BMW F800 Forum banner

Hi from new member in Yorkshire UK.

2K views 23 replies 17 participants last post by  Mendologist 
#1 · (Edited)
Afternoon, evening, or morning everyone, wherever you are!
I'm in the Selby area of Yorkshire UK and have recently purchased a F800R on a 2010 reg.
Moved up from a '98 F650ST.

I've been busy servicing the 800 and getting familiar with it.
Only been out twice on it for short runs (had it a month now), weather is damp and slippy to say the least.
Will be looking for hints and tips on the forum, I'm sure most will be already posted somewhere.

Currently not altogether impressed with the handlebar position, too far forward for my 5'8" frame!
Preferred the F650St bar position.

Looking at different bar risers to make some adjustments before the season starts in spring.

Catch you all on here.

HAPPY NEW YEAR WHEN IT COMES TO YOU WHEREVER YOU ARE.
 
See less See more
#9 ·
Hello Neil. Happy New Year. And welcome. I'm a little further south; Rugby. I bought a 2014 F800R in May of 2019 (last year now!!). Getting to know it better. So far so good. I'm 5ft 5ins and I have a similar feeling about the bars being just a tad too far foward for absolute comfort. Let me know if you find an easy solution without changing cables, etc. Rob.
 
#11 ·
Hello Neil. Welcome from the coast of Kansas! Happy to have you with us. Hope you enjoy your new ride.

One question (sorry if it sounds critical): why did you buy a bike that did not fit you? Could you not find a ride that fit a 5"8" rider a bit better? My experience is that, if you add bar risers, next you will be launched upon a continual search for some do-dad (taller windscreen, higher/lower pegs, taller/lower seat, etc.) to "force" your new F800 to "fit" you correctly. Hope you find happiness in that process. I did not, so I now only opt for the bike that fits me out of the box. Makes life simpler and more enjoyable.

Good luck.
 
#13 ·
G'day from Australia, Neil.

I have a '15 F800R and I turned my 'bars back a bit. Only by about 10-15 degrees. I found the 'bars the way they came a tad high for me. What this also does is lowers your 'bars a bit but sets them further back, just by about 20-25mm. Not quite as low as clip ons though. You may have to adjust the position of your clutch and brake levers. The F800R riding position was a lot more upright than what I was used to, but after some adjustment I got quite used to it and I quite like the riding position now. I'm 6.0" with long arms and legs.
 
#15 · (Edited)
Welcome!
I'm happy to hear you are working your way through the bike. No better way to learn and understand the machine.

As for riding position, you have options in the form of adjustments as Jurgen describes or after-market items. I own an ST but swapped the handlebar for the 'S' style of clipons. I'm taller in my upper body and this modification worked very well for me.
 
#17 ·
Hi Royce.
I really wanted an adventure style bike. Tried the 650 Versys etc, R1150R none of them fitted me, far too tall and top heavy. Didn't want the associated shaft drive probs.
The F800r had a LOT going for it, light weight, low c of g and 90bhp. I just need to get the bar position right.
 
#19 ·
Hi Roba. Found fitting instructions on the motorworks website for F800R risers.
I bought some risers from M&P and followed the wunderlich instructions. Not happy with the stretch and squeaking from the cables on left under headlight during lock to lock. So took them off before something overstretched!! Made a stainless bracket for the brake hose.
 
#21 ·
Hi Rob. I've taken the risers off, they were a set with different spacers, had it on the lowest set up. Maybe 5mm lower would have been better.
They really seemed to be stretching the wiring on the left.
Will take a photo of the small bracket. It was a flat L shaped piece of stainless. It was easy to swap the caliper through the hoses without the stanchion in.
Will try and take a photo of bracket.
 
#23 ·
I have bar backs on my ST, I moved the cable to the other side of the forks to get around this problem. I forget how I done it now, I know I have put on this site many years back full instructions how I carried it out, it must be way back eight or nine years now. I think I removed the cable with the tank from the bars and carefully with the leaver manoeuvred behind the forks. This allowed the cable more freedom of movement.

Hope this helps. Still if your having to self isolate you have time to check it out and play.

Flook
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top