BMW F800 R - the Rotax Roadster Thread

Yeah, but so many choices

Just what I thought you would reply....

The seat cover finally came back from the paint shop, the install was very easy and took a few minutes. Nancy is happy with the look, so all is good! The hand guards mounting hardware is wrong so they're a little wide, correct ones on the way... I'll share once it's done right.
































The Ztechnik short screen is due to be here tomorrow, and after we get some miles behind her, we'll share our thoughts on it. While I love the little white screen, after all day at high speeds, a larger screen is most welcomed for longer rides.

Almost done getting this bike ready for a wide range of uses, and looking forward to just riding the darn thing!

That looks fantastic !!!!!

So Finn - if you mainly played on the weekends - and didn't do any crazy long trips - and could only pick the 12R or the 8R which would it be?

My super friendly local dealer let me take out the 12R classic for a quick run today - I WANT ONE !!!!

Thanks!

I would pick the one that you are most comfortable on, you can't go wrong with either IMO.
Take long distance touring out of the equation and they're dead even IMO. Sure, the 12R is faster in a straight line, but I stopped judging bike from that many years ago.
I only say the 12R is better for touring because of the added maintenance with a chain and the more frequent oil changes on the Rotax.

I'm 5'11" 175, in other words, the proper "german" size so I fit either bike just fine, though the 8R has me tucked a little more.
For taller riders a high seat would be useful.

For me, backbars on both bikes puts me in the perfect position.

The 12R could be "the classy old mans bike" that really is a sleeper that few pay attention to, and is just perfect for a wide range of riding. It doesn't look fast to most, till they wonder why they can't catch you through the corners. Or when riding off tarmac with dirt bikes.
It's hard not to just love that boxer motor, and gobs of torque. Telelever suspension is wonderful in the twisties.

On the other hand, the understated, industrial look of the 8R is fresher, more modern and the sound is more aggressive, even against the Akro pipe on the 12R. Agile, comfortable, smooth, precise... It's more flickable than the 12R, but not by much.

They are very different, yet very similar in many ways.
Only you can choose what will make you smile more.

Luckily I don't have to choose, only in the morning when I'm grabbing keys ( assuming Nancy's not riding with me)

Funny thing is, for the short while I actually had the 12R, the 8R and the 8GS in one place, I usually grabbed the GS keys.... something about that elbows up stance on a dirty, well traveled bike and loud knobbies I just love. You know, to go hang out at Starbucks with the other GS riders...

You said "old man's bike".

I mean that with the utmost respect. I guess mature bike might have been a better word...

RT must be a "Geezer" bike.

Here's the BMW F800 R accessory catalog for those of you wondering what they are offering.

No end to the money you can spend....

She's cute and so is the girl on it.

Some more eye candy of the F800 R getting used in touring mode, and our first night sleeping under the stars next to it in Death Valley...

After taking Nancy to a few campgrounds reachable on tarmac, she said " I didn't ride all this way to camp right next to someone!"...
That's my girl!

So we finally got the 800R's dirt riding cherry broken. Air pressure down to 25PSI and away we go!

From race tracks and canyons to gravel roads and long miles, this little Roadster is showing it's wide range of uses, just like it's big brother.

52 MPG average on this short 750 mile trip, even after dropping the front sprocket down to 19 from 20 teeth.


















































With campfire lighting, some of the less obvious lines come out.













After some instruction of staying on the throttle, she made it up this rocky hill!

Great pix, thanks for sharing.
I keep looking at the white wheels and thinking how great they look but I also keep thinking no way I would commit to that much cleaning.

Thanks, just some iPhone photos while my camera is on loan...

The wheels aren't that bad to clean, at least with OEM brake pads, unlike my white wheels with el cheapo pads on the 12R, now they're a mess....

Way COOL = Life's an ADVENTURE

Joe/Nancy, some great pics!! I am impressed that the 800R did so well on the back roads. Almost making me rethink the potential Central/Latin America trip that I am thinking of taking in the next year or so. Almost looks like with a few minor mods/tires, the 800R might/could hold up on some of the roads down south.

Glad you folks had a great trip!

Having done C R on a heavy R1200GS, I would much rather have been on the F800R with some street knobbies.

Exactly!

Well except for the ducati monster looking headlight.

That looks knarley!

Yeah, my likey!


Tell you what though, go down at speeds on rocks and it wouldn't fair so well without any crash protection.


Supposedly touratech is going to make this kit to sell, google f800r scrambler.