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2006–2010 · Sport Tourer · Buyer's Guide
Agile Twin, Surprisingly Civil
The F 800 S is a middleweight sport tourer built around a Rotax-made 798 cc parallel twin that makes 86 hp at 8,000 rpm and 63 lb-ft at 5,800 rpm. It has real drive from the middle of the rev range and still wants to be revved out, which is not how most touring twins behave. The fuel sits under the seat, so the mass sits low and central instead of up high between your knees. Belt final drive removes chain upkeep from ownership. Heated grips and ABS were both on the options list.
At 450 lb wet with a 32.3 in seat, this is a bike you ride rather than manage, and the character holds up over years because there is little on it to go exotic. It suits the rider who wants a half day of curves and a real ride home, not a garage project. The honest caveat sits in the suspension. The fork has no adjustment of any kind, and the rear shock gives you preload to work with, so a heavy rider with luggage runs out of setup options quickly. Early bikes are also noisier than they should be.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 86 hp (63 kW) @ 8,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 63 lb-ft (86 Nm) @ 5,800 rpm |
| Displacement | 798 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 57.5 in (1460 mm) |
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) |
| Wet weight | 450 lb (204 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.2 gal (16 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Connectivity
Safety
This picture comes from years of listening: paddock talk, owner chats at gas stops, club-night conversations, and the messages F 800 S riders send me directly. The pattern is steady. Owners love how the bike steers and how little it asks of them day to day. The complaints come from salt, seals and slow traffic.
Riders keep putting this bike on their short list of the best-handling middleweights of its time. They describe it as planted and nimble at once, a bike that feels light when you pick it up off the side stand and settled once it is leaned over. Commuters and touring riders say the belt is one of the best parts of living with it. It runs clean and quiet, and owners rarely touch it. The twin gets praise for doing two jobs well: easygoing when you just want to cover ground, and eager when you ask for more.
Owners who ride through winter report exposed Torx bolts and engine casings corroding early, and they say the finish only survives with regular protective treatment. Fork seals that weep are a familiar story. Sportier riders call the damping soft, and many end up having the fork re-valved or resealed. Some owners also find the fueling snatchy below 3,000 rpm, which makes smooth progress in heavy traffic harder than it should be.
Rear wheel bearing failure (2007-2009 recall)
Incorrect tolerances can cause the rear wheel drive bearing and axle to wear, leading to handling instability. BMW recalled the 2007-2009 F800S and ST for inspection and free replacement of the bearing and axle if necessary.
Excessive piston slap (pre-2009 models)
Noisy clatter from the cylinders, most noticeable when the engine is cold. BMW acknowledged the issue and made internal changes for 2009-on models. While usually not terminal, the noise is a common owner complaint and can affect resale confidence.
Engine stalling in hot weather
Some owners report random engine cut-outs when riding in high ambient temperatures or slow traffic. The issue is often traced to pinched air-bleed hoses or a faulty idle actuator.
Where this BMW F 800 S pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the F 800 S is actually built for.
This is your bike. It covers 200 to 400 mile days on scenic routes without beating you up, keeps the curves entertaining, and the belt drive means fewer chores between trips.
Made for Highway 1 / Big Sur · Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway
If you repeat the same Appalachian corners to sharpen technique, this bike gives clear feedback and forgives mistakes. Just budget for the suspension, because the stock setup has no adjustment to chase.
Made for Tail of the Dragon · Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway
Quick and composed enough for canyon runs at a real pace, with lean clearance to spare. If you push hardest at the front end, the non-adjustable fork will be the limit you meet first.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
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