I bought one 3 years ago and I can't fault it. Nimble, comfortable, plenty of power and the belt drive is a dream, no friction or drag at all. Wheeling it about by hand, it's like a 125. Overall mpg over 7,500 miles has been 67mpg (Imperial gallons) with easily 200 miles on a tankful. I was glad of the tyre pressure monitoring and warning when I picked up a nail in one tyre. I agree that the rear brake is nothing special but the front units are excellent. The engine sounds busy with no fuel tank in the way - this is under the seat, giving better centre of gravity. The headlight is excellent. I've fitted a Givi large touring windscreen with hand wind deflectors, a Fenda Extender front mudguard, chrome radiator guard and DiY rear mudflap. I have found that a less than firm gearchange between 4th to 5th to 6th can result in a false neutral, but this is cured with better technique and practice. It goes significantly faster than I do - it would be no problem at all to cruise effortlessly at anything up to 100 mph, conditions and legalities permitting. I like the way the fuel gauge shows only when the tank is less than half full, and when on reserve, the dashboard readout shows 'miles left'. The engine performance can be varied on the move betwen Road, Sport, and Rain, the latter activating the traction control. Also the suspension can be switched on the move from Comfort to Sport. I've only ever used 'Road' and 'Rain' and 'Comfort'. Dashboard readouts and displays are easily toggled using the handlebar switches. There is more information on my 'Motorcycle Touring' page.
@@bhughes1986 Yes. However I have had two warranty claims on it. Firstly the front discs warped and were replaced with the pads. More seriously the black box ignition unit failed and although BMW coughed up with a new one (£500!) I had to pay for the labour required to fit it. Apart from that I am very happy with it and nothing else has gone wrong. See my web site deauville.webhop.org for more information.
I bought my 2017 model GT SE in Oct 2021, was everything I wanted - but, I don't love it so it has to go. Does absolutely nothing wrong, but a bit soulless I find. Back to chain maintenance I guess.
I test drove one yesterday that only has 471miles on it. Garage queen since it's now 2022 and it's been a single owner. I currently ride a 2008 Kawasaki Z750S and this F800GT was like night and day. I'm a 5'8" 150lb woman who rides 2up with a 5'6" 100lb 13 year old girl.....the Kawi is NOT meant for 2up riding long distance. This review has helped a lot in really deciding. 5 years ago I fell in love with the 1200GS which is way too tall for me. This GT is a fantastic option!!!!
Greetings from Normandy France where am I biker… i’m going to pick up a used one on Tuesday I’ve been dreaming about this for since I put my other bike up for sale.. normally I would sell my motorcycle first and then buy this one but this is an opportunity to go to pass up plus I have two potential buyers for the other motorcycle so it looks good and keeping my 🤞🏻 absolutely great video thank you so much au revoir ✌🏻🏍✌🏻
I still like the BMWF800GT but I have to say that I've had more problems with it than ALL of my 9 Hondas. Front discs warped. Engine 'black box' failed. Three headlight bulbs failed. And then at a mere 11,500 miles the front forks failed an MoT. I only ride in summer dry weather and on my Honda Deauville 650 the fork fork seals were hardly worn when I replaced then routinely at 45,000 miles. One pannier lock disintegrated, wrecking the pannier when the lid flew open.
I test rode these when I had my vfr which was getting skeletally challenging. I found the position awful but loved the engine and belt drive. I felt that this was not a touring bike but could have been. Also very economical compared to my 35 mpg honda. I am 6’2” so probably my fault. Think middleweights should do belt or shaft for old farts like me fed up of grovelling chain cleaning and adjustments. Rear fuel tank a La nc750?
There is usually an option to have BMWs restricted at initial configuration if your planning on buying new. But if not you can buy restrictor kits for around £110. Then its whether you can fit it your self or know a mechanic that will sort it out.
Thanks from someone who is wholly disappointed with a brand new Yamaha Tmax 530 DX, coming in at way over ten thousand pounds (bought in Yen in Japan). Now has 500 kilometres on the clock and time for it to go on Yahoo Auctions for 1.2 million Yen (paid 1.4 million). Time to go back to a real bike. Should never have traded in my flawless Vstrom that I had from new. BMW F800 GT next, perhaps...
Thanks !!! Excellent review. Just only one cuestion: I´ve heard a lot about the engine´s vibration at 4000 rpm and on , that you feel on the handlebar ¿is that true? Thanks a lot.
Hey Arturo, thanks for the comment. Vibration throught the handlebars wasnt noticeable at 4000rpm. I found this started to creep in at the 7000rpm range. However you will find with the gears on this bike you can sit on the motorway in 6th gear at 2500rpm, dropping down to overtake. or yet again stick in 4th on the twisties and have fun using that low end torque to pull you round the corners.
Hi, I just did a test ride of a 2019 model yesterday, excited about all the reviews like yours finding no fault with the bike. I am quite disappointed, the air on the highway would shake the bike violently from 110kmph, I cannot for the life of me why anybody would consider this 'touring', me and them have very different ideas about comfort travel on a motorcycle. The power was there but a) too linear to get exciting and b) completely choked by the standard exhaust and c) only on high revs (low torque? where??), beating the purpose of a comfortable ride as you had to make the bike scream to feel the pull. It's not a bad bike but I have to wonder what other bikes the reviewers have been riding if they like this one so much.
Hi Kellyozore, thanks for your comment. My new videos I'm trying a different take on the audio. Apologise for the left ear pain. VFR800 or 800GT. Any preference on riding position? The newer VFRs have a more sporty riding position. So comfort should be better on the Beemer. Also the Vtec on the old Hondas has been know to give a bit of a kick but that was sorted after 2008 models I believe. Both are great bikes. For me the pricing would be the biggest decider. Cheers for watching.
Actually I was going for the Honda Crossrunner as first choice (VFR800X), but it seems not produced anymore unfortunately. I like the trail look and position, but wouldn't use it off-road. I think the GT bike style would fit me for my use (commuting all year 80km/day), confortable, good wind protection (I'm 1m80 - 5'11). I prefer Honda over BMW (reliability, not overcharging the customer, general practices) but even so I like the F800GT more (look, belt).I'll need to test ride both if I can. But I still have a few months to think about (currently own a XJ6 Diversion 2015).
@@thewoodster8607 Yes there was a little shortage last year and we couldn't ordered it. But as a matter of a fact I actually did order one just last Saturday! :) Will get it in a month. And according to Honda Belgium it'll probably get canceled like the Crosstourer. They don't sell. My dealership sold 1 in 2017, none in 2018, and one in 2019 (mine). So... But I have been researching for 1 year to get my right bike between many types: F750GS, Tracer 900GT, Tiger 800Xrt, and I always came back to the Honda VFR800X Crossrunner. So I eventually did order it :D So happy!
....or the Tiger 1050 which I own along side a F800GT. I've done more miles on the Tiger than the F800GT due to the angle of the BMW being a little too far forward giving me neck ache after about 4 hours due to a car crash I was in. Having said that, I won't been as keen to take it to Europe and have it on an Autobahn due to the lower power and lower riding position. I will say the BMW is a great bike and actually goes very well if you use the rev range.
