How about an F800RT?

[WI Sharon]

OK, it might happen. I was talking to a BMW dealer who was telling me it's top secret stuff, but BMW IS actually thinking of making an F800RT. They've gotten a lot of feedback about the weight of the R1200RT, and how people like it, but they would like a lighter bike...the F series is the right weight, but not ideal for longer touring....so they might maybe have heard our cries. I'm in the same boat. I do not like the seating position of the F800ST, the GS is way too tall, the 650GS lacks performance, so the money stays in my pocket cuz there's nothing BMW makes that I want right now. I'll just stick with the too heavy RT right now!

That would be awesome if it happens! I don't "need" another bike but if they make the f800RT I am defiantly buying one.

I guess a may need a bigger garage!

[samuelh]

Thought I'd revive an old thread with a new twist. Is it just me or is the C650GT basically what everyone has been looking for in an F800RT? It's light, upright ergos, heated everything, tpm, abs, adjustable screen. I guess the only place it doesn't live up to the idea of an f800rt is that it has a 60hp twin instead of an 80hp twin. I'm taking a close look at this bike though. Excited for it to come out, whenever that may be.

SH

[BOBZELIFF]

Like several who have posted here, I chose the F650GS and outfitted it with Jesse's and the full Aeroflow set up. The basic F650GS gives me the right ergonomics, upright seating, relatively unbend knees, long flat seat to move around on (Sargent upgrade is better). The Jesse bags are better then BMW and the Aeroflow wind screen and options give coverage nearly..but not as good as the wind tunnel design RT fairing I has on my earlier RTs.

I would have like to have the belt drive of the F800ST...but the ergo's were too much of a sport bike to me to take for more than an hour at a time.

I wish the F650GS tank was just a bit bigger but over 200 miles between refills is not that bad as is.

But I would like to see BMW do a new F900RT with the new Husquvarna version of the 800 engine, belt drive, a real BMW RT fairing...a manual windshield adjustment is better for weight and cost. I hope a 19inch Front wheel for those of us who like rough secondary roads and dirt roads..., some more wattage from the alternator...for more heated gear for those of us who live in the colder climates.

I've watch the treads on the new water boxer (1300??...130hp) it seems likely to be evan heavier than the current R1200RT..and just as bulky. A great bike but I want some thing lighter, more nimble at slow speed...and something that handles poor and dirt roads /gravel better.

Still waiting

I'd swap my F650GS in a flash for such a bike.

[pairowheels]

If Motorrad is to create an 800RT, it will need to include an alternator with more output than the wimpy one on current F twin bikes. A touring bike will have more electrical demands placed on it, tho' my F650GS does have many of the farkles that I used on my R12RT. I am just afraid to use too many of them at the same time on the 650, e.g., I road home at night a few weeks ago and had my low watt aux. driving lights and my Zumo with xm on to pass the time. It should have maintained a charge with the motor operating at about 4K RPMs during the ride, but when I got home I hooked up the battery tender and it took a long while before the battery tender indicated the bike's battery was once again fully charged. Don't know what would have happened if it had been too cold also and I needed the grip warmers, or worse yet, an electric jacket to get home.

[nytrashman]

i too would love a F800RT but since BMW does not seem to want to give us this bike like many others i bought a 2011 F650GS and set it up the best i could for long distance touring. in addition to an aftermarket windshield (madstad) i put the aeroflow hand guards, duct deflectors and leg guards on my bike. this gives me very good wind/weather protection which is also easily removed to allow more air to reach me during the hotter months. a custom seat, rox risers, a set of jesse boxes and a givi top box and my "mini RT" is pretty much ready to hit the road the road.



would i like a real F800RT, yes but it would need to be better then my current bike in a few areas. belt drive is a must. a larger gas tank, even another 1 gal to extend the range a little would be great. although i have no problem with the alt output on my 650 a higher capacity alt would be nice. a manually adjustable windshield right from the factory along with some integrated, removable luggage would be on my wish list. i also would like to see a lower first gear and a taller sixth gear then what i have on my 650. if BMW would build this bike i would buy one tomorrow. whether they do or not is not up to me and until they do i will keep riding my "mini RT"

[BOBZELIFF]

+1 on that.

Hope they would keep the 19inch front wheel for those of us who ride ill maintained secondary roads and dirt roads.

I find very little difference in handling and turn in on my F650GS than my older r1100RT in aggressive pavement riding....but the fatter smaller diameter wheels/tires of the R1100RT makes it a very poor handler in loose gravel ( any dirt road that has been recently graded). if your touring is off smooth roads the larger diameter wheel is a real plus.

[40427]

I like the idea of an 800 or 900 cc sized RT model.

Please BMW , do not make it look like another ant eater GS bike.

I currently ride a 1985 R80 ( not an RT ) there is enough power from the engine most of the time, but a bit more low end grunt would not be a bad thing.

[middleagecrazy]

If BMW decided to make the F800RT, or maybe a F900RT, then put my name on the dotted line. I think this is something that BMW should give a serious look at. There are a lot of people who would love a smaller, true touring, modern BMW motorcycle. I think it would sell VERY well!!

[Firenailer]

I've been following this thread as it's been a topic of discussion among some of the guys I ride with, but when my K1200GT became a bit much for my aging body, I test rode an 800ST but purchased a new RT.

At 580lbs fueled and road ready this bike is light enough and so nimble its a pleasure to ride. I'd never say never, but an 800RT would have to be a hell of a bike before I'd ever give up all the comfort, features and performance I get on the 1200.

[40427]

A rule of
that I use is to try and buy motorcycles that are as close to 2.5 times my weight .

As I get older that works pretty well for me, but it is hard to match the formula exactly.

[r11rs94]

i too would love a F800RT but since BMW does not seem to want to give us this bike like many others i bought a 2011 F650GS and set it up the best i could for long distance touring. in addition to an aftermarket windshield (madstad) i put the aeroflow hand guards, duct deflectors and leg guards on my bike. this gives me very good wind/weather protection which is also easily removed to allow more air to reach me during the hotter months. a custom seat, rox risers, a set of jesse boxes and a givi top box and my "mini RT" is pretty much ready to hit the road the road.



would i like a real F800RT, yes but it would need to be better then my current bike in a few areas. belt drive is a must. a larger gas tank, even another 1 gal to extend the range a little would be great. although i have no problem with the alt output on my 650 a higher capacity alt would be nice. a manually adjustable windshield right from the factory along with some integrated, removable luggage would be on my wish list. i also would like to see a lower first gear and a taller sixth gear then what i have on my 650. if BMW would build this bike i would buy one tomorrow. whether they do or not is not up to me and until they do i will keep riding my "mini RT"

Nice job on the bike.

[gversloot]

I've ridden this bike for hours on end, super highways, back roads, through cities. It gets 58-62 miles per gallon of gas, it's light weight and easy to handle, and it's beautiful and practical. I give you the BMW F800 RT.


Her name is "Mithril" although she's more like Shadowfax!



Len

What windscreen do you have? It looks like it would give good protection.

[galvin]

I test rode an '08 F800ST a couple of weeks ago. I thought the engine performance was very nice, but the seating position is just too sporty for these old bones.

After thinking about it for a few days I wondered why BMW doesn't make an F800RT. I talked it over with the salesman I deal with at the local store and he thought it was a good idea. In Europe they don't care for the liter class and bigger touring bike, but something along the lines of the old R800RT, with modern horsepower, brakes and suspension sounds like a real winner to me. I might even trade my '01 R1100RT...

Looks like BMW was sort of listening to you. They are apparently bringing out an F800GT

[jcarpino]

With the wide array of accessories for the ST, handlebar risers, windscreens, luggage, footpeg lowering kits, etc, it's already a decent touring machine.

To be a true "RT" BMW would have to smooth the engine out a bit. While I love my F800ST, it is still a but vibey for extended long distance travel.

[PGlaves]

To be a true "RT" BMW would have to smooth the engine out a bit. While I love my F800ST, it is still a but vibey for extended long distance travel.

Well don't tell Voni. She rides all over, short days, long days, on her F800S and loves that bike.