BMW F800R Review

The Smoking Tire heads to Palos Verdes, CA to try out BMW's newest entry into the Streetfiighter motorcycle market. A streetfighter bike needs to be able to to everything at once, does the F800R hold up?

[@Bruceconsidered]

More bike reviews. You are straight up and factual, no BS. Keep up the good work.

[@sarahdell4042]

Never knew you guys reviewed bikes, please start doing them again! Excellent review!

[@richdubbya]

Agreed. More bikes.

[@shadowsnlights]

I might be real late to this party but... more bike reviews please!

[@Dynomak.]

More bikes!

[@DWinne-pn9qg]

Dude. More bike reviews for real.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@gwalia4 Everyone starts somewhere. And I'm very limited physically by the kind of bikes I can ride anyway. Not only am I rather large, I've had spinal surgery twice. So any japanese/italian crotch rockets are totally out, because I can't ride them without being in excruciating pain after 5 minutes. So any bikes we test will have to have a more or less upright riding position.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@houser4201 your caddy is slightly rice, but it's not nearly as bad as this one. There are tons of shitboxes on the road. If I see them, I photograph them. I'm not biased. There are bad mustangs like there are bad camaros and caddys and everything else in between. If it's ugly I'll make fun of it. No discrimination here.

[@albertptran]

500 miles of riding in 2 days, 4 weeks after surgery?! You are a real rider.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@houser4201 did you look at the picture? That car had a fuckin Landau roof and a fake continental spare tire on the back. A Cadillac CTS is a very nice car, but that doesn't mean owners can't fuck them up.

[@JujuARod]

MORE BIKE REVIEWS!

[@TheSmokingTire]

@houser4201 I don't remember hating on any Cadillac in recent history? I mean the 80's through mid 2000's are total shit but the new V series is awesome.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@305pride the monster's frame is meant for tiny little italian men, and it's really uncomfortable for me to ride. So it probably won't happen.

[@albertptran]

More bike reviews please

[@PTExp]

More bikes please!

[@mag081189]

more bike reviewa!:) please

[@TheSmokingTire]

@singleblankscreen that's because I know better than the producers what you guys want to see.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@JULESRULES9969 you'll have to just be disappointed, we've covered that car inside and out.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@ChiefSpooshme you should ask her, I'm sure she knows what she wants better than I do.

[@makokewish20]

Very good bike review. Please do more

[@Domi1314]

very good review. Keep up the reviews on bikes.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@evansimon33 Microdiscectomy L4/L5 . I've had the same surgery twice.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@chopedandsectioned Most bikes I ride get between 40 and 50 mpg.

[@SupaNautica]

more bikes

[@TheSmokingTire]

@wordlyfe As an example, the day after I got my bike license I went out and bought a bike, a Suzuki SV650. Everyone said it was a great beginner bike, and they were right. It had plenty of power, but it came on easy so I never felt overwhelmed. But don't let the numbers fool you, that 650 made more power than this 800 does. It was also 50 lbs lighter and felt quite a bit quicker. It also has to do with whether or not the rider fears the bike. If not, he's dead.

[@RNickeyMouse]

Awesome!.. my vote is for more bikes Matt.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@weed46 I was in much better shape last year, but since I got hurt in April, I haven't been able to go to the gym at all and put on a few. I'm starting physical therapy now and quitting smoking weed for a while so I can get back to about 220, which is where I should be.

[@ramondelgado6527]

Ya! More bikes

[@TheSmokingTire]

@gwalia4 Everyone starts somewhere. And I'm very limited physically by the kind of bikes I can ride anyway. Not only am I rather large, I've had spinal surgery twice. So any japanese/italian crotch rockets are totally out, because I can't ride them without being in excruciating pain after 5 minutes. So any bikes we test will have to have a more or less upright riding position.

[@Bergamot88]

More bike reviews.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@geordie25tdi we don't review used stuff. Only stuff that's in the press fleets right now or specialty exotics that we couldn't find anywhere else.

[@DesertHaunter]

More bike reviews

[@TheSmokingTire]

@Shomelife I haven't been able to work out since I got hurt in April. Once we're wrapped on The Car Show on the 15th, I can get back to the gym.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@wordlyfe As an example, the day after I got my bike license I went out and bought a bike, a Suzuki SV650. Everyone said it was a great beginner bike, and they were right. It had plenty of power, but it came on easy so I never felt overwhelmed. But don't let the numbers fool you, that 650 made more power than this 800 does. It was also 50 lbs lighter and felt quite a bit quicker. It also has to do with whether or not the rider fears the bike. If not, he's dead.

[@mishimposble]

more bike reviews please

[@jouzas1]

car guy on the bike- that's what i just started. It's just exactly what i wanted to see in a looong time!

[@TheSmokingTire]

@masterd151 car and driver has about 10 times the budget for video that we have, and they don't have to take side jobs to pay the bills.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@boarderboi7 I've heard several parallel twin bikes, they sound OK from a flyby at high RPM, but when riding the bike they don't sound very good at all. V Twins sound much more aggressive and make their torque lower than the parallels.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@Sjackson2369 we've already done the mustang, Challenger, and Camaro. What other muscle cars are there?

[@zkillergt]

More bikes!

[@JesseFuller]

I like this review. Helpful. Still love my BMW R1150RT.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@robm425 I owned and daily drove a Suzuki SV650 for a year. The bikes are nearly identical in many ways. The Suzuki sounds better with an aftermarket exhaust, and the 650cc engine makes just as much power as the 800 in the BMW with exhaust and a tune. It's also 50 lbs lighter than the BMW. New for new, I'd probably want the BMW but in the used market I'd go Suzuki.

[@sebbleunos7988]

more bike reviews please! (I know I'm 5yrs late - but I'm working my way through all your old vids and loving them) - cheers mate!! Kev (UK)

[@TheSmokingTire]

@c0nv1ct1337 we feel kind of the same way, but maybe if we do more bikes in the future the bike itself just has to be sort of a sub-plot where we're going to do something else?

[@TheSmokingTire]

@MrTrollYourAss you can find a written review of the MP3 500 on our main web site.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@colenbrak herniated a disc, for the second time, while filming The Car Show

[@TheSmokingTire]

@wordlyfe As an example, the day after I got my bike license I went out and bought a bike, a Suzuki SV650. Everyone said it was a great beginner bike, and they were right. It had plenty of power, but it came on easy so I never felt overwhelmed. But don't let the numbers fool you, that 650 made more power than this 800 does. It was also 50 lbs lighter and felt quite a bit quicker. It also has to do with whether or not the rider fears the bike. If not, he's dead.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@marem19 dunno, I stopped reading print magazines a while ago.

[@edsiffledeen7776]

Hi Matt I really enjoyed this review! I am a car enthusiast, but I have been thinking about buying a bike for a while now. I am looking at getting one which would be a great first bike for a novice rider, the BMW F800R is on my list, as well as the Honda CB500F and a Ducati Monster 821. Please let me know if you have any comments on any of these or if there are other bike's you would recommend. I do a lot of track days in cars but have zero experience on bikes. I am looking to enjoy the hobby not to go really fast or scare myself as I know it's a completely different discipline and there's going to be a learning curve. By the way I love your car reviews as well, Cheers, Ed.

[@PTExp]

More bikes please!

[@grantaustin9354]

Bike review was really awesome. Came here for that, subscribed for your other vids because I also love cars, but keep these coming!

[@TheSmokingTire]

@EatmyDust1311 I thought our audio sounded pretty good considering i wired it up inside my helmet. And we film for TST whenever both Tom and I have time, which isn't very often now that I'm doing TCS and we've been doing a lot of re-shoots for that. We've got a few new videos coming up.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@marem19 I don't watch videos on the internet either lol

[@undecodable6145]

more bikes PLEASE

[@bob808]

Great bike review Matt! I've got an 883 Iron, and I find it great for getting in/around/through Sydney city. I've got the Screamin' Eagle pipes on mine, so it sounds good, but isn't too loud. I was looking at the BMW bikes, but they were too expensive and they just didn't 'speak to me', you know?

[@kindnesscupcakesandcrazy4720]

I have this bike. Bought it new. Still have it... Still love it.

[@shamarwhite3047]

Moar bikes

[@edwingonzalez9386]

more motorcycle reviews please!!

[@JakeManD]

I just want to say that this is one of the best bike reviews I've ever seen. I love you guys and I love cars and I love bikes. I think you guys should definitely do bike reviews but still keep up with the car reviews too.

[@mupetier]

Mike,mike,mike hey mke!! You did an awsome review. Honest unbiased and informative. I like. Yes please do more reviews.

[@TotallyL337]

The cyclist at 4:02 flicked you off LOL

[@EMI8207]

Keep on bike reviews. VS reviews could be a great idea

[@bzktrauma4671]

Great job on the bike review seriously though

[@thfara]

More bike reviews. You're a true rider and it shows. In fact, more everything from you. You're one of the few original, charismatic American car/moto presenters out there. Keep on chugging and keep trying to get exposure and gain profile. You'll be big one day.

[@DrewsTurbo]

More bikes for sure. Many of us love both four wheels and two, so all the better if both are reviewed.

[@Kodreanu23]

Great review! Please make more bike reviews :)

[@kenstyle6]

More!!

[@badbruise]

Bikes, cars suck!

[@harrisedgar]

Nice review... It would be great if you could review the 2016 model...

[@Dr_Xyzt]

Good Bike review. The microphone quality is really good. Can we gat a WOT run from Idle to Rev limiter, blus a couple of free revs, idle to just short of rev limiter for future reviews? Any car guy loves to hear the engine to tell how responsive it is.

[@JETZcorp]

The next bike you should review is the Kawasaki 750 triple. And if you're scratching your head wondering where that is on Kawi's website, I'm talking about the bike from 1972. From the factory it had a reputation for being able to slay bears with its powerband, but the 750 owner could easily add 25% or more to the bike's power by merely adding expansion chamber exhaust pipes. If you've ever ridden a 250cc two-stroke dirtbike, the 750 triple was simply three of those. Prepare to die.

[@92AOK]

MOAR bikes Farah!!!!!!!! do something for like beginner bikes or like 250cc class.... like a series would be nice just building upto the bigger sporties...you can also put like other intersting tech bikes like the Brammo bikes....OMG if you can get brammo to lend you an impulse ill kiss your freaking head xD

[@SnickterP]

More bikes!

[@houser4201]

@thaddeusbrown i have, but that was months ago... but ever since The Car Show hes been lookn to clown/badger on any caddy that has come along... btw im sure im a bigger fan of TST than you... WHERES YOUR TST TSHIRT? mine is faded and i have even been followed/profiled by cops just for wearing it

[@houser4201]

@TheSmokingTire ok ok ok aslong as you keep it even... im still gonna be a true fan for life. btw if your gonna do bikes how about a harley fat boy or something with balls so u can SMOKE EM TIRES! im lookn into brake upgrades any suggestions?

[@4fastdrs]

Adam Carollo is a hack get him off "The car show" before it dies, the show would be 100 times better if you were the main host,Tell him to enjoy the executive producer credit and move on from hosting.

[@SkywalkerPaul]

Bikes and Maxi Scooters ! Its the future in urban enviroment! atleast for the next 50 years. get more bikes! like the piaggio mp3, honda sw-400. er6n kawasaki, mv augusta brutale.

[@nHeroGo]

Bikes, cars, motorized fishing poles, it doesn't matter as long as you do it. Imagine a custom Hayabusa with fat tire conversion. Cool. Pencil sharpeners and gadgets are no-nos.

[@extremeheadbanging]

i'd say cars. but every now and again i wouldn't mind a bike. maybe if you did a custom chopper, a bobber, 1000+cc. change it up instead of just "here's another bike"

[@ApexIXMR]

While that might sound cool the first 3 times you read it, it's quite stupid when you think about it. Unless that is, you've only driven your mother's Corolla.

[@lavacamp]

KEEP DOING BIKE REVIEWS!!!! I LOVE BIKES AND I ONLY WATCH YOUR CAR REVIEWS IS BECASUE YOU MAKE IT FUN TO WATCH I LIKE CARS BUT I LOVVVVEEEE BIKES!!!

[@jazu40]

Pavlos verdes I was there :) Im looking at one 2011 BMW F800R for $3900. Would that be a good deal?

[@venom5809]

Matt, I watched The Car Show the other night and I can understand why they got rid of Salley even though I like him, but they are making a huge mistake making the show only a half hour. It is pretty good now, but you guys are way too rushed and you can tell. They need to give you more time to do your road tests and to have your dialogues. It is a better show than TG USA by far and they need to support it and promote it properly at Speed.

[@Sigrafix]

@wordlyfe You know I respect all bikes but honestly I think "streetfighters" are more purist bikes. Like you really got to love riding to want one of those so you can ride it everywhere Lol. Me, I'm more of a weekender on a screaming 600 doing 140 on the freeway kinda guy. Also about new riders, I believe it depends more on the person than it does the machine. You can ride a liter bike reasonably, the problem is the temptation is always there to let it rip.

[@Sigrafix]

This bike looks awful, sounds terrible, the engine (as reviewed by Matt) doesn't sound very good performance wise and it's a BMW so I doubt it's "reasonably priced" meaning that for the price of this thing, I'm pretty sure there's probably something out there that's at least twice as good. My verdict, hate it. I don't like these "streetfighters." I'd either go sport bike or cruiser, I don't want some Frakenstein-ish mash up of the two.

[@boarderboi7]

Matt all I have to say is that parallel twin engine is not representative of the majority if parallel twin bikes as far as sound and engine characteristics are concerned, I implore you to check out well the only video I have posted to youtube: jardine rt-1. It's a jardine 2-1 system for the old kawasaki ninja 500. That bike is also a blast for beginners, please check the video out and let me know what you think about the sound.

[@boarderboi7]

Matt all I have to say is that parallel twin engine is not representative of the majority if parallel twin bikes as far as sound and engine characteristics are concerned, I implore you to check out well the only video I have posted to youtube: jardine rt-1. It's a jardine 2-1 system for the old kawasaki ninja 500. That bike is also a blast for beginners, please check the video out and let me know what you think about the sound.

[@niceguyjoe24]

Hey Matt, Tom, and crew. I know nothing about bikes. This was an interesting diversion, and I say keep it up. I prefer car reviews, but bikes have an equal place in the hearts of gear heads. Perhaps you could produce an introduction to the two-wheeled world offering several options for beginners, comparing and contrasting between the bikes? On a side note, I can't help but giggle at how much Kim Kardashian's ass is mentioned in recent vidoes. Keep up the great work guys!

[@DaBluedude100]

personally i want to see cars. I get the bike reviews... but there not my thing. I would be more interested if they were high end bikes (1198?) but those dont grow on trees either... yeah cars... Id like to see you review the new 7 speed manual in the new 911 next year... seriously interested in that car for the gearbox alone. I think your pinacle episode (for me) was the Ford GT episode. Real petrol head stuff. Keep up the good work guys!

[@EatmyDust1311]

TST is a bit like Saab to me, or a cockroach : just when I think its finally dead, it twitches. Creepy. Do more motorcycle reviews (and more reviews PERIOD) because there are no good motorcycle reviewers out there. Cars have Top Gear and TST, bikes have nothing, no gold standard. Work on audio equipment ( a youtuber called AccidentalBroadcast has a decent sounding setup) and you will own the MC review segment.

[@chevymaster08]

Get some more bikes in there! That being said, I had the opportunity to ride this very bike in the Alps of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. Great bike. Could use more power - had to keep it in the top three R's to keep up with the 1200's and 1600 I was riding with. Breaks were amazing. Could dive into downhill corners better than anything I've ridden.

[@D0M1N8R1x]

I'm not much of a bike fan so obviously I would rather see car reviews but really you should be making your decision based on your interest because if you are simply making videos for us your videos are going to show it with lack of motivation and knowledge. The best videos are the ones you actually want to make and viewers sharing your interest will find you!

[@Stratomacaster]

Yeah.. bike reviews are great. I'd love to see a review on the Honda VTX series, preferably the 1800C, since I may be getting one in the next couple of months. I know the thing weighs around 800 lbs. so that bothers me a bit. Lay that puppy down and you'll need a crane to get it back upright. Great review.

[@DocUltimate]

I just suscribe not only because you do awesome car reviews but also because I saw a bike review :-D Keep up the good work man!

[@houser4201]

@TheSmokingTire quote and link from your facebook page The guy driving this horrid Cadillac looked like the Pink Panther

[@pimptrooper3000]

IMO bike reviews here and there would be nice. great review... good to see matt recovering quickly and coming back at it

[@bbn_21M]

I definitely liked the review of this bike. Not really my taste as I absolutely love super bikes, but the bike review on this channel is a good idea. I'm also looking to get a BMW S1000RR so if you could maybe do a review on that bike it would be appreciated!! Thanks Matt

[@bobtittel7100]

Do you like it better than the Honda Steve? I see this class steadily growing, and I like it! Common sense bikes, great economy from the Honda owners I know. Heck, my brother bought a cherry PC-800, and he gets 50-55 mpg! Not bad for a full touring bike, I think.

[@black2011gt]

I say do more bikes. but please more bikes that smoking tire viewers would consider. I'm sorry but the types that ride those BMW upright style bikes are an odd bunch. The S1000RR is a different story. Most of us I would venture to say are Zuki GSXR or Honda CBR fans.

[@domartelst]

Long time rider here, 1st time viewing your Motorcycle reviews and I think you did good. The only low point I could give you is that you mentioned canyons multiple times, but never saw a shot or carving them. Give some shots from a little distance. Keep riding! I'll go check out your other reviews.

[@wordlyfe]

@Sigrafix I like the Triumph Speed 4 and Speed Triple. Those are cool... but I think Matt did new riders a disservice when he said that anyone could handle this because the power delivery is pretty smooth (I'm paraphrasing here)... no new rider has any business on an 800.

[@bottomlayer]

Not sure about motorcycle reviews here (I mean this as in neutral, not negative opinion). I know it's your first bike review, but it still had everything TST is known for. I'm not really into motorcycles tbh, but I've always wanted to try it out but also kind of scared too.