Friday afternoon called local dealership, Touring Sport BMW, and asked if they could work me in Saturday morning for a new front tire.
No problem..bring it on in.
So, I'm sitting in the tiny waiting area (2 chairs) watching a video of Black Bike Week At Myrtle Beach, S.C. Fred, sales manager, walks up behind me and says, "You find that interesting?"
Me, "Sure. I gotta go this year. I'd fit right in with all the gear, plain white helmet, and on a BMW RT."
He chuckled.
Me, "Hey, gotta F800ST I could test ride while I wait?"
Fred,"Sure. In fact, step over here and we'll let you throw your leg over the 800ST with standard seat, then with the BMW lowered seat,
then the F800St with the lowered frame and seat."
The one with the standard seat was a challenge just to get my foot, let alone, my leg over. One leg very stretch tip toed to the ground.
Next standard bike with the low seat...much better. I could get one foot down fairly easily if I shifted off the seat a little (a technique I have perfected with the RT). That and the fact that the bike is about 120-lb. lighter than my RT made it feel like a very managable bike.
Next I sat on the F800ST with the lowered frame and seat. WOW! One foot easily flat on ground, and could get both down partially.
But, it was in fact too short. My knees had a severe bend in them that I knew I would tire of very easily, plus it was not available with a center stand (something the RT has spoiled me with).
Fred, then offered, "You haven't road the R1200R yet, have you?
Me, "No."
Fred, "I have a 2007 fully loaded with only 1,000 miles on it. A man with a RT wanted to get his wife something so she could ride with him.
It has a specially lowered seat, which I can't comment on its comfort, but it is lower than the BMW lowered seat. It has raised bars
and the larger BMW screen on it, oh yeah, and piaa lights. No bags, you'd have to add them on. She is very small and it was just too heavy for her. Why don't you ride it first to see how you like it and I'll have the 800 with the lowered seat on it when you get back.
Me, "OK."
Well I did ride the R1200R and will report on that ride in the R1200R section.
As I climb aboard the F800ST I am attracted to the fact of how much lighter it is than the RT. The kick stand, unlike the new RT, has a tab welded on it so that you can easily put side stand up and down. It fired right up with a pleasant little rumble. I revved it a few times to get the feel of the motor. Didn't feel much was there
. Put it gear with a click instead of a clunk that I get on my RT.
Really had to crank the throttle to get it to go. Riding position was a little on the forward leaning side..but no strain on the wrists.
Pulling away from the first stop light it gave the same sensation as starting off on a go-cart with a centrifigual clutch. As it got to 4,000 rpm it was a different bike. It would move. (But, honestly, my RT seemed much quicker). I could tell the lightness of the bike compared to my RT as I manuvered in traffic and made a few corners. The lightness on the front end compared to the RT was very evident.
Having read several magazines comment on the forks diving under braking I was curious to see for myself. They did, but it wasn't that bad
and I probably would not have even noticed it if it had not been pointed out. Did some acceleration runs to about 60 then panic stopping
in an empty parking lot. Brakes worked well even with the diving. It did seem as if the ABS cut in a little soon, again compared to my RT.
The mirrors don't viberate much, but they are not great due to the positioning. They need to be moved out (AM market kits are already available I'v learned). It felt weird riding such a small bike after riding my RT for 3+ years. Like going from a motorcycle down to a mini-bike. It was a little cool, and right away I could tell that it did not afford near the wind protection that the RT did. But, again it was not bad. It did afford a good bit of knee/leg protection due to the way the fairing was formed. I took it out to the old Donaldson AFB which has a perimeter road that circles it with no traffic lights or stop signs and only a few roads intersecting. Here I road it like I stole it.
Above 4000 rpm she runs a little effort to turn in but held the line like on rails. The suspension did a good job. Nothing like the RT with
Ohlins, but felt like a motorcycle should. You felt some of the bigger bumps, but big deal. I did like when I came to a stop the way I would find myself searching for the ground only to realize that it was right there...just put foot down.
Conclusion:
The power was noticabley down down low. (But keep in mind I hoped on the F800ST right after riding a R1200R)
The seat was good. (hardly ever hear this about a stock seat)
Brakes good but sometime ABS cut in a bit soon...different times different ways.
The forks did dive...but not an issue as I road it. (As I stated I would not have thought a thing about it if it had not been pointed out to me)
Mirrors must have extenders
Slick transmission.
No excessive engine noise complained of by some.
For what you get I felt it was VERY pricy even for a BMW.
So, I probably won't be getting one. I was not impressed and it (the bike) didn't beg me to take it home.
(In fairness to the f800ST I would like to try in out again sometime in the future. Driving the car into the dealership and riding it only.
Would help cut down "unfair"(?) comparisions with the R1200R and my 1150RT)
(When my wife got back from a beach trip with "the girls" this weekend I told her of my test rides.
She, "So, which one did you buy?"
Me, "Actually I like my bike better than either of them."
