Bmw f800gt
- Thread starter Daboo
- Start date
Glad they fixed the vibration issue when they made the GT. The ST was horrible for me.
That engine and transmission are really cool aren't they.
That engine and transmission are really cool aren't they.
Nice bike Chris. I know the feeling about don't go to dealers for test rides. I have been eying a 2016 BMW 1200GS at our local BMW dealer. I have known the owner for over15 years and the current sales guy Clark for 5 years. Go over on weekdays to drink a cup of java and talk motorcycles. They currently have two 1200GS bikes. With the seat in low position I can almost flat foot the bike. 45 pounds lighter than the NT believe it or not. 125 horsepower. And really long legs. Here to almost Pensacola on a tank. MSRP $20,000. Close to $23,000 out the door. Problem is I would have to sell two bikes plus rob the piggy bank......hmmmmmmneed to stay away.
Still may twist Clark's arm for a test ride on a 1200GS one day.
Still may twist Clark's arm for a test ride on a 1200GS one day.
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Soooooo, Did you buy it? To bad Honda did not stay in the Sport Touring market, Seems to me they are loosing a lot of sales from people that can afford the more expensive, refined machines. Not everyone wants a $30,000 Goldwing or an 8,000 bare-bone commuter. Congrats on your find, Now GO RIDE. See you at Spearfish.
Chris, it looks great! Enjoy it! And like Chuck said, bring it to Spearfish.
And...need I say it.....20more hp and 6 speeds 
Ken wrote:
I've received a number of PMs with that same question that Ken asked since listing my NT in the Classifieds. No, the world is not coming to an end. But I did make a mistake. Never take a test ride with your wallet in your pocket.
Ah, the dreaded test ride. It can certainly determine your fate. I took a 2008 BMWF800ST out for a test ride in 2010 before I bought the NT. It was used and the owner allowed me the ride. I never could put my finger on it but something just didn't seem right and I walked away. Within a month I had my NT.
A few years later I took a Thruxton out for a test ride. Loved the engine, hated the seating position but it shares the same power plant as the Bonneville. It was only a matter of time until there was a Bonnie in the stable to keep the NT comfortable. I was completely content, my tourer and my around town rides.
Then a few years later on a whim I took a Trophy SE on a test ride. I giggled like a school boy the entire ride. Handles like a sport bike, seemingly unlimited power, totally comfortable ergonomics, all the amenities, great wind and weather protection, lots of luggage space, my wife loved it. I didn't have an option after I rode it. I continue to be amazed and surprised by this bike just about every time I mount up, a truly remarkable motorbike. I hated to give up the NT but after a test ride I had no choice.
You all probably know that Triumph has totally modernized their Bonneville/Thruxton line. Reviews have been nothing but spectacular. Several sales people have offered me test rides on the new Street Twin, most recently on Tuesday. I've resisted knowing that once I ride it I'll have to have it. Wish me luck holding out.
So Chris, I understand exactly what happened! Enjoy that new motorbike, I'm sure you will.
What a beautiful ride!
junglejim
Site Supporter
Gongratulations on a great bike. I completely understand why you were won over.
I came dangerously close to buying a R1200 GS myself last winter.
Enjoy your new ride and keep us posted (like we need more temptation).
I came dangerously close to buying a R1200 GS myself last winter.
Enjoy your new ride and keep us posted (like we need more temptation).
That's a nice looking bike...
Just a heads up, watch the gaskets on your Clearwaters, I've seen some folks complain they leak. I haven't experienced any issues yet with my Kristas but I've seen a few posts on it on other forums.
Chris, I almost emailed you yesterday as I had wondered what had happened to you, whether it was serious or not. It sounds as if you found an excellent, well farkled bike. I'm taking off for the San Francisco area on the Pacific Coast hiway this Saturday on the NT. When you actually retire, keep in touch and perhaps we can go down to Palo Alto together. Congratulations and please stay on this forum and let us know what you think.
Terry
Terry
What a gorgeous looking bike, Chris! Congrats!!
Most of us would rather have shaft drive, but the belt solution seems to me to be a very close second. You don't have to do anything to it except watch and replace when necessary - and no messy lube.
Really - I hope you bring it to Spearfish. For that matter, I hope Dan brings his Trophy SE. I would love to see both - and their riders, of course!
But - - no test rides!! (At least, not with my wallet in pocket.)
Most of us would rather have shaft drive, but the belt solution seems to me to be a very close second. You don't have to do anything to it except watch and replace when necessary - and no messy lube.
Really - I hope you bring it to Spearfish. For that matter, I hope Dan brings his Trophy SE. I would love to see both - and their riders, of course!
But - - no test rides!! (At least, not with my wallet in pocket.)
What a gorgeous looking bike, Chris! Congrats!!
Most of us would rather have shaft drive, but the belt solution seems to me to be a very close second. You don't have to do anything to it except watch and replace when necessary - and no messy lube.
Really - I hope you bring it to Spearfish. For that matter, I hope Dan brings his Trophy SE. I would love to see both - and their riders, of course!
But - - no test rides!! (At least, not with my wallet in pocket.)
Most of us would rather have shaft drive, but the belt solution seems to me to be a very close second. You don't have to do anything to it except watch and replace when necessary - and no messy lube.
Really - I hope you bring it to Spearfish. For that matter, I hope Dan brings his Trophy SE. I would love to see both - and their riders, of course!
But - - no test rides!! (At least, not with my wallet in pocket.)
bicyclist
Guest
Now you understand why I call my NT "The Pig".
The F800 is much nicer on a twisty road.The F800 is not really as light as you think. Weigh it with the accessories and you'll find it closer to 500 lbs. The weight of the NT includes the luggage, don't forget. Still, the F800 feels much lighter and more graceful. Great bike to ride.
I recommend signing on to F800Riders.org. There's a huge body of knowledge about the bikes to be found there. They do have their quirks, and enough owners have had to deal with them that they're pretty well known. I'd also recommend that you find a spare belt to take with you to Alaska. That bike is the only one in the BMW lineup that uses a belt and it's a proprietary part. BMW dealers are thin on the landscape and they don't necessarily keep the belt in stock. I'd also recommend joining the BMWMOA and become familiar with the Anonymous book. It's a listing of members willing to help out a stranded rider.
Warren
2
Does that belt really cost around $500 ?
The only negative I've heard to belts is that occasionally a rock can get caught and chew up the "sprocket" and the belt. A $500 belt, if it needed replacing on a regular basis seems to make a decent argument for a chain drive.
So, Chris - when you going to change your avatar photo?
And it's black! If it had another 20hp and 6 speeds I'd probably buy it from you
The HD owners I know well (3 of them) say they get over 60k miles from a belt (one only has 60k miles on his bike and the belt is fine, but, he is going to replace it soon anyway). And none have reported issues with rocks. Two reported that eventually the 'bars' start coming off. One replaces his at 40k miles, but also takes his bike to the dragstrip at least once a month. And he is not 'easy' on the bike on the road either. The other two are 'typical' cruisers. Just amble along without really ever pushing the bike.
I would probably not want one if I rode on dirt (especially sand) a lot, but, otherwise I think the next best thing to shaft drive is a belt. There are a lot of IBA types who run HD's too. Wonder if they change a belt before each event?
The HD owners I know well (3 of them) say they get over 60k miles from a belt (one only has 60k miles on his bike and the belt is fine, but, he is going to replace it soon anyway). And none have reported issues with rocks. Two reported that eventually the 'bars' start coming off. One replaces his at 40k miles, but also takes his bike to the dragstrip at least once a month. And he is not 'easy' on the bike on the road either. The other two are 'typical' cruisers. Just amble along without really ever pushing the bike.
I would probably not want one if I rode on dirt (especially sand) a lot, but, otherwise I think the next best thing to shaft drive is a belt. There are a lot of IBA types who run HD's too. Wonder if they change a belt before each event?
If I had a belt-drive bike, I'd probably fall into that group. When I had a '91 Ford Escort, Ford advised changing the timing belt at 60,000 miles. After I checked on what would happen when it broke and learned that breaking a belt wasn't a cause for internal mayhem in the engine like it was for the previous version of the Escort, I went to 90,000 before the first belt broke and the car was still going strong with that one when I lost track of it when it when the 2nd owner moved away when it had 250,000 miles on it.
However, I would likely be carrying a spare belt on trips to the Great White North and beyond.
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Warren
2
I am not sure I would want a belt breaking at an inopportune time. I think I would replace it at the recommended time.