BMW F 800 R 2018 — Specifications

Sandwiched between the fury of the S 1000 R and the prestige of the R 1200 R, the little Bavarian plays an ungrateful role: that of a sensible, accessible, almost tame roadster. Since its launch in the early 2010s, the BMW F 800 R has evolved in successive touches, each year adding a layer of maturity without ever losing sight of the guiding thread. The 2018 version represents the culmination of a long gestation begun in 2009, and it arrives with some solid arguments against mid-size competition that doesn’t give away anything.

The 798 cc parallel-twin remains the heart of the machine, and it ticks over smoothly. Its 90 horsepower at 8000 rpm and its 86 Nm of torque available from 5800 rpm compose an accessible yet never boring character. It’s not a war engine; it’s a well-balanced compromise engine, one that pulls without brutality on a wet national road and proves lively without unseating you on exiting a tight corner. The two first gears, shortened during a previous update, contribute to this feeling of urban liveliness. The 6-speed gearbox shifts cleanly, the final chain requires little maintenance. For those coming from an A2 license, the BMW F 800 R technical specifications provide for a restricted version at 35 kW, or 48 horsepower, with torque reduced to 70 Nm. The same chassis, two rider profiles.

The Euro 4 update has not only repainted the exhaust pipes. It has mainly brought ride-by-wire and, with it, riding modes. Road for everyday use, Rain when the sky closes, Dynamic as an option for those who want to stiffen the responses. It’s a welcome evolution, even if other manufacturers already offered this electronic management on machines at equivalent prices. The Kawasaki Z800 and the Yamaha MT-07 are never far in the rearview mirror, and they have their own arguments, particularly in terms of style. The BMW F 800 R 2018 responds with a hybrid dashboard, two analog dials flanked by a central digital display, an old-school approach that contrasts with the trend of full-LCD screens. You either like it or not, but it has the merit of standing out.

On the chassis side, the tubular aluminum frame, the inverted fork and the radial four-piston calipers form a rigorous assembly. The weight of 202 kg fully fueled remains in the middle of the segment, and the 790 mm seat facilitates grounding for average builds. The rear shock absorber can receive ESA as an option, with three-mode electronic adjustment, but the fork remains manual. This imbalance between the two ends is slightly irritating on a machine sold for 8700 euros, a price at which the competition sometimes offers more as standard. ABS is fortunately supplied by default; the ASC traction control remains in the column of paying BMW F 800 R accessories.

What has kept the BMW F 800 R in the landscape for all these years is not a particular talent in a specific area. It’s its overall coherence. It absorbs both the urban everyday and the weekend outing, without ever pushing the limits. It is aimed at the demanding but not excessive rider, at the one who seeks the Bavarian badge without the R 1200 R budget, or at the former A2 license holder who moves to a full A license and wants to keep his bearings. On the second-hand market, it is easily found in all its annual variations, from the BMW F 800 R 2009 to the latest 2017-2018 series, with prices varying according to condition and options. A stable value, not spectacular, but solid, as is often the case with Munich.