BMW F800S (2006 - 2010) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4.1 out of 5 (4.1/5)
Annual servicing cost: £210
Power: 84 bhp
Seat height: Medium (32.3 in / 820 mm)
Weight: Medium (401 lbs / 182 kg)

Prices

New N/A
Used £2,500

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

A revolutionary addition to the BMW stable, the BMW F800S has filled the yawning chasm between the marque’s 650 motorcycles and 1200 motorcycles with power, style and charisma. The BMW F800S has an excellent engine, superb handling and everyday usability to make it a bike you could learn to ride on yet keep, and enjoy, a very long time after you’ve got your motorcycle licence.

 

Watch the BMW F800 take on Aprilia's 850 Shiver, Suzuki's SV650 and Triumph's Street Triple

 

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The BMW F800S' sporty riding position encourages silliness but it’s not too extreme: you can do sane too, if you like, and it won’t complain. The motorcycle is heavy but holds the road well, handling’s brilliant and the BMW F800S takes off like there’s no tomorrow. The gearing’s a bit stroppy but the brakes are great. The BMW F800S is a more agile motorcycle than you’d imagine.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The BMW F800S is a wonderful motorcycle out on the open road, less inspiring in town. At a pace, there’s huge torque and acceleration but stick the BMW F800S in traffic and it labours as you struggle to minimise the jumpy throttle response. It’s a real powerhouse motorcycle though: fast riding is a dream on this motorcycle while overtakes will make your hair curl. Roughly equated to a decent, 600cc sports motorcycle's performance.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
5 out of 5 (5/5)

Unquestionably good. BMW’s build quality is excellent and the BMW F800S doesn’t let it down one bit. Reliability is equally revered, and with good reason. The BMW F800S is a well put together motorcycle and accommodating loads of well thought out little extras, the motorcycle is built (not just marketed) to really last.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

… Which is why it costs so much. Compared to rival motorcycle, the Suzuki SV650, the BMW F800S is a wallet-crusher, but you get that reliability, peace of mind and extra-special aftersales service which makes the whole motorcycle ownership shebang one hell of a lot more satisfying. Still, the really rather nice Kawasaki Z750 is quite a bit cheaper than the BMW F800S too. Find a BMW F800S for sale.

Equipment

5 out of 5 (5/5)

Ooooh, lovely! Fuel gauge, gear indicator, adjustable levers, and a bar-mounted control button to run through the endless digital readouts on your comprehensive dash: superb! Fuel goes in at the rear of the motorcycle and pillion provision is good, too. The BMW F800S' belt drive is great for the non-mechanics among us.

Specs

Engine size 798cc
Engine type 8v, parallel twin, 6 gears
Frame type Aluminium beam
Fuel capacity 16 litres
Seat height 820mm
Bike weight 182kg
Front suspension None
Rear suspension Preload and rebound
Front brake Twin 320mm discs
Rear brake 265mm disc
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 180/55 x 17

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 38 mpg
Annual road tax £117
Annual service cost £210
New price -
Used price £2,500
Insurance group 11 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 84 bhp
Max torque 59.5 ft-lb
Top speed 140 mph
1/4 mile acceleration 12.1 secs
Tank range 135 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

2006: BMW F800S Model launched, along with the BMW F800ST (sport touring) version. ABS available for both motorcycles as an extra.

Other versions

BMW F800ST: Fully-faired, sport touring motorcycle. The same bike but with a few little changes: taller screen, higher bars, luggage rack and a more upright riding position.
ABS VERSIONS: Both the BMW F800S and BMW F800ST come with the option of ABS. It’s a good system, although can prove a bit “on and off” where you actually want more smooth progression. Standard brakes on both motorcycles work well, however.

Owners' reviews for the BMW F800S (2006 - 2010)

37 owners have reviewed their BMW F800S (2006 - 2010) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your BMW F800S (2006 - 2010)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 4.4 out of 5 (4.4/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.4 out of 5 (4.4/5)
Engine: 4.4 out of 5 (4.4/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4.1 out of 5 (4.1/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.2 out of 5 (4.2/5)
Equipment: 4.4 out of 5 (4.4/5)
Annual servicing cost: £210
4 out of 5 An underappreciated gem of reliable motorcycling.
09 August 2024 by J Gavin

Version: F800ST

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £200

Great as my first bike. Very stable, lots of creature comforts and huge storage capacity with all luggage attached. The looks are very sporty to the layman. If you need a reliable commuter or tourer, the ST is a bargain. If you want a weekend toy, it leaves something to be desired

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

The front forks apparently aren't great, but I never found out as I immediately installed emulators. They're now responsive and stable. The rear shock is great with preload and rebound adjustment. I don't have any issues with vibrations as others report. I've spent a whole day in the seat and had no discomfort. Brakes leave something to be desired, which is strange given the size of them and the Brembo callipers. A full brake bleed didn't resolve the lever slack, so perhaps pads and a master cylinder are needed to get my example sorted.

Engine 3 out of 5

The linear power is nice and predictable as a new rider, but that's all this engine has to offer. The massive exhaust reduces all engine noise to an agricultural sounding rattle. Even aftermarket cans struggle to get it sounding good. The gearbox is tactile, but gentle taps can lead you into false neutrals in higher gears. Despite the above, the engine has fantastic economy, will run until the end of time and has plenty of grunt if you give it some beans. Just avoid pre-09 models as piston slap was a common issue.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Fork seals needed replacing after purchase, but it's otherwise a good runner after 90,000+ miles - a testament to the Rotax powerplant. Belt drive is a joy as no time is wasted adjusting or oiling. All switchgear feels tactile and responsive. Fairings can creak if pressed and there's minor corrosion on rear frame/centerstand, but everything on the bike does its job.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Bought for £1600 with full set of keyed luggage - just unbeatable bike-per-pound. Super economical, regularly at 70mpg+, and after the initial service there's been no issues.

Equipment 5 out of 5

Heated grips, trip computer, ABS and the comprehensive luggage system come at a bargain price on this bike. The centrestand is appreciated for maintenance (ST model only). Gear indicator is also a nice-to-have. Just be ready to relearn your indicators...

Buying experience: Super easy, delivered by local dealership and bought for an insane price.

4 out of 5 Rotax-powered workhorse
22 January 2024 by Ravi

Version: ST

Year: 2007

Annual servicing cost: £280

A comfortable, reliable and fuel-efficient workhorse that pulls like a train through the rev range. A comfy seat, heated grips and ABS makes it easy to ride for long distance, hence ST. Sounds OK with Akrapovic Slip-on but lacks excitement when revs hard. Handling is sweet and it wind protection is adequate even with standard screen. It is also easy to maintain and has long service intervals. Being a 360 crank parallel twin, it has a unique soundtrack that mimics boxer twin (I had a GS1200 parked side by side and I couldn't tell the difference in note)

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Suspensions are on the softer side but not too much to affect the handling. Comfortable for long distance with a pillion and luggage, front forks are non adjustable but monoshock is a piece of cake to adjust, both pre-load and rebound.

Engine 5 out of 5

Torquey through the rev range and has enough poke to outruns most of the cars on road. It doesn't excite past 5000 rpm but still has character being a 360 crank.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

ST runs through winter without a hitch but some fasteners are cheap and corrode quickly but they can be upgraded with better ones. This is my 3rd winter commuting 45 miles a day and it never let me down. It takes the abuse, rain, salt, grit, whatever you throw at this Rotax-powered beemer.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

It has a toothed belt instead of a chain which is great for commuting. No adjustment, lubrication, cleaning required. A belt usually lasts 20k-30k miles depending on riding style and costs under £200 to replace. Fuel consumption is one of the bests, giving over 60mpg in town & motorway riding. It is lot of bike for the money. I bought mine for £2500 with 32k miles on clock and these are good to touch 100k mark easily.

Equipment 3 out of 5
5 out of 5 A great Sports Touring all rounder
14 November 2022 by Shane Huller

Version: F800ST

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £250

This is my first big bike and an excellent all rounder.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Although the bike at stand still feels quite heavy it feels very nimble on corners and accelerating. I find that I can go for around 150 miles before needing a break, which is an ideal time to top up the fuel tank

Engine 5 out of 5

The engine has great acceleration and pulls well throughout the rev range.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Some fasteners are starting to corrode but anything else is very high quality

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

A recent service and MOT cost me £250, although this will increase depending on the service the bike requires. The rear wheel is driven by a belt which is good for 25k miles

Equipment 5 out of 5

The ST version has a gear position indicator, miles to tank empty (although this only reads a maximum of 140 ish miles) digital fuel gauge and TPMS

Buying experience: I bought this from a private seller who had obviously looked after it. The bike itself was low miles and very cheap in comparison to other similar models.

4 out of 5 A Good all round bike.
18 October 2022 by Steve Davis

Version: S

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £150

My F800S was a 2006 model with 20,000 miles on the clock. It had 5 previous owners, the first few owners had it regularly serviced at a BMW dealership, one also spending £900+ on a suspension upgrade. It was also fitted with a Remus silencer and a taller screen. The later owners had it serviced at non franchised or self- servicing with plenty of stamps in the service book and lots of receipts. I owned the bike for 9 months covering 1,500 miles. The bike is light and agile with the fuel tank under the seat to lower the centre of gravity.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

My F800S had been fitted with an Ohlins rear shock and Upgraded fork springs. This was carried out about 6 years into its ‘life’ and I see others advertised with aftermarket shocks fitted so the original shock seems pretty short lived. With the kit fitted the ride and handling was really good, combined with a slightly tipped forward riding position and very comfortable seat you could ride it until the fuel read low (136 miles) with no problem. Mine had a ‘lowered seat’ fitted from new and looked thinner at the riders seating position but no issues so I never felt the need to change it for a standard one. Brakes are Brembo’s with braided hoses all round so one finger braking is the norm. Two/three finger braking for emergency stops with the rear end doing a Toprak pulls the bike up very quickly, as I found out when a tractor reversing towards me came into view just around a sharp bend. Mine did not have ABS but did have the ABS ring just on the rear brake so maybe removed by a previous owner or a second-hand disc? I changed the brake fluid myself as it hadn’t been done for over the 2-year recommendation, it’s an easy job to do.

Engine 4 out of 5

Being a twin, it is very torquey, each gear having a very broad speed range so no rush to get into top or to change down for quick overtakes. When opened up in the higher rev range it is surprisingly quick. With the nose fairing and screen 90+ cruising is easy. If ridden with enthusiasm the computer shows an average of 57 MPG but an average of 60 MPG is the norm. Basic servicing is easy but requires the removal of the mirrors, front indicators dummy tank cover and a front side fairing to change the air filter. The spark plugs need both side fairings removed and the air filter housing. A sparkplug cap/coil removal tool along with a thin-walled spark plug socket is required. The cost of a genuine BMW service kit including brake fluid and spark plug tool from Motorworks cost me £114.00. The oil filter shape did change during production so make sure you get the right oil filter tool for the filter. With the Remus silencer, to my ear it sounded like a lawn mower when idling but other bikers thought it sounded nice. Moving through slow moving traffic with a quick blip of the throttle the Beemer would let out a bark so drivers knew you were there which was handy. It was quiet when moving quickly though. Many are advertised with 60 /70,000 miles up so the (Rotax manufactured) engines are long lived. The gearbox was reasonable but I did hit a false neutral on occasion so that would be my only criticism of the engine.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Starting and general running the bike never gave me any problems but the front forks did. They were leaking so I bought a set of genuine seals, stripped the forks and carefully rebuilt them. They were fine for a few months then started leaking again so another strip down this time with new seals, bushes, etc (£146.64) and grinding / re-chroming of the forks (£140.00) sorted it. The forks are conventional but with a circlip to remove from the top of the leg that the fork spring / cap pushes against. It’s a real pain to push the cap down whilst removing the circlip until you get the hang of it. My first attempt took two hours but eventually it was down to five minutes per leg. The drive belt requires virtually zero maintenance but I did check and adjust mine with the aid of an online bought BMW workshop DVD. It is easy to adjust but the loosening / tightening sequence of the bolts must be followed. The cost of a replacement belt is around £210.00. BMW recommend also changing the pulleys (sprockets) at the same time that come in at a hefty £432.00. Belt life expectancy is 26,000 miles but owners report 36,000 is achievable. Finish on the wheels and frame is fantastic. The plastics had a few what looked like cracks but these were just on the surface gel. The bike is held together with Torx fittings some of which had started to show signs of rust under the finish. The engine finish is good where it stays on but had chipped off in several areas, no real surprise at 15 years old. At the back of the cylinders is a water trap shaped like a trough with no drain point so soaking away the water with a sponge after washing is required

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Bought £2,200. Sold £2195.00. Expensive when new and generally owned by older caring owners so well worth considering for a general all-round bike. Check the belts mileage as you can spend up to 25% of a second-hand bikes value if a replacement is required with the pulleys.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Mine was fitted with optional factory heated grips with no unsightly wiring and worked really well. It also had a Fuel gauge, Gear position indicator, outside temperature gauge. Miles to empty display and average MPG / speed display. Some of these items are optional extras so not all F800’s have them. Brilliant headlight, clear instrument displays, good quality switches. My only criticism would be the indicator switches that are mounted on each handlebar. These work really well when you get used to them but the cancel button is too low down on throttle hand. Moving your thumb down to the cancel button naturally opens the throttle slightly so when coming out of slow tight corners it can cause the bike to pick up more suddenly than intended. The height of the switch can’t be adjusted.

Buying experience: Bought privately. Advertised at £2,400 paid £2,200. Sold 9 months later for £2195.00. Expensive when new and generally owned by older caring owners so well worth considering for a general all-round bike. Check the belts mileage as you can spend up to 25% of a second-hand bikes value if a replacement is required with the pulleys.

4 out of 5 Yellow ones are faster
12 December 2021 by StEMax

Version: F800s

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £150

My return to biking after 12 year sabbatical as I wanted something a little sporty but not full on head down super sports. Had it just over a year now, reasonably comfy, though my ageing hands still feel a little tingly - grip puppies help enormously. Also not being very tall the pegs do cause a tiny bit of discomfort after a couple of hours, but again thats probably down to my age! Keep looking at newer bikes but cant decide on an all rounder that will do the same without breaking the bank.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Best riding solo, when the seals were done in the forks I put 10wt oil in there instead of 5, less dive and a slightly firmer ride. Dropped the forks 10mm and its plenty of fun in the twisties. Pillion wise, my son is taller than me, so you really notice pillions - though friends have remarked how the bike still turns in better than theirs.

Engine 4 out of 5

Its a bit of a surprise really, not arm wrenching acceleration, but wind it up and it takes off. Had the front lift a few times on the gas, but nothing scary. Rotax is noisy, no piston slap on mine atm, run 10w50 in it and seems happy. Does suffer from the odd false neutral annoyingly and has given me a heart in the mouth moment when downshifting for a fast bend. May just be me not kicking the lever hard enough.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Fit and finish - for a 13 year old bike is rather good. Sure there is some flaking paint on the engine and forks but that has to be expected. Had to fit a booster plug as from cold the bike had a tendency to stall - cured that immediately and can be ridden straight from start now. Fork seals and guides were done after I bought it - MOT advisory - but apart from the usual service items and punctures its been brilliant. Kept on a battery conditioner through the winter.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Basic service items and some farkles added, fuel economy is very good though I dont really pay attention to the MPG. Tyres and belt probably in the next 12 months but thats no different from any other bike.

Equipment 5 out of 5

Got the basics right, fuel gauge a bit slow to work when filled and pretty much useless as it says >104 miles when there are miles more, stick it on the stand at 60 miles remaining and when you return the light is on saying 40.... Could do with a slipper clutch as Ive had the back wheel lock for a moment under heavy braking / downshifting. Heated grips are great....

Buying experience: Ebay, seller a great guy - goy it about £1000 less than other private sellers. Had a short MOT and needed a few minor items but as with any blind purchase you pays your money and take a chance.

5 out of 5 Red F800s quality ride
08 October 2021 by Glenn

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £180

One of the best midrange bikes I’ve had over the past 30 years so nice for sort and long trips but doesn’t like town traffic. Very reliable even after 15 years and 50,000 miles it still looks fab runs like the first day and so easy looked after.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Great to ride on open roads but not the best in slow stop start city traffic. Good for big trips but need more brakes than if you where on a big tourer but more fun when you find the twisties

Engine 5 out of 5

Great power delivery lots of grunt smooth and progressive even at low speed in high gear

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Built to last haven’t replaced any major parts only consumables belt was biggest cost replacement BMW recommended replace after 28,000 miles but I only did it at 40,000 and the belt still looked fine. One small prob is some paint flake on sump belly of engine think they suffer from what the old f650 used to but she is 15 years old and has done a lot of wet and winter miles tlc is the key.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Can veriy between dealers and what you need done due to age but easy maintaining and on average rides town/country I get over 45mpg sometimes more if i keep my speed below 60mpr

Equipment 5 out of 5

Great seat and the engine/ drive train so easily maintained but extras such as centre stand taller screen ABS and a top box are a must also replace the exhaust for a after market as it saves 5 kg

Buying experience: From a dealer it was the first one delivered in Northern Ireland loved it and great price

5 out of 5 Mr
01 June 2021 by Etsakl

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £200

Excellent, great fuel efficiency, comfy to long distance trips for 2.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 3 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
4 out of 5
10 September 2020 by Danny24

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £150

I had an F800s for around five years and it did just about everything - it commuted, toured and cornered beautifully. Something a little different from the mainstream as well.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

For day to day road use the handling was excellent. I daresay a trackday/sports rider would disagree, but it could still outperform me.

Engine 3 out of 5

Loads of easy power throughout the rev range as you would expect from a parallel twin. It just lacked the bhp to provide the wow factor - the new 900 (105bhp) engine would have pushed the F800 to a four or five rating.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

BMW quality. Never had any problems.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

The bike would easily average 60 mpg despite some silly riding. I used to try and get the live fuel consumption to read 100 mpg - it would do about 98mpg at 40mph. Ridiculously frugal bike and easy to service as well.

Equipment 3 out of 5

No traction control, no engine modes and those annoying BMW indicators (left on the right handlebar and right on the right). Outdated equipment by today's standards, but not sure that really matters. Belt drive never needed touching !

4 out of 5 I nearly flipped this bike
15 August 2020 by Paul Edge

Version: ST

Year: 2010

Once you get the hang of it it's great fun, I've the st and initially despite enjoying the test run on longer rides it became unbearable, vibration and pressure from the bars and a hell of a racket in my lid. I'd bought the bike 2nd hand from a dealer and the bars came rolled down to encourage a kind of tucked riding position, this was the problem. After a bit of messing I've settled on having them swept up and back, it's working for me my hands are lighter on the bars and my head seems to be in a turbulence sweet spot, I'm learning to love this bike. Short shift a bit and relax the torque's got you covered if you need to roll on past 5k, on the other hand you can ride it where the real fun is between 6 and 8. Clutchless up shifts never miss and rev matching back down is smooth as you effortlessly tip her into the corners This bike loves corners, at low speed it seems to flop into them and the closer to the edge of the tyre it gets the more planted it feels, at high it just rails around them. Good fun

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
4 out of 5 Love it despite it's faults :-)
24 April 2020 by Phil C

Version: T

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £60

Beautiful to look at, lovely torque curve. Yes, I would recommend to a friend. I love this bike but it always tests my commitment in hot weather. It's so comfortable and goes beautifully when it goes properly but when you're filtering down a crappy motorway tailback on a hot weekend in July the last thing you need is the problem described in the next section.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

A bit snatchy but that's a modern bike with all the electronics and EFI isn't it? It's very easy to ride, almost too easy as it leans almost too easily into bends. I think that's why it's considered a good first big bike, low centre of gravity with under seat tank, but by no means a novice bike only. I've been riding for well over 30 years and though it's a bit disconcerting around bends sometimes compared to my old ZX9R, it's always a pleasure to ride, it's up to the rider to master isn't it? :-)

Engine 5 out of 5

Nice torque curve, uses a good range of power. Love it!

Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5

Still looks beautiful after 10 years but quite often, in hot weather, it'll go for miles on the A and M roads but then when you slow down for a break or to exit the main road, it just loses power and then dies! MAJOR ISSUE!!! I bought it for renowned BMW reliability and good looks, a classic, in my opinion. But this issue is a pita! It dies, you switch off and on again then lo it starts up again, it'll go for another few miles without issue, then dies again! filling up to a full tank of super unleaded helps but it will still die again albeit quite a few more miles further on down the road. I think that there is a resolution but I'm yet to try it. I think it's to do with the airflow management but needs to be tested.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

The cost includes, oil, air filter, oil filter and spark plugs. The coil removal tool is a one off £12.00 but not essential. Not too expensive and certainly not difficult to service myself. DO NOT use a BMW service centre! No need to be scared of the electronics as they're the most reliable aspect of this bike. Easy service and about 58 miles to the gallon. Belt is good though I did snap one whilst giving it the beans one time last year, but it was probably the original at about 40K miles. It was easy and not too expensive to replace compared to a decent chain and sprocket set.

Equipment 5 out of 5

Great! Great to have a gear selector monitor and particularly the tyre pressure monitors, I wish we both of those years ago.

Buying experience: Easy

5 out of 5 BMW F800ST - totally awesome!
11 April 2020 by Alferto

Version: ST

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £500

I want a bike that makes me want to ride it. This bike makes me want to ride it!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

I've not taken it on a track, so my rating is for the road only. I weigh about 10 st and just find this thing to be so precise. It's really easy to manoeuvre in town and in the twisties at speed. The riding position for me is super comfortable. I regularly do 2 hour stints before a break and have no issues. Taller riders (I'm 5' 8"), or those who have already given up on life and who like tourer style riding positions, may find the foot-pegs a bit high. I found once I got used to them, comfort was excellent.

Engine 5 out of 5

It's punchy, tractable and willing. It has all you need for the road and because you can use a lot of what it has, rather than a tiny % of some "super" bikes, it makes you feel totally Barry Sheene!

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Owned for 2 years so far and approx. 18,000 miles and the only thing that has gone wrong is a broken horn wire. I do keep the bike garaged, so that helps, but it's ridden all year, all weathers.

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

A BMW garage will charge around £750 for a (do everything) 24,000 mile service! It includes valves, belt drive replacement and brake fluid replacement; but even so that's a lot of money. Most jobs are easy ish enough to do yourself, or find a good non-franchised dealer for much better value. I changed the belt myself which was easy, although the cush drive rubbers are a bit of a faff. If you are not too well off for tools/ confidence in doing your own servicing then an independent dealer should charge reasonable amounts as these are not particularly high spec/ difficult to work on. I do most things myself, so it's super cheap to run.

Equipment 5 out of 5

It's got heated grips, a clock and a fuel gauge; that's all I need or want. Thankfully there is no traction control/ launch assist/ pit lane help etc, so you can be sure it's you riding the bike and not some software engineer sitting in Munich!

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer on Ebay without viewing first. I had recently ridden the newer GT version though, so knew I was going to like it. I haven't regretted it one bit.

3 out of 5 Poor quality BMW
20 March 2020 by Highwayman71

Version: Review is for a 2012 F800ST, which isn't on this list for some reason

Year: 2010

Light, decent handling bike let down by every other aspect.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

Brakes are good. Front forks too soft. Lots of vibrations. Only comfy for about an hour at a time.

Engine 3 out of 5

Puncy engine, but lots of vibrations...and not nice vibrations like a V twin...horrible, shake parts loose type of vibrations.

Reliability & build quality 2 out of 5

Worst build quality of any bike I've owned. Engine paint flaking off; considerable amounts of rust on various fixings; corrosion of mirror stems; oil cooler heat exchanger corrodes, causing it to leak. Belt drive failed at 20k miles (stripped teeth).

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Dealer servicing costs very expensive. Reasonably easy to DIY service. 56mpg average.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Heated grips work well. Indicator switches are different to most other bikes and take some getting used to. I had to fit a higher touring screen to avoid uncomfortable wind buffeting.

4 out of 5 Good, solid, competent
01 January 2017 by Tampock

Year: 2010

A very good back-to-biking/1st big bike. On the other hand, competence does not equal brilliance and there are are few irritations. Therefore, it gets a better than average grade, but I would give it 3.5 out of 5 if I could.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

Gears are very clunky, and around town its a top-heavy pain. But on a winding road up the mountains with the revs at 4.5k +, its good fun and zips past the traffic without fuss or bother. For the daily commute (35 km) it works very well for winding through slow moving motorway traffic, 3rd - 4th gear rolling past semi-stationary cars, with abs when someone lurches across lanes without indicators. On the odd day when the motorway is not overcrowded, it rolls along easily and comfortably at the limit (120 km/h) and in Germany on the autobahn it can do much more.

Engine 3 out of 5

It is a modestly powered vertical twin. Smoother than some but nothing remarkable. And it is NOT a BMW engine. Built by Austrian company Rotax. Good solid, etc, but nothing amazing.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Stock battery had a short life - despite following all the rules. Apart from that, the indicator stalks are very fragile and snap off easily, especially in the cold when the plastic becomes very brittle and you need to check the bolts holding the fairing together as they can become loose. These are small (but irritating) details and the engine, drive belt, etc, all behaved perfectly.

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

I live in Switzerland so my running costs are not much use to anyone. But for the record, the local garage services the bike each year for CHF400 standard service, petrol consumption is 3.8-4.2 l per 100 km, and I do 15k km per year.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Discounts for Switzerland mean BMWs are not as daftly prices as elsewhere. Also the dealers are faster to offer additional discounts. So led indicators, heated grips, bag holders, etc are all available for not too expensive and it holds its value very well compared to most other bikes.

Buying experience: Bought from dealer Chuard Motos in Geneva. Very competent, friendly, helpful, etc.I get it serviced in a local non-BMW garage because its closer and easier to get to.

3 out of 5 F800ST, built down to a price :-(
21 February 2016 by Beren

Version: F800ST

Year: 2010

Annual servicing cost: £200

This bike is quite economical on fuel, I get about 65 mpg. The mirrors are poor and need extenders. I would not recommend this bike to my worst enemy, let alone a friend. BMW's are not as well made as they used to be.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

The standard seat is OK for about 200 miles. Which is about what you get from a tank of fuel. The pillion footrests are too high. Why do most bike designers think that all pillions are contortionists?

Engine 3 out of 5

The engine is quite punchy and you don't have to rev it too hard. But the gearbox is quite notchy, I had trouble selecting 6th gear. The BMW dealer replaced some of the outer selector mechanism under warranty. It made a slight improvement, but only for a few hundred miles. I now don't use the clutch when changing from 5th to 6th. This has resolved the problem completely.

Reliability & build quality 2 out of 5

Most of the paintwork on this bike is powder coated. I used ACF50 all over this bike. But after 1 year, had replaced under warranty, the swing arm, both footrest plates, both mirrors, and the horn, plus half the engine screws because of corrosion! The sump and centre stand now both need to be done, plus more screws are going rusty! :-(

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

I would like to service this bike myself. But you need a GS-911 gadget to reset or adjust the service reminder etc. This costs £250! One for a car costs about £35. It seems that if you own a BMW, people think you're loaded.

Equipment 4 out of 5

This bike is a good all rounder and good on fuel. But a hugger and fender extender are a must. Although you will have to strengthen the underside of the front mudguard because its too flimsy. When you go over bumps, the fender extender hits the tyre and it sounds like the headrace bearings are shot. The OE Bridgestone Battleaxe tyres were rubbish! Poor grip in the wet and a short life too, I replaced them with Avon 3D-XM, which the front lasted 10,000 miles, the rear has still got a few thousand miles left.

Buying experience: I bought a black Touring model new in 2012 from my local BMW main dealer and got a small discount. I wanted a lupin blue one, but this was a £300 option! Now different colours are a no cost option.

3 out of 5 poor reliability and service
27 May 2014 by leighvaughton

Don't but this bike if you actually need it on a daily basis. Multiple recalls and unbelievably long lead times for servicing/recall work mean you're likely to be off the road for months, like me. Poor engineering and quality control have led to issues with the fuel pump sensor (let me down in the middle of Bristol) and rear bearing (replacement needed at 24k miles with two months wait to book it in). Don't believe the hype with BMW 'quality'- they just don't match up to their Japanese competitors. Shame - otherwise a good and economical bike.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 1 out of 5
Value vs rivals 3 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 F800ST beamerbrian
25 March 2014 by beamerbrian

Best bike i have owned. Where are MCN testers coming from 182kg is heavy? mpg 38 I get 68 and flying. Smooth comfortable, handles really well, very torquey, very little vibs. Brilliant bike.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
5 out of 5 Very good overall...
05 October 2011 by Andy949494

This is my fifth bike and I have bought a lot of new Japanese middleweights before. I use it for commuting where the belt drive is really useful - why bother with chains and their short life, frequent adjusts and continual requirement for lube? (Even when I had a scotoiler I didn't find it as good as this). Running costs are very low. Servicing is every 6000 miles and many services are fairly basic checks whilst the economy of this is better than my old 250R. Quality is way better than Japanese and it just doesn't rust even when left a few days with winter water and salt on it. I also appreciate the advanced electronics ABS, Tyre pressure monitoring, calculation of mpg and miles left etc. It goes very well but I would prefer a Hornet. I know because I have ridden one and back to back the Hornet handles slightly better and I prefer the exhaust note and the real kick at the top end. That said the engine in the F800 is very good and provides much better low end drive with a real rasp and push at the top end. But the hornet would cost more to run (economy is lower and servicing is more frequent and expensive) and would be colder and wetter in the winter. Range isn't bad and since the fuel tank is below the seat it is easy to fill to the top even on the side stand. It is a bit uncomfortable when riding below 50 because of the bars but this adds to the character. I like its physical size. Its good for commuting (not too big for filtering) and is easy to touch the ground but isn't CBR125 small. Overall very pleased. Its a keeper...

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
4 out of 5 Light and Perky
04 August 2010 by nss5pjs

I have a 2007 F800S. I go out to my garage every morning and out of five bikes I usually pick this one to commute on. Light, responsive, good in-town manors a plus. At the other end of the scale, it's got too much back lash in the gearbox and the water pump weeps a bit every now and then. Lots of weird mechanical noises from engine but didn't break yet. Uneven clutch release makes me feel like I'm beter off to just drop it and leave slipping to a minimum. Crap tyres.. i lost both ends in the rain. Good riding position, good brakes, perky engine and nice exhaust sound. It's a keeper!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 3 out of 5
3 out of 5 Hmmm
13 March 2010 by

I bought this 2006 bike unseen ( silly me), though I had sat on one at the bike show at the NEC and felt it was a comfy riding position. How memories can fool you or perhaps its the fact I have 2 years riding under my belt. The thing that reviews dont point out is that if you are a taller person say over 5'11 then the handlebars are too close and the pegs too high. Whether its this but the balance of the bike doesnt feel right. This combined with a very soft front fork and engine like a thrappy diesel means I cant whizz smoothly round tight roundabouts like I could in my cbf 600. Low speed commuting is also a chore because the engine is gutless at low revs, Ist gear feels like 2nd ( easy to stall), the mirrors are poor and theres the awful bmw indicators. Accessories are painfully expensive. I havent had any reliability issues but the corrosion on the engine is shocking for a premium brand. On a plus note paint quality is otherwise good and the bike has impressive style. Fuel economy and tank range are very good ( see Fuelly). I'm overall dissapointed with it though, the ergonomics, handling, corrosion are worse than the middle of the road Honda I had and I long for a nice smooth reliable Japanese bike. If you are commuting a lot you just dont want the distractions that this bike has given me. If you are a leisure sort of biker or like touring then I expect the bike will suit you better.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5
Engine 3 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5
Value vs rivals 3 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
3 out of 5 Nice bike, shame about the build
18 November 2009 by foulis

I have a 2006 model, I say this because I would hope that the problems have been ironed out for the newer version. This is a lovely bike to ride, the engine is punchy with great midrange, though snatchy at low revs which takes a little getting used to and gentle throttle control. The ride is great for a bit of everything, but don't be fooled by the s in it's title it's no thoroughbred sports bike. I want to love it because it is so capable but I can't. The downside is the build quality, this bike has had problems, check the forums. Engine cutting out for no reason (now resolved, fault unknown), piston slap (only resolution is a rebuild), rear wheel bearings going at around 15000 (modified bearings fitted, had to pay labour only), and a few smaller niggles, corrosion is a problem. These are not uncommon faults and you should check the mods have been done before buying. Incidentally BMW will not directly admit to these faults (except the rear wheel bearings), but will try to resolve. I can only assume they are reluctant to except responsibilty due to a lack of backup from Germany. Overall a good bike, but be warned make sure any problems have been fixed on your bike, check the forums for details of common faults.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 1 out of 5
Value vs rivals 2 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 BMW's best kept secret
21 October 2009 by Graphitan

BMW is missing a trick with the F800ST - it is a superb all-rounder but relatively few people seem to know about it. Having tested the usual all-rounders (VFR800, CBF1000, etc), I found the ST completely by accident through BMW's low seat range. Vines of Guildford were excellent (as were most of the competitor brands I spoke to), offering an extended test ride despite having passed my test just one week earlier and doing a very competitive deal on their ex-demonstrator. A recent ride to Switzerland was a revelation - 550 miles in one hit and felt completely fresh when I arrived. The alpine roads were well worth the trip, although the high altitude revealed that the coolant had been over-filled at the factory, forcing the excess to leak out. Occasional false neutrals between 5th and 6th seem to be a common problem on the forums but a heavier boot up the gears seems to have fixed that. I regularly ride the bike two-up with full panniers and it is never short of performance or comfort while delivering over 55 mpg in all conditions. The optional expandable panniers are ample for touring and will each hold a full face helmet to save carrying them around on day trips. Insurance and servicing costs(6K intervals) are very reasonable, while the belt drive minimises maintenance. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the ST - it has certainly raised eyebrows amongst my more experienced biking mates.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
5 out of 5 ST version
06 August 2009 by andy938

Just returned to biking after 25 year absence. Last bike a Z1B, middling brakes and very suspect handling. What a refreshing change the ST is, it goes and stops brilliantly. Comfort good with plenty of space at the back for the larger lasses. Cannot believe what a brilliant package Bee Em have come up with.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 my f800st
05 May 2009 by justpassedmetest

im not the tallest guy in the world with only 29" inside leg but the bike is a nice height for me (standard height seat) i bought mine from a bmw dealer in grimsby and found them most helpful. The ride and handling are a delight and the engine is a treat, especially when sha gets busy at over 5000 revs. the quality and finish are top notch as you would expect for a beemer but the worst thing is the gearbox talk about kerrunch!! im sure ill master it its comfy nice riding position and VERY economical (66mpg). Its my first bike for 25 years and im pleased i bought it sure it was more than the equivalent jap bike but its worth it love it to bits

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
5 out of 5 Ticks all the boxes
02 February 2009 by beegrich

Being a tall rider [all leg] and coming back to two wheels after a gap of 18 years this bike ticked all the boxes for me. It looks big, but feels just right on the bike, its got lots of low down grunt and nippy through town. The local dealer lent me one for the day and after 3-4 hours [avg 55 mpg] in the seat I was still up for some more riding. Compared to the VFR 800, which was high on the list this bike excels in every area and is right up my street and shows that its in a different league altogether. I've order in 2008 colours for 09 plate delivery, just 26 days to go and I can't wait. The only down side for me was the location of the indicator cancel button, in winter with thick gloves this proved to be a little tricky, especially around town but will come with practice. Ive also ordered a slightly higher aftermarket screen, as per the demo bike as this made the high speed journeys slightly more bearable with the wind going round instead of into the helmet face area.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 bmw f800s/st
13 December 2008 by spenhouse

On my second f800 now, First did 21,500 miles went down to south of Morocco on an "S" model kitted out, 67 mpg in all weather and climate. Unfortunately had a head on crash 2,100 miles from home, bike saved me, no injuries but after riding it all way home it was written off,(100 pc to Carole Nash). Now on second bike, f800st, same attributes, very safe and comfy and very economical. Have you noticed what high mileages owners of this model cover?

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
4 out of 5 Working Bike
26 November 2008 by k1000gt

We have got a 800ST for our mobile service engineer and we have had it for 2 months,so far we have been averaging 60+MPG and on a metzler Z6 rear we got just over 7000 miles!great bike,great handling,very cost effective

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
5 out of 5 This is a GREAT all around bike
06 June 2008 by luvmybmw

It had been 25 years since owning my last motorcycle. I had always wanted a BMW so I started to do some homework. I read all the reviews of the different BMW bikes. I wanted a motorcycle that was fun to rideand easy to handle, it had to have many safety features I was looking for (ABS, self-canceling turn signals). I wanted it to be smooth, reliable and great on gas. Well, I found the perfect bike, a 2007 BMW F800S. It is all of those things and more. It is also sporty. I even added the side bags and top case for touring. This bike is a dream. It is VERY comfortable as well. It gets great gas mileage. The specs say 38 mpg, but I get 60 mpg doing 70 mph. If I get on it I still get high 40's to low 50's. It handles like a cat on carpet. Love the torque curve on this bike, not too touchy, very smooth and fast. If you are looking for one GREAT motorcycle the F800 is is a very terrifc motorcycle. I can't stay off it :-).

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
5 out of 5 Great Bike
28 May 2008 by silks59

I have owned the bike now for over a year and have done over 9000 miles across europe, a few 9 hr days and its done everything I have asked of it, great tourer, I wont be selling it !!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
5 out of 5 My baby
03 January 2008 by HugoB

What a rush. When you hit 5-8k revs from 2nd to 3rd to 4th and are doing a fair whack in the blink of an eye, you know you made the right choice. I bought a one year old S version, and bought full luggage kit to boot. Tob box is small which is annoying (had old givi E52 on my old SV). Engine cuts out when you whang the throttle open at traffic lights, or popping the revs to hold your balance at low speeds - can be VERY annoying and embarrasing. Customer service is fantastic.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
4 out of 5 What a fantastic bike!!!
22 December 2007 by okmate

I've had my F800s nearly a year now and i love it more and more every time i go out for a ride. Stick it in fourth gear on a nice sweeping country lane and you can just play with the throttle as the response from the sublime parallel twin engine gives you so much feed back. Just fitted a skidmarx double bubble screen and an akrapovic exhaust. The screen is a massive improvement over the stock version and the exhaust gives the bike a little more punch with a great sounding note. I have also found the the new exhaust has cured the low speed stuttering that i used to get. I use this bike all year round and find it can handle anything i ask of it. Great value too.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
4 out of 5 It's a great bike but...
24 October 2007 by sweetcorn309

It's not perfect. I agree with all the positive comments so far, but must say 1) the gearbox is sh*te, 2) the ST screen directs wind (and flies) straight onto your visor and the noise even at modest speeds can be deafening - and yes I wear plugs, 3) 2nd gear roll-on/off is snatchy as hell. However, I commute 60 miles per day with plenty of overtakes and still average 66 mpg!

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 3 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
4 out of 5 First bike from direct access
18 September 2007 by rogernshelton

Tried the ST preferred the S. Can ride it like a tourer or sports bike. First bike from direct access - 4500 miles in 4 months, 63 mpg, £250 insurance - no oil added. Goes and corners better than I can - don't think I'll reach its limits any time soon. Definitely recommended for first medium/big bike.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 ST version
22 June 2007 by mabow

Top bike. Quality build, fantastic ride. Just going in for a 6k service after 6 months. I find it an easy commuter bike, superbly balanced and easy to flip around. Gearbox and drive pulley mods are essential [warranty]. Highly recommended.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
5 out of 5 A great bike with ABS, on-board computer, heated grips & excellent belt drive.
02 November 2006 by coinneachshanks

I bought this bike new two months ago and currently I would not exchange it for anything else. It is a joy to ride. Twisty roads are a delight. And it's rather eye-catching if you like that sort of thing. Still running it in and it's getting better! Strengths: It has splendid balance. I swear it could stand up on its own without a side stand. Light and manoeuvrable. Much torque. Weaknesses: Very minor weaknesses like uncertain first to neutral, false neutrals - the usual!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 A cracking bike!
17 October 2006 by bandk7

This is a fantastic bike and you're getting a lot of quality and value at a pretty decent bike (especially for BMW). If you've never been interested in the usual BMW motorbikes than I would recomend taking a look at this one before your next buy - it's not what you would expect. It's great fun to ride, solid and very stable on the road. Strengths: The best part is it's low down torque that just pulls and pulls when you open the throttle - a wonderful feeling! Weaknesses: If only it had full fairing for less cleaning...

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 Returned after 35 years, considered Honda CBF1000 and F800ST, but this looks better.
14 July 2006 by Scampo

Comfortable, powerful with bags of torque and useful computer readouts.Characterful sound. I just love this bike. It's forgiving way of handling has helped me after such a long time away. Had ABS, centre stand, computer trips and panier mounts added. Strengths: Engaging looks, torque, quality and comfort. Weaknesses: Fairing and screen could give better protection. Expensive add ons.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
4 out of 5 Punchy perfromance and great handling but expensive with all the necessary extras.
30 June 2006 by harrypaul

Strengths: Great handling, superb engine, easy to handle. Weaknesses: Wind protection from screen is poor at motorway speeds. Mirrors are almost useless.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
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