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View Full Version : BMW’s F 800 GS – Cycle World’s Best Dual Sport


xcel
06-29-2009, 02:45 PM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg Second Award in as many weeks. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=218805)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_BMW_F_800_GS2.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) - June 29, 2009

BMW F 800 GS –$10,995 to start and rated at a healthy 62 mpgUS at a steady 55 mph.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ. -- On the heels of being named 2009 Motorcycle of the Year by Rider Magazine (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23120), BMW’s F 800 GS Adventure Tourer has earned yet another honor by Cycle World – “Best Dual-Sport Bike in 2009”.

“It is an honor to receive not only one, but two, prestigious awards for the F 800 GS from highly regarded motorcycle enthusiast publications,” commented Pieter de Waal, Vice President, BMW Motorrad USA. “We thank the editors and staff of Cycle World for this latest recognition.”

“With ten classes and 547 motorcycles to choose from it is no easy task to narrow them down,” says Cycle World. For the 2009 model year “the F 800 GS combines dirt and street capability and best embodies a do-anything, go-anywhere riding ethic. While the Best Dual-Sport Bike category is traditionally reserved for simple, single-cylinder machines, there is also room for large-displacement Adventure-Tourers, as long as the riding fun continues when the pavement ends.”

The award announcement appears in the July 2009 issue of Cycle World Magazine.

With a lightweight design and eye-opening power, the F 800 GS is the most off-road oriented GS ever. A vertical parallel-twin engine based on the proven F 800 ST platform offers 85 horses and 62 ft-lb of torque and gives it startling speed and acceleration. Add a dry weight of just 392 lbs, switchable ABS, wide foot rests and a below-the-seat gas tank for a low center of gravity, and you get a dual sport bike with amazing handling and all the prowess of a GS in a lighter package. The BMW F 800 GS has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $ 10, 995 (excluding taxes, license, options and handling charges).

Earthling
06-29-2009, 08:21 PM
That does look like an interesting bike.

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/us/en/index.html

From the web site, I see you can mount panniers (hard bags) and a top case on the rear, and do some serious traveling with it. It would an excellent choice out West for exploring wide open spaces on dirt roads. It would probably be a decent "standard" motorcycle, with good riding position, and with a nice, tall seat height for tall riders like me.

Harry

TRun10
06-29-2009, 08:45 PM
Beautiful, functional, and with the ABS, one of the safest bikes on the road. Will strongly consider this one for my next bike.:D

xcel
06-29-2009, 09:32 PM
Hi TRun10:

___Harry and I will be taking out either a G 650 GS (3.2 and 4.3 L/100 km at 90 and 120 kph respectively), F 650 GS (3.7 and 5.2 L/100 km at 90 and 120 kph respectively) or the all-new “king of the hill”, F 800 GS (3.8 and 5.2 L/100 km at 90 and 120 kph respectively) as well as hopefully a 1200 RT (3.6 and 4.8 L/100 km at 90 and 120 kph respectively) from BMW's East Coast HQ in just two weeks.

___I think I will E-Mail BMW tonight and request the F 800 GS for me due to these rave reviews... and to keep up with Harry while he is in cruise mode on the 1200 RT and I fight the wind with my mostly fairingless dual sport and Arai XD-3 catching the wind :)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Earthling
06-30-2009, 11:51 AM
___I think I will E-Mail BMW tonight and request the F 800 GS for me due to these rave reviews... and to keep up with Harry while he is in cruise mode on the 1200 RT and I fight the wind with my mostly fairingless dual sport and Arai XD-3 catching the wind :)



Wayne,

No fairing in warm weather is a good thing, unless its pouring rain! I've never gotten a speeding ticket in my life, which might reassure you. I've come close a time or two, and gotten warnings, but so far no tickets... ;)

Harry

xcel
06-30-2009, 09:59 PM
Hi TRun10:

___Is there anything that you want to know about the F 800 GS that maybe we can supply? The bike mags are going to cover it like a blanket whereas we are going to find out about its FE and usability for an experienced (Harry) and novice (me) rider :)

___We received confirmation this afternoon that BMW is supplying Harry with an R 1200 RT and me with a F 800 GS. I am brainstorming routes along the Atlantic Coast whereas Harry will use his experience to plan a safe and good review route for us to ride.

___Besides the BMW’s, the Aerostitch Darien gear and Arai XD-3 are finally going to get a workout. Harry’s old and new BMW gear will as well!

___Harry, whatever you come up with, I am sure we will be comfortable. The Darien without the liner was good from 90 degrees F in the sun to 60 at night. With the liner, it should be good down to maybe 50 degrees F??? And let us both hope it doesn't rain or its going to be cold ride while testing Aerostitch's wet weather capabilities ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne



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