BMW F 800 S / ST

It has long been known that BMW is something special in the world of motorcycles. That's why you shouldn't deal with the R, K and F signs used by the Bavarians to label their aggregates. Why? Because they themselves will not be able to explain their meanings to you. However, R is said to stand for boxer engine, in-line K, and single-cylinder F. At least that was true! But this will not happen in the future. The newbies you see in the photos are marked with the letter F, but they are not equipped with a single-cylinder engine, but with a two-cylinder engine. And also not a boxer, but a parallel two-cylinder.

Another proof that BMW is something special, you might say. And you're right. The parallel two-cylinder engine is not very common in the world of motorcycles. But BMW Motorrad has them. But they also have plenty of good reasons why they chose it over a four-cylinder engine. And also why in parallel, and not boxing. Firstly because a four-cylinder engine would be more expensive, heavier and bigger, secondly because they wanted a torquey unit, and finally because a boxbox is less aerodynamic.

These arguments can in principle be accepted. But the features that distinguish a newcomer from competitors do not end there.

Another no less interesting thing is hiding under the armor. You will find the fuel tank not in front of the seat, as usual, but under it. The advantages of this solution are, first of all, the lower center of gravity of the motorcycle, easier refueling (when there is a bag with a "tank" in front) and more efficient filling of the engine with air. Where the fuel tank is usually located, there is an air intake system. Beginners can boast another feature - a toothed belt that replaces the drive chain, or, as we are talking about Bavarian motorcycles, a driveshaft. Already saw? You're right again, the drive belt is nothing new in the motorcycle world - it can be found on Harley-Davidson and is already used in the CS (F 650) - but it's still a much more complex project than a single cylinder. , since the new unit can handle more torque and power.

Now that we've covered the basic specs of both newbies, it's time to see what kind of bikes we're actually dealing with. Luckily, the labels the Bavarians use to label models are more logical than engine labels, so there shouldn't be any ambiguity here. S stands for Sports and ST stands for Sports Tourism. But to be honest, these are two very similar bikes with minimal differences. The F 800 S wants to be sportier, which means it has front armor trim, a lower windshield, a lower handlebar, handles instead of a rear rack, different wheels, a black front fender and more aggressively designed seats. position.

What we cannot do without is a low enough seat that will make it easier for even small drivers and especially female drivers to get to the ground. This, in turn, clearly hints at who the new F-series is intended for: for those who first enter the world of motorcycles, and for everyone who returns to it after many years. And if you look at the newcomer from the other side, they are damn good bikes.

Even when you get on them, it becomes clear to you that you have not ridden aggressive people who would like to throw you off the saddle. Ergonomics are brought to the smallest detail. In both cases, the steering wheel is in close proximity to the body, the excellent Beemvee switches are always at hand, the analog speedometers and engine rpm are easy to read, and the LCD is readable even at sunrise. By the way, in the extreme south of the African continent, where we tested the novelty, summer was just turning into autumn, so I can tell you this first-hand, since the sun was really not enough.

When you start the unit, it sounds almost the same as a boxer. That the engineers (this time they were people from the Austrian Rotax) were interested not only in its design, but also in the sound, quickly becomes clear. You can read how they did it in a special box, but the truth is, we see the similarity not only in the sound, but also in the vibrations. Be that as it may, BMW Motorrad really tried to make a product that would not be confused with competitors, and they succeeded. The fact is that both motorcycles - S and ST - are extremely easy to manage. Almost playful. The frame is made from durable aluminum and is stiff enough to satisfy even slightly more aggressive riders. Telescopic forks absorb bumps at the front, and a damping-adjustable center damper at the rear. The brakes, as BMW should be, are above average, and you can also consider ABS for an extra charge.

In other words, the F 800 S and ST are a bunch of great features that can forgive a lot of mistakes. Even in corners at too high a speed, you can easily reach the front brake lever. And as long as you do it with feeling, the bike will not react to your reactions. Only the speed will decrease. When accelerating out of a corner, it feels like the diesel engine is doing the work between the legs, not the gas. No hesitation, no unnecessary jerks, just a constant increase in speed. There is always enough torque. And if you're looking for a sportier ride, just crank the engine a little higher - up to 8.000 - and the power comes to life: the factory-promised 62 kW / 85 hp. And if you think that this is too little, you are damn wrong. Even on the idyllic mountain road that rises steeply above the town of Franchouk, about 50 minutes from Cape Town, the S and ST completely ignored the climb and impressed with their cornering handling. These qualities will be less qualified, and all those who return to the world of motorcycles after many years will definitely appreciate them.

The same is generally the case. If you're not too harsh, this can be surprisingly frugal. Under normal driving conditions, it consumes less than five liters per 100 kilometers. And, frankly, it’s the best there too. Due to its unique design, it prefers speeds between 4.000 and 5.000 rpm. If you turn it higher, you will end up being bothered by its rather unsportsmanlike sound, and in the lowest working area, you will be annoyed by the vibrations generated by the main shaft.

But this is just another characteristic so characteristic of BMW motorcycles or one of those fatal family ties that will never confuse the two motorcycles with any other brand.

BMW F 800 S / ST

Canopy

• BMW F 800 S: 2, 168.498 SEAT
• BMW F 800 ST: 2, 361.614 sit

Technical information

engine: 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, parallel, liquid-cooled, 798 cm3, 62 kW / 85 hp at 8000 rpm, 86 Nm at 5800 rpm, electronic injection and ignition (BMS-K)

Energy transfer: 6-speed gearbox, timing belt

Suspension and frame: front telescopic fork, rear aluminum swingarm, adjustable shock absorber, aluminum frame

Tires: front 120/70 ZR 17, rear 180/55 ZR 17

Front brakes: Double disc, 2mm diameter, rear disc, 320mm diameter, ABS at surcharge

Wheelbase: 1466 mm

Seat height from ground: 820 (790) mm

Fuel tank: 16

Motorcycle weight (without fuel): 204/209 kg

Acceleration 0-100 km: 3, 5/3, 7 s

Maximum speed: more than 200 km / h

Fuel consumption (at 120 km / h): 4, 4 l / 100 km

Representative: Авто Актив, Cesta v Mestni log 88a, Ljubljana, 01/280 31 00

We praise

ease of driving

aggregate mobility

ergonomics

sitting position (F 800 ST)

We scold

unsportsmanlike two-cylinder sound

tiring sitting position on long trips (F 800 S)

text: Matevž Koroshets

photo: Daniel Kraus