Long Tours with F800ST [Archive]

Herleman

01-31-2008, 09:55 AM

riders

01-31-2008, 10:29 AM

You won't have any problem traveling with your 800ST. I have an 800S and have done a 1006 mile day. On one trip I did a 870, 750, and a 950 mile days. Last year from April to October I put 18,000 miles on it. I have had a lot of BMWs and it is as comfortable as any of them. So many people think you have to have a big bike to travel with and that just isn't true. Have fun!!

Mika

01-31-2008, 10:52 AM

No direct exprience with the F800; however, I think it will be a fine long distance bike if you are willing to deal with travel on a lighter bike and its nuances.

My first 20 years of motorcycle travel were on bikes from 500 to 750cc's. World famous, Ted Simon did his world tour on a 500cc Triumph. (http://www.jupitalia.com/bike.html) An aquaintance at the U of Mn, when I was an undergrad, road a Honda 90s between his home in Kentucky and college 4 times a year.

I suspect your F800ST is a far superior than any of our bikes were for the task.

Herleman

01-31-2008, 11:27 AM

Thanks folks -- I'll keep you posted.

bricciphoto

01-31-2008, 11:54 AM

My riding is mostly limited to commuting, but I've done several 500 mile days on my wife's F800ST and it was no problem. There are LOTS of people who have ridden them from here to there (1,000s of miles) without complaint. It's every bit as capable as my R12ST. Enjoy the ride! :wave

32232

01-31-2008, 04:10 PM

Herleman,
Who cares what the other people think? It's what you think that matters. When I got my first K bike in the 80's some of the boxer crowd said it wasn't a real BMW. Now the K75 is a 'classic' in some people's eyes. When I got the first F650 to arrive at the dealer in 1997, the same type of skeptics were putting it down, knowing absolutely nothing about them. Look at the loyal following the 650's have now.

As soon as someone offers one of those "universal truism" opinions like you "can't tour on a so-and-so", their opinion is immediately suspect in my mind.

My F800ST (with GIVI's by the way) has a better power to weight ratio than most of the boxers, outstanding handling, light weight, and is smoother than any of the boxers and some of the K's I've ridden. My wife says the pillion accommodations are more comfortable than the oilhead it replaced (including a 600 mile day), and I specifically chose it because of its small feel, which to me is a huge advantage.

There are a lot of people in this club with more miles under their belts, but of the couple hundred thousand miles I've accumulated on 7 BMW's I think the F800 is by far the best one I've owned, for my purposes. Your F800 is capable of touring just fine.

reimerdavid

01-31-2008, 04:57 PM

Sir: It always cracks me up when I hear people say that a 800cc bike is too small for touring. In 1976 I traveled across our great Country on a 10 speed bicycle. My first motorcycle had 750 CC's and yes I toured with it just fine. Second Motorcycle was a 800CC BMW R80/7
and it too was fine on the open road and loaded down. Enjoy your Bike and our great Country.

Dave

boxerr

01-31-2008, 05:32 PM

We have people in Australia that go all over the country on Postie bikes(110cc Hondas)
It is the ride that you enjoy, not what you do it on.
I have an F650GS, and while I havnt been long trips, I am sure it would be great.
Listen to yourself, not others who have probably never been out of sight, let alone a big trip.

MCMXCIVRS

01-31-2008, 05:48 PM

I toured 80,000 Kms on a Honda 750 before I got my RS. It did not have as much HP as the F800ST and I never had any trouble doing so. My wife has a new ST on order for delivery this spring as well as a set of Givi bags. We have a trip planned for late June and hope to get a few thousand Kms on it then.

For what its worth, my R1100RS has 90 HP and weighs more than the ST with 85 HP. Add my extra weight over my wife's and I'm concerned I'll have to go buy a faster bike now. :doh I think I'll handicap her with all the camping gear from now on. :D

BradfordBenn

01-31-2008, 08:42 PM

I have a Honda VFR750, which is "smaller" then your F800. The key question, is it comfortable for you? Does it meet your speed and packing needs? Then why not use it if you are happy with it.

PAULBACH

01-31-2008, 08:49 PM

Traveled through New Zealand on an F650GS - plenty of power but you learn to shift and to anticipate the bike's needs. An F800ST has a lot more power. Another advantage of a medium displacement bike.

Another undocumented feature: sooner or later for some reason or another you will need to get it up off it's side.

sapphire

02-01-2008, 08:20 AM

They are wrong. I traded in a honda cb600f (hornet, honda 599) for this bike. I am a taller person with an equally long inseam. I couldn't go 40 min on the honda without knees and butt hurting. I would go on long rides and everyone knew I was miserable. I started riding 2 up with the boyfriend on his goldwing because I couldn't get through the long rides even with some modifications to the honda.

I rode the st for over 2 hours a few weeks ago and didn't feel a thing until I got off of it for a break. My butt hurt, but it was the same hurt if you wouldn't have moved for over 2 hours in a movie theater seat. Once I got back on the back (only after a potty break) I still didn't feel a thing, not even in the butt.

I think it depends how the bike fits you. If the ergonomics are right - then you will only have the general soreness after a long ride. If it doesn't - then you will know.

I absolutely can't wait for my first long trip on it (in May). So far, as comfort goes, it is worth every penny I will pay for it. I love my Honda, but the comfort was like having a beautiful gf, but having to put up with all of her high maintenance crap. The ST is beautiful too, but practical. I 100% sold on this bike. If it fits you ergonomically, there is no limit to your ride.

Take care and post back and let us know how you like her. :bikes

darcym

02-01-2008, 10:47 AM

Give it a try but work up to a long trip in smaller increments. Nothing worse than being on a multi-day trip and finding out your rear end can't handle the seat, the position of the bars make your shoulders ache, or you left behind something you can't do without in place of stuff you could!

Part of long distance touring is the bike. Part of it is you. It's making sure your body can do it, so you have to train for it.

The other part is packing. I've not got this sorted out myself, so I can't answer this authoritatively. I tend to overpack, but I've got a bigger bike too. Still not a good thing.

Anyway, point is, try some overnights, longer day rides, mix up freeway and two lanes, and see how it works for you. That's what matters most, not what other folks say.

PS: I guy in our club did a couple month's tour on a 650 GS. From San Diego to Alaska (yeah, the End road) and to Nationals and places in between. He never did more than 400 miles a day. That's not very many miles, but it was what he was comfortable with and he had plenty of time to explore that way. Food for thought - nobody says you have to do 1000 miles a day.

SugarHillCTD

02-01-2008, 11:16 AM

I see that this topic has already been answered by several folks, but I wanted to add in my 2 cents after my experience last Fall.

We are getting back into riding after 20 years away. Our last MC was a 1981 Honda 900F SuperSport decked out for "sport touring" before anyone used that term. Our most memorable trip was 4000 miles in 10 days through the Gaspe Peninsula, Nova Scotia and Cape Bretton (sp?). That bike had (IIRC) about 80hp and was more than enough for us to travel very easily.

This Fall we went to a BMW dealer to test ride a few used and new bikes. Cathy and I took out a lightly used R1150RT then a new R1200RT. Then we rode a demo F800ST and we both liked it the best! She actually felt like there was more room for her on the F bike. Other than the $$$ that it would have taken to bring one home, that would have been our choice.

Since when does a long distance sport touring bike have to be 1200+cc and 800+ pounds?

argsrider

02-01-2008, 01:00 PM

I'm picking up my F800st tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to some long rides. I plan to make it to the rally in Wyoming (from Arkansas). I'll be sure to build up to the long ride. Based on the comments, it should be a great ride on the 800...

Herleman

02-01-2008, 01:34 PM

You have all been very encouraging and I thank you.

I'm starting out slowly around home here in Florida with some overnights and perhaps two-night trips.

Part of the reason is to "shake down" the equipment and to be sure that it balances and stays attached.

The other thing that I have to work into is freeway riding. Right now, I tend to avoid interstates because they are boring but also because I am still skittish about having trucks blow by me at 400 mph (more or less). I have to get my skittishness behind me.

Finally, I am grateful for the encouragement, because the simple fact is that this is my bike and it must serve all purposes. I was worried that perhaps there was something that made the F800 inherently unworthy as a long distance tourer (even some of the other posts on this forum seem to make that claim).

I'm glad you all see it differently -- it makes me feel much better. I hope to see many of you in Wyoming. Look for a blue ST with a Florida plate and an old man at the controls.:buds

BTW, the best part of the F800 is the 67 mpg on the highway. Try that on a big bike someday.

(oh, yeah, I almost forgot -- Sapphire, When I came back to riding after a 20 year absence, my first bike was a CB600F -- it was as close to my old CB550 as I could find -- and it quickly reminded my of why I always wanted something better than the 550. Great little bike for tearing around town, a horrible bike for touring more than two hours at a time. And it got 46 mpg on a good day).

PGlaves

02-01-2008, 01:49 PM

I have a 2007 F800ST, equipped with GIVI side bags and top box.

I bought this thing to travel on, but have since had LOTS of people tell me that it is only good for short trips. Too small, they say, for a multi-thousand mile vacation.

I love my bike and really want it to take me a lot of places (I'm retired and widowed so its just me - 1 up).

Anyone out there doing long tours on an 800ST? If so, can you offer any advice??

:help I'm heading out in early Spring. and hope to make the BMW event in Wyoming.

Thanks

Pure poppycock! This bigger is better notion is pure nonsense. Must have come from a Triumph Rocket III owner, or a Boss Hoss rider.

For almost 19 years I rode a K75 - 370,000 miles - competed in a few 24 hour endurance rallies and several 1000 mile poker runs - completed the Iron Butt Rally twice. F650s tour a lot. TheSuzuki 650 VStrom is a well respected long distance mount.

Long days or long trips are all about ergonomics and wind protection. If your position on the bike suits you, the seat works for you, and it has enough wind protection in the right places so your body isn't fighting wind, then 800cc is more than big enough to get the job done. And its size, nimble handling, and easy maneuverability give it a distinct advantage over a larger bike in many situations.

I think you need a better informed advisor.

BeemerMike

02-01-2008, 01:54 PM

I think you need a better informed advisor.

:thumb

ConcowRider

02-08-2008, 02:32 PM

Herleman, back in the mid - late 1960's my buddies and I went on many "excursions" from southern Calif. all over the state. Kings Canyon, Sequoia etc. Our equipment was very very basic, sleeping bags, cooking utensils in a stuff sack and clothing in and AWOL bag all bungied to our 250cc - 305cc Yamaha's & Honda's. No saddle bags, no fairings, and I think a couple of us may have had aftermarket luggage racks on the back mostly used for school books. As I recall, we all had great times everytime we went and none of us ever considered the posibility that we were under-equipped or under-powered.

10 years later I was riding my R75/5 from San Diego to Santa Cruz, and later from Palo Alto up to Vancouver Island Pacific Rim National Park. The same basic equipment was mostly secured in Wixom saddle bags and I was hunkered down behind a Wixom Ranger fairing. Much more "soghisticated" rig but the plan was the same. Go out, explore and have fun doing it.

So now, I have a machine that will do 120mph+ , has hermetic saddlebags and will go 300+ miles between gas stops, etc., etc., etc. You get the picture. But, the mission is still the same, go out, explore and have fun doing it. Like the old Nike shoe commercial said "Just Do It", and of course enjoy!

Sorry I have not yet scanned in any of the photo's from those olden days.

Dave, Dot & Feckles Doggie

Herleman

02-11-2008, 06:43 AM

Dave:

Thanks -- you hit it on the head. In the 60s I spent a couple of weeks traveling from the midwest to Colorado. I had a Honda 350 Scrambler and a back pack.

Some of my greatest memories come from that trip -- its probably what led me to buy this bike.

Thanks for your response.

j

flgoff

02-11-2008, 07:30 AM

I ride the F650GS. Since acquiring it last May, it has carried me, with enough gear for an army, on a 6000 mile trip through New England, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, including Cape Breton Island . . . it has taken me through the Ozarks of Arkansas then down through Texas for a 3000 mile loop, and now has 20000 miles on it. My longest day was 600 miles, but that had a lot more to do with me than the bike. I'm 73, widowed, and also ride 1 up. Your bike wil willingly tour at whatever level you choose and will, without complaint, handle whatever road surface gets thrown at it. In other words, DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE SO GLAD THAT YOU DID.

Floyd

nytrashman

02-11-2008, 04:37 PM

if your 800 isn't up to long touring then i guess i better come up with a new idea as i had planned to ride my F650GS to Gillette this summer. all kidding aside,i am sure your 800 will tour just fine.

antman

03-07-2008, 02:05 PM

Ah, the gas mileage! After 19 years of top heavy
K bikes I just can not believe the mileage I'm getting on my new F800ST. This last gas stop I kept rechecking to be sure I did not make a mistake.
I made a good choice!

Kutcher

03-07-2008, 05:45 PM

Paul_F

03-07-2008, 07:20 PM

I have a 2007 F800ST, equipped with GIVI side bags and top box.

I bought this thing to travel on, but have since had LOTS of people tell me that it is only good for short trips. Too small, they say, for a multi-thousand mile vacation. In 1971, my wife and I travelled throughout Europe for three months on two Honda 49cc mopeds. Not quite as big as your F800ST. Small and slow with very small cloth panniers, but they were no impediment to our long distance riding. Enjoy your trips on your F800ST!

Kutcher

03-07-2008, 09:45 PM

Could I be so bold as to ask about how close to sticker everyone ended up forking over for there f800s/st...?

bensonga

03-08-2008, 12:26 AM

I have a 2007 F800ST, equipped with GIVI side bags...

The new Givi V30 side cases that fit closer to bike? I put those bags on my wife's Kawasaki Ninja 650R.....that setup makes for a great mid-size sport touring motorcycle.

I like these new mid-size, 600-800 cc motorcycles best of all. I've got a V-Strom 650, ZR-7S (750cc) and VFR800 myself....all good bikes that I wouldn't hesitate to ride across the country. Heck, we rode a pair of the older F650 carb model bikes from the Redmond rally in 2001 back to Alaska....no problems at all.

I think you're going to love taking tours on the F800ST. I had a test ride on a F800S last summer and loved the engine....the ST might be perfect.

Have some great rides this summer! Wish I could make to the rally in WY.

Gary Benson
Eagle River, Alaska

bricciphoto

03-08-2008, 05:18 AM

Could I be so bold as to ask about how close to sticker everyone ended up forking over for there f800s/st...?

We bought ours last July and as it was the first and only lowered F800ST to arrive at the dealer with no more expected for a few months, so we paid 100% of sticker as it was still in the crate. :blush

Floppp

03-08-2008, 10:37 AM

No deal on the sticker, but BMW was offering low interest loans. I went with my credit union because I prefer to shop locally and the rate difference was minimal.

I did get 15% off all gear for the rest of the summer, so the BMW sport cases were not so much of a kick in the wallet.

wezul

03-08-2008, 02:49 PM

1K off sticker, April last. :hide

kreinke

03-09-2008, 12:30 PM

Right now, I tend to avoid interstates because they are boring but also because I am still skittish about having trucks blow by me at 400 mph (more or less). I have to get my skittishness behind me.

Finally, I am grateful for the encouragement, because the simple fact is that this is my bike and it must serve all purposes. I was worried that perhaps there was something that made the F800 inherently unworthy as a long distance tourer (even some of the other posts on this forum seem to make that claim).

I started riding 5 years ago this week!

I remember my "firsts".

My first drop.

My first time at 55 mph.

and the scariest...my first time on a numbered highway at 56 mph and having my mirrors on my F650CS filled with a big chrome Freightliner. I can still hear the whine of the turbo today.

Trucks can be scary. Granted, I should not have been on a highway until I had more experiance. My uncle, a very experienced BMW rider and dealer owner said non chalantly "Just roll on the throttle and leave 'em behind." How I do that now!

AZ-J

03-09-2008, 04:06 PM

When I turned 11, I came from camp that summer to find Dad's new BMW R50/2 in the garage. I started riding it in parking lots at 13 (supervised), and at 17 I became street legal. I have been riding ever since.

That bike was 500cc (493 IIRC) and 23 HP. From Southern Long Island, NY, I took it to Boston, Albany and home first, and then, DC, and Miami, FL twice when I was between 19-21. Who says a small bike can't be used as a national touring machine? Bless that now ghost of a bike, my F800S is just as capable, if not far more! If only Dad had not passed away a few years before I bought it. :cry :cry :cry :cry

I anticipate Gillette will be my longest tour on the F800S to date; I am still balancing out painful, nasty left shoulder issues two surgeries helped, but did not cure. I almost gave up riding with my old top-heavy, pain inducing bike, I could not ride more than 2 hours.

But on the F800 I have done 800 in two days with very mild not-lasting episodes, and 600 in one day w/o any. The key I found is to prevent such aggravation of it that it takes days to burn off. Unfortunately, six-years post-op the threshold for that still alludes me. I think that's because it is a moving target.

I will be trying to bring my endurance up between then and now, and my new Alaska Leather sheepskin seat cover will help. It had its first test ride yesterday, but is now off the bike for city driving this week. In May, I go to one of our local MOA chapter rallies, and since it is in Heber, I will use the sheepskin for that 500 mile turn-around as a true trial.

But I hope to see you Ol Al, and many others in Gillette, come July. :thumb

6659

03-23-2008, 08:03 AM

Donster

03-26-2008, 07:40 PM

What RPM is the 800ST turning at 70 mph? Does it sound "busy"?

AZ-J

03-27-2008, 12:49 AM

What RPM is the 800ST turning at 70 mph? Does it sound "busy"?

The S and the ST rev about the same. My S's RPM at 70 mph is quiet and low middle (3.5-4K). It gets a little buzzy and louder at high 80's, a bit more at 90, and does not sound busy until 95+ (5K RPM and up in 6th)

pffog

03-27-2008, 08:13 PM

So come on....TELL us what you got...?????

I rode one in Europe and rode it VERY hard, my wife was on a F650GS riding conservative, and when we filled the 800 would use just a little more than the 650!!! Ridden identically I believe the 800 will get better mileage than the 650, in the 50 -60 mpg range.

Ctrod

03-28-2008, 02:03 PM

Just thought I would add this. I rode my scooter on a 2000 mile trip. I left the K75 at home this time. I actually loved it. Sometimes I find that smaller is better. The photo was taken along the Blue Ridge Pkwy. By the way, my gas milege was about 75 mpg up there.

I rode the Blue Ridge last year and couldn't believe all the scooters. Some 2 up with huge looking soft bags hanging off them. And they were moving right along.

antman

04-17-2008, 08:27 PM

So come on....TELL us what you got...?????

55.3mpg, 54.25, 75.1mpg (solo, all interstate, 65mph, 70 degrees and sunny. If I had failed to reset my tripI I would have to show at least 110mpg. 187.6miles divided by 2.498gal.),49,60.65, 62,53.
I still think that 75mpg was a fluk.

AZ-J

05-14-2008, 04:04 PM

The good news is I will be in Gillette. The bad news is I am leaving the F800S at home and flying in, instead. Neither my bad shoulder nor if I think the F800S is capable/incapable HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS ( and I don't think the F800S is incapable, anyway).

I am flying in because no one here will commit to going with me, and I deemed a July trip through the AZ, UT, CO desert area, traveling alone unsafe; but I refused to miss the Rally in Gillette. It will be my first and I am a volunteering for photography and ON reporting, so please try to meet me. :buds

In the meantime, for a consolation, I am also signed up and going to the BMW Motorrad Mexico Rally in October, with 2 days in Guadalajara and 2 in Puerto Vallarta, and 8-12 of us are going on that one. :clap

I can't for the life of me decide which will be more fun, BUT, not a bad consolation prize, huh? See you there!

shicksba

06-22-2008, 09:25 AM

MCMXCIVRS

06-22-2008, 10:34 AM

The concerns about riding solo in unforgiving places is certainly valid.

See this thread (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=26692)for the answer.

PAULBACH

06-22-2008, 10:50 AM

The bigger the bike the more stuff you can carry that you probably don't need. Did the Salty Fog Rally with the side panniers on the R1200GS empty. They did come in handy for hauling bottles and a few provisions.

The ST would carry a rider anywhere without any worry of a final drive problem.

AZ-J

06-22-2008, 01:42 PM

Tweety1, you mentioned that you've "deemed" it unsafe to ride alone through the deserts of AZ, UT and CO. I notice that you are from AZ and surely know more about this than I do.

Will you say more about what those unsafe elements are--beyond being hot? As a solo, female rider, I'm always interested in hearing what others can add to my knowledge about a trip/route.

Thanks

Sharon

Sharon, I apologize for any confusion here.

First, it is unsafe for me to ride alone that long to Gillette. I have been nursing a weakened left shoulder that is subject to flare ups, since two shoulder surgeries in late '01 to middle '02. By late 2006, I almost had to consider giving up riding after 30+ years based on handlebar/gas tank/engine weight issues, but found I could ride the F800S because there is no upper weight, I can steer it more with my lower body, and leave the shoulder with little to do. BUT, the shoulder seems to have a mind of its own and since acquiring the F, after one 8.5 hour day, it ached a bit. Add on a second day to that; I could be in trouble. BUT, that's me, because after a day of rest from that 8.5 hour day, I rode home 6.75 hours. It is that two days in a row that is daunting to me, and on this long trip, I could not take extra days like this.

Second, middle July in the deserts of AZ, UT and CO are heat-exhausting hot. An hour in 101 (I did it yesterday at 9:45 AM) is OK, but all day in well over 100 (yesterday was 115 here); it is much safer to have a companion to watch you as you watch them. When it cools off a bit in September (at least in UT and CO) there is nothing unsafe about this.