ON Motorcycle

Attractive edge BMW F800R has finally arrived in America after 18 months of racing in Europe. 800R naked roadster is part of BMWs plan to capture a younger audience.

BMW Motorrad new ethos is to be more daring and state of the art, like the side of his BMW car and illustrated by S1000RR Superbike. Not only the RR to become the best selling BMW in the United States, the average age of owners just 34 years.

"A resounding success" is like Pieter De Waal, BMW Motorrad USA vice president, describes the S1000RR, especially given the current depressed market. "If the sale does not need anything to anybody," says De Waal, "you better give them a good reason to buy."

Then, in his quest for "younger, more aggressive riders," the futuristic city F800R is available to U.S. pilots for the first time, replacing the mechanical equivalent of the 2011 BMW F800S range. The 800ST unchanged.

The F800R is essentially a smaller version of the 800ST, which has earned our respect by beating Honda VFR800 Interceptor proficient in a sport-touring shootout.

Key distinctions beyond the obvious lack of 800R fairings are a double-sided swingarm to replace one side of the arm of ST and asymmetric double headlight bulbs H7 sports. ST low maintenance belt drive is replaced by a chain and sprockets in the same final drive ratio, and 4-6 gears are shorter. The sixth is the fifth report on the 800G.

At a list price of $ 9,950 (plus $ 495 destination), the F800R sells for about $ 1,000 less than the F800ST base MSRP is $ 10.990. Remove ST single sided swinger and belt drive with the price of R $ below that magic 10K mark. BMW officials say a belt system that costs more than a string.

Like a naked sport bike, is a decathlete F800R gender, able to barge his way through commuter traffic on Monday, then rip the canyons on the weekends. Comfortable upright ergonomics offers accommodating, with a piece handlebar just to go ahead - perfect.

Ergo fall a bit short with only marginal point seat room. The standard seat is sitting at a modest 31.5 inches, optional or no extra-charge get a seat-cm in both directions. Adjustable footrest would be a worthy addition to a versatile bike like this. The mirrors are mounted too low for easy rear views.

We need a new F800R updated to include the printed part of the interconnect device (MID) switches, where the laser creates a circuit and the conductors of plastic bags, instead of using individual cables for each circuit. This allows multi-function switch with compact size. For example, the functions of starter and kill switch is connected to a single switch.

A little more important information about the options: F800R is the last to abandon the German model of the BMW brand traditional three-button switch available to the combined indicators is the same right as all other bikes with the exception of Harley. All switches 800R feels accurate and smooth, and adjustable levers ensure a variable to reach.

BMW Roadster middleweight feel fine line between his knees, helped fuel tank, located under the seat. With a maximum of 4.1 gallons on board, R is said to weigh a reasonable £ 440.

FR fire easily and quickly installed in a slow motion. Its 798cc parallel twin, is well known for F800 owners with the firing order of 360 degrees even with a combustion event occurs with each rotation of the crank, the pistons move up and down together. This is the firing sequence same as used on BMW Boxer Twins, giving them a sound like the exhaust.

Despite an exhaust note without interest, the F800 engine is very efficient. BMW says it has more torque than anything else in its class and brings a strong effect of only 3000 rpm. The flexibility of the engine with the help of a gearbox fantastic - light, positive and transparent. Its only fault is a clutch that engages the end of his career in a fairly narrow area of ​​friction.

While the head design is similar to K1300-cylinder DOHC engines that use finger cam followers actuators, parallel twin is no screamer. It is a linear accumulation of power that will be strong at 6000 rpm, while its torque peak, run in front of the rear wheels of 80 horsepower, the climax, the measured 800ST The last time tested. BMW says to wait almost identical numbers.

New F800R is to use a variable system pressure of the fuel that feeds only the amount of fuel and timing based on the required power. This makes it more efficient than continuous flow, which varies only requires fuel, and the variance of the times, and eliminates the need and the fuel return hose. This refinement of the unit requires four times the processing power, and BMW says it offers better power delivery, better economy and lower emissions.

The F800 engine has already proven to be fuel efficient, on average, an excellent 48 mpg with our 800ST, although it requires premium fuel. BMW claims an average of 55 mpg for the 800R, which we were unable to check with our time limited places.

Perhaps the most adorable 800R is to set the chassis is very neutral in all situations in the corners. The address bars wide enough for a fast but safe Rake 25.0 degrees and 91 mm of travel, while a thin 59.8-inch wheelbase and a steering damper on the crown provides reassuring stability. It is a willing and able accomplice in a residential area on a mountain road sweeping.

Seventeen-inch wheels are equipped with semi-output to the valve stems, and are shod with 120/70 and 180/55 tires typical, open the bike up to almost any type of rubber. Our bike was a set of Michelin Pilot powers, and have no complaints with them.

In addition to a commitment is naked, while driving on the highway - an upright position and the lack of protection against the wind brings its own sacrifices. However, the F800R is paid pretty well. A slim waist and a fitting body color screens ($ 250) to manage the entire air flow directed to a broker, in relative terms.

As in the F800GS and 800ST, using a revolving line-Twin is running under the arm to counter the crankshaft vibration, an arrangement unique among motorcycle engines. Compensation rod up and down in the opposite direction of the pistons in a system that is quieter than chains or gears that drive conventional balance shafts.

However, some low amplitude generous feeling you experience at highway speeds. The engine turns about 5100 rpm 80 mph, which is just around the vibration seeps its way into the pilot. That said, the atmosphere is high frequency, so Im not entirely embarrassing. Although there is no room for the legs, a saddle hours causing pain in the ass to zero.

Smoothed over by a highway around a generous 4.9-inch travel on both ends. No changes for 43mm forks, but the rear suspension has spring preload and rebound damping regulations, as well as manually adjustable dial. This is a compromise between effective control and comfort, which is suitable personalities R.

The brake 800R is provided by a pair of Brembo two-piece 4-piston calipers clamping on 320mm wafers. Feel is pretty well across lines non-bending steel brake. Our bike has been improved with an ABS system performance, a $ 900 option. As the HP2 Sport, the ABS uses a pressure sensor that provides additional higher threshold before surgery ABS computer. The system is smart enough not to interfere only when the brake pressure light is applied, for example when braking over bumps. It is remarkably transparent, which means admirable.

Instrumentation is a variant of the F800S other indicators, here in the analog speedometer sits atop the analog tach, adjacent to the Info panel LCD, which can be connected to different screens. For example, our test bike accessory connections for tire pressure monitor ($ 250) and heated (250 dollars) each have their own readings. Gear-position indicator is a convenient and easy to read - we want the same can be said of small numbers in the speedometer.

F800R is an attractive platform and versatile, and one of its advantages over its competitors on a wide range of accessories and build it to your taste. A good starting point is the premium package, which includes ABS brakes, heated, and the trip computer and $ 1,445.

Other options include a handy 12-volt accessory outlet ($ 50), alarm ($ 395), expandable side bags and the center stand. Added Cosmetics codon, radiator with cover plate and the vacuum pump. Akropovic titanium exhaust is the only performance of the component.

Conclusion

We have repeatedly extolled the virtues of sport bikes naked, believing that offer the best compromise of versatility, performance and value. Our time aboard the F800R only reinforce the views. Heres a do-almost-all bikes from a manufacturer of premium sold for less than $ 10,000. In addition to the desirable options to raise the price (as proof, our cost of nearly $ 12K), but were happy so many people are available to customize for the pilot.

"This is a do-almost-all bikes with a high-end manufacturer that sold for less than $ 10,000."

A reservation of our commitment to the 800R is to note some competition brewing in other parts of the ancient world. BMW is not as glamorous as a Ducati Monster 796, and entertainment can not match the Triumph Speed ​​Triple chaotic. And do not forget the exotic Functional Aprilia Shiver. BMW three-year/36 0.000-mile warranty, he distinguishes.

That in itself is entertaining take on middleweight F800R Sport Roadster, with a clear advantage in the factory options. It remains to determine how it compares to its rivals class. Feel a shootout to come on