History of the BMW Group
Few people are not familiar with the largest automobile concern BMW. Its history goes back more than 100 years. Back in 1896, the ambitious Heinrich Erhardt began making bicycles and military vehicles in Germany. But he soon realized that he could achieve more and released the first motorized carriage, Wartburg. As technology developed, cars also improved. From “carriages” they turned into the great-grandfathers of the cars to which we are accustomed. The First World War gave impetus to the development of mechanical engineering, and in 1917 the company received its traditional name, to which we are accustomed. BMW translates to "Bavarian Motor Works". In 1922, the company began producing motorcycles, which were based on a small-volume two-cylinder engine. Motorcycles have become much more powerful and lighter. In the following years, German manufacturers improved their models, giving them more and more advanced forms. In the 50s, their motorcycles could already accelerate to 160 km/h, becoming one of the fastest vehicles of that time. But the heyday of BMW came in the 90s. The new BMW 5 and 7 models thundered throughout the world and are still loved by thousands of people. BMWs remain one of the most reliable motorcycles in the world, because their engines are perfectly balanced and last for many years.
Choosing your next motorcycle is a difficult time for any motorcyclist and is always a toss up of intrigue. From class to class. From brand to brand. From one budget to another. And the list of requirements is updated regularly. Personally, I had requirements for the new motorcycle that stemmed from the operating mode. I travel every day, in any weather, when the average daily temperature is above +5. That is, for me, a motorcycle is not only a thrill, but also a completely utilitarian vehicle. And so, as a result of a long choice and the hand of fate, I became the owner of the 2012 F800ST. And since there are not very many reviews about this motorcycle, I decided to write my own.
In general, the established wishes for the second motorcycle were as follows: - wind protection. (half of the way is on highways, blown away) - good brakes. ABS is a must - seat height no more than 800 mm (short legs) - straight seat (back problems) - low-torque engine - better suspension performance (compared to a Honda) - well, as fresh as possible, since I didn’t want to mess around with it anymore age-related problems. - low consumption
I considered several motorcycles meeting these criteria, in particular: Yamaha FZ6 S2, FZ1, Honda CB600 PC41, VFR800, BMW R1200R, F800ST. Most of them fell off for various reasons. And since many motorcyclists I know switched to BMW and there was an opportunity to take a couple of F-series motorcycles for a test drive: F700GS (I wrote about this test here and F800R (2015 model year), I considered the BMW brand as one of the main ones.
Of course, you choose with your eyes first, and I want to say that, in my opinion, the F800ST is beautiful. The shape of the headlight is “timeless”, not ultra-modern, but not vintage either. The design is from 07, but still looks relevant today. The balanced appearance of a road motorcycle (or a small tourist, whichever suits you). By the way: if you look under the glass of the headlight, you will discover the asymmetrical optics inherent in many models of BMW motorcycles. Plastic in moderation is enough to ensure relatively good aerodynamics, but at the same time not turn it into a sub-sportbike. Comfortable speed with standard glass up to about 160 km/h, then it starts to slightly tear off the head. I'm thinking about buying higher glass or a removable spoiler. It doesn’t blow into my legs or crotch at all; after a 4-hour trip around Moscow in the rain on November 4, my legs were completely dry, although I was wearing regular jeans.
The seating position is slightly tilted forward, which depends on what kind of saddle is installed on the motorcycle (and there are 4 options for this model). I got it with a standard one, but later I exchanged it with a long-legged girl for a low one, and thereby killed two birds with one stone: I slightly leveled the seat and reduced the height of the saddle, since I wasn’t very confident in reaching the ground. At first the steering wheel seemed quite wide, 7 cm wider than the Honda one, but since the mirrors are almost at the same height as the steering wheel, this does not give me any problems, I got used to it quickly, there is essentially only one size. The center of gravity is lower than the Honda, making it easier to remove the motorcycle from the stand. But it controls and turns easier, although there is some looseness in the steering wheel when driving at near-zero speeds. I think that, including to neutralize this effect, it has a steering damper installed in stock (seemingly). I also noticed the excellent weight distribution between the front and rear wheels. The tank on this motorcycle is located under the saddle, resulting in a more heavily loaded rear end. An accidental stall (for example, when hitting a marking) goes exactly straight without moving to the side. On a Honda, when the rear wheel came off, the rear was pulled to the side, which was extremely unpleasant, especially when braking, when the wheel was also blocked.
Speaking of wheel locking. I got on a motorcycle after driving a car for 13 years, so the reflex became stronger in my body; in any emergency, my right foot reaches for the brake pedal. This is not very good on a motorcycle, and a couple of times this reflex led to scary situations. But not on this motorcycle. there is a combined brake force distribution system (it seems to be even two-way), when you press the rear brake pedal, part of the force goes to the front. And the brakes themselves are of course excellent, four-piston Brembo calipers, the motorbike brakes just fine.
The former and current horse in one photo. They lived in the garage together all night
Before that, I tested the F800R (15 years old), and I will say that for me the F800ST suspension seemed much more comfortable, it has more travel (140 mm), it itself is more tuned to a tourist mood, softer and all the irregularities inherent in our asphalt coating, swallows better. For reference: a telescopic fork with a 43 mm diameter, non-adjustable, is installed in front. At the rear there is a monoshock absorber with hydraulically adjustable spring preload and rebound adjustment. (the proprietary electronic suspension stiffness adjustment system ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) is not available on the F800ST model). Many copies have been broken due to the fact that the Rotax 804 engine (which is installed on the 800 series) does not work. And I will never tire of repeating that everything depends on the starting point. If we compare it with 600 cc road cars, then it drives quite well, the engine is high-torque, pulls out from the lowest revs, and practically does not notice the presence of a passenger. Before I got behind the wheel, I drove it from the point of purchase as a passenger, and I will say that with the total weight of meat (pilot and passenger) on it being around 170 kg, it goes 200 km/h without any problems. I found out that we were driving 200 only upon arrival; it felt like no more than 120 km/h. Let me remind you that engine power: 85 hp and 86 Nm of torque. In terms of consumption, this engine also performs well, real consumption in the city is 4.5-5 l/100 km, the tank is enough for 300 km. Quite a tourist indicator. And as far as the reliability of this engine is concerned, it’s not all that scary either. After reading specialized forums and talking with real owners, I came to the conclusion that this engine loves routine maintenance, which is provided by the manufacturer. That is, options like on old Japanese engines like “a good knock will come out” can backfire here. There were birth defects in the first years of production (such as a leaking pump), but I have never heard of them on newer motorcycles. There is also a peculiarity of the motor. It lies in the fact that at low speed you have to play with the gas and clutch; at idle it doesn’t go, it tends to stall, so in traffic jams your left hand suffers, and the clutch cable quickly fails. But this problem can be solved by installing a hydraulic clutch drive, for example from Magura. Since the engine is a two-piston engine, there are noticeable vibrations; they bothered me the most when testing the F800R. After the half-day test, my hands dried out. It is noteworthy that on the previously tested F700GS this effect was noticeably less, but on my pistachio it is absent. Then I found an explanation for this in the installed straight-through pipe from Two brothers. I don’t know how this can be, but it’s true - forward flow has reduced vibrations. Belt drive. In principle, you only notice this when starting from a stop and changing gears, since there are no characteristic jerks and shifts occur smoothly. Well, when you need to clean and lubricate the chain, but you remember that you have a belt. The face breaks into a satisfied smile. Belt life is 40k km or 5 years of operation. There have been cases where the belt’s teeth “licked off” after several thousand kilometers of operation, but, as a rule, this was due either to overtightening during installation or to a poor-quality belt. Well, the rest of the consumables (pads, fluids, filters) are like any Japanese motorcycle, a bunch of non-original ones for every taste and budget. In general, there is quite a lot of aftermarket tuning for F-series motorcycles, but it is usually done by serious German companies, so the cost of the goodies is quite high (especially with current exchange rates). And I don’t want to experiment with Chinese crafts on it anymore. Still, the brand obliges. By the way, I even decided to buy the top case from my original BMW, for as much as 15k rubles (for a used one, a new one costs 26 + a bag), because it is beautiful, compact and can be opened with the original ignition key, which is extremely convenient. Two side cases came with my motorcycle. In principle, in the city you don’t even have to take them off, since when folded they are much narrower than the steering wheel and don’t get in the way in traffic jams, but I took them off so as not to use them in vain. And if I suddenly want to go somewhere (I’m still a tourist, albeit a small one), the total volume of the panniers will be 83 liters, enough for one.
In short, I’m very pleased with the motorcycle, the only pity is that I took it in late autumn and almost didn’t get to ride it, so we’re waiting for the season.
Technical characteristics of BMW motorcycles
BMW motorcycles, although not as famous as cars, are nevertheless winners of many competitions and races. Made in a brutal sporty style, they have such power that they can accelerate to hundreds of kilometers in a few seconds. The impressive history of the brand and excellent appearance add a special zest to trips around the city. BMW motorcycles are prefabricated models with many configurations. You can turn a sports bike into a touring bike with the help of accessories, and vice versa. The high handlebars and stable long frame are suitable even for tall people, and the motorcycles are designed to carry weights up to 225 kilograms. The hallmark of German motorcycles is the two-cylinder air-cooled engine, which the company's engineers invented back in 1922. Among BMW bikes, you cannot find models with a small engine capacity: all motorcycles are powerful and have a volume of over 600 cubic centimeters. The products are loved all over the world, and many motorcyclists prefer to ride exclusively on bikes with the signature white and blue logo.
Model history
The F800 series consists of two models. This:
- BMW F800ST: universal sport-tourer motorcycle;
- F800S: A sportier option.
Production of these bikes began in 2006, and in 2007 the F800S model was already removed from sale in most countries. The fact is that although these two motorcycles were produced as complementary to each other, they became competitors. Most buyers chose the 800ST model, which looked more like a sports bike, although the only differences were in the plastic. In 2010, the F800S was finally withdrawn from sale.
The BMW F800ST models differ from the rest of the motorcycle line due to their engine. It so happened that the two-cylinder, air-cooled engine became a classic for the German company. In the BMW F800ST motorcycle it was replaced by a two-cylinder in-line engine with liquid cooling. The goal of creating a line of 800 cc all-round bikes was comfort. To maintain excellent technical characteristics and at the same time make motorcycles less demanding on the level of pilots - this was the task that BMW engineers set themselves.
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The mileage was 19,000 km over 3 years of operation.
The mileage was 19,000 km over 3 years of operation.
These 18 hours of travel and 1870 km were not easy. There were rains and hail, and a foggy dawn at the pass through the Carpathians, and my companion in the “Gold” “dried out” near Brest, not reaching the gas station a couple of kilometers (as a result, I had to go to the nearest gas station with a bottle and then bring him gasoline) . But it was really cool, I fully enjoyed the meaning of the term “sport-tourist” embedded in my motorcycle.
Technical specifications
The technical characteristics of the BMW F800ST have led to the fact that the motorcycle still sells well to this day. The powerful two-cylinder engine with a volume of 798 cubic centimeters is capable of developing a power of 85 horsepower. It is capable of developing considerable speed: up to 220 km/h can easily be accelerated on a straight road. The F800ST reaches 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. The motorcycle is quite light for its class (185 kilograms), so it is maneuverable and easy to control.
The 800cc bike was conceived as a motorcycle that is as convenient as possible for all tasks. And I must say, the designers managed to make it a leader in comfort in its class. It is ideal for traveling around the city, but performs just as well on long-distance trains. A comfortable seat and a high steering wheel do not affect the spine, and heated handles and seats will save you in bad weather. The motorcycle is equipped with an ABS system and an on-board computer that shows tire pressure and all the necessary parameters.
What other features does the BMW F800ST have? Distinctive features include a front drive belt drive, which will save you from problems with replacing the chain. The 6-speed gearbox shifts gears smoothly, without jerking. The bike accelerates and decelerates like clockwork. The ride is very smooth thanks to the suspension, which smooths out all the bumps, and the unnoticeable operation of the engine.
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My motorcycle is not just a vehicle, like, say, a car.
But this is not a toy for people to see and show off. This is a piece of my soul. My motorcycle is not just a vehicle, like, say, a car. But this is not a toy for people to see and show off. This is a piece of my soul.
Having ridden my friends’ motorcycles a couple of times and compared them with mine, I realized that I was right in choosing a motorcycle with my heart - women’s intuition did not disappoint. And after a couple of years, the conviction of the correctness of the choice only became stronger. Yes, I’m not a blonde, but I didn’t study the hardware and didn’t go into the design features of this device; I didn’t know why a belt is better than a chain and why a motorcycle needs so many buttons on the steering wheel. I understood all this later, after reading the instructions and studying all the functions. It turned out that the ergonomics of the steering switches are perfectly designed for small female hands, and the multifunctional instrument panel provides comprehensive information about the “health” and appetite of my gray horse. And having learned about the procedure for washing, tensioning and lubricating a chain, I once again thanked my motorcycle for the fact that it has a belt instead of a chain. But I know the buzzword - integrated ABS system. It not only sounds beautiful, but also works great—it saved me from falling a couple of times on a slippery road.
Model modifications
When choosing a used BMW F800ST motorcycle, it is important to pay attention to the year of its manufacture. Models of different periods differ very slightly, but there are still changes:
- 2006: BMW Paralever rear suspension, adjustable and pendulum. 2 front disc brakes and 1 rear with floating caliper.
- 2009: ABS system appears. The suspension becomes aluminum.
- 2012: Seat height increases, suspension can now be adjusted using a shock absorption system built into the on-board computer.
As you can see, nothing has changed fundamentally. Initially, the F800ST was made in good faith, and therefore practically no improvements or developments are required for it.
Price range
Once upon a time, the price of a new 800 cc motorcycle was 500 thousand rubles. Now a used F800ST can be purchased for 200-300 thousand. Motorcycles are sold all over Russia, and finding a well-preserved working version is not difficult. For such a price, you are unlikely to find a better option. Who should buy the F800? For beginners who have “grew up” from small-capacity motorcycles and want more power. Bikers who have not ridden two-wheelers for some time and have lost the habit of sitting behind the wheel of a motorcycle. Well, just for fans of BMW equipment who are familiar with other models of the company.
Advantages of a motorcycle
Reviews of the BMW F800ST speak of the universal love of bikers for this model. Everywhere you look, she has solid virtues. What characteristics can be attributed to the positive qualities of a sportbike?
- Dynamics. The quick response of the starter when pressing the ignition button fires up the motorcycle's powerful engine, which is remarkably responsive and responsive for its class.
- Comfort. The upright seating position and optimal handlebar height make the load on your arms and back much less than in similar sports models. The comfortable seat and high windshield make it easy to ignore bumps on the road during long trips. The perfectly balanced center of gravity makes the motorcycle very controllable.
- Controllability. The bike responds to every movement of the steering wheel, which allows you to ride even the most difficult trajectories in a traffic jam. Even if you decide to take a corner at high speed, the F800ST will handle the challenge without losing control. No wonder it is considered a motorcycle for beginners.
- Price. For a budget motorcycle, the BMW F800ST has unusually high-quality parts. The engineers of the German concern tuned the bike's fork so precisely that the center of gravity turned out to be super stable.
- Low fuel consumption. According to technical specifications, the BMW F800ST consumes only 3.5 liters per 100 kilometers when driving at a speed of about 90 km/h. This is one of the lowest figures for motorcycles of this power!
- Large gas tank: as much as 16 liters. Allows you to travel many kilometers without refueling.
Features of the BMW F 800 R model
Technically, the BMW F 800 R has also been improved. Its first two gears are cut off, and therefore the acceleration dynamics have become significantly better. Instead of the traditional one, an inverted telescopic fork was installed. This makes the equipment more stable and stable on poor road surfaces. In addition, the motorcycle has become more controllable, which cannot but please fans of fast riding.
Also installed on the model:
- proprietary electronically adjustable ECA suspension;
- Brembo radial brackets;
- automatic stability system.
As for the dashboard, it has not undergone any changes. However, this is correct, just like the older brothers of the BMW F 800 R had an excellent, concise and understandable dashboard. By the way, the suspension adjustment button is also available on older naked models, but there it is a budget version.
Only 3 horsepower was added to the engine. Now the power is 90 hp. Torque has not changed - 86 Nm at 5800 rpm. The numbers, of course, are not bad, but in this regard, Honda motorcycles are clearly superior to the BMW F 800 R line. So no, those who crave “brutal” acceleration are better off switching to Japanese models. The BMW F 800 R motorcycle is considered to be a city transport vehicle. Outside the city you can only drive it to the dacha on a good surface. And this does not imply enormous speeds at all.
Disadvantages of the BMW F800ST
Owners of the two-wheeled monster also note the motorcycle’s shortcomings, which can more likely be attributed to minor imperfections than to real disadvantages.
- Inconvenient location of the turn buttons and headlights. Unlike designers of other brands, BMW engineers decided not to make do with one button for the turn signal, but made two at once and a separate button for turning on the headlights. As a result of this freedom, many beginners complain that it is much more difficult to get used to such a system.
- Poor cooling in traffic jams. During slow commutes around town, you may find the F800ST a bit too hot. However, when picking up speed, this feeling quickly disappears.
- Quite often the BMW F800ST fuel level sensor fails. Experts recommend not to do replacement or repair yourself, but to contact a company service center.
Competitors
Thanks to the excellent characteristics of the BMW F800ST, few motorcycles of equal capacity from other brands can compare with it. One of the most worthy competitors can be called the Honda VFR 800. It has many advantages: a V4 engine, an ABS system, timing gears and a high-quality gearbox. Honda is also similar in price: you can buy it for 200-300 thousand rubles. When choosing between these leaders in their field, motorcyclists are more likely to focus on their love for the brand and attractive appearance.
Reviews
What kind of owner reviews can you read about the BMW F800ST? In short, everyone is delighted. This is exactly the case when the price-quality ratio is ideal and even slightly outweighs quality. Where else have you seen an excellent 800 cc bike at such a ridiculous price? Given BMW's usual appetite, they practically give it away for nothing. After a short period of getting used to the new control system and various nuances, F800 owners fall in love with it. Motorcyclists claim that it is equally good on both long and short distances. There is no shame in driving around the city in it: you are guaranteed a lot of admiring glances. And it’s not scary to go on a long journey thanks to the handling and a spacious tank that allows you to travel many kilometers without refueling.
You can write poems about a motorcycle engine. Smooth and powerful, with excellent low-end traction, it perfectly reflects the calm and thoughtful German character. During the journey you will hardly feel the engine noise, it is so quiet. The absence of a chain also pleases many owners: now there is no need to remove and lubricate the part, because it has been replaced with a belt. Side cases come as standard. The on-board computer helps not only measure tire pressure, but also adjust the motorcycle parameters exactly as you need. The BMW F800ST has many additional equipment options that allow the motorcycle to be perfectly tailored to the owner. The windshield, seat, plastic body kit, mirrors - everything can be replaced with more convenient parts. All these characteristics, coupled with an attractive appearance, have made the BMW F800ST one of the best-selling motorcycles in its class.
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This is how my first season went, which, no matter how much I asked for the weather, ended. A lot of motorcyclists were killed in 2007, and I am grateful to myself that I rode very carefully, albeit slowly. Yes, there were a couple of small falls that couldn’t even be called falls - once we slipped on the rubber bands of the tram tracks at a speed of five kilometers per hour, the second time I fell down when stopping when I stumbled. But both times there were no injuries for me and my beloved motorcycle.
SEASON TWO, TRAUMATIC. All winter I slept and saw spring, when I would take my horse out of the winter den. I waited and rejoiced at it like a child. But, unfortunately, not for long. On a fine May Day evening, my motorcycle and I, standing at a red traffic light, fell victim to a “jihad taxi”. A Zhiguli motorcycle flew into the back of me and I flew two meters high and, doing a somersault in the air, crashed onto the asphalt. The result was disastrous: I had a concussion, a sprained leg and a lot of bruises. I came to the service center to inspect the motorcycle with a crutch. The bike suffered more: the back part turned into a cake. When it came to analyzing the accident, the insurance company offered to give me monetary compensation in the amount of its market price instead of restoring the motorcycle, but I refused and insisted on repairs, because my motorcycle is dear to me, and no other, even exactly the same, even the same color and configurations!
By August, the bruises had disappeared and the motorcycle was restored. To be honest, after the accident there was a high psychological barrier separating me from driving: the fear of new accidents and the instinct of self-preservation for a long time dissuaded me from continuing my motorcycle life. And, to put it mildly, I didn’t get any understanding from my family. But as soon as I drove around Moscow in the evening, all prejudices flew into the past, to the scene of the accident under the rusty Zhiguli. My driving skills had not dulled much, and the desire to breathe the air of freedom again, due to my stubbornness, only grew stronger. The result of the season was a mini-long distance race Moscow-Suzdal, in which I understood why my motorcycle is called a sports tourer. Sport because it is very dynamic: it outpaces even its older brother K1200LT and its competitor Honda Gold Wing in terms of acceleration, and handles and brakes perfectly. A tourist because it has a range of 300 km on the tank, good wind protection, comfortable seating, good headlights and spacious cosmetic bags.
SEASON THREE, LONG-RANGE. In the third season, I faced not only trips to work, college and evening relaxing exercises, but also a series of “adult” long-distance trips across the expanses of the CIS. I thought that over the previous two seasons I had learned to ride well, but as soon as I went to the track in the company of really experienced friends, I realized that I was doing everything wrong - I was braking incorrectly, sitting and turning incorrectly. How was I supposed to know that when shifting “down” while braking, it is better to shift the throttle and that you need to lean a little into the turn. However, later, having mastered these simple skills, I realized that my favorite little dog had become even more obedient and friendlier. At the end of May, I went on my first real long-distance trip to the “Spring Wind” bike rally in Svyatogorsk, in the Donetsk region in Ukraine.
