to trade a low Sargent seat for a standard Sargent seat for this bike. If anyone has this bike and wants to trade seats please comment and connect with me

[@Depp500]

ST is fine bike. Torqy, great quality, performance for serious travellers. And unique. But not with these exhoust.

[@PierreC71]

Hi Zelimir, thanks for the comment! You don't like the exhaust?

[@Depp500]

😀 The original exhaust is more appropriate to the ST image, I see it as an ideal engine for "more serious" motorists like myself😎

[@sfetsasp]

Next time don’t put music on a test ride

[@tp2315]

Why does everyone add stupid music to videos. Sights and sounds are the only thing people are interested in.

[@shiftyshamsk]

More unnecessary rock music banging away in the background....you want pan pipes for BMWs

[@cookaboorra]

Maccaroni English language and a little pretentious talk in my opinion. Engine pulls very good once slightly modded with a more open exhaust and a pcV autotune map. Travelling through hills and mountains like the Alps is a very very amusing experience, believe me...