BMW F 800 GT 2016 — Specifications

When BMW decides to raise the bar for its small touring machine, the Bavarian brand doesn’t do things halfway. The F 800 ST had paved the way for compact sport-touring; the BMW F 800 GT closes this chapter to open another, more ambitious one, frankly oriented towards grand touring. The change of suffix is not insignificant: behind these two letters lies a machine that has matured, muscled its fairing, and refined its ambitions as a traveler.

The 798 cc parallel-twin engine is back in service here, but not quite in the same frame of mind. Thanks notably to the exhaust manifold from the F 800 R, the engine gains five horsepower over the previous version and now delivers 90 hp at 8,000 rpm, with a torque of 86 Nm available at 5,800 rpm. It’s not a lightning bolt compared to a Kawasaki Versys 1000 or a Yamaha Tracer 9, but the machine’s weight — 213 kg fully fueled, final transmission by belt — puts things in perspective. The GT doesn’t seek brutality; it cultivates efficiency. And for A2 license holders, a restricted version at 48 hp is available, which makes the BMW F 800 GT A2 a serious entry into the GT category.

The ergonomics have been redesigned in the right direction. The handlebar rises by 20 mm, the seat drops from 840 to 800 mm, the footpegs move forward and down slightly. Result: a right triangle position without constraint, which flatters both the weekend rider and the Monday morning globetrotter. Wind protection improves thanks to a more generous bubble, the single-sided swingarm lengthens by 50 mm to stabilize the trajectory at high speeds, and the ground clearance is reduced by 15 mm to facilitate foot placement. The aluminum double-tube frame, floating discs with standard ABS, 120/70-ZR17 and 180/55-ZR17 tires — all this forms a coherent ensemble, without unpleasant surprises. The belt transmission deserves a special mention for its everyday comfort and longevity.

What distinguishes the BMW F 800 GT from its direct competitors in this price range is the depth of the options catalog. Traction control ASC, disconnectable, pilot-controlled suspension ESA with three electronic modes (comfort, normal, sport), side cases, top case, heated grips, GPS Navigator IV, and even an Akrapovic silencer are on the list. This accessory richness is generally reserved for machines from a higher segment. At €10,950 in basic configuration, the motorcycle is positioned in a reasonable range; well-equipped with BMW F 800 GT cases, it becomes a real travel solution without exploding the budget. And if you are looking for a used BMW F 800 GT to further reduce access costs, the secondary market regularly offers them in good condition.

The announced consumption of 3.4 liters per 100 km is an additional argument in favor of long journeys. With a 15-liter tank, the theoretical range exceeds 440 km — enough to reach two cities without stopping at the first station. This Bavarian GT is clearly aimed at the rider who rides as much to arrive as for the journey itself: neither a beginner looking for their first motorcycle, nor a track rider frustrated by the absence of an aggressive position. It is a machine for adults eager to discover roads, who want comfort without sacrificing liveliness, and who look at the BMW F 800 GT specifications not as a list of numbers, but as a promise of well-lived kilometers.