BMW has announced a successor to the F 800 ST sport tourer, the F 800 GT. The belt driven GT gets a 5 hp bump (now 90 bhp), along with improved ergonomics and wind protection.
BMW claims the F 800 GT has an improved luggage system, further enhancing its touring capabilities. ABS is standard, with Automatic Stability Control and Electronic Suspension Adjustment optional.
This new model will definitely be available in the U.S. next year, but pricing and timing are currently unavailable. Here are all the details announced by BMW:
With the new F 800 GT as the successor model to the F 800 ST, BMW Motorrad is enhancing its range in the sporty touring segment and setting a new benchmark among mid-range motorcycles.
The high-torque, water-cooled 2-cylinder in-line engine with a capacity of 798 cc continues to provide dynamic propulsion in the new F 800 GT. An increase in power has been achieved by means of revised set-up. It now has an output of 66 kW / 90 bhp (F 800 ST: 62.5 kW (85 bhp)) at 8,000 rpm. The new F 800 GT boasts an even more supreme drive with the maintenance-free secondary drive via toothed belt.
What is more, improved ergonomics, optimised wind and weather protection and an even more practically oriented luggage system provides the basis for genuine “Gran Turismo”. The new F 800 GT is also fitted as standard with ABS in line with the “Safety 360°” principle. Other optional systems such as Automatic Stability Control ASC and the Electronic Suspension Adjustment ESA ensure that the new BMW F 800 GT sets new standards in terms of safety and comfort within its segment.
As part of the BMW Motorrad program of special accessories, the new F 800 GT can also be fitted with an Akrapovič sports silencer. This slip-on silencer provides a particularly earthy 2-cylinder sound. Made of titanium and stainless steel it enables a weight reduction of approx. 1.7 kg as compared to the standard rear silencer.
Overview of new technical features:
- Increased output of the F 800 GT as compared to predecessor model.
- 66 kW (90 bhp) at 8,000 rpm. (F 800 ST: 62.5 kW (85 bhp) at 8,000 rpm).
- Newly designed trim in more dynamic look with further improved wind and weather protection. New paint finishes.
- The latest generation of BMW Motorrad ABS, now as standard.
- Automatic Stability Control ASC (ex works option / special accessory).
- Electronic Suspension Adjustment ESA (ex works option / special accessory)
- Convenient adjustment of rear spring mount using handwheel.
- Suspension optimised in terms of ride stability and comfort.
- New, lighter wheels in dynamic design.
- Adapted ergonomics for increased touring comfort with higher handlebars and repositioned footrests.
- Enhanced seating comfort for rider and passenger.
- New handlebar switch panels and front brake fluid expansion tank.
- New vibration-free and double-butted aluminium handlebars.
- Cockpit with new dial faces for speedometer and engine speed display as well as an extended range of information.
- Load capacity increased by 11 kg to 207 kg.
- New exhaust system with optimised heel protection.
- Turn indicators in smoke grey.
- Newly developed luggage system (special accessory).
- New connection of BMW Motorrad Navigator IV to handlebar clamp (special accessory).
- Power reduction to 35 kW (48 bhp) (ex works option / special accessory).
Not at the Motorcycle show, I guess they don’t plan on selling it much.
Cool bike. Probably too much money, though. I’d buy one for $8,000, not a penny more.
Is there any comparable new bike to this on the market for $8k?
You’ll be able to get one of these used for that in 4-5 years.
yep. You can get a VFR800 for $4-6k or a K75S for $2-3k.
I just think it’s probably worth about $8,000. Sure, it’ll probably sell for $12,000 and at that price is just not worth it, to me. It’s still a small parallel twin any way you cut it.
buzy twin at that – give me a V-Twin or a triple…Please
I’ve ridden the ST version and I actually liked the motor a lot. It was very quick revving and I thought it was very smooth. I also like the belt drive on a bike like this. I’m not sure it is physically big enough to interest me. The fuel mileage is extremely appealing. If you ride a lot of miles there’s a lot to be said for the fuel consumption.
Unfortunately for BMW the price is likely to be close to competing with the Concours and the ST 1300 Yamaha, and that will be a losing proposition for them. Honda is selling brand new 2 model year old VFRs for $13,000 or so, as well. At $10,000 it would be a serious seller, but it will more likely be $12,000 plus, plus options.
The more I look at this, the more I like it. Belt driven! What a novel idea. I wonder where they got that idea.
And that Honda Goldwing F6B. It looks a lot like a Road GLide. I wonder where they got that idea.
The F800 series has been belt drive since it was first released about 10 years ago.
Kawasaki had belt drive bikes before HD…
Almost all motorcycles built during the first decade or two of the twentieth century were “Belt Drive”.
As an owner of a BMW K1200GT,and former owner of aF800ST,I think it looks like a winner.Time will tell,if the mirrors let you see the road instead of your arms,pegs a bit lower,and the on board computer has shed its gremlins the it may be the bike I’m willing to sell my GT for.My F800ST was a blast to ride where I live,north Georiga mountains and only a fuel sipper(60mpg average)I like that orange color.
I like it, however, I can’t but say that it looks a little like a cross between a Honda and a Suzuki O_O
Nice bike, dumb coffee can exhaust that is too high.
I like the exhaust location…it doesn’t limit cornering clearance and allows easy removal of the rear wheel.
Those little front turn signal indicators look like something I would snap off in the garage by brushing lightly against the bike. The rear indicators look frail too. I am guessing that they were engineered that way so that somebody could rake in the residual payments from replacing them. Another thing, rip off the lower fairing and throw it in the trash where it belongs.
Those directional are used on other BMW’s, Triumphs and some Aprilia’s there location is also very common. I do agree they could be mounted in a more protected manner.
One of the things that I DO like about this bike is that it looks much classier than all the repliracers. There’s nothing worse that a busy looking paint job on a busy looking bike. It’s nice to still have a sport tourer option that isn’t pretending to be an off road bike.
Generally, when BMW adds the GT moniker to one of their bikes, the saddlebags are in the price as standard. I love middleweight sport-touring bikes. My last one was a Yamaha FZ6. This could be the bike that takes over that chore.
This bike is very nice overall, I have never been a big fan this engine, however this is the type of SPORT-touring bike I would buy. I currently own a Triumph, Sprint ST, and love it, I won’t ever sell it, but at some point I will have to replace it, and most of the offerings on the market don’t do it for me. This is so much nicer than a “adventure touring” poser bike. Hopefully this will spark other brands to follow suit. I look forward to reading some reviews.
I had a Sprint ST and found it to be a great bike. Excellent engine. I’ve also had the chance to spend a lot of time with the BMW twin in the F650GS (wife’s bike) and the F800GS (bike I rent overseas). I found it to be a great motor, especially as tuned for the 800. No problem keeping up with the 1200s in the mountains. One benefit for sport touring is that it gets excellent gas mileage (60+), even in the higher state of tune. Never cared much for the 800ST, but this 800GT looks like a much improved bike. I think it will sell well (for a BMW), provided the price isn’t exorbitant.
Looks nice but not enough improvements to get me off my super smooth and reliable K75S.
-todd
Wow! A BMW that looks like a Honda. What will they think of next?
Exactly what I thought! With that single-sided rear swing-arm they should have called it the BMW VFR800GT
BTW, BMW developed the single-sided swingarm way before Honda, on the R100GS.
You’re correct but it was the R80GS (1980). The R100GS didn’t come along until until ’88.
Many of us GS owners laughed ourselves silly when Honda announced it had invented the single sided swing arm.
Goose
y’all sit around and laugh yourselves silly do ya?
read this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imme_R100
Well, BMW did invent the ss swing arm, but Honda did it right.
It’s the VFR front end I saw first…but its good looking anyway. I’m not a fan of the vertical twin, too buzy.
BMW makes a bike that looks like a honda smashed into a multistrada. Honda makes a bike that looks like a GS (crosstourer). Not sure why we have so many manufacturers when most seem to have little to no imagination.
I like it. For the price it will no doubt have, it would be better off with a triple though.
I think that’s the problem. It will no doubt cost as much as or more than the Triumph Sprint GT.
The main redeeming feature would be the fuel mileage and the belt drive, though it seems a little crazy to spend $12K or so to save gas money when there’s a Honda NC700X for almost half the price.
“…though it seems a little crazy to spend $12K or so to save gas money when there’s a Honda NC700X for almost half the price.”
You get what you pay for bro. Chain drive, no ABS, much less power, 1/3 of the warranty, etc., on the NC700X. This is comparing apples to oranges.
Wow! That’s almost as nice as the old K100RS. But not quite.
As an owner of a K1200LT, I say you are living in a dream world populated by flying brick dinosaurs.
Pricing unavailable? It will be expensive, like all BMW’s.
This is a good sign – a light weight sport-touring bike with upright ergos…
My SV1000 N is just itching to be replaced as a street only mount (previously was used for street and track days).
I hope to see a more “Daytona-tuned” 800 cc (read: 115-120 bhp)light weight SPORT-touring motorcyle from Triumph.
This might be a possibility since Triuph has BMW in their sights
…or I might end up on a KTM SMT 990 or even a Tiger 1050
My motorcycling future just keeps getting brighter
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dammit, Triumph… GET ON IT!!! BABY SPRINT ST!!! NAO!!!
Yes please. I’ve been expecting a Sprint 800 to spring up ever since the announcement of the Trophy 1200. I really like the Sprint ST/GT, but would love to see something more in the Tiger 800 weight/power/price class.
well there’s three of us who want a:
Light Weight
SPORT-touring Motorcycle (almost sportbike handling)
w/ upright ergos
Not an Adv Bike
& 115 or more HP & torquey power delivery
We are looking at Triumph & KTM as the most likely Manufacturers… Maybe someone else will get a clue?
…just weh I thought these Captchas were getting more readable…
Sweet.
Anyone know what’s with the “new front brake fluid expansion tank”? Somehow I’ve lived without one of these for decades. Is this similar to when BMW tried to add power brakes to the 1150 series and it made the bike practically unrideable at parking lot speeds?
Expansion tank = reservoir.
All front brake systems have had a reservoir. Some were a black aluminum casting as part of the master cylinder. The reservoir had a square cap held on with 2 screws.
They don’t make that type of master cylinder much any more as a plastic cup with a screw on cap is cheaper, lighter and more compact and more versatile.
Power reduction to 35 kW (48 bhp) (ex works option / special accessory).
Who is that for?
I suspect that’s for countries with graduated licensing.
makes sense.
That’s a good looking bike. RWH on the F800ST was around 77 hp, so hopefully this is at least 80 at the rear wheel. Would really like to see a test on this, and of course how much the luggage adds as an accessory.
All they need to do is increase the HP to 100 HP, make it a bit peaky instead of staid. Move the muffler down on the side or under the engine so it doesn’t interfere with the left saddlebag.
+1 On what sport touring planed is the muffler more important than the saddle bag.?. The left side is advertised at half the capacity of the right. Sport TOURING, not sport mufflering.
wow. never really liked upright sport tourers but this one is pretty sexy! @_@