BMW F800ST Review (2006)
What Is It?
The BMW F800ST is a mid-range sports tourer which is closely related to the naked F800R. It's powered by a Euro 3 compliant liquid cooled 798 cc parallel twin engine which puts out 87 bhp at 8,000 rpm and maximum torque at 6,000 rpm. Power makes its way to the rear wheel via belt drive.
Specs
- Seat Height: Average (820 mm / 32.3 inches)
- Weight: Heavy (209 kg / 461 lbs)
- Economy: Average (55 mpg / 5.1 l/100km / 19.5 km/l)
- Range: High (190 miles / 306 km)
- Power to Weight: Average (0.416 bhp/kg / 0.310 kW/kg)
- Top Speed: High (140 mph / 225 km/h)
Pros
- Handling
- Luggage
- Comfort
- Brakes
- Value
Cons
- Suspension
- Gearbox
What Is It Like?
I was lucky to get a very low mileage 2011 and it was pretty much unused when it was delivered.
What's Good?
It’s very well balanced and fairly light.
If you commit to corners, it feels great and the brakes are superb.
For me it’s more than fast enough. I have red lined it a few times but it’s capable of 130 mph + so how fast do you want to go?
It’s not really a tourer and I haven’t toured on it. Having said that it comes with panniers which can expand, which is awesome, also locked using the main key.
What Could Be Improved?
I found the gearbox a little clunky in 1st around town but I also realised it’s very happy, with plenty of low end grunt to do most low speed stuff in 2nd.
Mods
I’m 6’1 so I changed the seat for the ‘high’ one.
To Sum Up
It’s a comfortable bike with mirrors in the right place, just enough screen to take off the worst wind at speed and not too much ‘sport bike’ positioning but if you need to get on the tank it feels right.
Honestly, I think this is a massively under rated bike, it’s a joy to ride, feels fantastic at high / low speeds, stops on a sixpence and corners like a racing bike!
- John EB, 2020
Price Guide
Related Bikes
BMW F800S - Sports equivalent
BMW F800R - Naked equivalent
Add Your Review
Do you own this bike? We would love to hear anything good, bad, unexpected or that you have changed plus anything that a prospective new owner might find interesting or useful.