All Tests – When BMW finally launches its little roadster! – A few dry kilometers!

When BMW finally launches its little roadster !

All Tests - When BMW finally launches its little roadster! - A few dry kilometers!

Since the discontinuation of the R 850 R, the range of BMW Motorrad had no small roadster. An absence that was particularly felt in France, where this type of motorcycle represents the highest volumes of sales. Direction Nice… under the rain !

A few dry kilometers !

A – too – short drive the next morning allows us all the same to test the performance of the F 800 R on dry roads. In these much more engaging conditions, we take advantage of all the power of the front brakes: no need to wear radial calipers to know how to brake. !

The bite of the "classic" Brembos is not excessive, which will be appreciated by novice riders. Only the first braking on the angle can surprise, the intervention on the right lever modifying the trajectory of the machine somewhat..

The F 800 R remains a roadster and only appreciates the front brakes quite a bit when cornering. Even if his reactions quickly become predictable, it is more pleasant to curl up on the handlebars than to really attack..

Especially since abused, the F 800 R tends to jerk the acceleration. Passed unnoticed in the rain, its slight hiccups only appear fortunately when the donkey on the handlebars suddenly throws 87 horsepower into the engine. !

The liveliness of the front axle is not exceptional but the small virolos are swallowed without any problem, in particular thanks to the wide handlebars. At no time does the latter begin to wriggle: is the steering damper so useless or is it doing its job without noticing it? ?

Stability out of a curve calls for no reproach, the rear suspension erasing most of the irregularities in the road. Its spring is adjustable in preload and its shock absorber in rebound: those who find the rear axle of their F 800 R too dry or too soft can therefore try to remedy it..

When returning the bike, it is clear that BMW has perfectly fulfilled its objectives in terms of ease of access, dynamic approval, price placement and aesthetic originality. It remains to be seen whether the sales objectives will be achieved. !

"Honestly, we would be extremely disappointed if we didn’t sell 500 motorcycles by the end of the year", confides Jean-Michel Cavret. Available in concession since May 9, the F 800 R will therefore try to stem the fall in sales that BMW has suffered since the beginning of the year … To be continued in our next market reports !

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