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Advantages F800ST vs. F800GT

66K views 83 replies 30 participants last post by  gladstonian 
#1 ·
ST has about 20-30 more miles in range, (smaller tank on the GT possibly less mpg), non ABS available, around 10lbs lighter, with a 2 inch shorter wheelbase for snappier handling one up, with slightly higher pegs and seat for more lean angle.

So for us who never ride two up the ST does have its positive attributes vis a vis the new GT.

I'm guessing the GT is better at two up riding and it sounds like the ABS has been improved.

One thing I never thought the ST really needed is the Traction Control available on the GT...but maybe that massive 5hp increase in power requires it. [lol]

The ESA option, according to owners of other BMWs with it, is not the "home run gotta have it" feature that it sounds like it should be.
 
#2 ·
I've demo'ed the GT for a bit. there wasnt much of a big difference between the two to make me go "I want one!"

when i demo'ed the R, i gave it a little serious thought ot maybe having a second bike or trading the ST in. it's a fun bike, and felt different enough. same when i tested the GS.

But the ST to teh GT, there wasnt much that was there that i couldnt have done to the ST to turn it into a GT. Wind protection wise, i didnt notice a hueg difference. maybe it had a little bit better protection but it wasnt RT level of protection. ESA was meeeeeeh. the traction stability control mightve been nice but once again, with all options, nothing to scream home about. I missed the most from the ST was the sportier riding position.


Overall the GT is a good bike, light, with good single rider power. If i didnt have the ST, then i would have gotten the GT.
 
#9 ·
After adding mirror extensions (fixed on the GT), a few windscreens (better on the GT) to statisfy seasonal needs and F800S engine spoiler ( integrated on the GT) to my 2009 F800ST, the need to change to the evolved F800GT is practically pointless!

Stef-
 
#4 ·
after driving the ST for so long, i really enjoyed em. when they changed em i was "awwwww" but can't say i hate it tho cuz before the ST i was on a honda and suzuki. It's a nice subtle evolution like the 05 gs's to teh 07's (or was it 08?) - i'm waiting for something big like when they went from an 1150 gs to 1200 gs.
 
#6 ·
.....

So for us who never ride two up the ST does have its positive attributes vis a vis the new GT....

.
+1 on what you said. IMHO the F800ST meets my needs much better than the 800GT. Shorter wheelbase, expandable sport panneirs, and most of the other stuff mentioned above
 
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#8 ·
I have not ridden the GT so I do not have inside knowledge but I agree. Seems to be a nice evolution of the ST without going completely bananas with it. BMW seems to have a knack lately anyway of evolving their models nicely yet keeping the core bike there. The WC GS is another good example. I personally like that they extended the fairing on the GT to cover the entire bike. Nothing against the ST's or you that own them I never cared for that 3/4 fairing, looks unfinished. So looks are subjective but I like the design of the new GT. On a side I just installed the Pyramid fairing on my "S" and it looks the bomb, BMW should have designed the fairing that way in the first place...IMHO. Ride safe gents & ladies.....[:D]
 
#10 ·
I'm most perplexed by the drop in range.

That does not seem to be a "natural evolution" for any ST or GT.

A step backwards in my view...unless the heavier GT, with more power, somehow manages to get 10% better mileage than the F800ST...and even then, that would be a "breakeven" situation in terms of range.
 
#11 ·
To me any touring bike with less than a 5 gallon capacity is just a device to ride from gas station to gas station.
Then again one can tour on a Honda 125 Trail Bike if you accept the limitations of the design.
I knew I could trust my R80/7 and R65LS to go 250 miles without going on reserve. That was a nice feature when looking at a map and picking a destination.[:p]

Tumalo, you never heard of the Aunt or Uncle who bought a new car every time the ashtray filled up? You must be wearing your too literal undies today![lol]
 
#16 ·
R = Road
S = Sports
ST = Sports/Touring
GT = Grand Touring

We can argue as much as we like but BMW have decided that the F800 only needs the R and GT model. The GT is based on the newer R machine the S and ST are history.

If you ride and S and miss it blame all those who did not buy it. Bottom Line it did not sell.

If like me you ride an ST you have a choice, replace it with a GT, replace it with something else from BMW or another manufacturer (mine would be a Honda but in NZ they don't import the models I want to buy), keep your ST until it dies (One day it will be a classic!). You know it's better than a GT!
 
#17 ·
I'm not planning sell my ST anytime soon. The machine continues to impress me and and I love it. But, the manufacturers have new bikes to sell. The GT must have evolved from somewhere and the design engineers had the ST as the backbone. I'll get a chance to put a leg over one this weekend at the dealer in Portland. "The ST is dead. Long live the GT!"
 
#18 ·
Time will tell if the GT is any better than the ST, but I have no doubt that it is it's equal. [;)] For me, it fixed the problems I had with the ST - the luggage and a better fairing. But I wasn't coming from an ST, I was coming from an R1200RT and looking for a lighter weight bike that could tour. We only average 200-300 hundred miles a day, so it's range was not that important to me (although I would have liked more). The ABS and heated grips were a must, but I probably could have lived without the ASC and the ESA. They were available so I put them on the bike.

All in all, it was just what I was looking for. Will I be happy with it? Only time will tell - talk to me again this fall. It goes down the Blue Ridge in June and then to Nova Scotia in August. Would I have traded a fully farkled ST for it - Not likely, but as Mark said "If you want a new bike it's the only game in town."
 
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#23 ·
Fiance and I have ridden two-up a few times on my ST. The rear handling was affected more than two-up riding with my Dad on our Guzzi (which has aftermarket rear shocks). We're 300 pounds of combined flesh and I'm not sure I'd want to go much more on my ST.

What I am really jonesing for is that Valencia orange (my first BMW was Orlando orange...). After years of fogie colors BMW finally painted the F800 with something sharp.

I would find it hard to compare the two. What year did BMW swap out the mushy Showa forks for the Marzocchi ones after Showa closed their European factory?
 
#21 ·
Mmmmmmm, is the GT better than the ST, many interesting points have been made here. To me it is a Marmite thing, either you love or not. Those that have made the change and love it that is fantastic, there is nothing like a new bike to make one feel good and nice and want to view it every five minutes or so, and who can blame them. Then there is the ST, with all that has been said before all, the fore and against, pro's and con's.

Only time will tell if the GT is a true replacement to the ST, give it eighteen months or so then we will see if it has truly replaced the ST. I would love to replace the bike sometime, will it be the GT[?][?] most probably I will stick with the ST even though the change of gears sometimes throw in a neutral and the engine roars, oops, try again, at least I am used to it and it's quirky way's.

Those who have the GT, nice one, hope you enjoy[:p][:p]
 
#22 ·
I expect the GT's on-road dynamics won't be that much different to the ST, regardless of the changes in wheelbase and suspension. Pretty much all they've done (naturally) is move a little further away from sporting pretensions visually (less so dynamically), and add some features that long distance tourers will like. I took a quick squiz at the GT while at the World Superbikes Expo at Phillip Island. Noting my comments above, my immediate perception was 'nice bike, but it doesn't attract me like the S/ST did when I initially saw them years ago'. For the type of bike I want (including image), I prefer the slightly greater sporting pretensions of the ST, and the fact that it stands out from the crowd a little more than the GT is likely to. but all power to those who the bike suits. I love owning and riding my ST; I'm sure those who choose the GT will feel the same.
 
#24 ·
Rode the new GT on. Saterday and Ionly liked the new exhaust sound. I did not like the single flicker and the new screen was not very effective The engine was also running hotter,mayby something to do with new fairing. Performace felt slightly better,but not major. I am happy with my ST and prefer the slightly more sportier riding position. In a nutshell BMW need to do better,maybe F900ST? They are trying to cater for a very small market segment,which has wide choice for the consumer l know two guys who have bought GT!s, so I will seehow they enjoy the new model
 
#25 ·
I had an 09 ST and loved it. Traded it for a R1200RT because I "needed" bigger and better. Missed the ST a bunch, and now have a GT on order. If I still had my orginal ST, I WOULD NOT trade for a GT. Not enough difference, in my opinion. In my opinion also, if we didn't know the swing arm was 2 inches longer, very few riders (myself included) would notice any difference in the ride and handling. If you have an ST and it still speaks to you, keep if. If you want a new ride, consider the GT. Two different apples from the same tree.
 
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#31 ·
I have the 2009 ST and I share you're opinion too, not enough evolution to switch bike and shed the extra $$$$s,

Anoying issue, side cases:
At a fix 25 liter size they are better looking than the expanded to 25 liter ST side cases.
It is deceiving they did not seize the opportunity to increase size of luggage. Why not lower the muffler and place bigger side cases?
Other annoying issue is helmet capacity, both ST side cases accepts helmets, not the GT ones.
After market Givi V35 side cases at 34 liters each are still the norm for long range touring with F800s.

The GT


The ST


Givi V35
 
#28 ·
Looks a lot like the one I posted when I was invited to check a GT over, if you did nick it, I cant blame you, when we post photo's we leave ourselves open for the odd few to be poached, such is life. Anyway, have you been out on your GT?
 
#29 ·
"To nick, or not to nick? That is the question" My avatar photo was taken, by me, in the showroom of Gina's BMW Motorcycles. (Also posted in my impressions of the GT) Is the poachee actually a poachor? [;)][:D][:)][lol]
 
#35 ·
Note that I haven't picked up my ST yet (a few more weeks!) but here's my uninformed take:

Pro
- 5 bhp
- bigger screen
- fork brace

Con
- no fork gaiters
- presumably same front spring rate
- no headlight protection
- short front fender

Pete

p.s. anybody who disses ABS hasn't ridden hard on a wet road.
 
#37 ·
Note that I haven't picked up my ST yet (a few more weeks!) but here's my uninformed take:

Pro
- 5 bhp
- bigger screen
- fork brace

Con
- no fork gaiters Non on ST
- presumably same front spring rate
- no headlight protection Same on ST
- short front fender same on ST

Pete

p.s. anybody who disses ABS hasn't ridden hard on a wet road.
Reply included in the quote, easier that way[:)]
 
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