Base price: $10,476
As tested: $12,111,
with heated hand grips, ABS, tire pressure monitoring, onboard computer
798 c.c., 85-horsepower
DOHC twin
MPG: 55 city / 60 highway
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The key word is "narrow." The angular, slashing lines flow from the blade of a motor. After years of inline fours and fat Harleys, with tanks that look sculpted out of bars of soap left in the rain, the BMW F is downright sleek. Unadorned. Clean. Available in three colors (the conservative Lahar Gray metallic, the not-so-conservative Flame Red and Sunset Yellow.) BMW has a reputation of developing a bombproof platform, then dressing it in different looks ("S" for sport, "ST" for sport touring, "R" for a naked bike, "RT" for deluxe touring and "GS" for adventure, off-road touring). The F currently comes in two flavors, S and ST, with the option of adding a full fairing and luggage.
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Billed as a "beginner" or "reentry" bike, the F series seems just that -- until we threw our leg over the seat and lit up the engine. Maybe it's the Bavarian sense of humor. The company talks modest and then hands over the first bike to Christian Pfeiffer, winner of the 2006 Stunt Wars (see video footage at www.bmwmotorcycles.com). Pfeiffer does things on this bike that would not be out of place on Dancing with the Stars. The F800 is the perfect partner. Inviting. Accessible. Within your means. The exact opposite of intimidating: You don't have to don leather fringe or Kevlar armor to complement the design, nor do you have to travel with a bail bondsman. Handling is crisp (go back to the Christian Pfeiffer video to see what throttle and brake control create). Acceleration is acceptable, at 0-62 in 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 125 miles per hour. The 60-90 mph passing surge is pure joy. You aren't going to flog this bike trying to keep up with testosterone-crazed sportbike freaks -- but you're not that kind of guy anyway.
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A postcard promoting the "Legends of Motorcycling" in California had this tagline: The motorcycle: Giving men instant sex appeal since 1869. The F series continues that tradition.
-- by James R. Petersen |
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