2017 BMW F800 GT Test Ride & Review 

Thanks for taking the time to write some substantial thoughts! I've pinned your comment for others to see. I can see what you mean about the maintenance free appeal. Wish I could have taken it out onto some twisties like you mention but I only had an hour from BMW Park Lane. Maybe another time!

What's the vibration like on the highway/freeway? I heard they have a lot of vibration.

+Marcus Boyce cheers Marcus. Full license is an expensive process but definitely worth it in the long run. You got a bike in mind?

You sound just like my dad - a BMW man! He's currently got an R850R, R1100RS, and R1100RT. There must be something about them... I've had a little ride on his R and RS, and I think they've a bit more character than the F800 GT, but it's still a good bike. I especially enjoyed riding the F800R recently - hired one abroad. I think it's the one I'd pick out of the F800 range if I was choosing something for a fun ride!

MOTOBOB Hmmm not that old, don't even smoke a pipe let alone wear slippers. Tried the F800R on a demo day, light, nimble and great fun but not enough weather protection for my liking. I'd freeze my bits off come February. Will just have to try a GT now.

+Nigel Davies haha 😂 pipe and slippers come standard issue with the RT don't they??? Yeah I can see your point about the R - naked bikes definitely don't do the job on the motorway. The thing I loved about the R was the quality of the shocks. But the GT is great for day to day use for sure and a lot more practical.

You get used to it! I ride right into the middle of London so it’s much worse here than the rest of the country

We do get to filter / Lane split tho ;)

Cheers Mark

+Shawn Lalonde cheers Shawn 🍻

+Pawel Kisiel I think I enjoyed the GS a lot more. Was grinning the whole time I tested it. The engine doesn't really feel right in the sports tourer. It doesn't rev up enough. But on the GS it's just right - grunty! Do you think you'll stick a different pipe on it? Think it would sound awesome. The paint is nice, but your bike is one of my favourite looking bikes I've tested. The red frame! 👌

I don't have plans to put new pipe yet, but I would fancy putting akra or some other aftermarket pipe on it. Check youtube, it has plenty of videos with f800gs that sound great with aftermarket pipes.

+Pawel Kisiel akra sound awesome but expensive. Most folks seem to think they're worth it tho

Hey Owah! Thanks for the kind words. It’s definitely a great bike, but I’d be interested to hear how you like the VFR if you test it as I’ve never had chance to ride one. Stop by and let me know if you can!

+P Topping cheers P Top! 🙌🍺

Agree :)

👍👍👍

I rode one yesterday, it's a great bike :)

I rode one yesterday, and was fine for me No vibrations :)

@@MotoMichelle I've owned two. Both vibrated much more than an inline four and I had to change bike. Grip puppies offer some relief, but better isolation built in should be the solution. You will also struggle to get a decent screen.

I think you might need an extension on the screen to get good highway protection. I think there are plenty available from third parties

+전민규 hey! How short? I'm 5 foot 9 and the GS was a little tall for me. But it was definitely my favourite out of the two bikes. Maybe you could get the lowering kit? Or try the F700GS? It's similar to the 800 but much lower 🙂

+Nathan Knowles cheers Nathan 🙌

* corrrection the 800 GS... which is the one you reviewed

+pierre verwey cheers pierre - appreciate the kind words! 🍺🍺 It would either be the GS or the street twin for sure. I think the street twin was the most fun because of the sound and the torque, so if I was just using it around town I'd go for that. But if I was doing a bit of touring etc then the GS would be much better. The GS is also great around town but less of an out and out smile on your face fun factor!

The Triumphs, especially these later versions are absolutely fantastic! A bullseye in terms of appeal on every level. However, I do have a concern, and a rather serious one. Its not one that should be a problem for UK riding conditions, but one for here in Bangkok where I live. Its the tropical heat combined with traffic lights that take up to 10 mins to change. The placement of that exhaust is potentially going to be a mood killer considering the heat it generates. I spoke to a Thai rider recently (at a traffic light - cause we had 5 mins to kill) He was on a drop dead gorgeous T100 with wrapped pipes. I did not want to ask him, but he was rather eager to tell me all about it. Quite incredible how something like that could be nothing in one part of the world and a potential deal breaker in another! The reality is, there is always something missing from the tickbox list when buying a new bike... Its whether you can live with it or not. I will have to talk to a few more Triumph owners, but right now the 700GS is looking like the more likely choice as I will be spending most of my time commuting on it and only occasionally doing a weekend trip. I don't mind the GS, in fact, I really like it a lot, though for very different reasons.

+pierre verwey interesting! Never really a problem in the uk of course but I totally understand. The GS is an awesome bike so I'm sure you won't regret it. Perfect bike for commuting etc.

Went to the Triumph dealer today to clear up the bit about the engine pipes being hot. Apparently its not the pipes but the fan that blows onto your legs, which is noticeable when you stop for a long time at a traffic light. Still, its a g o r g e o u s bike, I totally get why you favor it. I am still undecided. Doing a facebook vote on which one my friends prefer. So far the Triumph is winning hands down...

Thanks for taking the time to comment David. I can definitely see the value in having this bike with full luggage - would be a perfect bike for some 2 up weekends away. Does the '13 model have a regular cable throttle? Can't say I enjoyed the fly by wire too much on this version. Also when you mention costs, do you mean servicing or parts?

+Samuel Wicks they look pretty sick. Do you sub cagerontwowheels? I think he just bought one

YeahI am. Pretty sure he got the MT07 Tracer?

+Samuel Wicks ah right. Haven't watched it properly yet. Might try to check one out - there's a Yamaha dealer in Clapham nearby. Really want to try an xsr900 which I believe is the same engine?

MOTOBOB yeah the MT09 engine is used in the MT09 (obviously), the XSR900 and the MT09 tracer 👌🏽All 3 are great looking bikes built around a cracking engine.

That’s a good shout - it looks awesome. Would be so good on the R

Probably to save weight and cost. I have a 2015 F800R. Great bike.

+Abdi Osman cheers abdi - enjoyed it all the same but you're right that it's not the most exciting. Can see why some folks might buy one tho. I'd be interested to try other bikes in this category with a bit more of a kick. Maybe a vfr 800?

+Christian Weller the R is a nice looking bike. Bet it would be a lot of fun around town. But you're right you pay a premium for a BMW. They're beautifully made though - there's a notable difference between the BMWs I've tried and my Kawasaki

@@motobob ,, I have a 2015 F800R. It's okay around town but shines in the twisties. It's light so you can chuck it around and the wide bars make it very nimble. The radial Brembos are brilliant. Best handling bike I've ever owned. A pretty good touring bike also.

I actually got chance to ride the F800R - I rented one in Portugal. It was a hoot to ride, good for pillion too. And yeah I agree that the brakes are awesome

Yeah it's not too bad for the city but not the most nimble. Really enjoyed the ride though!

"More like a car than a bike" Wow that is a very interesting and valuable observation.

Yes, but I have no idea what it means. Too wide? Too slow? Bad speakers on the stereo?

No it doesnt

+Patrick Allen I don't think so to be honest, but you can probably check by configuring a bike on the BMW website

+Jeremy Aelmans not sure Jeremy. What were the original issues?

The belts were prone to come off, and the belt wheel was known for breakdowns. Other than that, it is a very nice bike.

Thanks for the info. Not sure if that's been resolved. Sounds like a pain though as the belt is one of the big selling points for me, especially if riding through winter.

I said egg sauce!

@@motobobHey dude, what's up, I thought it was maybe a touch of the American twang that sweeping the UK.