What’s with all this “R” malarkey relating to motorcycles, specifically? It seems every manufacturer has to have a model of some sort or another with the “R” placed somewhere in its model name. Am I right or what? But it’s not a bad thing, far from it, because it makes the new owner feel like they’ve bought something “R”ather special which either evokes madness from the youth, or makes us aging motorcyclists feel their “youthful years” are still with them and not lost in old photos and pub phrases like; “Do you know how fast I used to be?” etc, etc…
Now one of the main culprits for the big “R” is BMW, just go through their site www.bmw.co.za and count the “Rs” whilst sipping a fRothy coffee and you’ll see where I’m coming from. And now, to add even more “R” to their 2015 line-up, is the all-new and delightful F 800 R, which I like, a lot!
The reason for my undiluted pleasure for the 2015 F 800 R is its simplicity, a true rider’s machine and not something choked to death with the normal BMW overpowering and highly confusing electronics which, I must say, I’m becoming a bit frustrated with at the moment. Then again, I’m not a “youth” anymore so that could be the reason for that, who knows? Just because I still enjoy the original three Star Wars movies, does that classify me as a “non-youth” now, well maybe? 
Anyway, so what we have here is BMW’s latest version of the F 800 R, which first appeared in 2009 but never really achieved any sales success and, unfortunately, so I’ve been told, neither is this new version in South Africa at the moment, which is a little surprising with a BMW badge on the tank.
So hopefully this article will at least get people out for a test ride and they’ll also enjoy what is a superb middleweight motorcycle for many reasons, mainly due to its complete makeover from the previous, and not very pretty, F 800 R. At least BMW threw those old and dreadful twin-headlights into the bin and fitted this new and more compact single version instead – hurrah!
So for 2015 BMW have increased the horsepower from its 798cc, 8-valve, fuel injected Rotax parallel twin by 3hp to 90hp@8,000rpm and a hefty dose of torque will pull you along nicely with a claimed 86Nm @5,8000rpm, not bad figures at all from a mere 800-twin don’t you agree? And if you get your head down on the 202kg (fully fuelled weight) F 800 R it’ll easily swing past the 200km/h mark on those very easy to read analogue clocks, with needles, and not some digital, impossible to read when the sun is on them, modern affair for a change, if you know what I mean?
The engine is sweet but not as sweet as the new chassis, with its huge bridge frame cast ally spars to hold things together and combined with a new extra-long swingarm this new BM’ is one stable and hyper-fun platform that just loves to be ridden hard through corners without a twitch or wobble and, therefore, more than fills the “R” badge in that department. And the “R” bit is also heavily related to the brakes, more so than any other component on the 2015 F 800 R. Not only has the bike got new-fangled upside-down forks it also has these massively powerful radial four-piston Brembo brakes to go with the new suspension units, and when they clamp onto the equally huge 320mm discs be prepared for MotoGP stopping power! Don’t worry if that sounds a little scary though because the F 800 R has BMW’s fine ABS system included in the price.
Also included in the price is the Dynamic package option, which means you get posh LED tail lights and indicators, an engine spoiler and a pillion seat cowl for the all important “R” image, which detaches in a few seconds to allow for passenger thrill rides. Now I’ve mentioned the price but not told you yet that the 2015 F 800 R will relieve one of R124,800 with the Dynamic package, which puts it into contention with Triumph Speed/Street Triples, MV Agusta triples, Ducati Monsters, the Yamahas MT-09 and their new and terrific Tracer, which is one hard market to attack, but BMW owners do tend to become brand loyal in SA. But, to me, the main reason for poor sales of the F 800 R is BMW’s own GS range, which most people seem to aspire to, even if they don’t know why themselves, but that’s another topic for debate around a smouldering braai.
Look, the 2015 F 800 R is far from Tje proper stunt bike that Chris Pfeiffer made famous for BMW by winning many World titles on his modified F 800 R, even thought this new model has lowered first and second gear ratios to improve urban riding. It’s more of a near perfect middleweight that anyone could play with, including touring, commuting and tearing around like a wolverine with a roman-candle stuck in and exploding from its bum, enforcing the “R” side of its personality. If you desire a minimalist and practical, very cool looking BMW, then you really should go and have rip on the 2015 F 800 R and I guarantee you’ll enjoy the non-fuss attitude it portrays. 
