I have the F800r (the naked version) the old model with the asymmetrical headlights, it's an amazing bike imo. Even the parallel twin sound that I usually hate, sounds good on this bike. I used to own a Hypermotard, and I rode the Hyperstrada and the riding position in the Hyperstrada is uncomfortable. Supermotos aren't very suitable for touring In my F800r I manage to ride across different states, I wouldn't be ble to do that with the Hyperstrada. It's good looking but it's beauty over function
The one guy spent a lot of time on the KTM and rode the Ducati for the first time, then he likes KTM the best...shocker. I have the 821 and it takes a while to get comfortable and really enjoy the rBw throttle. they made no mention of the 3 mode capability the Ducati has.. its fully programmable so you can set your engine power,traction control and ABS on scales from 1 to 10.. I set urban mode to %25 power full ABS & Traction control, so when a friend asks to ride it Thats what they get...+1 Ducati.
I have the F800GT in the same colour, package as the one in the video. I use it to commute and tour, and it's fantastic. Once thing I would suggest is to get an aftermarket slip-on muffler, because the sound of the bike gets annoying after a while... Great bike overall.
Since when is a mid size bike, almost a liter sized bike, they go as followed, 798 cc 821 cc 999 cc respectively. I thought that meant around 600 cc to 750 cc max ?
Ever ridden a K1200LT? The F800GT isn't mid-sized. It's toy sized. That's why I'm seriously considering one. I'm 6'3" tall and 225 pounds, and the K1200 is a terrifying thing. I thought I'd get used to it, but there is no getting around the fact that you're balancing nearly a half ton on two skinny tires. And talk about top heavy! My God. Who did BMW think was going to ride the thing? I've had enough. The reality is that engine size has increased to make up for emission controls. You can't judge a bike's size by the engine displacement anymore. Or perhaps you can, if you add 150cc to the "size" you're used to.
Another thing I just don't get about the BMW, is the bike has a single side arm swingarm, and a plane jane regular 43mm non adjustable set of forks up front, and the rear shock only has preload & damping. Now don't think I hate the bike, because I don't, in fact I like it better for touring over the other two, because of superior weather protection, that would be with the comfort seat of course, that is around 2" higher than the stock seat, if I read rightly ? Also it has the best & biggest side bags, and gets the best fuel economie too, so there is a good bit to like, and It would seem to be the better real touring bike for me, of these 3 at least ? But I think that a better bike can be found for less elsewheres, when the price & motor size is all added in, not to forget the maintenance side of owning this or any other bike, we all know this is big part of bike ownership, and should be evaluated in any good review, just as much as how it handles.
I'm considering trading in the Street Glide for a light touring bike. I like the looks and review of the BMW but there isn't a shop any where close so I'm still looking. I would like to have something that I could get parts and service close. There is a Triumph, Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki dealer close.
Well, you could buy a Kawasaki Ninja 650 and have all of that ;-) Cheap too. The only downside imho are range which is ~300km and 200kg limit for driver, passenger and luagage.
Sport touring.... having the power while you're supposed to be touring... I personally find cruisers more comfortable having rode both the Ducati and KTM. I can't find myself with my feet like that for hours on end with that kind of seat...
The BMW is the only genuine sport tourer, you need a fairing and hard luggage. The KTM and Ducati are NOT tourers, they are super moto style road versions of "adventure" bikes. Plus the KTM is too big to be called middleweight, unless you throw in some other 1,000cc bikes, and then none are middleweights!
the BMW looks even nicer (by far) in person. the others... look like super motards. nice in their own rights... but not "really" the same category. basically, while any bike can be a "touring" bike... their are very few bikes to compare the F800GT to directly (in the US)
the BMW is bike that I own. it was my first bike and I did buy it brand new. of course being a new rider I didn't know much about bikes and at the time it was the best bike for me to have while learning more about riding. I'm still learning and will always continue to learn something new every time I ride this one or any other bike. I have learned one thing about my bike and that is it is underpowered. BMW did a really great job in putting this bike together except for not giving it enough power so it is not so quickly outgrown. Honda's VRF 800 interceptor is a good example of how this bike should be. No it doesn't need to be a 4 cylinder rocket at 6 or 7000 rpms. But the F800gt should have been at least a 3 cylinder 110 hp bike mainly because there is nothing else on BMW's sport touring line between the F800GT and the K1300S. With all the bells and whistles, taxes and luggage the F800gt quickly turns into a piggy bank buster. What ticks me off is that now if I am not mistaken BMW came out with a Bike (the Nine T ) I believe it is that has the motor that should have been on F800GT. I very rarely push my bike above 5000 rpms but when I do I can tell I'm not doing it any favors. If the motor that is on the NINE T was on the F800GT and with the way it handles, I don't think even BMW would be able to make a better middleweight sport Touring bike. I test rode a couple of bikes last year, A cbr 1000, a VFR800 and a zx14. The F800GT was by far the most comfortable to ride it just needs a power boost.
I do a lot of highway riding, already had to buy a set of tires since I had mine, I'd like to the bike not to have to struggle at higher rpms. One of my friends has a Hyabusa and you're right in a straight line he burns me up but on curves he cant touch me. even trade off I guess but I still think that for all the work that went into redesigning this bike and for the cost it should have been at least 100 hp motor.
petearchie61 the bike makes 85rwhp.... it is actually very similar in power output to a vfr800. If you aren't revving above 5 you are riding the bike like shit. Its is a grunty motor with power from idle to redline and short gears to row, a lazy right hand or left foot will make most any bike slow. There is also the s1000r (not rr) that sots above the f800 and below the k1300, or the new s1000xr. The fact that you think the R nine t motor would be an improvement is a joke... they even make the r1200rs and r1200rt, which is literally an f800GT style bike with a boxer motor like you want. I wouldn't fault the bike for you wanting more power than it has, and that in no way means it is down on power. You aren't even accessing the majority of the power on tap by riding to 5k rpm.... you should never be riding BELOW 5k rpm to bring that thing on power... and "a 4cyl rocket at 6 or 7000 rpms" the 4 cylinders you are talking about don't come on til 9-10k+ Run it til the shift light comes on at 9krpm and enjoy buddy... you have plenty of power on tap, and the bike loves it. Or buy an r1200rs/rt if you want BMW's boxer motor on a sport bike or sport tourer....
petearchie61 I currently own a CB400 and i'm a fairly big guy, 6'1" and 100KG, I commute in warmer months and ride the twisties in my free time, not really in the same category but I dragged a Road Star Warrior 1700 once, off the line he just disappeared but it did not take long for me to catch up. In the twisties though, i've put it up against a few 650s and a few bigger bikes and had no trouble keeping up due to how light it is. You just really have to work the engine to do either of these things. The biggest downfall is comfort, especially for a bigger rider, from my understanding the F800 was designed for mid range touring and comfortable commuting, both the CBR1000 and the ZX14 are super sport bikes, they're designed to be rockets, the VFR was honda's entry sport tourer but it emphasises sport, the F800 emphasises comfort. I looked at the VFR and there's a fair sacrifice in comfort (For me anyway) for that tiny bit extra power. Sounds to me the F800 does exactly what it's meant to do! Might make it my next bike.
Your bike is not underpowered. I've ridden them and considered one. It just makes its power in a very linear fashion. The Boxer is a Boxer and your bike is a parallel twin. Different shit different day. F800 is a great bike. Most recently I went from Triumph to Ducati but thats my own preference.
I think what the world needs is a bike that can serve multiple roles well. entry level bike, lightweight touring, female or smaller person option, with some sport built in. not everyone benefits by a 500lb+, 100hp+ bike with a sport riding position. how about an all a-rounder, comfortable "sporty" bike (had to be for marketing) that one could take on multi-day rides. (tours) grab your gf, sister, small stature beginning rider and take them for a weekend test ride... that's a bike the US needs.
This video is over 3 years old, so comments become less relevant, but still.....Who cares about Tom's hat ? It's fine! This is not a fashion vlog! Also, there is a lot of comment about how these bikes do not belong together in this comparison. All I can say is, damn glad the bike gods gave us variety! And, if you actually watch & listen, they do say that they weigh nearly the same and cost nearly the same. now it's down to personal choice! And if the bike you want to see is not here, move on.
for huge bonus points... make it either belt or shaft drive. no beginning rider that isn't all out wanting to go SPORT(!) wants to deal with (nor should deal with) chain maintenance. BMW hit it on the head with belt drive on their F800GT. the Aprilla Mana 850 and Honda CTX 700 offer auto shifting... but both are chain drive. while the Beemer offers belt drive but forces the beginner (that WE NEED to buy bikes now since it's a dying industry in the US) to sign on the full shifting aspect.
yeah, but if your ducati falls on some rock and scratches you will pull your hair from your head,,,, I have Volkswagen Touareg one of the best SUVs that are great offroad, I took it once into the forest and scratched the whole side of the car, I thought that my wife will kill me, ,,,,,never offroaded again. :)
That's the companies own fault for marketing those bikes as touring when they aren't. They compared touring bikes, and that's what the brands claimed those bikes were
To each their own, and tastes vary, or course, but really??? The KTM isn't exactly going to win any beauty contests! Don't get me wrong, I'd be happy to own one.
Ray Zeed Eyebrow I think it looks odd at first because it's a sleek, compact (at least for an 821cc) supermoto meant for the track but with luggage attached. It's like putting a roof rack and kayaks on top of a Ferrari 458...something looks out of place! But the first Ducati Hypermotards won Best in Show at the EICMA bike show. Of course this was in Milan, Italy so no wonder they chose a Ducati.
My issue with it (and with the new V-Strom 1000) is that major duckbill. WHY does a bike need so much of a beak?! ;-) But I could learn to live with it.
Here's me watching this 8 years later cause I'm looking at picking up a used F800 lol.
I just bought a used 2015 Hyperstrada and now I‘m watching this.😆😎
@@erichuang2553 Looking at a 2016 Hyperstrada now for cold weather riding.
@@erichuang2553 looking at a 2016 and doing the same
I have the F800r (the naked version) the old model with the asymmetrical headlights, it's an amazing bike imo. Even the parallel twin sound that I usually hate, sounds good on this bike.
I used to own a Hypermotard, and I rode the Hyperstrada and the riding position in the Hyperstrada is uncomfortable. Supermotos aren't very suitable for touring
In my F800r I manage to ride across different states, I wouldn't be ble to do that with the Hyperstrada. It's good looking but it's beauty over function
Scott nailed it, this was more about seeing what kind of rider they are. They are all good bikes, but different and will appeal to different people
I like how they always bring up the price. So many journalists are so jaded they start to thing people don't have to pay for their bikes
The one guy spent a lot of time on the KTM and rode the Ducati for the first time, then he likes KTM the best...shocker. I have the 821 and it takes a while to get comfortable and really enjoy the rBw throttle. they made no mention of the 3 mode capability the Ducati has.. its fully programmable so you can set your engine power,traction control and ABS on scales from 1 to 10.. I set urban mode to %25 power full ABS & Traction control, so when a friend asks to ride it Thats what they get...+1 Ducati.
2 years later in 2015 the FJ-09 was a great option too.
The 800XC should be on here. I don't have one, but I like how unique the thing is... Inline 3 -- who would have guessed.
800 to 999cc is now "middlewight" ?
when Triumph makes a bike with 2300CC I guess it is,
well you have a point there...
+Connor Smith at this point i'd start measuring in liters
that's some wicked displacement for a bike
In terms of touring/sports touring, yes that's middleweight.
Man I wish KTM still did the 990 smt and smr
Someone needs to tell Kevin that the nineties called and want their hair style back.
gwynn romano being from So Cali I always think he should have a surf board under his arm.
You can't always get what you want, but you can always get what you need. :)
ofcourse the BMW wins this test. The other two are basically comfortable supermotos with luggage options.
This test makes no sense.
It's their own fault for marketing those bikes as touring when they aren't.
Next time. Compare the new vfr800
I have the F800GT in the same colour, package as the one in the video. I use it to commute and tour, and it's fantastic.
Once thing I would suggest is to get an aftermarket slip-on muffler, because the sound of the bike gets annoying after a while...
Great bike overall.
VFR800???
Would win too easily so wasn't included, also it's 782cc so doesn't fit their definition of middleweight...
Vfr800 interceptor? Shiver gt?
Great shootout, guys!
Thought the Triumph Tiger series deserved a spot here.
Since when is a mid size bike, almost a liter sized bike, they go as followed, 798 cc 821 cc 999 cc respectively. I thought that meant around 600 cc to 750 cc max ?
Ever ridden a K1200LT? The F800GT isn't mid-sized. It's toy sized.
That's why I'm seriously considering one. I'm 6'3" tall and 225 pounds, and the K1200 is a terrifying thing. I thought I'd get used to it, but there is no getting around the fact that you're balancing nearly a half ton on two skinny tires. And talk about top heavy! My God. Who did BMW think was going to ride the thing? I've had enough.
The reality is that engine size has increased to make up for emission controls. You can't judge a bike's size by the engine displacement anymore. Or perhaps you can, if you add 150cc to the "size" you're used to.
Another thing I just don't get about the BMW, is the bike has a single side arm swingarm, and a plane jane regular 43mm non adjustable set of forks up front, and the rear shock only has preload & damping.
Now don't think I hate the bike, because I don't, in fact I like it better for touring over the other two, because of superior weather protection, that would be with the comfort seat of course, that is around 2" higher than the stock seat, if I read rightly ?
Also it has the best & biggest side bags, and gets the best fuel economie too, so there is a good bit to like, and It would seem to be the better real touring bike for me, of these 3 at least ?
But I think that a better bike can be found for less elsewheres, when the price & motor size is all added in, not to forget the maintenance side of owning this or any other bike, we all know this is big part of bike ownership, and should be evaluated in any good review, just as much as how it handles.
How are the duc and the ktm sport tourers? They are more like, touring endurance bikes.
What about the Ninja 1000/ Z1000 SX? =S
Great review guys!
When are we going to see a lightweight Supermoto shootout?
Agreed, the Mana GT would be the winner in this category. Best light touring bike available today.
5+ year old bikes? They're comparing new or relatively new stuff here.
New category needed here.... 'cruiser weight'
Shouldn't wear a cap this way when you're in your 40s... Looks ridiculous! :D
Triumph tiger sport?kawasaki z1000 sx?
The americanos don't get the Tiger Sport for some reason. I think the old version didn't sell to well there.
I'm considering trading in the Street Glide for a light touring bike. I like the looks and review of the BMW but there isn't a shop any where close so I'm still looking. I would like to have something that I could get parts and service close. There is a Triumph, Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki dealer close.
I love your videos guys!
Want to see you guys compare pocket touring bikes.
wouldn't the Vstrom1000 fit this bill also, and it is the cheapest of the bunch
I'll take one of each!
Is it just me or did the Ducati look "Scooter-ish?"
It's just you.
What?
Where's the FZ1? the half-faired version ought to fit right in
Well, you could buy a Kawasaki Ninja 650 and have all of that ;-) Cheap too. The only downside imho are range which is ~300km and 200kg limit for driver, passenger and luagage.
idk, I think a more accurate compare would be Aprilla Mana 850 ABS, Honda CTX 700, BMW F800GT.
Sport touring....
having the power while you're supposed to be touring...
I personally find cruisers more comfortable having rode both the Ducati and KTM. I can't find myself with my feet like that for hours on end with that kind of seat...
3:17 only rider with correct position on the grips. :)
The BMW is the only genuine sport tourer, you need a fairing and hard luggage. The KTM and Ducati are NOT tourers, they are super moto style road versions of "adventure" bikes. Plus the KTM is too big to be called middleweight, unless you throw in some other 1,000cc bikes, and then none are middleweights!
So do I! Probably wear it more than anything else.
The Ducati looks the nicest by a long way.
I like Kevins jacket.
They compare whatever they get for free for 2 days!! This comparation was as usefull to me as my brandnew money shovel !! this is ridiculous!!
Yamaha FZ8?
BMW sponsors this show right?
the BMW looks even nicer (by far) in person. the others... look like super motards. nice in their own rights... but not "really" the same category. basically, while any bike can be a "touring" bike... their are very few bikes to compare the F800GT to directly (in the US)
Instead of the BMW you should have included the MV Agusta Stradale
Ridiculous comparison... Wearing caps backwards might have been cool ten years ago....For 14 year olds....
the BMW is bike that I own. it was my first bike and I did buy it brand new. of course being a new rider I didn't know much about bikes and at the time it was the best bike for me to have while learning more about riding. I'm still learning and will always continue to learn something new every time I ride this one or any other bike. I have learned one thing about my bike and that is it is underpowered. BMW did a really great job in putting this bike together except for not giving it enough power so it is not so quickly outgrown. Honda's VRF 800 interceptor is a good example of how this bike should be. No it doesn't need to be a 4 cylinder rocket at 6 or 7000 rpms. But the F800gt should have been at least a 3 cylinder 110 hp bike mainly because there is nothing else on BMW's sport touring line between the F800GT and the K1300S. With all the bells and whistles, taxes and luggage the F800gt quickly turns into a piggy bank buster. What ticks me off is that now if I am not mistaken BMW came out with a Bike (the Nine T ) I believe it is that has the motor that should have been on F800GT. I very rarely push my bike above 5000 rpms but when I do I can tell I'm not doing it any favors. If the motor that is on the NINE T was on the F800GT and with the way it handles, I don't think even BMW would be able to make a better middleweight sport Touring bike. I test rode a couple of bikes last year, A cbr 1000, a VFR800 and a zx14. The F800GT was by far the most comfortable to ride it just needs a power boost.
I do a lot of highway riding, already had to buy a set of tires since I had mine, I'd like to the bike not to have to struggle at higher rpms. One of my friends has a Hyabusa and you're right in a straight line he burns me up but on curves he cant touch me. even trade off I guess but I still think that for all the work that went into redesigning this bike and for the cost it should have been at least 100 hp motor.
petearchie61 the bike makes 85rwhp.... it is actually very similar in power output to a vfr800. If you aren't revving above 5 you are riding the bike like shit. Its is a grunty motor with power from idle to redline and short gears to row, a lazy right hand or left foot will make most any bike slow.
There is also the s1000r (not rr) that sots above the f800 and below the k1300, or the new s1000xr. The fact that you think the R nine t motor would be an improvement is a joke... they even make the r1200rs and r1200rt, which is literally an f800GT style bike with a boxer motor like you want. I wouldn't fault the bike for you wanting more power than it has, and that in no way means it is down on power. You aren't even accessing the majority of the power on tap by riding to 5k rpm.... you should never be riding BELOW 5k rpm to bring that thing on power... and "a 4cyl rocket at 6 or 7000 rpms" the 4 cylinders you are talking about don't come on til 9-10k+
Run it til the shift light comes on at 9krpm and enjoy buddy... you have plenty of power on tap, and the bike loves it. Or buy an r1200rs/rt if you want BMW's boxer motor on a sport bike or sport tourer....
petearchie61 I currently own a CB400 and i'm a fairly big guy, 6'1" and 100KG, I commute in warmer months and ride the twisties in my free time, not really in the same category but I dragged a Road Star Warrior 1700 once, off the line he just disappeared but it did not take long for me to catch up. In the twisties though, i've put it up against a few 650s and a few bigger bikes and had no trouble keeping up due to how light it is. You just really have to work the engine to do either of these things. The biggest downfall is comfort, especially for a bigger rider, from my understanding the F800 was designed for mid range touring and comfortable commuting, both the CBR1000 and the ZX14 are super sport bikes, they're designed to be rockets, the VFR was honda's entry sport tourer but it emphasises sport, the F800 emphasises comfort. I looked at the VFR and there's a fair sacrifice in comfort (For me anyway) for that tiny bit extra power. Sounds to me the F800 does exactly what it's meant to do! Might make it my next bike.
petearchie61 I
Your bike is not underpowered. I've ridden them and considered one. It just makes its power in a very linear fashion. The Boxer is a Boxer and your bike is a parallel twin. Different shit different day. F800 is a great bike. Most recently I went from Triumph to Ducati but thats my own preference.
MUSIC on intro ?
z1000sx?
Not a middleweight... 1043cc I think.
Are these faster than their heavy weight counterparts?
FJ-09 ?
Ross Jepsen tracer 900 would out do them on power and price
I think the bmw looks the best, but the front end looks like my Honda st1100
I think what the world needs is a bike that can serve multiple roles well. entry level bike, lightweight touring, female or smaller person option, with some sport built in. not everyone benefits by a 500lb+, 100hp+ bike with a sport riding position. how about an all a-rounder, comfortable "sporty" bike (had to be for marketing) that one could take on multi-day rides. (tours) grab your gf, sister, small stature beginning rider and take them for a weekend test ride... that's a bike the US needs.
I ruvvvvvv moto-cykurrrrrs :D
Bmw looks like a real motorcycle!!! The other ones look like BMX 😂🤣
This video is over 3 years old, so comments become less relevant, but still.....Who cares about Tom's hat ? It's fine! This is not a fashion vlog! Also, there is a lot of comment about how these bikes do not belong together in this comparison. All I can say is, damn glad the bike gods gave us variety! And, if you actually watch & listen, they do say that they weigh nearly the same and cost nearly the same. now it's down to personal choice! And if the bike you want to see is not here, move on.
Leo Veroude I
for huge bonus points... make it either belt or shaft drive. no beginning rider that isn't all out wanting to go SPORT(!) wants to deal with (nor should deal with) chain maintenance. BMW hit it on the head with belt drive on their F800GT. the Aprilla Mana 850 and Honda CTX 700 offer auto shifting... but both are chain drive. while the Beemer offers belt drive but forces the beginner (that WE NEED to buy bikes now since it's a dying industry in the US) to sign on the full shifting aspect.
WHY DID THEY LEAVE OUT APRILIA?
Totally useless review.
Probably because they wanted some sport in their "sport-touring" bikes.
♥ ktm
almost like comparing oranges to potatoes, ridiculous..
This guys are out of touch with reality, get your shit together !
ktm wins no matter what. They are the Chuck Norris of motorcycles.
yeah, but if your ducati falls on some rock and scratches you will pull your hair from your head,,,, I have Volkswagen Touareg one of the best SUVs that are great offroad, I took it once into the forest and scratched the whole side of the car, I thought that my wife will kill me, ,,,,,never offroaded again. :)
The only Sport tourer there is the BMW
That's the companies own fault for marketing those bikes as touring when they aren't. They compared touring bikes, and that's what the brands claimed those bikes were
DUCATI AND KTM YOU CAN TAKE OFFROAD.... bmw?
F800GS sit up and tour all day, zippy gas sipper
NO, I THINK KTMs ARE ACTUALLY GREAT.
Why would you say something so troglodyte about KTMs?
Bmw-the best!!!!
Hyper Motard = Hyper Ugly
193322009
:D
That Ducati is Fuuuugly.
i like it
To each their own, and tastes vary, or course, but really??? The KTM isn't exactly going to win any beauty contests! Don't get me wrong, I'd be happy to own one.
Yeah, tastes vary, and change. After seeing a few 'in the flesh', I like the look much better now. :-D
Ray Zeed Eyebrow
I think it looks odd at first because it's a sleek, compact (at least for an 821cc) supermoto meant for the track but with luggage attached. It's like putting a roof rack and kayaks on top of a Ferrari 458...something looks out of place! But the first Ducati Hypermotards won Best in Show at the EICMA bike show. Of course this was in Milan, Italy so no wonder they chose a Ducati.
My issue with it (and with the new V-Strom 1000) is that major duckbill. WHY does a bike need so much of a beak?! ;-)
But I could learn to live with it.