BMW F800R (2014)
Like most naked bikes, owners tend not to cover huge mileages on the F800R and as such used bikes are seldom seen with over 20,000 miles on their clocks, which is great news. However the bad news is that the BMW is not a cheap used machine. You can pick up a first generation model (2009-2011) for around the £4000 mark, which is quite pricey when you consider it is 11 years old, while a second generation (2012-2014) is around £4500 and prices for the final generation (2015-2019) before it became the 2020 F900R start at £5000. It is only the final generation that sees spec make a noticeable difference to its price tag as the first two models were fairly limited in their optional extras.
Power and torque
BMW claimed a fairly respectable 87bhp (63.5kW) for the F800R with the updated 2015 model upping this to 90bhp (66kW) @ 8000rpm, which can be made A2-legal if required through a restriction kit. This is backed up with 63.4lb-ft (86Nm) of torque, which again isn’t to be sniffed at. To ride it is actually a very pleasant motor with a strong mid-range and a very smooth power delivery, however it isn’t that thrilling and that has always been the F800R’s downfall. Where the MT-07 excites and surprises with its hysterical motor, the BMW just gets on with the job in hand and as a result feels a touch lacklustre and more a roadster than a spirited naked as a result. Is that a bad thing? It depends on what you want from an engine and the F800R’s parallel twin does have quite a few positive points.
Engine, gearbox and exhaust
There are very few complaints about the reliability of BMW’s parallel twin motor and it is fairly vibe-free thanks to a balancer shaft (a few owners fit heavier bar end weights to damp out the ‘character vibes’). Servicing is required every 6000 miles and it is quite cheap at roughly £200 a go with the valve clearances (every 12,000 miles) upping this to £350. The gearbox is solid and owners also report that a high level of overall finish also sees the standard exhaust system fending off corrosion and holes well. Not that many owners bother to swap the end pipe for a louder unit, it isn’t that kind of bike. If you are buying used, look for a good service history and inspect its condition and you should be safe.
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