The new BMW F 800 GT | Press Kit

[Lee]

It is a touring bike, why wouldn't the comfort seat be the standard?

The comfort seats are thicker making for a taller seat height. A tall seat does not work for all riders.

[Lee]

I see the alternator only puts out 400W which I think is the same for past 800s.
How has this worked for F800ST and F800S riders who use several items of heated gear?

[sjbmw]

Any news on pricing?

[1LIFE2LIVE]

Looks like the "RT Lite" many have been asking for.

Hopefully it will be on display at this years bike shows across the country.

08RT

[mika]

Any news on pricing?

Don't expect pricing until after the first of the year.

[der verge]

Looks great. I am highly interested in the white one. Where in the blue .......... Is the cruise control?????

[Lee]

Looks great. I am highly interested in the white one. Where in the blue .......... Is the cruise control?????

I can't see a cruise switch on the left bar and it was not mentioned in the press kit or on the BMW web site.

[der verge]

I can't see a cruise switch on the left bar and it was not mentioned in the press kit or on the BMW web site.

I don't think it has cruise. Now that I have had cruise on a bike, I absloutely do not want to give it up. I just cannot believe that BMW would build any bike, put the word "touring" in the name or description, and not put cruise on it.

[Lee]

I don't think it has cruise. Now that I have had cruise on a bike, I absloutely do not want to give it up. I just cannot believe that BMW would build any bike, put the word "touring" in the name or description, and not put cruise on it.

I had it on my K1200RS and loved it. I don't have it on my K1300S and get along fine without it.
If it's on the option list I'm going to order it, if it's not available, it's not a deal breaker.

[zenduddhist]

No cruise, no buy.

[Ridealot]

I see the alternator only puts out 400W which I think is the same for past 800s.
How has this worked for F800ST and F800S riders who use several items of heated gear?

On my F650GS twin the alternator output is no problem. For accessories I have radar, gps, HID running lights, P3 taillights, heated grips, and his and hers plugs for heated gear.

Obviously I don't run everything at once. If we are running both heated jackets and heated grips then I can't also have the running lights on. To keep track of the battery I simple have the radar detector set to volt meter. The one surprising thing with the alternator on this bike is that the volts actually go up at idle. Running down the road the volts will stay in the 14.1-14.3 range. At idle it goes up to the 14.5-14.8 range.

On my K1100LT I have the same list of accessories on it plus the lights on the Bushtec trailer. And since its a '93 it also only has a 400 watt alternator. Nobody ever comments on the electrical output of that bike, but I have heard it often about my GS. People have just become used to having super sized alternators on everything now I guess.

The one thing this is a known weak spot in the electrical on the 800's is the stator. They like to burn themselves up. BMW now has an updated flywheel that has holes in it thats supposed to help keep the temperature of the stator down. It hasn't been out long enough to know yet if it fixes the problem. BMW also won't just sell the stator, they sell the flywheel and stator together for a cool $900. Uhhh no thanks! This summer when my stator died at 40K miles I just bought an aftermarket stator for $165. By the time this one dies it should be known if the new vented flywheel actually keeps the stators alive longer. If not I will just keep using the much cheaper aftermarket stator.

[royce]

I see the alternator only puts out 400W which I think is the same for past 800s.
How has this worked for F800ST and F800S riders who use several items of heated gear?

I'm running a Gerbing heated liner and Gerbing heated gloves at the same time, sometimes on full heat setting, all with no problems. I don't have any other electronic doo-dads, so I can't comment on the draw on the alternator.

[sloride]

Bigger fuel tank would be nice

[royce]

Bigger fuel tank would be nice

Nah. I've only got a two-hour butt, so a larger tank is mostly wasted on me. Perhaps you're riding the ST in rallies, eh?

[sloride]

Nah. I've only got a two-hour butt, so a larger tank is mostly wasted on me. Perhaps you're riding the ST in rallies, eh?

The size of the tank doesn't dictate when I take a brake .
But I like having a lot of leeway about when I have to fuel up. I don't like limited fuel capacity to limit my decisions on what routes to take.

Under normal conditions I'm sure 4 gallons is adequate. I just wish it was at least 5