By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
BMW F 800 R (K73-2) vs F 800 R (K73)
2015 BMW F 800 R vs 2009 BMW F 800 R: which one to buy, and what actually separates them.
Into a tight bend, the 2015 BMW F 800 R's wide bar pushes your weight forward, and in Sport it's tucking the nose in clean. The 2009 BMW F 800 R doesn't ask for any learning in that bend. It talks to you plainly from the very first lean.
What makes each one tick
2015 F 800 R
There's a steady pull as the 2015 F 800 R's twin climbs through the revs, yet it doesn't feel neutered. The frame turns in without hesitating. In Comfort the chassis goes soft mid-corner; Sport firms it right up through the arc. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, the twin keeps you interested.
Nils rode the 2015 F 800 R in 2015 (NastyNils Testride).
2009 F 800 R
Easy doesn't mean dull on the 2009 F 800 R. Unlike BMW's boxer and large-displacement models, which can take a few sessions before their dynamics start to make sense, this one communicates clearly from the first corner. Out of a hairpin, its twin hauls on torque while revvier bikes are still slipping the clutch. There's real power behind the brake lever, and it modulates finely. Threshold stops stay precise.
Nils rode the 2009 F 800 R in 2009 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- ABS: standard on the 2015 F 800 R, option on the 2009 F 800 R.
- Traction Control: option on the 2015 F 800 R, not offered on the 2009 F 800 R.
- Quickshifter: option on the 2015 F 800 R, not offered on the 2009 F 800 R.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither one fits
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
For commuting, twisty roads, running costs, and a first bike, you won't find daylight between them. Let the test ride settle it.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
2015 F 800 R
Strengths
- Cultivated, tractable twin
- Sharpens right up in Sport
- Streetfighter riding position
- Five seat-height options
- Eager parallel-twin engine
Trade-offs
- Vague in the soft setting
- Jerky low-speed running
- Indicator switch niggle
- Vibrations at highway speeds
2009 F 800 R
Strengths
- Torque where you ride
- Brakes punch above class
- Composed at high speed
- Premium build throughout
- Easy yet genuinely fun
Trade-offs
- Wooden at low speed
- Suspension only mid-class
- Chain adds upkeep
- Competent, not passionate
- Intrusive high-speed vibrations
Known problems to check before you buy
2015 F 800 R
- Indicator switch failure A few owners report the left-hand indicator switch becoming intermittent or failing.
- Rough low-speed engine running Some riders experience jerky throttle response or uneven idle during low-speed riding, particularly at steady throttle under light engine loads.
2009 F 800 R
- Excessive handlebar vibration at motorway speeds Constant engine vibes through the bars above 5,000 rpm cause discomfort and hand numbness; aftermarket bar-end weights mitigate but don’t eliminate the issue.
What they share
- Wet weight
- 439 lb (199 kg)
- Displacement
- 798 cc
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Peak power at
- 8,000 rpm
- Torque
- 63 lb-ft (86 Nm)
- Fuel economy
- 45 mpg (US) / 5.2 L/100 km
- Fuel capacity
- 4.2 US gal (16 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 2015 F 800 R | 2009 F 800 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) | 31.5 in (800 mm) |
| 2015 F 800 R | 2009 F 800 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 90 hp (66 kW) | 87 hp (64 kW) |
| 2015 F 800 R | 2009 F 800 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Telescopic |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 2015 F 800 R | 2009 F 800 R | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard | Option |
| Traction Control | Option | Not offered |
| Quickshifter | Option | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
