Last year as a means to an end, I bought a fourteen plate BMW F800GT. I liked it. The bike turned out to be a little gem that I had previously overlooked. As a training mount, it performed well, being agile and easy to ride. I fitted a Magura hydraulic clutch conversion to ease the slightly heavy cable operated item, but otherwise, the bike grew on me. So much so, that I’ve exchanged it for another one – a new SE version. The SE simply means that for a fixed price all of the various add-ons are included, including panniers and satnav.
So how does the 2018 compare with the 2014 model? Well not greatly different. The clutch is lighter, so I won’t need to modify it, which is nice and I don’t know whether they have done something to the chassis but it seems to drop into corners more quickly. Otherwise, along with the ride by wire throttle and new exhaust to bring it up to the current emissions regulations, it the same dandy little bike and by God, does it look good in black.
They’re testing emissions on bikes now? Fuck…. that’s me screwed!
Looks nice, apart from sticky out mirrors and boxes on back.
Where’s the engine and chain? 😉
Surpised it has cable clutch, my GPz900R was hydraulic in 1985
Harley parked outside Tesco a few days ago:
Avon on Front
Pirelli on Rear (180/55)
One of my scariest moments was when I replaced worn rear Bridgestone with Pirelli. Tank-slapper on a long corner at ~130mph
Phoned Pirelli next day: don’t mix F/R tyre brands. Fitted P front and all good.
Actually I don’t mind the mirrors. They look OK to me. The boxes are a necessity. I have to carry a lot of stuff and strapping them to the seat and hoping everything stays in place or wearing a back pack just isn’t on.
These bikes are supposedly built down to a budget. I have to say that the cable clutch is the only evidence I can see. This one is very light and smooth, so I’ll live with it.
Ain’t bought a chain drive bike since 1984. 🙂
As for mixing tyres, I seem to recall an issue with the old K series BMWs throwing riders off back in the nineties?
Don’t your bikes feel unloved without all that attention as you lovingly massage rear wheel to make it beautiful?
Luggage: school, uni, GPs were onlly time I had “luggage” – bungee superseded with net was fine. Helmet & boots at end of journey are biggest downer. At uni always managed to acquire three lockers: books, boots, helmet.
Would I be correct in saying you’re a fast tourer rather than a speed/adrenalin addict?
btw: what is the “a lot of stuff “?
Cones, speed gun, books, food water, spare waterproofs in the summer. At the end of the ride I want somewhere to stash my riding gear and helmet. For rail work, computer, projector, ppe, training and assessment packs, lookout bag. Bungees are insecure frankly and I don’t want to be worried about the load. With hard luggage I can stash and forget. Yes, fast tourer. It’s why I buy the bikes that I do.
Wow, lots of luggage for work not commute, understood – still ugly, but needs first. I have less for a GP weekend.
When me it’s cargo(bungee) net on pillion, two up it’s on tank. I like the utility of hard boxes, dislike of look outtweighs. Always found somewhere to stash extra tools and waterproofs. No backpack – drag &/or pillion air-gap.
I’m a Guy Martin you’re a….. ?
When if comes to aesthetics the manufacturers’ own kit will always look better than aftermarket items as they follow the lines of the bodywork. This model came with them as standard – the top case being the only extra item. That gets stuffed to the gunnels too.
I’m probably more Ewan MacGregor/Charlie Boorman – but on tarmac. I’m not a speed freak, preferring twisty mountain roads on a fine handling machine.
I just hope it’s adequately equipped to deter the light-fingered scrotes who seem to infest your area.
Both bikes have trackers fitted.
Trackers stop once in container or other Faraday cage (inc tin-foil wrap in van).
Not necessarily. Depends on the tracker. Also depends on the thief. Not all are that sophisticated. It’s also worth pointing out that the MO is to leave a stolen bike somewhere for about 48 hours to see if somone comes for it. Of the 130 bikes that Datatool had stolen with their systems last year all but 14 were recovered.
Interesting & informative.
Bike thiefs are still scrotes, not “professional” organised crime like car.
PS I have DIY (CMOS IC) alarm, 2mA armed, zero off. Also adds siren, hazards & blue lights.
Also, when engine running, starter button activates garage door open/close 🙂
What is “fourteen plate”?
2014 March to September. The plate will have a 14. My current one is an 18 plate so has two letters, 18 and three letters on the licence plate.
Interesting. Do UK plates also indicate place like German car plates do? is the 2014 the bike model year or the registration year?
Over here in Alberta Canada we have 2 letters followed by 3 numbers. I had the luck, good or bad, to be randomly assigned UP 666. I often get Hell’s Angels types approaching me to ask if they can buy the plate.
The first two letters are location specific. The date is date of registration. So WM14XXX would be Bristol registered between 1st March and 31st August 2014. It then changed to 64 from 1st September to 28th February.
DVLA (UK) stopped issuing 666 in 90s.
I’d sell if it was mine.
Apparently the new KTM 790 parallel twin is something else. It mihgft be worth considering sometime in the future. Yes it’s chain final drive but a new generation Scott oiler gives the chain a life of 100 thousand kilometers. This is from a pal who arranges rides to foreign countries with French Gendarm, Police and CRS riders. He rides a 2004 KTM 950 Adventurer that has a lot of kilometers on it. I hope to get back on a bike, being partially paralised doesn’t help but I’ll be starting with an old twin shock Honda CB500. ( The VFR 750 R, Z900 and CB750 F are either too impractical or too heavy! ).