Some thoughts on the BMW F800

I bought a BMW F800. Here are my thoughts after two days of ownership. More to follow.

[@thomascharnock]

So it's not actually an F800ST - it's an F800S that a previous owner has tarted up to look like an ST. The ST was only available in blue and graphite, while the S was available in red. The more you know!

[@page_experience]

Esta de lujo esta motocicleta

[@ceesklumper]

Enjoyable review. Just bought my own 2007 F800ST with 11K miles for my weekly commute (120 miles each way). I got used to the indicator switches ok enough. My first commute is tomorrow, looking forward to that. Speeds on these Southern California highways routinely go over 85 MPH so a little oomph is always welcome, and this bike has it while still getting good fuel economy and the engine if properly maintained should last a very, very long time.

[@thomascharnock]

Thanks for watching and your comment. Yes the indicators do get easier over time and the F800ST has more than enough oomph for highway speeds. Hope you enjoy your new bike and have fun with it. Stay safe!

[@dominichayes9808]

Best bike I've ever owned. Had my 2011 ST from new. Commuting, touring and track, it's had a hard life. Crashed mine a few times on the road and track, it's robust, crashes well and is relatively easy to fix. I have BMW service it once per year and that's pretty much it, no oil, no lube, nothing, I just keep the tyres pumped and load it with petrol. 75k km now and on my third belt, and second clutch, but I'm hard on my bike and it's never let me down. Super economical, even on track, easy 300km per tank commuting into town. The only downsides are the ABS, which does give you the running on feeling when the road is bumpy and you slam on the brakes, and the forks are a bit budget. May not set the world on fire, but the torque gives a nice peak at 5500rpm.

[@thomascharnock]

Agreed - the F800 has grown on me. I just don't listen to the engine making it's slightly unnerving noises. As a commuter I don't think it'll give me any issues (fingers crossed) and the belt on mine looks to be fairly new so hopefully it won't need replacing for a while. Stay safe!

[@seayak]

Yup the turn indicators are ridiculous, especially the "cancel" function on the throttle side. I nearly launched myself into an intersection when I first got my F800 GS when I inadvertently rollled on some throttle while trying to push that stupid button. I suppose if you rode only BMW's, you would get used to it, but I have no idea what the point of this setup is.

[@thomascharnock]

Mate, they are utterly ridiculous aren't they? I've now gotten used to the placing of the turn signal buttons but like you said, that cancel button is so stupidly placed. Just today I had the same issue you described while riding to work. Turned a corner and tried to cancel and ended up blipping the throttle almost into the back of a car in front of me. Awful system.

[@seayak]

@@thomascharnock Haha, designed to keep us paying attention to what we are doing, I guess. I would rather they stop short of attempting to kill us for making a mistake though, because it doesn't take much force to crack the throttle on these bikes.

[@robertmorris5246]

All Harley Davidson's have turn indicators on the corresponding side you're turning. Plus they self-cancel.

[@thomascharnock]

Thanks for the info - I've never ridden a Harley...they're too big and scary haha!

[@shammon1]

I have a 2008 F800ST, one feature to be well aware of is its absolutely superb rain resilience. I have rode mine through two of the worst ever rain storms in Scotland and the bike took such a full on soaking it was faultless. You need to watch the stator and voltage regulator go bad very quickly and expensive to replace. The 800cc engine is not what you expect its like a 500cc power to be honest.

[@thomascharnock]

Thanks for your comment - appreciate you sharing your experience with this bike. Agree on the power of the engine, it's not the quickest but it seems to be fairly bulletproof so far.

[@TheBeechwoods]

Just got one of these.. 2007 model. Wasnt too keen at 1st, it came with a couple of small issues.. since riding it, ive realised how wrong i was. They are a great bike to ride, mine is a daily ride. Good in the dry and the rain.

[@thomascharnock]

Yeah I feel the same tbh - didn't really know what to make of it at first as the engine just doesn't sound like any bike I've ever owned, but over time I've grown quite fond of the torquey engine and the low growl. Great bikes.

[@mikedowning4603]

Interesting video. I noticed that there seems to be confusion about which model it is - it's got F800S on the rear panel next to fuel filler and ST nearer the front?

[@thomascharnock]

Hmm. Yes I noticed that too. It looks like it might be an S with an ST fairing stuck on it. Well spotted. Edit: just been looking at the paperwork and most of the receipts for servicing describe it as an ST, but the V5 says its an S. Not that I'm too concerned, both bikes are pretty much identical as far as I can tell, other than the fairing?

[@VRRonny]

About the indicators, some Harleys do have them to, and about the mirrors, with the standard steer seem to be real good, your hands are much more narrow and a little bit more down like 2 inches.

[@thomascharnock]

Thanks for the advice mate, I'll sort them in time

[@rorywhelan516]

I bought a F800S new in 2007. My first "big" bike. There was nothing really like it before or since. I Loved mine. Incidentally all BMW bikes had that indicator setup until about 2009 and I actually prefer it. It's much more intuitive. The S1000RR was the first new model with "universal" switchgear I think. Anyway. Nice bike.

[@thomascharnock]

Hi Rory, thanks for your comment. Yeah I agreee - there's nothing like it I've ridden before. The engine seems to have gotten a bit smoother since I first got it - I think it being sat in the showroom for a few months might have had something to do with that, but since I've been using it more and more it seems to have become smoother. Thanks, and as always - ride safe!

[@mloclam6917]

The catalytic converter is built into the end can change it and it sounds much better

[@thomascharnock]

Thanks for the tip :)

[@michielotsen6317]

Hello from NL! Sweet paintjob! I see you have bar risers. That does explain the poor sight through your mirrors.. Bought my ST a half year ago. She's my first bike. Put some 4000 Miles on her. Up untill now I love everything about the bike, accept for the BMW-tax.. service is quite costly imho. Indicators took some getting used to, agreed. But besides a lower windscreen, just because it looks nicer I wouldn't change a thing.

[@thomascharnock]

Hello from rainy UK :) Thanks for your comment - yes the bar risers are a pain with the mirrors. I've learned so much about these bikes in such a short amount of time, and yes it is a great machine. It appears mine is actually an S model and not a true ST - the previous owner clearly wanted to dress it up as such! I've ordered some mirror extenders to help with the mirrors so hopefully that will solve the issue. Thanks again for watching and commenting, and ride safe in sunny NL :)

[@headrace4863]

The renthall flat bars might be causing the mirror issues, looks tidy mate. They do sound a little ‘mechanical’ but they’re bombproof. Yep, a starter button that results in an engine start is a novel thing isn’t it. Big zed never was happy after the seafoam, shame. The older stuff really is enthusiast machinery now, as they’re 30 odd years young and modern fuels etc really don’t react well with them. Enjoy the new wheels! 👍

[@thomascharnock]

Thanks mate, yes the seafoam incident will go down in history. Never using that stuff again. That said, I think it was time to move on from a carbed bike, even with the stellar job you did with it. No doubt a competent mechanic will sort big zed (I've never claimed to be competent!). And yes, the BMW will no doubt do the job, just hope no GS wankers take umbrage 😂

[@alanworkman3040]

Hi Tom is that one of those working motorcycles 😊. Novelty.

[@thomascharnock]

@@alanworkman3040 😂

[@tonymctony]

You get used to the indicators eventually. And they are self cancelling after about 300 meters, because BMW thought of that :) The last issue I have with them which sadly cannot be fixed, is if you're in a turn and you try to accelerate out of the turn - your thumb is nowhere near where you need it to be to press the cancel button. Oh well, I'm glad BMW have abandoned this design on their newer motorcycles.

[@thomascharnock]

Hi Tony, yes you're totally right. I've gotten the hang of the indicators now, but still have the odd moment where I try to cancel them and end up blipping the throttle. It's very annoying placement but I can live with it. Thanks for your comment.

[@KarinaMartin-gj8yd]

Whats yall thought on this bike being a first Rider ....i seen one in my area 2011 around 4800 usa currency nd hows the maintenance nd budget ..it looks sick the one i seen was blue nd well maintain

[@thomascharnock]

Hi. I would say this would be a good bike for new riders. The engine isn't crazy and it can be ridden around town in 2nd gear no problem due to the low down torque. But equally if you need to do highway speeds it will sit at 70mph easily in 6th and hardly break sweat. Great fuel consumption and minimal maintenance are also a bonus. I'd say if it is well maintained, go for it!

[@KarinaMartin-gj8yd]

@@thomascharnock yeah I think I'm a go for it thanks.... My idea is something I can learn on nd mess around nd feel comfortable and then grow into something more ...they also had this yamaha r1 at a good deal i would be insane to get on that as a first bike haha

[@michielotsen6317]

​@@KarinaMartin-gj8yd Can say with the utmost certainty: go for it. Passed my test last year, bought myself an F800ST and I love it. She's a well balanced bike- fast in the bends and very stable at speed on the highway. The beltdrive makes it low maintenance and the ABS is nice to have as a first time rider. Oh and the heated grips are a nice addition too! The controls might take some getting used to though. And the service costs can be a little on the hefty side. Many pleasant Miles to you!

[@philc5467]

I love my ST - To resolve the mirror issue just loosen the lower bolts, pivot the mirror forward a bit then tighten the bolt back up! 🤔 And, yes, your bike is an S made to look like an ST. You'll get used to the indicators.

[@thomascharnock]

Thanks for your comment mate - yeah the mirrors are a bit of a nightmare! Which bolts are the lower bolts? The ones towards the front of the bike? I've ordered some mirror extenders too which should be here in the coming days

[@philc5467]

@@thomascharnock Hi Tom, you shouldn't need to buy the mirror extenders. Mine came with some and I removed them because they looked weird, I didn't like them, I simply adjusted the mirrors correctly and they were fine. Yes the bolts connected to the fairing, just loosen them off a bit and move the mirror stem away from you (I think the bolts have plastic caps on that can just be removed with a screwdriver and then put back on once done), you'll know when they're right, they work. I have mine just shy of 90 degrees to the fairing. It's obviously up to you, how you want to tackle the issue but I can assure you they do have a lot of adjustment.

[@rosscarter6618]

I've just ordered a 2010 one with 32k miles on the clock that I took out for a test yesterday. I'm impressed with how light it is coming from an inline 4. Fumbled with the indicators a bit myself, but I think I can get used to it. My only concern is belt maintenance and how long it's really going to last before it wants replacing. Also not sure how i feel about being a BMW wanker

[@thomascharnock]

Hahaha! The BMW wanker feelings wear off pretty quick! Yeah its a good bike once you get to grips with the indicators, I've gotten used to them now. Good luck with your new bike

[@rosscarter6618]

@@thomascharnock Nice one! Thanks 👍

[@philc5467]

My belt lasted to 38K miles but I was tanking it pretty positively when it broke! It did scare me a bit but no damage happened due to it being mainly reinforced rubber! :-) It's not too much of an issue to replace it and you don't need to use the BMW specific belt either as they use a Contitech CT1158. They are quite difficult to find and expensive now, however, even if you pay £150 to £200 for one you know it's going to last you about 40K miles, a lot cheaper than a chain drive that's for sure.

[@clivearmitage]

My 2010 F800S is on its first belt, 77000km.

[@philc5467]

@@clivearmitage Nice one, that's about 48K miles, excellent mileage/kilometreage :-).

[@carlosandleon]

To be fair to the Gs Wankers, coming from SE Asia, all the greetings in Europe while riding does become extremely annoying

[@thomascharnock]

Haha yeah I hear you mate...especially on a busy riding route. Sometimes I feel like my head is going to fall off from all the nodding XD

[@tootyuk]

Oh noes Z's dead? BMW w~nker hahahaha!

[@thomascharnock]

Hahaha yes mate - that's what I am now...and proud XD