Expert about the BMW F800R: The updated model is a great bike for beginners

Expert about the BMW F800R: The updated model is a great bike for beginners

BMW has a new project called Product Genius. It is aimed at ensuring that a person who is not familiar with it “from paper” can tell about a particular model. A man who has traveled a lot and explored a lot. He has something to compare with. And if the seller cannot know all the nuances of cars, then this person knows everything about every button, every detail. For example, if you are interested in tourism, then he can recommend you this or that model.

Sovsport.ru managed to contact Boris Lamin, who is such a person at BMW Motorrad in Russia. He talked about the new BMW F800R model.

BMW F800R – a new motorcycle for the city in German

— What are the main differences between the updated BMW F800R and the previous version of the bike?

— This is a new fork with radial mounting of brake calipers, adjustable ESA suspension, a new headlight, updated design, new ABS with an additional pressure sensor in the front brake circuit, the ASC traction control system, which was previously available only on more expensive models, increased by 3 hp. engine power.

Photo - BMW

— When did the BMW F800R go on sale in Russia/Moscow? Can I already place an order or pre-order?

— Russian sales have already begun. The first motorcycles arrived at the distributor's central warehouse at the end of January

— Is this bike suitable for beginners? Those who just got their license and have no driving experience?

— This is the model for beginners, according to BMW. In my opinion, it is quite suitable.

— Many fans argue about the new headlight. From the series - now the bike is no longer different from the models of the Japanese auto industry

— The design of the new headlight is original, but in a motorcycle for beginners, the main thing is functionality, isn’t it? The new headlight shines better than the old one, and this is the main thing in our case.

— In the video you talk about a price that starts at 530 thousand rubles. And the “packed” version will cost about 660 thousand rubles. What exactly will be included in the coolest version of the bike?

— The cost of the maximum factory configuration of the F800R is 656,300 rubles. For this money, the motorcycle will be equipped with anti-lock brakes, traction control, tire pressure sensors, heated steering grips, an anti-theft system, LED turn signals, LED tail light, on-board computer, electronically adjustable suspension, engine spoiler, passenger seat cover, center stand , a trunk with a fastening system for installing side cases and an electrical outlet.

BMW F 800 R: the best bike for stunt riding

BMW Motorrad has added to its F800 family the naked F 800 R with a 798 cc engine capacity and a remarkably robust design, resulting in a motorcycle capable of extraordinary driving dynamics. According to the results of the Red Dot Award design competition, the motorcycle received a well-deserved award. The commission praised its functionality, cost-effectiveness and innovation. The famous athlete Chris Pfeiffer called it the standard motorcycle for stunt riding.

Peak engine power of 64 kW (87 l/s) allows you to reach a speed of 200 km/h and above in 3.9 seconds. With such powerful parameters of the motorcycle, gasoline consumption is low, no higher than 4.8 liters per 100 km. The elastic motor has also proven itself in previous F 800 models.

It has instant throttle response and produces 86 Nm of torque, which is excellent for its class, as is peak power. To the delight of bikers, the sound produced by the Acrapovic exhaust system is truly low and racing. For beginner bikers, BMW Motorrad offers the F 800 R with a less powerful 34 hp engine.

This year's review of the F 800 R motorcycles, as in previous years, demonstrates excellent handling and easy, skidding-free cornering. It is equipped with excellent ABS, very necessary for such a dynamic and high-speed car. The chassis is durable, perfectly balanced, and adapted to difficult aerobatics not only in the city and on the highway, but also at demonstrations.

The design is modern, stylish, classic colors, colors: red, blue, white. On sale is a complete set of elegant and high-quality motorcycle equipment that matches the style and signature colors of the motorcycle.

Technical characteristics of the 2012 BMW F 800 R:

The price of this standard naked bike is determined by the year of manufacture and technical data. At some official dealers, the cost of new BMW F 800 R motorcycles, with a power of 87 l/s at 8000 and a maximum torque of 86 Nm at 6000, is 364 thousand rubles.

I decided to write a few words about my first motorcycle – a blue-and-white 2013 BMW F800R, on which I traveled more than 16 thousand km over 4 seasons from 2014 to 2021. Since the bike is already sold, this is a Post review.

Obviously, all reviews and reviews of motorcycles are very subjective, especially if they are made by non-professional motorcycle journalists. Reviews and ratings depend to a large extent on what a person has ridden before, and how and where he usually rides... The FR has several very pleasant qualities, but it also has annoying drawbacks. In my case, the motorcycle was used mainly in Moscow for relatively quiet movement around the city + forays around the near Moscow region (for example, walks to Tver, Vladimir, Stupino, etc.) from late March to mid-October. I opened category A at the end of 2013 and was looking for a motorcycle in the winter of 13-14. I was looking for a light motorcycle for the city with medium power. I dismissed sports immediately, since I didn’t intend to go to the track. I didn’t consider cruisers, but I was wary of Ducati because of the mixed reviews. + My height is not prohibitive, so I was looking for something not too tall. At that time I was considering such models as the KTM 390 - too small and the Kawasaki ER-6N/F, Honda NC700 - the reviews were confusing. I almost became the owner of a Kawasaki ER-6F, but the deal fell through. The appearance of the F800R immediately captivated me, and it didn’t cost much more than other models, taking into account the equipment. Based on reviews on the Internet, I also liked it.

I'll start with what bothered me the entire period of ownership:

• Vibrations in the operating range of movement on the highway. In the middle speed range, vibrations are quite noticeable on the steering wheel and during more or less prolonged driving, even if you just hold the steering wheel without squeezing it, they remain an itch in the palms.
• As a result of vibrations, the image in the mirrors is blurred and, usually, you see only contours, without any details. Highly dependent on speed
• Bad catch of neutral from the first. As I understand it, this is a problem for all FRs in general. I got confused and tried to overcome the problem with the help of. dealers. I lost a lot of time and more than 20 thousand, it got a little better, but not much.
• Driving over 140 km/h begins to become uncomfortable due to the wind. If the wind is strong, then an interesting situation is that sometimes you drive comfortably at 160, and sometimes it blows away at 120, depending on its direction.
• Although the seating position is comfortable, when driving for a long time, the legs bent at the knees begin to get tired. I want to warm up, although this is not critical.

Pros of a motorcycle

• Very compact, nimble, ideal for the city and driving through traffic jams, despite the fairly wide steering wheel and mirrors. Here is an example of my trip through traffic jams
• After other motorcycles (F800GS, for example), it seems like a light compact moped. And that is great. Dry weight – 177kg, if I remember correctly. It steers well - both with the steering wheel and with your knees.
• Almost all the time I traveled with the central trunk. This is very convenient, since there is always the opportunity to put a helmet there, and the raincoat is always with me.
• The box allows you to squeeze the clutch and quickly click through gears from 5 to 2, if required.
• Excellent brakes. No complaints, tenacious and informative. The weight is small, while there are 2,320 mm discs in front.
• The motorcycle is quite friendly and not jerky. We can say that you can drive in 2 modes - up to 5 thousand revolutions and after 6. The first is pensioner mode, the second is active. Convenient for both beginners and those who like to rock.
• The tank is located under the seat, which lowers the center of gravity and makes it easier to maneuver at low speeds
• Although to start you need to get used to applying gas, the torque from the two-cylinder engine is very decent - 86 N*m. It starts at 3000, then, after a slight dip, reaches a maximum at 6-7 thousand rpm.
• My average fuel consumption in the city is 6 liters of 95 gasoline. On the highway, if you drive slowly ~110-120 km/h it turns out to be even more economical. If you add gas to 140+, the consumption increases significantly. However, a 16 liter tank allows you to travel 250+ km.
• A large selection of equipment for a mid-sized naked bike - heated handles, LED turn signals, alarm with remote control, central stand, roll bars from the manufacturer, pannier mounting system.
• I really like the appearance with the asymmetrical headlight, it’s even a little unfortunate that such a headlight was gone during the restyling. I really like the combination of white and blue.
• The suspension is quite soft. This may be a drawback for active high-speed driving, but it allows you to move quite painlessly on our roads, when the asphalt has been removed.

During all this time there were no problems on the road. Changing the battery is a credit to storing the bike without recharging, I suspect. A burnt-out lamp (in a garage after the season closes) does not count. Yes, and I didn’t harm the motorcycle - I had it checked on time and only braked on the asphalt with the wheels. In 2021 I installed Metzeler Roadtec 01 - excellent tires, in my opinion.

After Fra, I wanted more wind protection, less vibration, a little more power without significant loss of maneuverability in traffic jams, since I spend most of my time on the roads of the capital. For now I’ve settled on the S1000XR, with a lowered suspension - we’ll check in the spring how justified my choice was.

And I gave FR away by trade... This is how I last saw him

Only for some reason the sellers were reluctant to give it to new buyers :)