BMW know that the market for this bike in the UK is limited; over half of their worldwide sales of middleweights are made up of just France, Spain and Italy and the UK market is comparitively small at just 4%, so you'd wonder why they're putting a lot of effort into this new middleweight class, a class saturated by bikes like the Yamaha FZ6, Honda Hornet and Suzuki Gladius. But as we've seen from their recent S1000RR Superbike, BMW like a challenge.
The F800R fits into BMW's Urban category, alongside bikes like the R1200R and K1300R, but unlike those models, the F800R runs a parallel twin. The bike has been designed over two years to take on this competitive class, while costs have been kept to a minimum. I'll run you through the areas I think BMW have skimped on to save money, but first I want to talk about the engine.
Despite being an 800, the engine doesn't make as much power as its smaller capacity middleweight rivals, but it does produce more torque and on the road that translates into smoother drive and a less manic ride. The engine pulls from as low as two-thousand revs and even if you're tickling along in top gear at 40mph, it'll pull surprisingly hard, without being laboured. During running in periods, BMW claim they got 195 miles to a tank, which is on par with an R1200GS and I don't doubt this. On my ride, after 80 miles the fuel gauge wasn't even at half full.
In line with the demands of a dynamic roadster, the chassis is designed for excellent handling, agility and steering precision, and therefore maximum riding fun on winding country roads, though without compromises in terms of directional stability at high speeds, for example when riding on the motorway.
The streetbike freestyle world champion Christian Pfeiffer provides a foretaste of just how playfully the rider can handle the F 800 R. For over two years now he has ridden a version of the F 800 S exclusively tailored to his needs at international competitions and shows: the similarity of this bike to the current F 800 R is by no means coincidental. In future, the motorcycle acrobat will be able to demonstrate his skills on a machine based on the new F 800 R.
But the new F 800 R boasts more than just sporting talent: in the very best tradition of BMW it also possesses classic virtues such as outstanding seating comfort for rider and pillion passenger as well as an exemplary level of safety. For example, the F 800 R is optionally fitted with an ABS whose newly developed pressure sensor provides an even finer regulation of the system and therefore even greater safety – especially in connection with sporty riding.
Engine and transmission
Engine type: 2 cylinders, 4-stroke, Inline
Displacement: 798 cc (48.76 cubic inches)
Bore × stroke: 82 mm × 75.6 mm (oversquare - shortstroke)
Cooling system: Water cooled
Power: 87.02 HP (64 kW) @ 8000 rpm
Torque: 86 Nm (8.77 kg-m) @ 6000 rpm
Throttle: Cable operated
Valves
Valve train: DOHC, variable
Valves per cylinder: 4
Fuel and ignition
Sparks per cylinder: 1
Fuel supply system: Fuel injection
Ignition type: Digital CDI
Compression: 12:1
Engine mounting: Transverse
Lubrication system: Wet sump
Gear box: Manual 6-speed
Clutch: Wet, multiple discs, cable operated
Final drive: Chain
Motor oil: Synthetic, 10W40
Starter: Electric
Dimensions
Physical measures
Length: 2145 mm
Width: 905 mm
Height: 1160 mm
Wheel base: 1520 mm
Trail: 90 mm
Seat height: 800 mm
Weight
Curb weight: 199 kg
Dry weight: 177 kg
Chassis and suspension
Frame type: aluminium, twin spar
Front
Suspension: Cartridge
Suspension travel: 125 mm
Fork angle: 65°
Brake: Twin Disk, Ø320 mm
Tire: 120 / 70 R17 ZR
Rear
Suspension: mono shock, Swingarm
Suspension travel: 125 mm
Brake: Disk, Ø265 mm
Tire: 180 / 55 R17 ZR
Other
ABS available: No
Power-to-weight ratio: 0.32 HP/kg (3.11 kg/HP)
Fuel capacity: 16 l
Number of riders: 2 persons
