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My R1200S is in for its safety recall today, and they offered me a courtesy bike. An F800R is not something I would have chosen to play with but wasn't given a choice...

What a blast I had coming back from the dealers! Proper fun bike. Quick coffee, say good morning to the missus, get my pass for the day signed and off I go.

Enjoy! I'd imagine they're good fun as they're so light and the engine is pretty decent.

One thing I love about getting my bike serviced by Steptoe is the mystery loan bikes. So far from him I've had an R1150GS, R1150R, K75RT and a K100 something. The K75RT I had recently was a hoot!

Wot a hoot!!! Put about 80 miles on it and can't get the grin off my face.

I'm not convinced I'd want to own one as my only bike, but I don't want to give it back this afternoon. What I am going to do is start looking for something of that ilk that will better meet all my requirement. Maybe a Tracer or a Tiger 800 (a bit different), as well as BMW's offerings.

But I've seen the light as far as light weight (the R1200S isn't heavy, but the F800R is like riding a pushbike in comparison, it's so light on the move), sit-up-and-beg riding position and sure-footed, position and hold any track clickable handling.

I'm off for more fun before they prize it out of my grip.

Grip Fast wrote:Wot a hoot!!! Put about 80 miles on it and can't get the grin off my face.

I'm not convinced I'd want to own one as my only bike, but I don't want to give it back this afternoon. What I am going to do is start looking for something of that ilk that will better meet all my requirement. Maybe a Tracer or a Tiger 800 (a bit different), as well as BMW's offerings.

But I've seen the light as far as light weight (the R1200S isn't heavy, but the F800R is like riding a pushbike in comparison, it's so light on the move), sit-up-and-beg riding position and sure-footed, position and hold any track clickable handling.

I'm off for more fun before they prize it out of my grip.

I had one when I took my 12 for the fuel thingy recall last year. I too brought it back with and extra 80 or so miles on it. Great fun but I' have a real mental issue letting go of my big engined bike. On a seperate note, I think they've made a huge error with the restyle. That new headlamp is appalling and would stop me from buying a new one if i was in the position to do so.

f90x wrote:On a seperate note, I think they've made a huge error with the restyle. That new headlamp is appalling and would stop me from buying a new one if i was in the position to do so.

I have that opinion with the 1200R. I wish it had the older round headlight from the old 1200R or the R9T. It would look so much better but I guess they want to make it stand out from the R9T.

f90x wrote: That new headlamp is appalling and would stop me from buying a new one if i was in the position to do so.

Totally agree Steve, the older bikes had a certain style about them, the re-styled bikes front end looks a bit like.....well, lots of other bikes, and indeed was enough to put me off when I was `shopping` a little while ago.

Hi Grip fast, the bikes you mention are all the ones I was considering a while back, its all very subjective of course but at least try a Street Triple to compare, you won`t be disappointed!..

Hayden wrote:

f90x wrote: That new headlamp is appalling and would stop me from buying a new one if i was in the position to do so.

Totally agree Steve, the older bikes had a certain style about them, the re-styled bikes front end looks a bit like.....well, lots of other bikes, and indeed was enough to put me off when I was `shopping` a little while ago.

+1 on that.

The new 1200R looks ok, but imho BMW have sold out to the current styling trends - and losing Telever is a mahoosive bollock-drop too. I quite like the little 800R (in its earlier plumage) but being 6'3" tall I'd look a complete twonk riding one.

Gromit wrote:

Hayden wrote:

f90x wrote: That new headlamp is appalling and would stop me from buying a new one if i was in the position to do so.

Totally agree Steve, the older bikes had a certain style about them, the re-styled bikes front end looks a bit like.....well, lots of other bikes, and indeed was enough to put me off when I was `shopping` a little while ago.

+1 on that.

The new 1200R looks ok, but imho BMW have sold out to the current styling trends - and losing Telever is a mahoosive bollock-drop too. I quite like the little 800R (in its earlier plumage) but being 6'3" tall I'd look a complete twonk riding one.

Tested the R1200RS last week and thought it was superb apart from the fork dive - did not like that at all, so, pick up my GS in a couple of weeks time!!

Hayden wrote: Hi Grip fast, the bikes you mention are all the ones I was considering a while back, its all very subjective of course but at least try a Street Triple to compare, you won`t be disappointed!..

Yes, Street Triple would definitely be on the list. My only worry about it would be how practical it is for touring. I'm sure some folks have 'done Europe' on a Street Triple, but it doesn't shout "touring" at me.

That was the downside of the F800R - 5 miles of dual carriageway told me the engine was way too buzzy at motorway speed, and there was no real surge available to make progress. So I tend to agree with the mental issue of giving up the big engine. Having said that my VFR750fr did Scotland a few times and the 750 bit didn't worry me. It's all about delivery, I guess.

Street Triple is a candidate.

Gromit wrote: The new 1200R looks ok, but imho BMW have sold out to the current styling trends - and losing Telever is a mahoosive bollock-drop too.

Agreed about the telelever. I took an R9T out expecting to love it and it really disappointed, mainly because of the suspension (and the fact that it's tiny). The S1000R didn't have the same issues I presume because of the dynamic suspension (and the fact that it was really stiff, even set to 'soft').

Grip Fast wrote:
That was the downside of the F800R - 5 miles of dual carriageway told me the engine was way too buzzy at motorway speed, and there was no real surge available to make progress. So I tend to agree with the mental issue of giving up the big engine. Having said that my VFR750fr did Scotland a few times and the 750 bit didn't worry me. It's all about delivery, I guess.

Street Triple is a candidate.

The thing I found with the F800R is that although it was great fun, extremely easy to ride, light and with plenty of zip, it lacked that 'big boy' top end. I know that I shouldn't be riding in excess of the speed limit but I like to be able to power past slower traffic and then back off to the speed limit without thinking about it. On motorways it's nice to know that at 85 or so I still have loads in reserve when that clown in the right hand lane decides to enter mine without looking. I also want the ability to pass a slower cars on B roads in as shorter time/space as possible, and the F800 I found was a bit wheezy when it came to that. Still a great bike and as I get older it could be for me but some mental re-calibration is required.

Well - you can't all be wrong in your praise for the F800r, but I didn't take to it at all when I got a loaner and took it from Edinburgh down the A7 to Gala and through to Jedburgh and back up to Edinburgh.

Maybe I never gave it a chance, but certainly didn't feel too confident on it.

My memories of the MT-09 Tracer were altogether different, though - and would love to try the "street" MT-09.

I think BMW ownership can be significantly more expensive than the likes of Yamaha, and I think you'd be stretching it to say the BMW build quality was superior these days.

Al

Blackal wrote:
I think BMW ownership can be significantly more expensive than the likes of Yamaha, and I think you'd be stretching it to say the BMW build quality was superior these days.

Al

I think one would have to be deluded to say that BMW build quality was superior these days.

I've been warned the MT-09 Tracer feels pretty cheaply built. BMW's build quality has definitely declined in recent years but I think a lot of other manufacturers' standards have dropped too.

It's been a while since I rode anything other than a BMW but when I have ridden Suzukis and Kawasakis I thought the built quality was flimsy at best, especially plastics-wise. My 1150GS seemed rock solid compared to them.

Grip Fast wrote: I'm sure some folks have 'done Europe' on a Street Triple, but it doesn't shout "touring" at me.
.

you may have a point there, but, no one bike can `do it all`, the trick is deciding where your priorities lie........unless your lucky enough to have more than one bike.

As for the MT09, the spec sheet says its a wonderfull bike, and at a cracking price, but riding a bike doesn`t happen on a spec sheet, ridden in comparison a few things become apparent, engine is great but let down by snatchy throttle responce, chassis/handling feels wayward, brakes were `adequate` and the suspension poor/unadjustable, add to that the `fisher price` dash and it was easy to fall out of love before it began. Felt like a bike thrown together in a hurry, it became apparent why it was cheap..not a fan!..