BMW F800S Review (2006)
What Is It?
The BMW F800S is a sports style bike which is closely related to the F800R naked. It's powered by a Euro 3 compliant liquid cooled 798 cc parallel twin engine which puts out 87 bhp at 8,000 rpm and maximum torque at 6,000 rpm.
Specs
- Seat Height: Average (820 mm / 32.3 inches)
- Weight: Heavy (204 kg / 450 lbs)
- Fuel Capacity: High (16.0 litres / 4.2 US gallons)
- Economy: Average (55 mpg / 5.1 l/100km / 19.5 km/l)
- Range: High (190 miles / 306 km)
- Top Speed: High (140 mph / 225 km/h)
- Capacity: Average (798 cc)
- Power: Average (87 bhp / 65 kW)
- Power to Weight: Average (0.426 bhp/kg / 0.318 kW/kg)
- Redline: Average (8,500 rpm)
Pros
- Handling
- Economy
- Comfort
- Balance
- Brakes
Cons
- Looks divide opinion
- On the heavy side
What Is It Like?
Tell us a bit about you
I'm a 58 year old male, just over 6 foot tall.
Your biking experience to date?
I've had bikes all my life. I've done the sports bikes back in the day...early Suzuki Slingshot Gixers, before that a Honda CBX 1000, the first Suzuki Slabside 1000, a de-restricted Kawasaki ZZR 1100 for touring in Europe and a 900 SS Ducati (crap, but wonderful).
I've 'Biked' in South East Asia, South America and Europe etc. Recently, I have downsized from 12 years on a Mk1 Suzuki 1200 Bandit to this new (to me) 2006 BMW F800S and I'm absolutely loving it!
Why did you choose it?
It out runs a Honda VFR800.
What is good about it?
- Handling
- Comfort
- Balance
- Brakes
What could be improved?
It can be snatchy in town traffic. The famous switch-gear problem re-indicators is actually really easy to get used to.
Any mods or upgrades?
Loads of them...higher screen, carbon hugger...gisomo that stops it cutting out at the lights after a run.
What is the economy like?
Good for my style of riding.
How is the engine?
The engine is torquey and much more rewarding than expected. It's faster than I thought and overtaking is perfectly safe.
How does it handle?
Brilliantly.
What are the brakes like?
Can't ask for more.
Is it comfortable?
Yes. Very!
How reliable have you found it?
No problems as yet...that Rotax engine isn't going to be a problem.
What's the servicing frequency and cost like?
Reasonable, given the belt drive and the Rotax engine.
- Christian, 2022
Price Guide
Add Your Review
Do you own this bike? We would love to hear anything good, bad, unexpected or that you have changed plus anything that a prospective new owner might find interesting or useful.