BIKE Magazine Review: F800st vs. ST3s, Sprint, and...Gixxer 750?

[Lawn Dart]

Well, the latest BIKE magazine just hit my mailbox today and on the cover was a title that I just had to read first:  "Sports Tourers vs. Sportbike".

Here's the prelude, the F800ST is BIKE's new Champion ST machine.  In their opinion the F800st bests the VFR, ST, and ST3s quite handily by offering the best balance in riding.  

Just a few comments/quotes:

On the Sprint:  "I've a theory that in previous tests the Triumph;s fantastic engine has been so overwhelming next to the VFR abnd it's annoying VTEC, so more refined than lumpier twins, that it's masked how rather average the rest of the bike is.    An engine plays a huge part ina bike's character, and the triple is so soulful it stands proud - ask anyone who's tested a Sprint to describe the best bits and it's always the engine that gets glowing praise.  Nobody is ever compelled to talk about efforless handling or an amazingly plush ride, to remark on peerless ergo's or perfectly executed design.

(personally, I agree with the take on the Sprint)

Onto the F800ST:  The F800 is the bike to win over a sportbike fan because it has the same level of though and design going into it as a sportbike, just focused over a broader area of use.  You can tell that someone really good was in charge of developing the whole thing. Int eh triumph and Duc case, that's only true of the engine."

And a fine note (because I'm getting tired of typing):  "At least Martin is standing up for the triple.  "On track the way to get the best out of it is to just sit and steer it, in the same way as you would if you were straddling a missle.  I'd imagne.  Lean your upper body, smoohtly ease it about, don't get hurried.  It keeps things calm, with none of the bar wobbles of the duc and way more dreive than the BMW.
He's certainly right about the F800.  More than capable of keeping up on the raod, the 30bhp it gives away to the Spring is plainly apparent on the track.  There are two or three occasions round the lap where the parallel twin needs an extra gear, resulting in extra shifts and a more frantic ride.  must.  Twist. Throttle.  Harder.
The rest of it rocks though - the chassis, brakes, and leverage fro the bars letting it slice through the twistier sections in exactly the way the Triumph can't.  Predictably Rupert needs little provocation to pass opinion:  "Talk purely sports tourers and the F800 is the best here.  it's got the greatest feel and feedback, very srtong brakes, and the least wieght.  If you're coming from a sportsbike it does the best job of feeling alive.
And as we reattach luggage and stock up with bottles of water in readiness for the dash back to Blighty, it's this handling that places the BMW ahead of the two rival.  The Suzuki (Gsxr 750) might be ligh years away but, somewhat surprisingly, it's the little Beemer that's it's least distant rival".

"It doesn't just equal the motorway ability fo the Triumph and Duc:  it beats them.  Decent screen, great riding position, and a bar mounted thing to toggle through the various trip computer readings too, unlike the others:  Martin" amazing fuel cosumption - it indicated 107mpg (!) crawling through roadworkds - combikned with welcome comfort".  andy:  Easily the most comfortable for mile munching.

Scoreboard:  the BMW F800ST wins their comparo despite it's significant HP deficit due to it's overall balance and light weight.

Anyway, it's a pretty good read.  Go buy a copy.  

[The Shepherd]

Did they discuss that the F800ST shakes like Muhammad Ali on a four large espresso caffeine buzz?

[Capirex]

How much does the F800 weigh?  I would guess it is significantly lighter than all those bikes, except the 750 Suzuki.

I do agree on the handling of the Sprint though.  My FZ1 handled much better.

[HexHead]

Rider magazine gave the F800ST Sport Touring Bike of the Year too. I've ridden about 100 mies on one and it's pretty impressive, though I like my R1200ST better. Much better.

[burnergold2B]

 This is the 2nd supposed "comparo" that has the 800ST above some serious ST competition, which are bikes that have been around for much longer- like the VFR. I have an incrediBLY hard time believing this parallel twin beats a VFR in any category of luggage, maintenance costs, or comfort, in it's first year out of the box. If I want a parallel twin performance ST I'll throw some soft luggage on an MZ1000 for the same money. Shit, what color is THIS Kool-Aid?    

[Clive]

How much does the F800 weigh?  I would guess it is significantly lighter than all those bikes, except the 750 Suzuki.

Dry weights, lightest to heaviest ...

2007 Suzuki GSX-R750: 359 lbs
2007 BMW F800ST: 412 lbs
2007 Ducati ST3s: 450 lbs
2007 Triumph Sprint ST: 462 lbs
2007 Honda VFR800: 470 lbs

[Thor]

Bike had been very good at picking bikes that no one likes and don't sell as their winners.  I think they smoke way too much weed.

Boxer Cup Replika anyone.

[Tritium]

I had a loaner F800S while South Sound BMW was fixing something they didn't put together properly when my bike was there in April. It was a cool little bike, but I did find it to be vibey. Very smooth at idle, but at 4500rpm where it was comfortable on the highway, its vibes felt like a "strumming" sensation. I think my R11S vibrates more, but it's more like a thrumming feeling that isn't intrusive at all. My hands hurt a bit after riding the F800S in traffic from Kirkland to Tacoma.

I liked the F800 though. The F800ST is still on the short list of bikes I'd consider if my R11S was stolen or totaled tomorrow, but it's low on the list. I still need to test ride an R1200S and hell, even an R1200GS.

[Tritium]

Bike had been very good at picking bikes that no one likes and don't sell as their winners.  I think they smoke way too much weed.

Boxer Cup Replika anyone.

It's pretty accurate to say that light sport-touring bikes don't sell well. I wouldn't necessarily turn that into "bikes no one likes". The R11S has a very dedicated following, as does the Sprint ST, as does the VFR (yes, even the 6th gen that "no one likes")

I don't think any of those bikes sell particularly well, the "glamor" part of the sport-touring segment is in the gigantor sized sport-TOURING bikes, ala C14, FJR, K12GT.

[tomek]

Dry weights, lightest to heaviest ...

2007 Suzuki GSX-R750: 359 lbs
2007 BMW F800ST: 412 lbs
2007 Ducati ST3s: 450 lbs
2007 Triumph Sprint ST: 462 lbs
2007 Honda VFR800: 470 lbs

I suppose these are manufacturer`s pipe dreams,,,,,,no battery,no fluid in forks,no engine oil,coolant,tires filled with helium,etc.According to Cycle World,VFR is 537 dry,F800-485.

BTW in Cycle World comparo VFR won with F800,,,,,,,

[keystonejenks]

I suppose these are manufacturer`s pipe dreams,,,,,,no battery,no fluid in forks,no engine oil,coolant,tires filled with helium,etc.According to Cycle World,VFR is 537 dry,F800-485.

BTW in Cycle World comparo VFR won with F800,,,,,,,

Duh, hence the word "dry."  

[KingCast]

Did they discuss that the F800ST shakes like Muhammad Ali on a four large espresso caffeine buzz?

I've heard that... but I rode one that did not. I love my Sprint 955i but the suspension is not in the same league as the Beemer that's for sure, but the handling is decent, if a bit slow. Of course we know who's got the motor. Here's my solution:

http://christopher-king.blogspot.com/2011/09/kingcast-you-trading-in-triumph-for-bmw.html

[KingCast]

Duh, hence the word "dry."  

It's all fair and good except for the helium, that's just plain cheating, IMO.

[falconati]

Necromancy, -1000 points.

[DogBoy]

Blog traffic spammer.

[Montyburns]

I ride an 05 Sprint but spent 8 days riding an F800 ST through the Alps last summer. I fully expected to be disappointed with the loss of hp and torque. I don't know if it was the amazing roads or the bike itself but I fell in love with the Beemer. It was all-day comfortable, nimble, and had plenty of get-up-and-go (a technical term). It was a little short on the gadgets, the luggage is extremely inferior to that of my Sprint, and it seemed a little small for me.  I'm also not crazy about the looks. All that being said, it's certainly a bike that I would strongly consider to replace my Sprint.  Of course, I love the K1200s but am not yet convinced it would be a comfort upgrade from my Sprint.

[ConPilot1]

I rode an F800ST for 80 miles. It was a completely fantastic little bike. 57 MPG average. Low-end and midrange power out the asshole.
Feels like you're standing still at 75 MPH and handles like it's on rails. Great ergos for my size @ 5-9 180 30 inseam, and feels SO light at 420 lbs.
Anybody who likes Sprints + StreetTrips and such will love the F800. That Rotax twin has an amazing feel + powerband.
The throttle is a tad twitchy but I don't think it's a bad thing on that bike, it's not lurchy or jumpy at all. Very smooth power. Braking is very positive + 2 fingers.

freaking amazing little bike. Same here, I fell madly in love with it after 10 minutes.