Back in October I took a trip to Spain and while in Barcelona I saw many many motorcycles. The BMW bikes I observed ran the gamut from Earles Forked Slash 2′s to the K1300R. Then I saw something that I didn’t recognize. It looked like an F800GS, but was missing the windshield and had a different fender. My mind moved to the next bike it could be, the F800S or ST, but it had neither a drive belt nor single-sided swingarm. I was on a bus, so I couldn’t get a better look at it. I let it go thinking it was ‘just some custom job.’ I’ll admit it… I hadn’t done my homework. The bike I saw was, in fact, an F800R. Unfortunately, this bike does not grace the shores of the US.

UPDATE: As of February 2011, the F800R is available in the United States.

BMW describes the F800R as, “a sporty roadster in the segment of medium category naked bikes,” and it rounds out the roadster category populated by BMW’s boxer-twin R1200R and the inline-four K1300R. The F800R uses the same counter-balanced 4-valve parallel twin as the F800ST, but has a new throttle valve kinematic system. This new system optimizes engine and throttle response by controlling fuel injection “via the pressure provided by the fuel pump depending on the required level of power.” Engine output is 85 horsepower generated at 8,000 rpm with 63 lb-ft of torque generated at 6,000 rpm. The F series roadster has a chain-driven final drive and double sided swingarm similar to the F800GS, however the swingarm has a new design. Naturally, ABS is an option and the F800R’s ABS has a newly adjusted “pressure sensor system [which] allows even more finely tuned regulation of the ABS, for example when going over bumps.” The 4.23 gallon fuel capacity is good for more than 186 miles. This gem of a middle-weight naked roadster is available in Alpine White non-metallic with Black silk gloss, Fire Orange non-metallic and White Aluminum matte.

The F800R sports switches that differ from what has come to be the standard ergonomics for BMW Motorcycles. The turn signal paddles have been replaced by the more standard left, right, push to cancel single switch employed by nearly all other manufacturers. The hazard lights are activated by a single button above the signal switch. Low beam, high beam and pass flasher are still a single switch, but redesigned and placed near the rider’s left index finger. The engine switch and ignition have been combined into a rocker switch to prevent the starter from being activated. Personally, I’d like to ride one of these around Barcelona next time I make it over there.

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