All Test Drives – BMW F800GT Test Drive: the GT roadster! – In town: yes, but …

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BMW F800GT test: the GT roadster !

All Test Drives - BMW F800GT Test Drive: the GT roadster! - In town: yes, but ...

Shunned by bikers, the BMW F800 ST has never really found its audience. BMW therefore revises its copy for 2013 and offers an improved version called F800 GT. A small road bike “ made in Munich ”, more efficient and versatile. Test.

In town: yes, but…

Given its limited size, the F800 GT does rather well in the urban cycle. Without suitcases, it weaves its way with ease and displays a satisfactory turning radius, as well as good general handling despite the use of a steering damper..

A somewhat surprising technical choice insofar as the chassis dimensions (1514 mm of wheelbase, 26.2 ° caster angle) do not induce particular predispositions to excess nervousness of the front axle.

Slow evolutions reveal a fairly high center of gravity encouraging caution, as well as a response to the perfectible throttle. Fortunately, the large handlebars offer a good grip and contribute to a natural riding position. Beware, however, of the increased width of the mirrors when moving up the queue !

Well seated, the bust straight but the feet a bit high following the lowering of the seat height, the driver maintains a clear view of the road due to the low bubble. This protects correctly up to the level of the chin guard of the helmet and half of the shoulders. But no more: a more enveloping and / or adjustable model – as on some competitors – would have been greatly appreciated.

The controls fall perfectly to hand and do not call for any particular criticism, especially as the two levers are adjustable in spacing. However, if the clutch is smooth and progressive, the selection is a bit noisy and rough..

By borrowing an area with degraded coating, the pilot can improve comfort by intervening on the rebound and compression of the rear spring via the ESA. In "Comfort" mode, the shock absorber is suddenly less reluctant to accept small constraints and more respectful of the posterior. However, the saddle already contributes effectively to comfort, both in terms of ergonomics and the quality of the seat. !

The parallel twin, for its part, shows greater flexibility thanks to its new injection mapping and accepts to resume at very low speed regardless of the gear engaged. It responds to the slightest demand on the accelerator, but still delivers insidious vibrations from 4500/5000 rpm.

These vibrations are perceptible at the handlebars as at the level of the footrests, and tend to intensify in the turns. Silent, the final belt transmission transmits the power without any shock, which is unfortunately not appreciated at its fair value because of the jerks felt when playing the throttle in the acceleration phase / deceleration.

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