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So, I went for a spin at the weekend...2011 F800R - a mini 'review'.......
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06-04-2011 10:46pm#1Basically, I had cause to visit Munich at the weekend, to attend a surprise 40th birthday party of a friend, so we decided to make a weekend out of it.
I was originally going to rent a mad car: Porsche 997 Cabrio or somesuch, but €600 per day was just a bridge too far. But I wanted something, anything.
So, we decided on a bike, and I went online and rented an F800R for the weekend : from Friday to Monday. I wanted an F800GS as I've a hankering for one of those, but an R is all he had. Mind you, I was pleasantly surprised that it was a nice colour. Better still: brand new: only 237kms on it
Yum Yum Yum
Our flight was late on Friday, and I underestimated the time to get from airport to hotel to hire place, so it was about 17:00 when I actually got there, instead of 14:00, but it was a lovely sunny evening, and I set off the 50-odd km to Munich via back road. Which is where the GPS came in handy.....:D Tom Tom Rider 2 and matching bluetooth headset in helmet.
Now, he'd have put a GPS mount on the bike for me, and/or luggage, but then we twigged that mine is a Tom Tom, and BMW use exclusively........Garmin. Ah well.
Good job I brought my sucky-cup car thing, then.......and this is where I put it
In short, I had no idea if it would stay there, and kept looking and feeling for it with my left hand as I rode along, to make sure, especially after a bump. However, nothing seemed to affect it.
Saturday was promised fine, and they weren't joking: another reason for picking a smaller rather than a bigger bike: I've ridden big tourers there before, and for pottering and short hops, smaller is definately better. And, fairing-less, keeps you cooler, too. Now I understand why unfaired bikes are popular on the Continent..........Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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:eek:
Saturday dawned very fine, and Saturday's task was to visit a local Hein Gericke shop, to see if they had any up to date stuff for Mrs Gtt, and then to BMW Welt and Museum.
Whilst there, we saw this - I think it's brilliant - a 'full dresser' Honda DN-01.
Anyhoo, didn't see anything she fancied, so we head off to the BMW Welt and BMW Museum. At this point, you might want to look HERE
The F800R was great in town. Mandatory u-turns perfromed with aplomb. Parking barriers skillfully avoided
It's light, turns nice and sharply, had great brakes (and ABS btw..), and it made the most delicious noise from it's shiny endcan. The colour suited it's sporty mantle well.....
Fruity endcan and football pitched size number plate.......
Mrs Gtt said the pillion was very comfortable as well
Mind you, I wasn't totally enamoured with rider seat: I think it had the low seat fitted, which is great - I could flat-foot both .......feet, easily, but did find the pegs a titch high. There again, I'm not twenty-something, and my knees are shot. Oh, and I normally ride a Harley, so my opinion is somewhat coloured........I'd say a std seat would be perfect, otherwise I'd be for adjusting, for fitting adjustable, rearset's.
The clutch was light, but in the constant stop/go of Munich traffic (and you're not allowed to filter, btw.........:mad: :eek: ), my hand got tired quickly - much more so than on my Harley. There again, my joints, like my knee's, are knackered as well.............
The engine is as sweet as a nut, it really is. Spins lovely, yet has nice torque.
The gearbox, though. Oh dear. A Suzuki it's not. It clunks into first and I did find it a titch snatchy on v.low speed maneouvres, but it's not bad, and not enough to not buy the bike. If it had belt drive it'd be perfect. Even 1st to 2nd changes weren't as smooth as I'm used to, but, hey, it's works.
In 20-something degrees heat in town, it didn't overheat, the fan cut in, and I didn't get cooked.Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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A few pics from the museum, the rest of which can be seen here
Simply gorgeous:
How do you make a scrambler from a road bike ?? Just change the tyres of course !
Acting the maggot on the exhibit's.......
No idea who these kids were, but they were having fun anyway !
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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They had the new big K1600GT and GTL there too, and it didn't feel any bigger than any other tourer btw...
So, Sunday dawned even sunnier, and up early and on the road, aiming for the castle at Newschwanstein, in Schwangau. This is the castle famously on which the one at Disneyland is based, so it's a bit of a must-see.
Don't know how hot it got during the day, but at this time, 11:00am, it was already 21 degrees C.
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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..the road's were fabulous, and there were 100's of bikes out all day.
We pulled in near a famous bridge and sat, like everyone else, facing the road, watching all the bikes and cars out on their Sunday spin. What could be better ?
And, as we went higher, the roads got twistier..........and the bike got better. No need for many, manic gearchanges, you could just ride it on the throttle. No one going mad though: Der Polizei are out and take a very Dim View of speeding...........but no need to go at walking pace, either.......
Eventually, we get to the castle, and it's just like on the postcard's........
Horse outside, anyone ??
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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When the time came to leave the castle, around 17:00 on Sunday, and after eating dinner outside at a local hostelry, Tom-Tom gave me a route home. But I said, 'nah', 'recalculate' and I followed it's instructions...........next thing I know I've crossed the river Inn, and we're in Austria !! Cool.
Not.
It may be beautiful, and the glaciers gorgeous.......but seriously, 30km/h speed limits ? FFS. Even Mrs Gtt said if we want any slower the bike would stall.........
We did find one section of 70km/h limit, but met loads of bikers giving what I thought was warning of a speed check.......but it turned out to be this........:( Not good......
We got past that, eventually, duly sombre.......and enjoyed the trip back to the hotel for the last time, and took the following pics: yes, that IS snow!! The temp in the mountain's was a good 8 deg cooler than in the valley, and I was glad I had all my gear on then !
So, what can I say about..........
The 2011 F800R ?
Lovely engine, handling, brakes, looks. Std seat is probably better than low one for me, pillion happy to be there.
Max recorded speed by me 140km/h, mostly 100km/h or thereabouts.
And here's the kicker: I did 370kms on 13.3 litres of juice. That's an astonishing 75.3mpg. :eek: :eek:
Commuting? Bloody perfect !!
Germany ?
Fabulous roads, riders, community, weather. You all have to go.
Austria ?
Fabulous roads, riders, weather. But if you're a loon, or can't hack following speed limits: forget it. Not only that some towns have complete motorcycle bans........:eek:
Oh, and I forgot: I got my bike from Rudi Fortsch at REF Motorsport in Tutzing, top man, nice to deal with, and the rent was fair : €277 for the weekend. Worth every cent.
http://www.ref-motorsport.com/index1.htm
Oh, and Tom-Tom Rider ?
Bloody essential - and the sucky cup is genious !
All the pics are hosted here, to browse: http://galwaytt.smugmug.com/Cars/BMW-Welt/16487486_LpWUx#1241389670_W5YAiOde To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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Interceptor wrote: »Excellent write up - I was over in Munich last week too but stuck in a rental car for my sins. I saw very few bikes and was disappointed with the prices in the various shops - HG, POLO and LOUIS.
I wouldn't mind a spin on the F800R - it looks like a nice all-rounder.
'cptr
...are you sure it was the same Munich ??
Mind you, on Saturday - they all headed out of town for their spins. Sunday even more so. Then they all tore back to town on Sun eve.
HG not the cheapest, but nice stuff. All my gear in the pics is HG. I just like the fact they have a choice. Where is the POLO shop ? Wanted to find one of those, though, for Mrs Gtt to try a particular POLO jacket. Tbh, I wouldn't call motorcycling in Germany cheap. If you want cheap, get the tram.
..can't blame you: I loved it. In Another Life, I could easily live thereOoh, I miss Munich now
Damn you.
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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