F800RT Why not? - Huskytalk.com

**jdd3** · 07-04-11

David I was thinking this through earlier this year and found NO new bike I wanted, I tried a few hundred miles on a K1300S and found it too buzzy with my hands afterward but otherwise a nice bike, I have been since told this may have been the individual bike I tested, a test bike which may not have been run-in carefully. I don't want a BIG faired bike which is an RT. I park down an alleyway and no space for a big bike, I tried riding an R1200RT a year ago and found it felt slow and ponderous compared to the F800S. Hence I opted for a 2005 R1200ST. Money no object I would probably buy a K1300S carefully run it in.

**storman113** · 07-04-11

On a recent ride my riding partner wanted to try out my F8ST. So we swapped for about 60 miles. Wow did I enjoy the R12RT. The electric windshield was a blast to play with. But, the biggest thing was the riding position! It was so comfortable. How I wish I could sit like that on my F8ST. I have added 70MM risers which helps a ton, but still would like a bit more. I didn't really care for the mirrors on the RT, could just be not use to them. The big difference was when stopped! At only a bit over a 100 lbs more, it felt like a ton more. Much more top heavy with the high tank and it felt like pushing a truck uphill when placing in the garage.

We are both in our 60's. He loved the F800 and has been drooling over the F800R. We stopped at the BMW dealer in Portland. I had a hard time getting him off the F8R. He said he was glad he didn't have his checkbook!

I am kinda waiting for the '12 to come out. Hoping they have made some sitting position changes. If not I will look into peg lowering and some K75 handlebars.

**David 13** · 07-04-11

Well, I guess I would have wanted the R1200ST. But, they don't make them any more and there are none for sale anyplace. And I got the RT, which mostly I like.
But I do find myself already slouching, slumping, and hunching. I guess I need lumbar support. So I'm going to look at back rests. However, somebody posted that the only real lumbar support was ... a forward riding position.
I wondered if I did the right thing selling the 800ST and getting the 1200RT. Time will tell.
The 800 is way faster than the 1200RT. And a lot lighter.
But we will see after a long ride.
dc

**David 13** · 07-04-11

Update:
I do not want a 1200ST. Not enough fairing, too small a windshield. There is one for sale in GA. Looks nice and all, and I would like the seating position. But no.
I'm going to investigate back belts and back rests.
dc

**bobz** · 08-06-11

Originally Posted by decoats

They do make an F800RT. It is the F800ST. If it's not right, then get the R1200RT. There cannot be twelve zillion bike models made in this world.
Both the ST and the RT are fairly rare. They are not made by the acre full like Harleys.
dc

I disagree. The 800ST is not an 800RT in ergonomics and fairing.

The ergonomics of the F800ST, or any BMW ST for that matter, is like a sport bike, narrow and low bars, forward leaning riding position which puts a lot of weight on the wrists, high and rearward foot pegs. The fairing is narrow and low. All these features gives the bike/rider a more aerodynamic profile.

These same feature are , IMHO, not conducive to long days in the saddle. At least for people like me.

The BMW RTs both the R and K bikes have wide bars that are mounted higher for a more upright seating position, foot pegs lower as a bit more forward and of course the famous RT fairings which give excellent wind and fatigue coverage.

The F650GS has the right RT ergonomics as in seating position etc but has the GS style fairing which offers only token protection

**rx35285** · 08-06-11

Originally Posted by bobz

The 800ST is not an 800RT in ergonomics and fairing......snip......The F650GS has the right RT ergonomics as in seating position etc but has the GS style fairing which offers only token protection

+1

I read often about RT folks downsizing to the 800ST. I wonder if there have been very many former boxer RS or ST riders downsizing. I was about to buy a lowered RS when the 800ST came onto the scene.

If form isn't a high priority, the GS with Aeroflow accessories might the the way to go.

**bobz** · 08-06-11

Dave

The F650GS with the full set of Aeroflow bit is exactly what I have. It works quite well. 15k miles and enjoying it.

I do wish BMW would make a real F800RT. They would do an integrate fairing and luggage design that would be better.
I've had BMW R100Rt an a R1100RT. The fairing wind/rain/fatigue protection is outstanding, but the R1200RT are just to big/heavy/bulky.
The price I paid for the Aeroflow, jessie bags, etc etc could have easily covered the BMW RT price.

**Greg Pinch** · 11-01-11

Hello,

Is it possible you can provide me the link on the BMWMOA site?
I want to get in touch with him about doing the R1150R handlebar swap.

Thanks,
Greg

**bobz** · 02-19-12

FWIW I attended the NYC motorcycle show last month and saw the new Husqvarna 900 dakar. BMW make this bike now. The engine is a 900cc derivative of the F800 engine..bored and stroked a bit. It also has a different crank and firing order. allegedly more torque,Hp, distinctive sound (did not hear it). Maybe this engine would be a good candidate for the new F900RT??

still waiting!!

**David 13** · 02-19-12

For your information, and for the information of the people who do not seem to know, there already is an R900RT.
dc

**bobz** · 02-19-12

Originally Posted by decoats

For your information, and for the information of the people who do not seem to know, there already is an R900RT.
dc

Really?? I know of the old R80RT, R100RT(had one), R1100RT(had one) R1150RT and the R1200RT. Don't remember the R900RT! Help!

**trevor** · 02-19-12

Google is a wonderful invention

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/bmw-r900rt.htm

**bobz** · 02-19-12

Why would anyone want to make a R1200RT into a R900RT? A government custom so they can spend more money for less performance and the same old weight!

That is NOT the F900RT I would want or was talking about. That a F ..RT

**65 MPG** · 05-06-12

Hers my "mini RT"

**bobz** · 09-23-12

There are rumors of an F800GT coming out. Seems to be belt drive. Here is one of the leaked pictures: http://hellforleathermagazine.com/20...to-bmw-f800gt/

There are others if you search. Seems to be a 19inch front wheel...good! The fairing looks good from the handle bars down. Above that it is too low for me...pretty typical for a GT configuration...like the old ST was. The riders knees seem to be pretty folded up....ie high pegs.....not the more unfolded configuration of a RT bike....but this could just be a very tall rider too. Will just have to wait and see.

**richarde1605** · 09-24-12

I would rather see a F800RS, like the original K series, leg ergos like the RT, narrower bars and good, but not over the top fairing. but I must be nearly the only ST owner not asking for bar backs and a huge screen. If they drop the ST and make an RT, I for one am not interested, but then again I keep my bikes and wouldn't trade 'down' to an F@RT...IMO

**trevor** · 09-25-12

?

The S is about as close to a K or R, RS as you can get.

BUT!

Nobody bought it so they dropped it.

So looks like you are in the minority Richard

**pedantic_pete** · 09-25-12

Can't agree with that Trevor. The riding position on the S is much more sporty than the K100RS. Even the ST is quite a sporty position. The reason I went for a GS was the riding position was much closer to the touring bikes I'd become used to.

**richarde1605** · 09-25-12

Can agree with you Pete, the knee and hip angles on the K100RS are much more relaxed, but the bars are only 24" across and the fairing gives very good protection especially for the hands behind the mirror pods. And the mirrors are not as good as a stock ST. I just went and sat on mine to confirm this, there is a lot more fairing on the RS which makes it much more suitable for 1000km+ days. If they turn the ST into a barge, my next bike will be a K1600GT or a can-am Spyder or something that really is a silk purse....

**ooohooohoooh** · 11-12-12

Also interested here on that mod ,any more information about it ?
By the way, my st i have to say is brilliant , but even if I am 32 (still young? Prob not ,Hehe ) I get tired of the position in 1hour ...

**PegasusJockey** · 11-12-12

When I bought my previously owned 09 ST I had no knowledge of all the BMW goobly goop naming conventions which, it seems, is just as bad as Harley's. So in my ignorance I began making the bike my own. First, I re-sculptured the seat. Next Buell pegs, higher handle bars, electronic cruise control, taller and wider windscreen, highway pegs, and top box. Now I found out that I created the first F800RT. How about that?

**pedantic_pete** · 11-14-12

Originally Posted by PegasusJockey

When I bought my previously owned 09 ST I had no knowledge of all the BMW goobly goop naming conventions which, it seems, is just as bad as Harley's. So in my ignorance I began making the bike my own. First, I re-sculptured the seat. Next Buell pegs, higher handle bars, electronic cruise control, taller and wider windscreen, highway pegs, and top box. Now I found out that I created the first F800RT. How about that?

Pictures please!

**TNT** · 11-14-12

**jdd3** · 11-17-12

BMW Club Oxford Section has posted a new item, 'BMW F800GT Breaks Cover!'

http://youtu.be/OVvbL7K8nBU

BMW Motorrad have just announced a new F800 model at the EICMA show in Milan,
the F800GT. This appears to be an F800ST improved for touring with new fairing,
proper luggage, ESA, and more power at 90 bhp.

**bobz** · 11-17-12

there is now a whole new thread dedicated to the f800gt......not really an "RT" config...but true to the bmw GT theme. closer than the ST was to an RT...but not sure the seating position ergo fit and surely the wind screen is to low and narrow ie sporty. will have to see if bmw or the after market offers mod toward rt config. right now the aftermarket offers farkles that bring the f650GS and F700GS to close to RT form.

**TJRL** · 08-24-14

But lets not forget they didn't do a K75RT either. Although some dealers in the UK "created" one by using the K100 parts.

Oh dear just a wrong bit of information!

BMW did make a K75RT (I know I had one from 1993 to 2001) great bike, a bit heavy and underpowered but sooo smooth. It was discontinued in about 1995 I think with the "Ultimate" model with all the optional accessories fitted as standard.

The bike BMW did not make (but really should have) was the K90RT when they changed the K100RT to become the K1200LT. In fact a K1200RT would have been good too!