New Owner F800ST

[sapphire]

Hello, I am Kristie and just purchased a 2007 F800ST. She is a very different ride from my Honda 599 (CB600F). This new BMW is so sweet, and isn't as clumsy as the Honda since the center of gravity is below the seat. This bike seems to be everything I couldn't get for the bike that I no longer have.

I am learning where the friction zone is and it seems to be at the top of the clutch lever where the Honda was middle, bottom. Makes for an interesting time taking off. Oh well, I have heard that I needed to be more aggressive on take offs, seems this bike is going to teach me to do just that! Any advice to break in and handling for this model?

I see that others have posted pictures that own this bike, but the postings stopped in July...?

[sachiwilson]

Hi Sapphire. You should be able to adjust the clutch lever to allow for an earlier engagement. You'll get a little slack in the cable that way, but it works fine.

I have a 599 myself, and I didn't notice the issues you had with it! But I agree that the F800 is a really sweet bike. I tried it and loved it, and it is definitely in my sights for the future.

[sapphire]

Hi Sapphire. You should be able to adjust the clutch lever to allow for an earlier engagement. You'll get a little slack in the cable that way, but it works fine.

I have a 599 myself, and I didn't notice the issues you had with it! But I agree that the F800 is a really sweet bike. I tried it and loved it, and it is definitely in my sights for the future.

It was a really hard decision to let go of the Honda. I only say that the 599 was clumsy, because I actually felt clumsy with the full tank - I mis-spoke! Sorry about that. I also, made that comment because I actually dropped the demo bmw bike, but it didn't hit the ground because the center of gravity is below the seat. If that was my Honda, I could not have caught it which has concerned me since I have started riding. I will greatly miss her, that bike is actually my favorite visually.

The problem, Honda has stopped making it permanently and Givi nor anyone else sells hard bags to fit the 2006. Plus, I wanted some other things along with comfort. I am 5'7" with a long inseam. Her pegs were too high. I found some on line, but the idea of modification, after modification was not the direction I wanted to go. I know, I will be sorry, I didn't hang on to her, but I just don't have the room. I am also hoping she will have a following simillar to that of the VMAX or ZRX1200 someday. :)

Here is a picture of my Honda. **sigh***

[AZ-J]

Sapphire,

I have had the F800S since March '07 and I love it! It's lean angle is deep!

As for the clutch, in slow maneuvers, I often clutch-out, clutch-in, and repeat, as this helps a lot keeping the F800 at slow speeds, w/o a stall. Other than that, the clutch seems to pick up just where my last Japanese bike did, a Suzuki Bandit 1200 ABS model. It made me feel clumsy just as your Honda did! All 535 wet lbs of it, and a 5.5 gallon gas tank right in front of me, between me and the handle bars. I can't say I miss that.

I am 5'11 with a 32 inch in-seam, and I sit straight up on the S. When I tried the ST, I leaned back as if I was riding a cruiser, so I passed on it, sat on the S, and bought it. It's 400 lb, low COG is great in the AZ twisties, and I have already done a few 8 hour days.

[sapphire]

Sapphire,

I have had the F800S since March '07 and I love it! It's lean angle is deep!

As for the clutch, in slow maneuvers, I often clutch-out, clutch-in, and repeat, as this helps a lot keeping the F800 at slow speeds, w/o a stall. Other than that, the clutch seems to pick up just where my last Japanese bike did, a Suzuki Bandit 1200 ABS model. It made me feel clumsy just as your Honda did! All 535 wet lbs of it, and a 5.5 gallon gas tank right in front of me, between me and the handle bars. I can't say I miss that.

I am 5'11 with a 32 inch in-seam, and I sit straight up on the S. When I tried the ST, I leaned back as if I was riding a cruiser, so I passed on it, sat on the S, and bought it. It's 400 lb, low COG is great in the AZ twisties, and I have already done a few 8 hour days.
Sweet! Thanks for the clutch in, clutch out advice! I will try it! I took her out today for the longest ride so far. Weather here in Washington tends to be very cold and wet this time of the year. I have had her out 3 times since I have had her and this was the best ride so far. I am very happy and am pretty sure my satisfaction is going to stay at the top of the bar!

Yes, you describe exactly the same feeling. I also ran with a larger tank bag on the tank, so it would support a Midland CB radio (boyfriend has a GoldWing), so that was a bit of a struggle to stop for gas, I would have to unhook everything to move the tank so I can fill up. So glad it is under the seat!!

Now, I will probably have to get the BMW tank so I can still use the radio! lol BMW sure has my number.... :violin :bikes

[wezul]

I can't believe Tweets did not mention this (http://f800riders.org/forum/)!
BTW, I am also enjoying my 800ST.

[Mika]

Welcome to the forum. Nice addition to your stable!:thumb :thumb

[AZ-J]

I can't believe Tweets did not mention this (http://f800riders.org/forum/)!
BTW, I am also enjoying my 800ST.


OK, Wezul, I never said I was perfect or my memory was either! Boy, do I hope to get to National 08 to meet some or many of you! Now, if I can just remember anyone's name?!?
:hide

[wezul]

No problem my Friend. Hope to meet you down the road myself as I think we ride the same wave.
And BTW, Sapphire, we welcome you!

[sapphire]

No problem my Friend. Hope to meet you down the road myself as I think we ride the same wave.
And BTW, Sapphire, we welcome you!

Cool! I am excited to meet others who own this bike. :) Thanks everyone. Now, the sun is actually shining - out of ride! :thumb

[AZ-J]

Cool! I am excited to meet others who own this bike. :) Thanks everyone. Now, the sun is actually shining - out of ride! :thumb

Hey Sapphire, Wezul and I know each other just from this forum, which I joined in March of 2007. Above he calls me Friend, and says we ride the same wave. I agree he is right, and we have not even met yet.

Wezul, Friend, I can see our love for the F800 is just one part of that wave, one way we show it. Making friends is one of the things life is about. Similar passions helps that too. If there is anyone I hope to see in Gillette (and I so hope I can get there), it's you, and Sapphire if you come, you too.

Wouldn't it be so nice if we F800 riders had a contingent of X strong out of a few several-thousand R and few several-thousand K bikes? At the May 2007 AZBeemers Rally in Heber, AZ, I applied for and won, most ugly get up rider, me with my F800S tank bag and strap on saddle bag encrusted dirty bike. As far as I knew, I was the only F800 there.

Here's a photo of mine there, parked with a K bike my rally buddy rode, both wet from some rain while we were parked. We had so fun, and he and I met riding there. We did a day ride to Springerville, AZ from Heber.

Forums like this rock!

[sapphire]

What a pretty bike!! How many miles do you have on her? That would be great if there was a large presence of this bike there. I hear it is starting to catch on in popularity and that a lot of people, like myself, are or have been unaware of this bike.

I fell in love with the R1200RT, but that is just too much bike for me. I am not a small girl, however, I am not a super tall girl either, so when I discovered this bike on-line during one of my dreaming sessions, I was just stoked.

I went to the dealership to return a christmas present for my boyfriend and I brought my helmet. I knew taking the helmet was setting me on dangerous ground, but I held off test riding it until after I had talked numbers and called my insurance company to find out how the new bike would affect me financially. The planets aligned and it was hard to say no after the test ride, especially when my insurance went down. This confused me since this bike is more expensive and a larger displacement than the bike I no longer have. When I questioned the agent, she simply stated: BMW owners take care of their bikes, they generally do not get tickets and rarely put in claims. Sweet! How can I say no to that? lol

[AZ-J]

What a pretty bike!! How many miles do you have on her? That would be great if there was a large presence of this bike there. I hear it is starting to catch on in popularity and that a lot of people, like myself, are or have been unaware of this bike.

I fell in love with the R1200RT, but that is just too much bike for me. I am not a small girl, however, I am not a super tall girl either, so when I discovered this bike on-line during one of my dreaming sessions, I was just stoked.

I went to the dealership to return a christmas present for my boyfriend and I brought my helmet. I knew taking the helmet was setting me on dangerous ground, but I held off test riding it until after I had talked numbers and called my insurance company to find out how the new bike would affect me financially. The planets aligned and it was hard to say no after the test ride, especially when my insurance went down. This confused me since this bike is more expensive and a larger displacement than the bike I no longer have. When I questioned the agent, she simply stated: BMW owners take care of their bikes, they generally do not get tickets and rarely put in claims. Sweet! How can I say no to that? lol

Too many questions, not enough time tonight for all answers. Since March, through a busy working year, and not riding all summer, as we set a record of 32 days of over 110 degrees here, mileage is at 4.8K, which is a record for me in year, and it is not a year yet. In that pic, I have RKA strap-on saddle bags, and a matching tank bag. They are great and on and off anytime I want. Since then I acquired a gorgeous tail bag, an Axio, here's a pic or two of that one, and it fits my largish DSLR camera and a lens change or two, depending on which lenses, the short squat wide angle or the 6-9" long zoom, plus another. It also fits 2 days of clothes, and a helmet can be bungee netted on its hard top, using four on-board bungee hook eyes and an included net. Plus it's also off anytime I want.

I went in to the dealership with an Axio Yellow Shoei X-11 helmet, and the dealer had a good laugh, quipping "you may be the first customer that bought a bike to match his helmet". BTW, my too my insurance went down, but after it went up, and I changed carriers over that. Oh well, now its down.

Here the tail from the front:

http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/38835/2443137500100360492S600x600Q85.jpg

Here it is from the rear:
http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/37414/2663965110100360492S600x600Q85.jpg

Good night! :bolt

[bricciphoto]

Hi Sapphire. Welcome to the MOA forum and the F800ST. My wife rides a factory lowered F800ST and is enjoying it despite the cold/rainy (sometimes wintery) weather we've been experiencing in Pennsylvania. She's a re-entry rider. Her last bike was a Yamaha Seca II. She also has an issue with where the clutch begins to engage, but we just haven't had a good opportunity to adjust it to her liking. Here F8ST is set up like my R12ST: side cases, Chicane tank bag, Motolights, Throttlemeister, Autocomm (bike-to-bike) and Garmin 2610 GPS. We also changed the stock windscreen to a Cee Bailey's to add a little height. We both found the stock windscreen to buffet too much for our taste.

The F800ST is a great bike. I hope you're enjoying your's as much as my wife is enjoying her's.

:wave

I don't know why there isn't more chatter about the bike here? :scratch

[sapphire]

I have only had the bike for a week and have put 54 miles on her over 3 trips outside. It has been wet each time I took her out, so I have stayed away from the freeways and kept to the back roads.

I seriously doubt I am going to have any issues with this bike like the last one. Even though I loved my Honda, it was never quite right - the feel, handing, comfort, you know what I mean.

You say your wife has a factory lowered one? Did she buy the lower seat and lowered suspension or did you do it? I tried the lower one, but I towered over it and the seat was noticeably not wide enough for me so it was incredibly uncomfortable. I tried the standard size and it fit like a glove!

I am glad there are so many people who like this bike!

I wrote an email to one of the BMW chapters here, but no response....so, that might be a dead end, but heck, I suppose I can just keep riding with the Gold Wing club, they don't care...now to figure out how to strap that cb radio to this one. Guess, I will have to break down and buy that tank bag...lol BMW has me in a corner. :p

[sapphire]

Too many questions, not enough time tonight for all answers. Since March, through a busy working year, and not riding all summer, as we set a record of 32 days of over 110 degrees here, mileage is at 4.8K, which is a record for me in year, and it is not a year yet. In that pic, I have RKA strap-on saddle bags, and a matching tank bag. They are great and on and off anytime I want. Since then I acquired a gorgeous tail bag, an Axio, here's a pic or two of that one, and it fits my largish DSLR camera and a lens change or two, depending on which lenses, the short squat wide angle or the 6-9" long zoom, plus another. It also fits 2 days of clothes, and a helmet can be bungee netted on its hard top, using four on-board bungee hook eyes and an included net. Plus it's also off anytime I want.

I went in to the dealership with an Axio Yellow Shoei X-11 helmet, and the dealer had a good laugh, quipping "you may be the first customer that bought a bike to match his helmet". BTW, my too my insurance went down, but after it went up, and I changed carriers over that. Oh well, now its down.

Here the tail from the front:

http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/38835/2443137500100360492S600x600Q85.jpg

Here it is from the rear:
http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/37414/2663965110100360492S600x600Q85.jpg

Good night! :bolt Oh yes!! I like that tail bag! I think my wish list is expanding!! My boyfriend just upgraded to an 1800 Goldwing and it is also a pretty shade of yellow. He has been eyeing a yellow Nolan....so I don't think you are alone! tee hee.

[AZ-J]

I have only had the bike for a week and have put 54 miles on her over 3 trips outside. It has been wet each time I took her out, so I have stayed away from the freeways and kept to the back roads.

I seriously doubt I am going to have any issues with this bike like the last one. Even though I loved my Honda, it was never quite right - the feel, handing, comfort, you know what I mean.

You say your wife has a factory lowered one? Did she buy the lower seat and lowered suspension or did you do it? I tried the lower one, but I towered over it and the seat was noticeably not wide enough for me so it was incredibly uncomfortable. I tried the standard size and it fit like a glove!

I am glad there are so many people who like this bike!

I wrote an email to one of the BMW chapters here, but no response....so, that might be a dead end, but heck, I suppose I can just keep riding with the Gold Wing club, they don't care...now to figure out how to strap that cb radio to this one. Guess, I will have to break down and buy that tank bag...lol BMW has me in a corner. :p

Sapphire,

As for tank bags, many work, and ones like the RKA or the Marsee can be e-wired for an SAE and/or a cig power line. I have this, mine wire off the battery, and the plug drives a small $10 compressor I bought at Walmart when I travel long. This is very handy with a tire repair string kit

[Floppp]

K, I nominate Tweety1 to set up a time and place for the F Troop to meet at the National. It is time we showed all those Rs and Ks that the F Troop is a force to be reckoned with.

[AZ-J]

K, I nominate Tweety1 to set up a time and place for the F Troop to meet at the National. It is time we showed all those Rs and Ks that the F Troop is a force to be reckoned with.

I agree it is time we showed all those Rs and Ks that the F Troop is a force to be reckoned with, and the National is a good, if not the best, place and time to do so.

In order to do so, I think we need to start a thread, and when it gets big enough, ask a moderator to move it to that Rally thread.

In the Jan ON I got in today's mail there is an article about the '08 National. I could set up a time and place to meet, but we need a real commitment to who is going and when they are arriving. It starts 7/17 and I'll be there that day, sometime; my first night's reservation is that date.

I have my hotel (motel) arrangements in Gillette (a big plus), and a MapSource route (2 day travel from Phoenix, AZ of almost 1200 miles). My last stretch is up I-25 to Buffalo, and across I-90 into Gillette.

Can we get the thread going in the G and F forum? I'll plan the meet if we can get a large enough contingent.:eat

[Floppp]

99.9% chance I will be there, also on the 17th. I do the camping bit so no need for a reservation.

[riders]

Nothing happens, we will be there; we have motel reservations in Sundance Wyoming for Thursday Friday and Saturday nights. Dave 800S and Julie 1100S

[ross21710]

I ride the f640gs, factory lowered. How does the F800ST Low compare in handling, ride and gas mileage, anyone know? I'd like to have little more power and smoother ride for long touring trips with 500+ miles, and even tho I love my bike, I have wondered if a twin would be smoother? Advice is welcome on this. I am 5'4" and have about a 30" inseam, so I need a short bike. Also, is there a rumored f650 twin available in the US, or maybe Canada? I seem to remember reading an article about it, but was not sure if it was a twin or single. Thanks all.

[AZ-J]

I ride the f640gs, factory lowered. How does the F800ST Low compare in handling, ride and gas mileage, anyone know? I'd like to have little more power and smoother ride for long touring trips with 500+ miles, and even tho I love my bike, I have wondered if a twin would be smoother? Advice is welcome on this. I am 5'4" and have about a 30" inseam, so I need a short bike. Also, is there a rumored f650 twin available in the US, or maybe Canada? I seem to remember reading an article about it, but was not sure if it was a twin or single. Thanks all.

1) Today, I read a post on this site at http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=277436#post277436 that the F800GS and the twin F650GS are not coming to Canada. I know the F800GS is coming to the USA (I have some friends that have them order), but I know from various sources the F650GS is not at least until 2009. In other words, the Canada and US version of the 2008 F650s will be as yours is.

2) You could get a US F800GS with a factory lowered ride, but that is still about 32" of seat height, while a factory lowered F800S or ST has a 31" seat height. That is the lowest any of them can be adjusted, I believe.

Sorry I could not be oif more help to what you want.