I would value your opinions please - should I change my 1150R for an F800ST?
I've had the R for 2 years now, and have to say that the only things I don't like are the weight (when I have to "pedal" it around to park etc) and the servo-brakes. It's also 6 years old, but low mileage and great condition. I know what you will all say but have any of you ridden/owned the ST to compare?
R1200R, Night Black, 2007
R1150R, Black, 2001
Black is Best
BIKE (UK) magazine, October, has a shootout between the Ducati ST3s, Suzuki GSX-R750, Triumph Sprint ST, and the BMW F800ST. The Beemer won. A clip:
It's genuinely fantastic... it's the most comfortable here. It's also the most practical, has a belt drive that should last 25,000 miles, does 200 miles to a tank, and uses 20% less fuel on a 1000 mile trip. It's the cheapest too, even with the accessories, its still $1000 less than the Ducati
2004 R1150R ABS
2004 Piaggio BV200 (for work use only!!!)
The new brake system gets higher raves all around - smooth, fewer expensive repairs, good progressive feel.
Much lighter weight and still excellent balance.
Bags, farkles and glitz aplenty.
The parallel twin is a good established design. Unless BMW engineers farked up something, it should be bulletproof. Same hp and similar torque on a lighter body - more available power.
One potential downside is the extra plastic bits for cleaning, waxing, and scratches (if ever), but that's also better wind/weather protection for daily riding.
Last item - the F800ST is less user servicable than the Boxer engined R.
I rode an ST about a month ago, yes it is light, and handles GREAT! Power to weight, not much noticeable difference from the 1150. But I did like it very much! Not enough to buy one. The R1200R, that I tried and LOVED!
RIDE TOO PRETEND, PRETEND TOO RIDE.
89 Oldwing, 07 WR250R, 14 KX250F
My next bike is either going to be a F800ST, Honda VFR Interceptor, Ducati ST3, or Triumph Sprint ST.
For what it's worth, I think the F800ST looks amazing. I sat on one at the dealership a few months ago, and it's a pretty good fit. Doesn't really seem any smaller than the R1150R.
One thing I heard... I was talking with a F800S owner and he said that they have some ABS issues because of the soft front spring that causes the wheel to bounce and the ABS to kick on. Apparently stiffer front springs may solve this, and it may only apply to the F800S, not the ST.
He said:
"Brakes are not servo assisted, but I should be more specific about the ABS issue - it partly stems from the soft, unadjustable front springs. For heavier (190+ pounds) riders, rippled pavement when braking in a corner can cause a pogoing move at the front."
Couple of months back, while picking my bike (Rockster, not R1150R, no much difference apart from bars really and a bit of posture) from servicing I tried the F800ST for an hour.
The trip was on B back roads and some fast A single carriageway.
Facts - at the time I was probably 103 kg with helmet, boots and leathers. 32" inseam - 6'2".
Notes:
The engine is nice. 334 cc less does not mean gutless. I would like to see how it will go loaded two-up with luggage. (I have no experience with that on the Rockster either).
Fork dive scares me ... I want my mummy and my Telelever back ...
The whole thing is short. If you are tall, then there is no much of the bike to be seen in front of you ... I had the feeling I will fall over the bars after harsh braking. Not really ... but can't help the feeling.
Being F800ST and not F800S helped my wrists - I do not think I can survive for long with clip-on bars.
My knees decided to punish me for the fact that I am flirting with other bikes. In interest of fairness - that was standard seat, not high one. But it hurt like hell. Back was OK, mind you.
Love the screen, the mirrors fold neatly and generally the whole thing is narrower, hence better suited for lane splitting (not sure how useful this is in the USofA(* edited here * - Sorry - did not get at first that you are from UK)).
If I recall correctly - that thing where you expect the tank to be ... is plastic ... and looks flimsy ...
Kevlar belt. God - I hated cleaning/lubing chain, with passion ... and Paralever needs hardly any maintenance ... but belt ... considering I have taken 3 nails from my tires in the last 6 months (1 today) I dare not think what is going to happen if something (glass, pebble, etc, etc) goes there. Although it is very unlikely.
The bike is NOT heavy. If you are small-ish you would like that part, as it easy to manhandle.
My personal conclusion - sweet, nice little bike, and far cheaper than R1200R ...
But I would rather buy K1200R Sport, K1200GT(new), R1200GS, R1200ST or R1200RT instead.
Here's a link to a local board, where a rider that currently has an R1150r, test rode the new R1200R, and F800ST. It's a good comparison and she brings out some good points.
Followed an F800S on my commute into work today. Normally they sound a little anemic in stock-trim to me, but this one had an Akraprovic end-can on it & sounded way better!
I think they're great, but it no longer appeals to me personally.
I was initially interested in the F800St until I saw the motor cut away and the bikes at the M/C show in Atlanta last year.
The alternator is the cheaper permanent magnet type and about half the Wattage power of the 1150R's excited field 700Watt automotive unit. The non-TeleLever telescopic forks were also a negative. On the plus side (for me) it's water cooled, belt driven, modern looking, lightweight, powerful, reasonably priced and fuel efficient.
About the valve adjustment, fear not. That one is very owner=tuner friendly. It has small shims under slide-to-the-side rocker arms, pioneered by (I believe) Suzuki, years ago. A Kawasaki Vulcan 800 uses a very robust, nearly identical, DOHC shim-under-rockers system. A piece of cake to perform, unless you're a green newbie wrench. Those valve adjustments are very easy to do but can be dangerous if you drop a shim down inside the motor. Rags in the holes prevent that. The only downside is that after clearance measurement and swapping shims (if possible), a selection of shims or a trip to a dealer is req'd.
If the lesser power alternator or telescopic forks do not bother you, the F800ST seems to be an excellent bike (so far).
I've only sat on the F800ST, not ridden it yet. It felt just about tailor-made for me, at 5'8", 30" inseam and 160 lbs. Very comfy saddle, slight forward lean, and the distance to the pegs seemed just right. This bike is on my list.
Riding position of the 800S was uncomfortable for me but the ST was much better.
Did not like the noisy, clunky, clutch and gear box. The vibrating brake fluid reservoir was also annoying. Also a little disappointed with the performance. Certainly did not feel like a BMW - build quality was no where near as solid as the 1150R. Also had a ride on a new 1200R - now that was very tempting! Much more refined than the 1150R I've got. Unfortunately I haven't got £9000 spare or I would be very tempted!!!
Dealer said that he felt the 800's were produced to compete with the Jap bikes. He was not very impressed with them as he felt BMW had not quite got it right yet although he said they are selling well.
Dealer said he felt they were produced to compete with the Jap bikes.
I am not sure which bikes it would be competeing with since there is only one in the 800cc class which is the Interceptor and that is a 4 cylinder.
Time will tell if the inline twin of the BMW is really a good one since it is a new design.
I kind of like the F800ST but have not rode one but I am sure that I probably will someday. Maybe wait to see if they come out with a GS.
Meanwhile I will enjoy my shaft driven, telelever havin', beak sportin', boxer driven, reliable R1150R!
but have any of you ridden/owned the ST to compare? 
