Australian Bike Advice & News Blog

2009 BMW F 800 R – First Ride

Introducing BMW’s R-rated naked, the F 800 R

Model Tested:

• 2009 BMW F 800 R; 798cc parallel-twin; six speed; naked – $13,900*

Options (As Fitted):

• ABS Braking $1265 (Fitted); Sports Windshield $255 (Fitted)

By Matt Brogan Pics by Lou Martin

As the third naked bike in BMW Motorrad’s line-up, alongside the K 1300 R and R 1200 R, the new F 800 R is set to carry the brand in to uncharted territory with respect to the ever growing demographic of its clientele.

This sporty yet aggressively styled 800 aims to broaden the German brand’s appeal, which is already up a buoyant 12 per cent, and in doing so meet the growing demands of riders expecting more from a category that until now was either over priced and underspec’ed, or simply not worth the time of day.

Set to challenge such heady comers as Triumph’s Street Triple, the F 800 R delivers not only the good looks required to get customers through the door, but reinforces its own heritage with that all important performance edge once you do – and you will – decide to throw a leg over.

As the weapon of choice for three-times world stunt champion Chris Pfieffer the F 800 R may appear familiar to fans of the brand, and although the bike has been available in Europe for neigh on three months now, some minor tweaking – including a change of gearbox ratios on 4th, 5th and 6th to suit our autobahnless roads – have seen a small delay in getting the product just right for down under.

But is it worth the wait? Well if two days spent violating some of south-eastern Queensland’s best roads are anything to go by then the answer is a definitive yes. The F 800 R resounds all that is good about naked bikes with out losing any street cred or sporting appeal desired of the bike’s fully-faired siblings.

Boasting a 798cc parallel twin cylinder engine the F 800 R’s powerplant is familiar to us as that shared with F 800 S (which was pulled from Australian sale six months ago after losing sales en masse to its ST sibling).

Developing 64kW @ 8000rpm the unit at first may not seem as impressive as the figures would have you believe, but thanks to a hearty 86Nm of torque on hand smack dab in the middle of the rev range, the F 800 R creates a strong and fluid pulling power that rolls on with an urgency not dissimilar to larger capacity Vs, as BMW Motorrad Australia Marketing Manager, Miles Davis, discovered:

“What this bike does with under 90 horse power really impresses me. Its effortless power running second and third (gear) through the twisties really kept me smiling.”

It’s smooth too with variable fuel pressure and a counterbalanced crank ironing out that chunky baggage often associated with parallel twin engines.

The engine management system does however feature a reconfigured map as compared to the ST engine, primarily due to the variable fuel pressure system, that has allowed the R to achieve some pretty impressive fuel economy figures in addition to that clean, flowing power.

For the record our day spent riding in 36.5 degree weather saw an average return of 4.2-litres per 100km – not too shabby!

The R piles on revs quickly and smoothly for excellent drive out of the corners and presents a willful urge mid-tach that promotes a lack of gearbox busy work when tackling the undulating hills surrounding rural Brisbane’s Mount Glorious, a sentiment reinforced by BMW Motorrad Australia General Manager, Cameron Cuthill:

“Running-in the F 800 Rs before the launch confirmed just how good this engine is.  It’s so flexible and I genuinely enjoyed every moment.”

With a distinctive, peppery exhaust note you’d expect of a parellel twin the F 800 R doesn’t exactly scream sports bike in the aural department, but with just enough crackle and pop on downshift, the split cat exhaust does hint as to a subtle reminder of the R’s intent (BMW does offer an accessory Akrapovic muffler for $1286 – sadly it isn’t ADR compliant, missing out by 1dB).

Weighting and balance is low and light keeping the bike stable yet nimble through corners, a fact assisted by the placement of the 16 litre fuel tank beneath the seat, as is becoming more common on BMW Motorrad products, and a wide flat bar for decent leverage.

The chain drive too is a relative new comer for the brand which was a factor brought about by not only a growing acceptance at this end of the market, but by a need to keep the sale price as low as possible.

Fork front and dual (cast) swing arm, with centre strut, suspension is well set out-of-the-box though does offer a hand wheel to adjust rebound on the rear should you so desire. 17-inch lightweight cast alloy sports wheels grace the front and rear with side accessed valves.

The Brembo stoppers are sharp on activation with über confident feel from 4 pot calipers grabbing dual 320mm discs up front and a single piston unit on a 265mm disc for the rear.

Non-switchable ABS was fitted to all bikes on the launch (a cost option) which works a treat, and although optional, this is one box I would tick given the system’s quick thinking and fine modulation that offers excellent feel and very sure stopping power, ideal for the urban commute.

In fact of the 150-200 units per annum BMW Motorrad aims to sell it believes up to 80 per cent of sales will be of the ABS packaged variety.

One final plus side to the R is standard tyre deflation warning with pressure display which I did have the dubious pleasure of needing to use on the launch. The system is a great save to tyre, rim and rider detecting pressure lost almost instantly with the help of a pesky nail.

The F 800 R sits at the bottom end of the F Series pricing bracket which should help with BMW’s intention of capturing a new market of buyers who would not previously have considered the brand when shopping their next bike.

• F 800 R – $13,900*
• F 650 GS – $13,950*
• F 800 ST – $15,800*
• F 800 GS – $17,250*

To cater for different rider heights the F 800 R is available in three seat heights – 775mm, 800mm (standard – as tested) and 825mm – at no additional charge.

The F 800 R is available in three colour options, White Aluminium/Matt Metallic; Alpine White/Black Satin; and Fire Orange.

Expect to see the bike in BMW Motorrad dealerships from September 1. 

*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer and does not include on road or statutory costs.

Specifications:

• Brakes (F): Twin 320mm discs (4 piston)
• Brakes (R): Single 265mm disc (1 piston)
• Clutch: Wet multi-disc (mechanical)
• CO2 Emissions: TBC
• Engine: 798cc parallel twin cylinder (8 valve)
• Final Drive: ‘O’ ring chain
• Fuel Consumption: 4.2 litres per 100km (Combined)
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 16 litres
• Fuel Type: 95-98 RON Unleaded
• Induction: Electronic Fuel Injection
• Performance (0-100): 3.9 seconds (Claimed)
• Performance (Top Speed): Over 200km/h (Claimed)
• Power: 64kW @ 8000rpm
• Safety: ABS (Optional)
• Suspension (F): 43mm telescopic fork
• Suspension (R): Twin swing arm & centre strut (Adjustable)
• Torque: 86Nm @ 6000rpm
• Transmission: Six-speed manual
• Warranty: Two Year (with Roadside Assist)
• Weight: 177kg (Dry) 179.5kg (Dry with ABS)
• Wheel (F): 17 x 3.50-inch
• Wheel (R): 17 x 5.50-inch

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