the new F800GS
 

it might well turn out to be a great bike, but is it just me,or does it look really dull ? i will reserve judgement till i see it in the flesh, and have read the first road tests and reviews .

More pics from Dutch GS website


http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/R1200GS.jpg
R1200GS facelift

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/R1200GSA.jpg
R1200GSA in red

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/F800GS.jpg
F800GS

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/F650GS.jpg
F650GS

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/G450X.jpg
G450X

Tim

Definitely a new Stelvio on the way!!
 

I'll wait and see on this one!
There have been so many pics of the bikes that BMW are releasing for 2008 and it is said that BMW are making a press release next week, around the start of the Milan bike show - either 5th or 6th Nov, I can't quite remember!

For those interested, Moto Guzzi have made a press release today about their Stelvio and it is in here (posting for today!):-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...n-suzuki-28587

That 800GS might do the job. And then you have the new Yam Tenere. Plus the Stelvio, which is my favourite (but only because I'm a guzzi addict). Then it's pretty certain that KTM will throw in a contender during the Milan show. Times have never been so good for those of us who prefer these kinds of bikes, I think. I only whish I had the cash to get me one of them...

Know what you mean. It's been said before, but I have never owned a new bike: I tend to let someone else be the beta tester and I come in later when the bugs are sorted out.
So, I am now wondering what bikes will be traded in next spring when all the ones that you list are coming to the dealers - there could be a few bargains around!!!!!!:rolleyes2:

More pics
 

mr moto,
Are you off to Milan next week to bring back the pics, just as you did for the TA in Paris????

sadly no , i had planned to go to milan but ,the boiler in my kitchen decided to die on me . cheapest repair quote so far is £1200.00 . so no more foreign trips for me for a while .

lot,s of new pics here . i want one !!Motociclismo.it - Anteprime - Salone di Milano 2007 novità BMW

speechless...

Pics everywhere now
 

Hi mr moto,

Have just noticed the amount of pics all over the web, and your link has got them all!

ps This may be the Adv model - bumblebee colours look OK IMO.

mmmmmmm
 

Just when I thought Yamaha had answered my Prayers for a great Bike, with the new Tenere, BMW come along with the new GS. 2008 looks like its gona be a great Bike year. Viva Le Dakar:mchappy:

F800 and F650 GS
 

More info on the F800 GS:

New 2008 BMWs revealed: BMW F800GS, F650GS, R1200GS, R1200GS Adventure and G450X - Motorcycle News - MCN

Like it says, buy MCN next week to find out more. Interestingly the new F650 gs will be using a different version of the same engine.

baswacky.

Now I have woken up fully and looked at every pic in there, I reckon the black/yellow is just one more colour scheme (with different graphics for some reason) and not an Adv model.

So far, I see:

Purpose designed luggage, including topbox, all in "moody black", and it is not too big in overall dimensions, going by the expected size of the bike (based on the existing F800S). TG it is not that tiny touring luggage that BMW offer for some of their big bikes!!

Confirmed as chain drive.

Interesting exhaust pipe run - not as high as a crosser bike, but definitely not under the engine.

Drive sprocket not coincident with the swingarm bolt (as the 450X).

LED taillight.

Underseat fuel tank, like the existing 650GS with a similar fuel cap.

Small overall, not so good for carrying a pillion passenger?

Conventional upside down forks, no more paralever, whatever.

baswacky,
The paper-based MCN will struggle; BMW press conference is at 13.30 pm (European time) on Tues 6th Nov.
The pics they are using were around on the web a couple of days ago - the Italian webpage given here has the widest range of pics and it is these that are circulating on every other webpage that I have seen in the past 24 hours or so.

Very nice bike...
 

...but the next thing we hear is picky BMW users moan all day long around bike forums about chain lubing, cleaning and adjusting hassle, oily rear wheels and oily boots... :)

Shaft drive issues moan will now probably be a minor player for BMW bash club?











Just kidding! I like the black engine in combiantion with bumblebee yellow colour scheme:

http://www.motociclismo.it/edisport/...e/$File/23.jpg

First impressions ?
 

A very drab and dull colourscheme ,that will look very tatty with a month's road grime .
0 out 10 for BMW .

But a very purposeful looking machine with a good engine configuration , we await the specs for HP ,weight ,tank size ,etc etc etc .

Black panniers? = Hot contents ! = rather silly .

An 850 Stelvio would be the bike for me , better styling and a decent colourscheme , air cooled engine and shaft drive [ hopefully more reliable than BMW's ] - not that I'm averse to chaindrive .
A Latin lover rather than a Teutonic dominatrix !!!!

I am a Guzzi addict per se - but I have to say I'd wish Guzzi made the new Stelvio just a tad more out-and-out globetrotter worthy: Longer travel on the springs/dampers, hand guards, heavy-duty belly pan, crashbars, etc etc. I have to admint that the new F800GS is a serious contender to the free space in my Guzzi-only garage...

Next theories
 

The bumblebee yellow and black bike that has the luggage fitted also has the accessories that BMW will be offering, don't you think?
Take a look at the exceedingly large centrestand that does not appear in all of the pics - in fact, in many cases, it isn't there!

In some of the pics that bike has the luggage mounted quite high on the frame (and there is not a lot of room for a passenger) while in other views it seems to be lower - could it be adjustable in height of mounting?

+ this is not a bike that is useful for two up riding? (much like the existing F650GS).

Early days as they say, but I am trying to get my head around what I will see at the bike show later this month - there is never enough time to take it all in on the day.:rolleyes2:

Touratech will be rubbing their hands because in typical BM style, the footpegs are tiny. There seem to be no bark busters to keep your hands out of the wind, and that exhaust looks very vulnerable to a bike dropped on the right hand side.
But BM have always made their small bikes 'basic' to keep the price down, with an endless list of 'extras' to make them more usable - and bump the price up.
We shall see......

These BMW guys made me reconsider everything
 

When I was sure the new Tenere was the solution to my problems, these BMW guys come and bring this espectacular 800GS...come on, everybody thinking they were gonna come up with a roadie like the V-Strom and they put spokes, knobs, and height enough to fight against the elements in every situation (at least it seems capable of that...). I have to wait to see the price, because having the F800ST for 9900 euros and the R1200GS basic for 13800 it is quite obvious they will ask for at least 11.000 euros for one of these beasts. The Ténéré is said to be 7500-7800 euros and that its much less money than the beemer.
Just for info I have made a comparison of the heights of the F800 and Ténéré vs the known 640 adv and V-strom. I have scaled the photos using as reference the 21" front rim (back rim for the v-strom, as it has 19" front) I think It can give a good idea of how big will be, before seen them in flesh.
Best regards and be patient until the begining of 2008, when these two machines will come out of their factory's hideouts and we will face them.

I think that's a smart move from BMW, why pay for extras you don't need? It's better to make the bike fit your needs then to make your needs fit the bike.
Normally BMW has a lot of extras and Touratech (and others) complete the list, more or less.


A group of German engineers have no clue how I would like to set up my bike, that’s up to me….

But is it a smart move? Only for the accountants. The bikes are 'highly' priced to begin with and the extras can easily add on another 10-20% .

It would have been nice if the bike was cheaper. Eeeh, what’s the price?
More extras would have increased the initial cost even more.

I have heard that the bike has good suspension. If it’s true then it is the first GS that has good suspension and that is worth at least 2000 euro…. You can buy a lot of gadgets for that price!

Seriously I mean that BMW is the cheapest ride you can have… When my bike had passed 150kkm someone wanted to buy it for more then 50% of the new price.
Yes it was a bit more expensive then a jap-bike (or KTM) when I bought it but what is the value for a KTM640 Adventure after 150kkm? 10%? 20?
Up here insurance costs are much lower on BMWs then for most other bikes, and it ads up during the years. Parts are also cheaper.

Off course it is early to say if this statement is valid for the new 800.

I've lusted for these "top end" overlanders too, but have discovered the true path to enlightenment. I've got a XT250 serow. It'll do 85 mpg, cruise happily at 55 mph all day. Both my feet touch the ground and I can pick it up without unpacking it. It cost half what these "big" bikes do and it's repairable on the road by an idiot like me. I rode 370 miles on it Saturday, in comfort. There's a very worried tiger in the garage at the moment, gathering dust !

today BMW officialy launched the F800GS . available early next year ,priced between £6000.00 AND £7000.00 .
BMW officially releases new F800GS adventure motorcycle - Motorcycle News - MCN

Yep. and 178 kg dry weight is claimed.
That price is OK for the UK (bit of a wide range though!) but it won't go down too well with the USA market - the $/£-Euro exchange rate will make it pricy.

There is another pic here which shows the bike with what must be the whole range of accessories (now shows a tank bag):-
Motociclismo.it - Gallery

Those panniers are definitely mounted lower in this pic with the top of the side bags more or less level with the seat - on second thoughts, the first pic in the post above, is deceptive; the angle of the bike makes them look high!! Doh!

+ the bike is pretty small or the guy riding in the pics is a giant!

i have to say , the panniers look a bit cheap and cheerful , not to mention they are plastic . i would love to have seen this bike with the alloy/steel panniers as fitted to the 1200gs ADV .

Aren't they extras at enormous cost anyway?
The vario system is. Come to think of it, these "moody black" ones on the 800GS look a bit like the vario panniers without the silver panel stuck on the outside!!

Here is the link to the official BMW site:

BMW Motorrad : News : News

How far will you get on an f800gs with a 16l tank?

baswacky.

The same engine in the road models is reputed to be getting good fuel economy - around 65 MPG, so that tank is good for over 200 miles.

"Facts" from your weblink:- (that is a short wheelbase!!)
Facts














Engine: Water-cooled, 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, four valves per cylinder, two overhead camshafts, dry sump lubrication
Capacity: 798 cc
Rated output: 63 kW (85 hp) at 7,500 rpm (optional 91 RON version: 61 kW (83 hp) at 7,500 rpm)
Max. torque: 83 Nm at 5,750 rpm (optional 91 RON version: 81 Nm at 5,750 rpm)
Emission control: Closed-loop 3-way catalytic converter, emission standard EU-3
Tyre, front / rear: 90/90 - 21 54V / 150/70 - 17 69V
Wheelbase: 1,578 mm
Brake, front: Twin disc, floating brake discs, diameter 300 mm, double-piston floating calipers
Brake, rear: Single disc, diameter 265 mm, single-piston floating caliper
ABS: Optional extra: BMW Motorrad ABS (can be switched off)
Seat height: 880 mm (low seat: 850 mm)
Inner leg curve: 1,940 mm (low seat: 1,900 mm)
Dry weight 1): 178 kg
Unladen weight, road ready, fully fuelled 2): 207 kg
Usable tank volume : 16,0 l

Technical data relate to the unladen weight (DIN)

1) Unladen weight without fluids
2) According to guideline 93/93/EWG with all fluids, fuelled with at least 90 % of usable tank volume

Press kit: http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/f650gs...s-presskit.doc

Tim

Some pics of the F650 which I reckon will be quite popular

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/P0040099.JPG

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/P0040100.JPG

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/P0040101.JPG

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/P0040105.JPG

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/P0040117.JPG

Thanks Tim,
That last pic implies that the 650 model is for the female riders!
Strange actually - the 650 version has not been mentioned much, if at all, here or anywhere else!

The 650 is in fact an 800, strange...

F800GS Offroad: YouTube - bmw f800gs - offroad
F800GS design: YouTube - bmw f800gs - design

Yes, that's always been a strange idea and there has been some speculation that this bike would be sleeved down to 650cc; now it has turned out to be a 800cc, I can only imagine that BMW hope to keep the connection with the recent F650GS which we hear has been selling well, especially in the States.

Right, now that all the razzamatazz is out of the way (there cannot be any more publicity material to come surely?) I think I will wait and see what the Adv/Dakar versions of the 650 and 800 look like!!! :rofl:

That's what BMW get for bringing out 6 "new" models of bikes in one go - raised my expectations above and beyond what they are currently offering.

More videos including F650 offroad and onroad. The rider was obviously told to take it easy and don't stand on the pegs, but the F650GS seems a very capable bike for gravel roads and the like (i.e where ground clearance is not an issue).

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

Tim

I would think so, this opinion based on the current F650GS with lowered suspension - taking it easy, as the rider in this video, I have subjected it to worse roads than that quarry (somewhere in Germany?). There again, I have ridden a Yamaha Fazer over worse going than that quarry!

For the 100,000 1200GS owners out there, somewhere
 

Thanks for that Tim,
I've waded through the bumph in here and there is no avoiding the BMW CANbus technology with these new bikes.

So, 1200GS riders, what is it all about? Any problems/what problems are there with this?

Thanks

Watching the video , I gainied the impression that the rider was feathering the clutch a lot .So the bike doesn't have a nice low first gear for "plonking" along on really rough going .
Just like the 1200 - what a shame .

I've been riding CANbus bikes for the last three and a bit years and it's a non-issue. The technology has been used in cars for years and it's a way of simplifying the wiring loom which makes it cheaper to manufacture and less likely to go wrong.

I believe the 'quarry' is the German offroad school. I'm getting more and more interested in the 800cc F650 (or F658 as I've seen it referred to). I was looking for something lower and lighter and had discounted the G650 range due to tank size. The Ténéré looked interesting but everyone speaks of vibrations at higher speeds. The new 700cc TransAlp seems very heavy.

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/P0040100-boxes.JPG

With a lower weight, slightly reduced fuel consumption, and the ability to run on lower grade fuel than the F800, the F658 should hit all the sweet spots. And if the rumoured price of £5500 is accurate it will be the deal of the century.

The current F650 seems to be well regarded by long range HUBBers so with 20 extra BHP and the same weight, the F658 should be a great replacement.

now that i have had some time to examine the specs of both the new bikes ,as well as look at them, i have to agree with you Tim . yes the F800GS is very cool looking and no doubt it,s better off road than new 800/650 . but with a slightly lower state of tune engine, which may give slightly better fuel economy , ( and from what current F800S/ST owners say it,s already delivering frugal fuel consumption figures ) switchable ABS brakes , and a much lower seat height ,and what could be a bargain price tag , the NEW F650 , does tick all the boxes as a truly practical ,do it all solo bike . the only thing i do not like is the single front brake disc , every bike i have ever ridden with a single disc up front, always pull,s to the side when you are hard on the brakes .

I had not been looking at the new BMs but Tim tweaked me with an email about the new 800GS which made me curious.

I found this report which covers almost everything.
Rubber Magazine - EICMA: BMW F 800 GS and F 650 GS

it says this about the 800GS,
====================
F 800 GS can also be equipped for use with normal petrol, which, however, reduces the peak performance by 1.5 kW/2 HP and slightly increases fuel consumption. This modification is carried out by selecting a characteristic map in the control software, and can be cancelled again at any time.
====================

It also states the electrics have waterproof connectors which will overcome some problems experienced with the 1200 CanBus system.

I think they missed a trick with the small fuel tank, lets hope it is as economical as they claim.

Impressive on paper and looks like a winner lets hope they have a trouble free launch, not something BMW have a good history achieving.

Steve

Good, thoughtful posts are flowing thick and fast!

"Impressive on paper and looks like a winner lets hope they have a trouble free launch, not something BMW have a good history achieving."

But this time, the bike is using a rotax engine that has been in the road versions for quite some time (and is getting good reports) and it is not shaft drive!

"F 800 GS can also be equipped for use with normal petrol, which, however, reduces the peak performance by 1.5 kW/2 HP and slightly increases fuel consumption. This modification is carried out by selecting a characteristic map in the control software, and can be cancelled again at any time."

I believe this refers to running the bike on poorer octane fuel (according to one story elsewhere, in the USA!). Here it is supposed to get high octane stuff - the super unleaded.

F800GS information
 

a lot of interesting information (even an oficial document with all the specs, including power-torque vs revs diagrams) about the F800GS and F650G/S at this page

http://www.bmwmoa.org/features/new_milan07.htm?pg=F800GS

cheers

Jules

>BMW bash club<

I hate to jiggle anyone's religion as a rule, but open minded people don't jiggle quite as easily. Brother had a 75/6 that was a lovely bike, then got a '99 1100S...bro-in-law has an '00 LT...and I finally bought a '02 RT to keep up with their Jones'in. I knew the BMW reputation...even read Mein Kampf first hand (a rarity in this part of the world)...eldest sister married an ex-Hitler Youth from Koln...I had every reason to want to love that machine.

at 14K miles, I got concerned enough to open that $17K machine up to check on the transmission input shaft splines...found a weeping clutch slave...the dealer wouldn't stand behind. (I have a fairly impressive shop and past projects range from the unusual to the bazaar...a 1956 Flxible bus...a 1790 log house...a 1936 Pontiac...lots of bikes and cars...we ain't no kid who's never been around the block here...and I'm not afraid to dig in or get dirty)

at 28K miles I pulled the heads and the carbon from the surge finally put me over the edge and it's out. I know they fixed that with the dual plugs of '05...but BMW denies to this day they put a piece of crap out on the market...and the dealer was a mute with no hands...and I'm left with "fool me once, shame on you...fool me twice, shame on me."

I don't ask for miracles or special treatment...all I ask is that a man's word is good...and if not, from the perspective of my experience, I know why.

There are people in this world who don't like to hear that about BMW...back to the religion thing.

one man's "truth" may be another man's "bash". Interesting part of that (to me) is the defensive posture the animal behavior assumes when "God's" become bowling pins.

The other interesting thing (to me) is the colors splashed liberally about by such a phrase as "BMW bash club" and the negative connotation implied.

it's possible I had one bad apple out of a barrel of good, but the sheer numbers of similar incidents are alarming.

let us pray...

It's a bit early in the day to be hitting the bottle ;-)

Tim, I think the last part of that polemic is an anagram. It makes no sense as written :rofl:

Well, Modre, given your secrecy on your profile I'm not surprised you liked Mein Kampf - and had the dodgy brother in law. Though how you connect BMW to nazism is a wonder..if thats why you buy a bike then youve got some real problems. Mein Kampf may indeed be a rarity in your part of the world, but then again, youve got the "School of the Americas" instead - an establishment worthy of the SS -they would have loved it there.

The HUBBER who used the phrase BMW Bash Club in fact is talking about those who slag things off without thinking - I am certain that if the bashing is done with facts, then theres no problem at all. Yet you see that position as defensive - perhaps that says more about you than the ones you refer to.

[quote=Caminando;158201]Well, Modre, given your secrecy on your profile I'm not surprised you liked Mein Kampf - and had the dodgy brother in law.

first. let me tell you about the "dodgy" brother-in-law, now deceased.
he was 12-14 during that war and taught whatever way that was...I wasn't there...came to Canada to cook in a boy's summer camp...pretty humble beginings...came to the US and took a correspondence course in electronics and got with RCA...met my sister the secretary...washed his Karmann Ghia every week...I thought that odd at the time...after a bit they moved to Mich City Ind...my folks went up for a visit, and Werner secretly spent his silver quarter collect so he could buy them an ice cream treat...looking back, that was pretty generous...well...they went to Hartford Conn and opened a German butcher shop...fell on their faces...went to California and sold electronic instrumentation for the oil industry...did well enough to begin his own company...Werner made it happen, my sister kept it running...designing and producing fire detection and Halon suppression systems for the oil industry...at their peak the main office was in Tustin Ca., they had another office in Huston, and another in Jakarta Indonesia...they got as huge and successful as anyone I've ever seen in real life. He and I butted heads and were best kept apart...but I have to say I've never met a more socially adept successful world class businessman "a gentleman from A-Z"...the most generous man I've ever met. It was his personality and social graces in the top circles that made that success..."dodgy" is no where in that biography...perhaps you just mispoke due to lack of knowledge.

Mein Kampf I found interesting discussing how a parlamentary form of government caters to the lowest common denominator...someone comes up with a valid honorable cause or idea, and nothing gets done until X gets his bridge, Y gets his museum, and Z gets his kickback...and like a corporate structure that filters the money thru yet stops the legal challenges at the created entity...thus avoiding personal responsibility..."honor" is non-existant at the top...then there's the discussion of how you steer lemmings with catch phrases and sound bites...simple and repeated until it becomes it's own truth in the mind of the lead...when that Colorado teacher made a stink a few years back comparing the current Bush to the Nazis...I got the reference immediately...everyone else furiously waved a flag and reacted like they'd been trained to in uneducated reactionary feined insult.

as far a "secrecy" on my profile...you wouldn't know anymore about me if I filled it out to your satisfaction.

>youve got the "School of the Americas"<

please don't lump me in with "the stupid Americans" as they're known in London Academic circles...my education goes far beyond that propaganda and small 300 year old teenage view of the world.

I find your response predictable.
:funmeterno:

Hey, anyone know where the "new F800GS" thread went to???? :funmeterno:

Tim,
Thanks for that; forget the CANbus then - it was the "ring antenna" that I read about somewhere (and I thought it has something to do with the wiring loom). Do you know if this technology is sorted out now, or has it not been an issue?

I agree broadly about the new F650: it is a great deal following on from the existing bike.
As it happens, the F800 can also run on poor quality fuel by selecting the right "code", and this can be done by the rider if I understand the press release correctly:-

Rubber Magazine - EICMA: BMW F 800 GS and F 650 GS

See the section "high-revving with great torque".

I don't know where I read it, but IIRC the F800 is designed for 97 octane as standard with the capability to also run on 95 octane, whereas the F650 is designed for 95 octane with the ability to run on 91 octane.

The 'fix' to allow the F800 to run on lower spec fuel lowers the maximum output by a couple of HP from which I deduce that whether modded or not it outputs only 83 BHP on 95 octane.

As for the ring technology it is a totally reliable way of preventing the bike from being starting without using the keys. On the negative side, if the ring fails you can't start the bike. I've heard of three cases of this.

Tim

Fix the others first!
 

Hello Margus and guys,

You have had that BMW injection haven't you Margus........haha? After being a BMW owner for the last 20 years and still owning 6 of them I am beginning to waiver in my thoughts to where the company is going.

Ok, the 800 is a pretty neat looking bike and will be great for the weekenders who are riding nowadays. But for something a little more robust and that will stand up against harsh punishment I am inclined to begin to lean toward the Japanese now.

BMW have a BIG problem with their warranty issues. Like the 1200GS, if you take it off the road it tends to break, in a big way too! I have a 1200GS parked in Nairobi with no suspension and a square front rim (even though I asked for spokes originally I got alloys) This will take BMW around 3 months for a new set of shocks & rim. That is if they cough up at all? The bike has just done over 10,000 km! I have never heard of this before but apparently it is common! So why not fix all the warranty problems they have with the older bikes before introducing new models. Remember the R80GS & the R100GSPD (great bikes) and continued to go & go & go. So why not the newer models?

Just my thoughts guys, I do hope that the 800 will prove me wrong and that they will manufacture a decent off road bike again.

Cheers
Ivan

Hehehee, mine's been always fuel injected model, well, now almost a decade old underpowered fart bike compared to the new 800 or 1200 ...but tough as an old boot considering all what it has been through. Thats the main reason why I argue, anyways.

Hmmmm... There could be some truth there - looking at the BMW Motorrad International web now, the 2008 versions of 1200GS and GS Adventure have completely changed drive trains, both gear ratios in gear box is changed and shaft drive's final ratio is reduced.

But the main thing is what BMW says in their desctription of the bike: "More serene – a drive train that won’t let you down."

The translation & interpretation I leave to you. ;)

You tell us!

Very detailed info about F650GS and F800GS, including torque and HP curves etc here.

You wrote about this in an earlier thread and it’s not very related to the new 800, but still:

The Moyale road (which killed your bike) has taken out a lot of bikes during the years.
Few bikes have suspension good enough to handle that road on a bike with luggage.

The standard suspension on the 1200 is not up to it, this is common knowledge.
The spoke rims for the 1200 is not very good but to go that road with the road-biased rims are not very smart, it’s like going barefoot to Mount Everest.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ims#post142646

It looks like you will mount the same parts again, that’s your choice but there are better options which you can have in maybe two weeks. But after all Nairobi is a nice place to spend some time and it’s easy to avoid import-tax on parts.
You can probably make it to Cape Town with original parts if you avoid places like North West Namibia, the best places in Uganda and all the potholes.


I’m a bit surprised that you came so far, the Wadi Halfa – Dongola route is also pretty hard on the shocks.
I have heard of shocks braking on Honda, KTM and Yamaha on the same route, some people also have cracked frames there. Look at it this way “you were not prepared but made it pretty good”.

Tim,
Checking the info, it states the 800GS has "Characteristic map modification for 91 RON for F 800 GS (no extra cost)."

The compression for both models is 12 to 1 and the recommended fuel for the 800GS Super unleaded (95 RON) the recommendation for the 650GS is Normal unleaded (91 RON).

From everything I have read the 800GS is switchable between 95 RON and 91 RON fuel. This appears to be a manual switch rather than a internal knock sensor. I wonder what will happen if you run the 95 RON map with 91 RON fuel. I had a simular feature on my KTM it retarded the ingnition advance.

Reading between the lines I think the engineers have played the the power delivery under acceleration.
-----------------------
"But it is not only the acceleration of the new GS models that is impressive; traction is also remarkable. The BMW development engineers have focussed quite deliberately on the smooth, confident development of power in the engine mid-speed range rather than on absolute peak performance. Sporting drivers will be surprised by the engine's acceleration, while touring riders will enjoy the twin's excellent traction with minimal gear shifting."
-----------------------
To me this says it could be a handful but we taken care of that, sounds like a type of launch control, maybe.

Honda has a similar key immobilizing system (HISS) which can also go wrong, you should treat the keys with care and keep them away from other immobilizer keys as the can be corrupted. If you loose the Honda keys you have to replace the ignition control module, no amount of hot wiring will work; I have nightmares about loosing my keys on a trip.

Steve

Thanks for that: $10500 US for the 800GS!! That equates to less than £5250 at today's exchange rates, but it will be priced much higher here.

Thanks for that info; that's how I have understood the fuelling information that I have read - somewhere it was indicated that the 91 RON facility is for the American market.

HISS: I'm familiar with that and I have not had a problem with the 2-3 Hondas I have owned with this keying system - agree about taking care of the keys (including keeping them away from magnetics - something I have tried to do in the past) because there must be some electronics inside of them!
So, in summary, BMW have a similar facility in their keys.

I have never experienced a problem with the Honda Hiss system and we have had 3 or 4 bikes with it. I don’t know how it compares with the BMW, but I guess it is similar.

The Honda key does have a mechanical part apparently, the care instructions say don't drop it or hit it, or leave it in water, for example do not leave them in your trouser pocket when washing trousers.

Having a motorcycle key which is susceptible to damage from dropping and water is a bit scary. Knowing my luck I would drop it in a puddle in Outer Mongolia or somewhere as remote. It's just so final if anything happens to the keys. Given the option I would choose not to have it on an overland bike.

And I think BMW USA gives three year warrantee.

Steve

Base price of $10520 in the States is without freight and PDA.

The on-the-road price of £6695 in the UK includes delivery, PDI, first registration fee, plates, and 12 months road fund licence. Oh, and VAT.

Yes but no goodies, easily add another £1500 for the essentials, and then there is the image accessories. Got to be looking at £9000, take your're pick below.

Special accessories

· Luggage bridge, small.
· Luggage rest, large, for Vario topcase.
· Vario topcase, black.
· Case holder for Vario case.
· Vario case, black.
· Inside pockets for Vario case and Vario topcase.
· Back cushion for Vario topcase.
· Tank rucksack, waterproof.
· Softbag Sport, small.
· Softbag Sport, large.
· Heated grips.*
· White indicator lights.*
· Main stand.*
· BMW Motorrad Navigator II.
· Navigator holder, cable and attachment kit.
· Navigator function bag.
· Theft alarm.*
· Hand protection bars.
· Protectors (small and large) for hand protection bars.
· Add-on spoiler for protector, large.
· Engine protection bars.
· Splash protection extension, rear.
· Touring windscreen.
· High windscreen, tinted.
· Akrapovic sports silencer.
· Wind deflector kit.
· Service tool kit.
· Enduro tail bag.

whats a "Navigator function bag"? should I have one?

Steve

Steve you mean you dont have such an essential bag - how the hell have you ever managed without one !!!

ps when you find out what it is let me know maybe I need one as well.

Must admit I quite like the look and concept of this bike - almost as small as and more usable power than a 650 single, great bridge between the current models available on the market ideal for some two up stuff as well.
Shame they do not do a more basic model without all the electronic alarm rubbish, also I wonder about the robustness and quality after hearing many negative reports about its top of the range big brother the 1200 gs - will this be aimed at the kerb bumpers or will it live up to doing the job, previously i ran a cagiva neliefant which had similar power etc but build quality was poor to fair in many areas but i loved it till it was getting silly trying to get parts. My current bike a ktm is basicly very well built got good suspension, has been reasonably reliable and very very tough it bounces very well ! But tis bigger and more complicated than I really want - I hope the BM is a good one cos if I can afford one in a year or so I got to say I may be interested.

Yes, that's understood.

Once the initial rush of demand > supply dies down, maybe there is scope for buying on the continent; a parallel import in effect? This is just a thought - such imports were very common a few years ago for Jap bikes, and there are dealers today who still bring in these, but I have never been aware of anyone doing the same thing with BMWs. Even if a dealer is not doing it, I don't know what there is to stop an individual buying one from somewhere in the rest of Europe.

The main difference to the big bike is, arguably, twofold.

1. The engine is a Rotax, as per the recent F650GS and it has been in use on two other BMW road going models for the past two years - reputed to be reliable & easy to maintain; on this latter point, there could be a lot more people doing their own maintenance on this engine in the future if they have confidence that they won't need a "full BMW service record" in order to fulfull warranty claim requirements, and reassure future owners about the second hand value of the model.

2. It does not have shaft drive! Another reason to have confidence in doing own maintenance on the road, changing chains/sprockets etc.
(Some people seem to be disappointed that this new bike has not retained the belt drive system - I can see their point to some degree).

Anyway, I think I shall still wait and see what the new F650GS Dakar and F800GS Adv are like! :rolleyes2:
(BMW stated some years ago that they will produce 2 new models of bike every year for the foreseeable future - they have got 5 or 6 new ones this year).

milan show
 

These are the new bikes being presented in an italian motorbike show.:thumbup1:

http://www.moto.it/focus/focus01.asp?ID=33 :scooter:

Hey,

Just reading over the posts and gone are my hopes of getting F650 Dakar. Just curious will the single cylinder F650 be faded out or will they keep both bikes online?

Was planning on going for the F650 or Ktm 690 but now this new F800 has stirred my blood up and hoping it will turn out as good as it looks. Just a few cancers though, would the big Ktm 950 be similar but with a little more punch?

Either way he big F800 and F650 seems to answer all the few issues with the old bikes.

new bike
 

what do you guys think about the new XT 660 Z Ténéré , the bike look great and still very nimble, hope to see some in the US.We need more choice..


Voir les photos de la Yamaha XT 660 Z Ténéré

Hi Walkabout, I like it,but not the cost of ownership though:( ...looks like a modern kle?? yeh rite:nono: I think the new yam tenere may have the edge ....
TDMalcolm

looks good to me
 

read about it in MCN and i think the 800gs might be my next toy.i dig the looks,simplicity and lightness of the bike. will be having a butchers at it in the N.E.C in 2 wks time. the 1200 has although being a great bike is vastly overpriced (out of my range)! my AT though has only 18,000 on the clock at moment so it will give BMW time to iron out the teething problems (which every new bike has) before i need to change my much beloved. shame honda aint brought out a new toy. :(.

Pics from Touratech

http://www.touratech-usa.com/images/...800GS_1851.jpg

http://www.touratech-usa.com/images/...800GS_4041.jpg

Know what you are saying! I visited the NEC bike show last Sunday and spent an amount of time looking at various bikes.

Mollydog has made a lot of accurate comments about the 800GS; the seat is very narrow at the front and it is easy to touch down both feet on the ground, but the one on show that could be sat on was fitted with the lowered seat option - this was the black and yellow coloured one. The metallic grey one, fitted with luggage, was up on a stand and not for sitting on!!
Loads of public "hanging around" the Beemer stand - they have a vast range of bikes nowadays of course.


The Tenere: not many people showing anything like the same interest here. Looks OK overall, but the luggage appears to be cheap - certainly plastic. The boxes were locked so I could not see inside them.
Yam sales staff on the stand reckon you will be able to get one for £4900; don't quote me on this, if it turns out different. There is another thread on here about the Tenere, so enough said.
For the Yam stand I ended up taking another long hard look at the TDM; it is a lot of bike for the money and it is a twin cyl of course turning out about the same power as the 800GS!!

The "old" single cyl F650GS is definitely not in the BMW lineup for 2008; the new one is a "mini-800GS" and all the technical data etc that has been released recently is confirmed at the NEC show.
There should be some good second hand Dakars around for some time to come as people trade on their bikes. There has been no mention of Dakar or Adv versions of either the new 650 or the new 800GSs. Pontentially, these may not happen for pricing differentials to be maintained with the 1200GS models, but never say never perhaps?!

KTM; no sign of the 690 Adv but lots of models are now using the 690 engine so it can't be all that far away. There is no 950 now - the KTM show stand has just the 990 FI bike and a small cross referenced area to "adventure touring" - all this within yards of the BMW razz-a-ma-tazz that includes a Tourtech stand right next to it and, heavens above, a Charley B presence signing books for Christmas.
ps the show is scheduled even later next year - even better for Christmas presents!!

Walkabout , did you have a good look at the new F650gs twin ? i would be interested to know what you thought of the seat height and riding position , compared to the F800GS . i am seriously thinking of this one , the 650 twin , as my next bike , but i will not get the chance to see one in the metal until march 8 , when it is launched in BMW dealers .

New F650GS
 

Well, the answer is a bit of yes and a bit of no.
I did not sit on that bike, mainly because I am very familiar with the "old" 650GS and this one does not look very different for the seating position - apart from that, you don't get much idea from simply sitting on these things for a short time and I would want as long a test ride as I can get out of a dealer. Having said that, it looks very much like the 800GS overall, including the riding position; I liked the 800GS on this score - hands fell naturally enough on to the bars and the leg room was good; it also felt OK when standing on the pegs and the seat is very narrow at the front so touching both feet on the ground is easy enough. So, I don't think the 650GS will be any different for these aspects.

You probably know that it is listed at £5500 and it seems pretty good value to me at this price - you get a shorter travel suspension for this price, compared with the 800GS, possibly cheaper in construction (I can't remember all the specifications that I have read!), and it is on cast wheels - more of a road bike then.
In side view, apart from the above, the two bikes look the same (because they are).
There are various seat options, as for all other Beemers, so you could vary that to suit your inside leg measurement. At the show are the red and iceberg silver metallic colours, and IMO they look better than the F800GS colours.

As a thought, I have been slightly surprised that more people are not talking about this model here - dominated by the 800 of course, but the 650 seems to be a good bike for the money with 71 HP available from the revised camshafts. It should be good on fuel economy as well.

Cheers,

Launch Date?
 

Just found out yesterday, the F800GS won't reach Dubai until March 2008 ("with no choice of colours or specs for customers"). What about the rest of you?
Stephan

Unstoppable
 

It seems that the bikes will be available around Mar 08, judging by the general information that is going around; certainly in the UK there will be a "hosting" weekend for releasing the bikes to the public, with demo rides etc etc, at every dealer in the UK and all on the same weekend - just the BMW way of doing things.

At present, the marketing "thing" is unstoppable:-
BMW Motorrad UK

I hope that does not refer to the F650GS, which has a single front disc brake! :rolleyes2:

I think the choice of colour "approach" will be take it or someone else will buy it: they will be in short supply at first, to meet worldwide demand, and there are just 2 colours for the 800 anyway. Later on, you will be able to order whichever of those 2 choices you prefer and, later still, they may even spray some other colours around: say in 2009.

It is nice to see that they have picked up some design from the R80/100 :rofl:

@Stephano

Called the BMW dealer in Bremen (which is a major one) for a testride and they, too, get the 800 GS only in March.

Regards

Lars

Thats beause the F800GS * IS * the Dakar version of the new F650GS.

The two new bikes (F650 and F800) are direct replacements for the 2 old bikes (F650, and Dakar).

BMW wont make a 3rd (Adventure) version of the same bike. They didnt last time, and to do so would make the 1200GS Adventure obsolete.

Never say never
 

Maybe, but they don't use that marketing ploy - they are both "unstoppable" and the new 650 is called the "enduro" bike at present.
BMW should not discard the Dakar name easily, IMO.
BMW are committed to produce 2 new models per year, unless the 5-6 that are coming in 2008 are the "big bang" that will put paid to that statement of just a few years ago.

Anyway, A Yam Super Tenere (say) with a bigger engine (TDM 900cc lump?) could change the situation.

Hi Lars, are you thinking of getting one to replace your old beast?
http://www.ontheroad.de/galerien/Ver...iaturen/36.jpg
I've just received a UK dealer newsletter which also gives 8th March as the launch date priced £6,695.
Stephan

LOL!

Note the bike in the background remained upright.

DR forever...

BMW in Dalkeith nr Edinburgh just told me they won't be getting any GS800's in till April '08.

thanks for the reply sorry for the late delay, net down these days. time to wait and see so for a few monts who comes out with a nice new adventure orientated bike. my hands are fligking my cash to buy the winner

Well apparently the plan was to name the two new bike the F800GS and the F800GS Dakar, but it was unpopular with BMW dealers ... they wanted to keep the F650GS name going as it sells as good entry-level dual-purpose bike. Dealers want to keep that identity with the new bikes and so the original F800GS was renamed the F650GS. Which left the F800GS Dakar namechanged to the F800GS.

In any case, they also had a problem calling an 800cc bike a "Dakar" since the Dakar race is now limited to bikes under 700cc, so the compromise above made double sense.