BMW F800GS: review of the strengths and weaknesses of the motorcycle


The F800 GS motorcycle was first presented at the EICMA exhibition in Milan in November 2007. Sales of this model from BMW began in early 2008. The BMW F800 GS is a version of the F650GS, which was produced from 2008 to 2012, but differs from it in its greater off-road focus and more expensive equipment. The BMW F800 GS copes excellently with deep fords, sand dunes, and even mountain passes. For him, moving on any type of road is not a problem. This BMW model is the ideal vehicle for long journeys. It is equipped with a powerful frame and features large suspension travel. Already in the standard version, the F800 GS is equipped with ABS and has 2 driving modes. Optionally, you can select 1 of 4 driving modes. Comfort of movement on any surface is guaranteed by the directional stability system. By the way, when riding off-road, ABS on the F800 GS motorcycle can be turned off. A large number of original accessories and special equipment from BMW motorcycles allows you to adapt the F800 GS to your own requirements and preferences. All of them have characteristics such as functionality, practicality and impeccable appearance. With accessories you can always emphasize the expressiveness of BMW style. The main unit of the motorcycle is a fuel-injected in-line 2-cylinder Rotax engine. It has a power of 85 horsepower, a torque of 83 Nm and a displacement of 798 cc. cm. The performance of such a BMW motorcycle engine is 5.5-7.5 thousand revolutions per minute. Features of the F800 GS include: • steel frame; • adjustable suspension; • monoshock absorber; • single-disc rear and double-disc front brakes; • spoked wheels with a diameter of 17 and 21 cm; • 16 liter fuel tank. Immediately after its release, this model was highly appreciated by experts. In 2009, the F800 GS received the title of “Motorcycle of the Year”. It has often been compared to the legendary Honda Africa Twin. This model was also compared with the R1200GS. Experts appreciated the greater accessibility and lighter weight of the vehicle. Fans of the brand and positive reviews from experts did their job. For more than 10 years, approximately 10,000 products have been sold per year. This model from BMW is available in two color schemes: • Rallye – the white-black-red version emphasizes not only its confident character, but also the incomparable abilities demonstrated when moving off-road; • Racing Blue metallic – in this color scheme, combining metallic, blue and black, the BMW model looks as stylish and dynamic as possible, allowing it to highlight the individuality of its owner.

BMW F800GS: review of the strengths and weaknesses of the motorcycle

For many decades, BMW products have been top sellers due to their unrivaled quality.
And we are talking here not only about cars, but also about motorcycles. The use of high and advanced technologies in the creation of the new BMW F800GS motorcycle made it one of the best. And today we will talk in more detail about the BMW F800GS, which is so discussed among all motorcyclists.

Well, in order for everyone to be able to objectively evaluate its advantages and disadvantages, let’s start with a brief description of all aspects of the motorcycle.

ARC

The mounting brackets for the panniers act as side protective arches.
The engine picks up well from the bottom, the gears are stretched, turning the engine to the red zone to get acceleration is not at all necessary: ​​twisting the gas does nothing but howl of the engine and rapid fuel consumption. In general, it’s a typical lightweight “tractor” that can confidently saw along a level grader and, without strain, climb a hill if the path suddenly goes up.

Due to the new suspensions and strengthening of the subframe, the chassis feels more firmly built. The shock absorbers eat up almost all the bumps, impacts are only reflected into the steering wheel, but this is a feature of any telescopic suspension. I especially liked the weight distribution: you practically don’t feel the considerable mass of the motorcycle (with luggage cases and belongings in them!).

BMW F800GS exterior

Even the first meeting with the BMW F800GS resonates in the hearts of the vast majority of motorcyclists. Due to its sporty and sometimes extravagant design, the motorcycle surprises with its “self-confidence.” It opens up new possibilities for its owner and allows him to get true driving pleasure every day.

The BMW F800GS attracts attention with the thoroughly thought-out finishing of all elements. The fuel compartment, the impressively sized air intake pipe, the windshield and even the upper mudguard began to look different.

But this model is especially distinguished from many others by its off-road qualities, which can be seen when assessing the structure of the motorcycle. The BMW F 800 GS will truly give you driving pleasure, both in and outside the city.

An important feature of the BMW F 800 GS is the possibility of ordering a lowered suspension for it. This, combined with a fairly low saddle, will allow short people to sit comfortably behind the wheel.

The optical system of the BMW in question also deserves special attention. It effectively illuminates the road at night and in adverse weather conditions.

Of course, in order to make the right choice regarding the purchase of a new BMW F 800 GS, it is not enough to read only the description of its main characteristics. Only when you come face to face with it can you understand that you are dealing with perfection!

Well, now let’s look at the technical parameters of the BMW F 800 GS in order to find out what you can expect from it on the road.

Main modifications

F800 GS is available in the following versions: • standard F800 GS; • luxury F800 GS Adventure. The luxury version of the model from BMW has been available since 2013. It differs from the standard one: • in the shape of the windshield; • fuel tank with increased volume (24 liters versus 16); • engine protection; • a seat with a modified shape; • hand protection; • built-in fastenings for cases; • traction control system; • electronically adjustable suspensions. Throughout its history, this model from BMW was modernized only in 2013. The update was cosmetic. The F800 GS model received a new form of plastic, a different radiator grille and several other innovations. All of them were immediately noted by both potential buyers and experts.

Technical parameters of a BMW motorcycle

The in-line engine of the BMW F800 has 2 cylinders. The power of the unit reaches 85 horsepower at 7500 rpm. The engine control is digital, the installed battery does not require maintenance.

On such a motorcycle you can reach a speed of 200 km/h with a fuel consumption of only 3.8 liters per hundred kilometers! However, keep in mind that these figures are relevant for a constant speed of 90 km/h. If the speedometer needle rises to 120 km/h, fuel consumption increases to an average of 5.2 liters. Agree, with such power indicators, buying a BMW F 800 GS is very, very profitable.

Among other features of the model, it is worth noting the saddlebags with variable volume. Read more about this in the relevant categories on our website, but we will note another important feature of the motorcycle - the presence of a large number of different additional options.

For example, you can purchase it with a convenient waterproof backpack for the gas tank, modified protection for hands of different sizes, a security alarm, an automatic lubrication system, LED turn indicators, etc. The presented BMW is not lacking in practicality, especially if you add to the package a rear mudguard extension or any of the other proposed solutions.

Review of Ryan's own F9 BMW F800GS Adventure motorcycle. This is a good love story. But will it end with a happy ending?

I remember I said that the video from MC Garage can still be read somehow, although one of the post-office residents had difficulty understanding what was written correctly, because without an image, not everything is clear. But, if basically, MC Garage can somehow be understood from the text, it is almost impossible to understand FortNine with their specific humor, immersion and atmosphere with the help of text alone. 90% of the work is in the video, especially since this motorcycle is already familiar to everyone. Read a review for the sake of a review?

We are still posting the text, if anyone is interested, please read it, but I still ask you to put the video in your favorites or something else and watch it like a small movie. Thank you. This is not a motorcycle review. This is not the best advert. And you don't have to fall in love with him. This is my advert and how I fell in love with it. Good morning Montreal, you are listening to N650 and it is the hourly weather forecast. Today is partly cloudy, we are not expecting any rain. The temperature in the city is below three degrees, by one o'clock in the afternoon it will rise to 12. The wind is starting...

Chapter One: More. I always hated the big goose. I know this is blasphemy for a touring enthusiast, but for me the 800 is the star of the Bavarian lineup. Lighter, taller, 21st wheel, 95% of pilots can ride it on twice as many paths, so what is it if not the crowning glory of the tourenduro? Yes, it’s a little lacking in comfort, but if you can get from here to Siberia on the 1200, you can probably do it on the 800. The 800 noticeably loses in tank volume; it lacks the round-the-world power reserve of its older brother. But BMW showed us the F800GSA, they installed a huge 24-liter touring tank on the enduro. Not in order to miss a few more gas stations, but in order to get to gas stations. 450 km away in some remote corner of the world. The big butt was complemented by a swollen front. The luxurious fairing hides the electronics inside and below the belt keeps me completely protected from the elements. It's cute, it's what the 800 wasn't and the 1200 wasn't, it won me over. Wait, you should know the backstory of this rendezvous, it's more interesting than usual. It's not that the F800GSA is a legendary bike, although it is, but that it's the last bike I'm reviewing in Montreal. I'm moving to Vancouver, FortNine videos are moving to the next stage. And before this one ends, I have to make a serious decision about which motorcycle to take with me. Anyway, let's continue. I like to think of the 800th GSA as the 1000th goose. It feels both cheaper and lighter than the 1200, and larger and more expensive 800. And this is unusual. Because GSA is much closer to the latter. It is equipped with the same outdated engine that we first saw in 2008. A 798 cc in-line twin is the most uninteresting way to produce 85 horses. This bike is not fast. I'm sure it's fast enough for you to find trouble, but it's the same with my Camry. Of course, the 800's gears have always been short, which makes it good off-road, but it has also earned a reputation for vibrating a lot at speeds above 60 mph. What's special about GSA is the extra 15 kilos. It suddenly feels plantier and smoother than the base model. And a little slower. In general, GSA is larger and better off. And all the extra weight is something I would have bought anyway. Enlarged tank? - of course I want. Wide fairing is good. Comfortable seat - very good. Larger footpegs - yes please. Strut braking step - very good, Arches - of course, Fogs brighter than the sun - great, Saddlebag mounts - well, BMW saddlebags cost as much as the GDP of a small country, so I'm glad to have mount points for my bags. I also have higher glass, but it somehow doesn’t matter, it just picks up the wind from my chest and directs it to my head. Hand protection is like that. The idea is good, but they are not strong enough for off-road protection at my speeds. Don't be the best at everything. Wait a minute. This is not entirely true. That is, yes, extras from BMW are basically what I would deliver, but that’s not all that I would deliver. BMW's roll bars are just half-assed. I had to deliver the upper part myself. The crankcase protection was just for show at best, I had to install this one from AltRider. Together with headlight protection, radiator protection, and stand extender. Usually a factory stand is enough, but with this motorcycle the Germans didn’t worry about making friends. Just to let you know. So, the F800GSA is a smoother touring bike than a regular 800, and it also feels a little slower on or off the road, but that's what happens with more capable and larger bikes.

Chapter two. Less. For a loaded motorcycle, the F800GSA is exceptionally nimble. Even if you compare it to the 650cc, it is lighter than 86 percent of them. These specific statistics are prepared based on the specifics of Ryan F9. The fact is that the new electronic throttle eliminates jerking at idle speeds. Ryan has never seen such a smooth handle and comments that although the engine is more boring than a pile of Thorites, its power and torque are the friendliest I have ever encountered. This is very useful for a person who uses a motorcycle in such places. Speaking of tight spots, its steering angle is 7 degrees greater than average. Ryan wants to say it's the biggest, although memories of Africa Twin make him doubt it. The turning radius is also enhanced by the ability to disable traction control and ABS. But even with the helpers turned on, Ryan finds his ability to throw the gas or brake into his ass unusually easy. The F800GSA handles small corners like a much smaller motorcycle. The ergonomics of the GSA are unusual. It is narrower than usual between the legs, the height of the saddle, footpegs and ground clearance are higher than usual, and the width of the comfortable seat prevents you from reaching the ground. A straight fit suits Ryan because he is taller than normal. He also likes the enduro feel, like with the touring tank in the back, it feels like an enduro ride. The unusual tank also shifts the center of gravity down and back, making lifting easier for Ryan. For those whose training regime is quite irregular, this is an advantage. The illusion of a small motorcycle persists on loose surfaces, Ryan has ridden this route 17 times, including rides on an Africa twin, KTM 12-90, KTM 11-90, R1200GS, Triumph Tiger xCx, Yamaha Super Tinyri, Suzuki V-Strome 1000, Suzuki V -stroma 650 and others. Even though Ryan was tired after riding all those motorcycles. But on the 800 GSA, the weight of the gas pushes down on the rear wheel, so it tends to go and stay upright. Ryan can ride on sand on a goose 2 times longer than on other motorcycles. Once he held on for 12 hours until he was exhausted and fell from fatigue. As I mentioned, the rear tank has the disadvantage of spreading the passenger footpegs uncomfortably wide. But even though Ryan is married, as his mom’s detectives figure out, his wife doesn’t like to travel alone, so he doesn’t care. It is worth noting that the F800GSA is 3 kilos lighter than the Africa twin and has 5 liters more gasoline. Not as easy as it seems. This basically creates the problem of fork sag as the springs remain intact despite the increase in wet weight. The bike is mostly soft. Ryan finds the GSA's complex electronic suspension adjustments useless. Both on-road and off-road, only the firmest Sport setting is acceptable. Heavier pilots will still feel the lack of rigidity. As a lighter than average person, Ryan is suited to the Sport setting, so he manages to avoid getting punched 3 out of 4 times.

Chapter 3: Worse. When an imperfect motorcycle meets an imperfect pilot, they are a perfect match. So let's go.

Expectation. Reality. This rubber on the running boards is unusually slippery. It's like standing on water balloons. God. I would keep these things because they dampen vibrations on the highway, but frankly, I need a wrench to take them off and put them back in, and even on the wide side, their protrusion is annoying.

  • Is this GSA?
  • Yes, GSA.
  • German luxury, right?
  • Yes, probably. Do you eat here?
  • Yes.
  • Let me treat you.
  • Yes.
  • Cool.
  • Yes.

And what's that?
It looks like someone installed a device from the early 2000s. The wind deflector isn't even adjustable? Looks like she's an old beggar. Yes. I'm sorry, boys. I told you that this is not the best advert. If you're not that lanky, not that much of a motocross enthusiast, unless you need to go 250 miles on a tank, especially in a slightly uncomfortable car, you won't like the F800GSA. But I love him. I love it when my feet overheat at +25, I love it when my tool kit consists of 49 elements, I love it when there is no partition in the tank and I can feel 24 liters of adventure sloshing back and forth. Caption: And I even love how effectively (crossed out) it sounds in German. Chapter 4: Better If you want, Africa Twin is better and that's the sad truth. The KTM 1090 can match the GSA off-road while still punishing it on the road. And yes, even B-strom 1000 is better in its own way. But I know that in this crazy sport, objective truth is nothing. For a pilot like me, the F800GSA is just right. And where I’m going, V-strom simply won’t pass. There's a 9 out of 10 chance that we'll both get stuck in a ditch. I would regret it, maybe not today or tomorrow, but pretty soon and for the rest of my life. Montreal is with us forever. They'll look after you here, little one. Gosling, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

A few words about the security system

BMW is a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles that pays great attention not only to the quality and reliability of its products, but also to their safety. So, buying a BMW F 800 GS means buying a safe bike equipped with an ABS system (which, by the way, is already standard equipment), as well as ESA and ASC systems (as an additional one).

The motorcycle's easy handling and precise execution of all commands with instant feedback make traveling even the longest distances a pleasure! This motorcycle will be a real find for connoisseurs of reliability, practicality and comfort. Or not - it will be a real find for everyone!

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