Touring Africa on a BMW F800GS - Pics & Info

[NorCalTA]

No, not me but I can dream, can't I?

The latest MCN newsstand issue released this week has a good article on the new BMW 800GS being tested in Africa by Herbert Schwarz, director of parts specialist Touratech. The link below has some great pics of the bike in action in Africa.

Damn - Time to get back to working full-time so I can get mine!

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/N...&R=EPI-97394

[jkrijt]

Thanks for the link. Nice pictures.

"Testrider for Touratech", it is a dirty job but someone has to do it :-)

[effrider]

I see an F800GS in my future !! Fixes some of the shortcomings of the F650, such as a more powerful alternator (to power heated vests, aux lights, etc.), more power (of course) which means a higher top speed, for those times when you are on asphalt, getting from place to place, nice luggage set, bright lights, yet still fairly light for a big trailie. I'm a bit wary of going with a brand new breed before the bugs are worked out, but here's hoping the Touratech guy nailed some of them on his Africa trip and that BMW will fix them. This could be a big seller if they keep the price manageable.

[chasetheday]

Is the new F800GS similar to the R80GS? It seems that a lot of the used bikes I see on craigslist here in Colorado are over priced in my opinion. I've been looking at possibly getting an R80GS but they all are over priced for as many miles as they have on them and at that point it would be better to spend more on the F650GS or now the F800GS.

[NorCalTA]

Originally Posted by chasetheday

Is the new F800GS similar to the R80GS?

The standard R80GS seems like its a bit lighter than the new F800GS according to the specs I found below. Other than that, they are quite different in most other specs and of course, technology.

R80GS Specs

Start of Production
1980

End of Production
1987
Numbers Produced
21,864
Price
8,920 DM
Engine

Motor Type
Four-stroke two cylinder horizontally opposed "Boxer" engine, air cooled
Bore x Stroke
84.8 x 70.6 mm (3.33 x 2.77 in)
Displacement
797.5 cc
Max Power
50 hp (37 KW) at 6,500 rpm
Max Torque
56.7 Nm / 41 ft lb at 5,000 rpm
Compression Ratio
8.2 : 1
Valves Per Cylinder
2
Valve Control
OHV, using push rod and rocker arm
Carburation System
2 constant depression carburettors, Bing V 64/32/305 - 64/32/306
Engine Lubricating System
Wet sump




Power Transmission

Clutch
Dry single plate, with lever action diaphragm spring
Number of Gears
5
Gear Selection
Dog type gearbox (ratchet foot lever)
Gearbox Ratios
4.4 / 2.86 / 2.07 / 1.67 / 1.50
Rear Wheel Ratio
1 : 3.36
Bevel/Crownwheel
11 / 37 teeth




Electrical System

Ignition System
Contact free electronic ignition (Bosch)
Alternator
Bosch 280 W
Starter
Bosch 0.7 Kw
Spark Plugs
Bosch W 7 D / Beru14-7D / Champion N10Y




Chassis

Type of Frame
Double loop tubular frame with bolt on rear section
Front wheel suspension
Telescopic fork with hydraulic shock absorber
Rear wheel suspension
BMW Monolever swinging arm
Spring Travel Front/Rear
200 / 170 mm (7.87 x 6.69 in)
Wheel Rims, Front
1.85 B 21
Wheel Rims, Rear
2.15 B 18
Tyres, Front
3.00 x 21 48 R
Tyres, Rear
4.00 x 18 64 R
Brakes, Front
Single disc brake 260 mm / 10.23 in diameter. Brembo 2 piston caliper
Brakes, Rear
Simplex drum brake 200 mm / 7.87 in diameter




Dimensions/Weights

Length x Width x Height 2230 x 820 x 1150 mm (87.79 x 32.28 x 45.27 in) Wheel Base 1465 mm / 57.67 in Fuel Tank Capacity 19.5 litres / 4.28 gal / 5.15 gal US (Paris - Dakar: 32 litres / 7.03 gal / 8.45 gal US) Unladen Weight with Full Tank 186 Kg / 409 lb (Paris - Dakar: 205 Kg / 451 lb) Max. Permissible Weight 398 Kg / 876 lb Ground Clearance 175 mm / 6.88 in Seat Height (Unladen) 860 mm (33.9 inches) Fuel Consumption 5.0 litres 100 Km (at constant 90 Kph) / 47 mpg US or 56 mpg / 47 mpg US Top Speed 168 Kph / 104 mph Acceleration 0 - 100 Kph / 62 mph 5.6 seconds


F800GS Specs

Engine
Capacity cm3 798
Bore/lift mm 82/75,6
Power kW/HP 63/85
at engine speed min-1 7 500
Torque Nm 83
at engine speed min-1 5 750
No. of cylinders 2
Compression/fuel :1 12.0/Super unleaded (95 RON)
Valve/gas control c (double overhead camshaft)
Valves per cylinder 4
Diam. inlet/outlet mm 32/27,5
Throttle valve diameter mm 46
Mixture preparation

Electrical system
Generator W 400
Battery V/Ah 14-Dec
Headlights/rear light W
Starter kW 0.9

Power transmission/gears
Clutch
Gears
Primary transmission 01:01.9
Transmission, gear stages I 01:02.5
II 01:01.8
III 01:01.4
IV 01:01.2
V 01:01.0
VI 01:01.0
Rear wheel drive
Transmission ratio 1:2.625 (16/42)

Chassis
Frame design
Wheel suspension, front wheel Upside-down telescopic fork,
fixed tube Ø 45 mm
Wheel suspension, rear wheel
Spring travel front/rear mm 230/215
Castor mm 117
Wheel spacing mm 1578
Steering head angle ° 64
Brakes front Double-disc brake Ø 300 mm
rear Single-disc brake Ø 265 mm
Wheels Spoked wheels with aluminium rims
front 2.15x21
rear 4.25x17
Tyres front 90/90-21 54 V
rear 150/70-R17 69 V

Dimensions and weights
Total length mm 2 320
Total width with mirrors mm
Total width without mirrors mm 870
Seat height inches 33.5-34.6
Dry weight lbs 392
DIN tare, ready to drive lbs 455
Perm. total weight lbs 975
Tank capacity gallons 4.2
Travel data
Fuel consumption (MPG) At 56 mph 62 mpg
At 74 mph 45 mpg

MSRP $10,520 USD

Standard Equipment / 100% Options
Closed loop 3 way catalytic converter with oxygen sensor
Chain drive
Complete stainless steel exhaust system
Hydraulic rear spring preload adjuster
Spoked wheels
Electronic immobilizer
Single wire system (Can-Bus)
Power Socket
Adjustable brake and clutch levers

Available Equipment
Comfort Package $475
ABS $890
Clear Turn Signal Lenses $60
Anti Theft Alarm $235
Center Stand $150
Low Seat $0

Available Colors
Dark Magnesium Metallic
Sunset Yellow