At last, a Beemer that i like !!

[bikerbaker]

.............It really is an absolute joy to ride. I love it. It's like riding a magic carpet (heated).
I'm 65 and I have no idea how many years riding I have left but I feel as if I've worked hard to deserve this bit of luxury. I would have to think very, very hard to fault it.
BMW certainly know how to charge and I shall be taking out the extended warranty next September for peace of mind as when things go wrong they'll hit your wallet.
They aren't for everyone but as a powerful, slick, comfortable tourer, they take some beating.

Just about sums up my opinion of the F800GT. Obviously only got heated grips and the bike is smaller/lighter and less powerful but as such is easy to drag out of the shed for a quick ride or a longer trip. Wasn't sure about it at first but definitely think I made the right choice. The age comment is also spot on for me too!

[Mattt]

I took a r9t for a test ride,with acro exhausts it did sound ace and went well and was great to ride
But 12k ,for a motorbike just seems mad.
My cub was £500 and the W650 was 2.5 /3k or something like that
I cant really justify so much money on a bike,also as you say about being complex,i do my own servicing which i doubt you can with a modern Bmw

[ultima]

I took a r9t for a test ride,with acro exhausts it did sound ace and went well and was great to ride
But 12k ,for a motorbike just seems mad.
My cub was £500 and the W650 was 2.5 /3k or something like that
I cant really justify so much money on a bike,also as you say about being complex,i do my own servicing which i doubt you can with a modern Bmw

Coudnt agree more having ridden bikes for nearly 50 yrs and owned some good old BMW"s -best of which was the R65 and K75 Ultima (silk smooth and 60 mpg bit top heavy though ) I deff wouldnt pay that kind of cash for a bike(even a car )I intended to "use" as there is so much lost in the first couple of years. There are plenty of good "bullet proof " bikes out there for a fraction of that price that are better built!

[Mbev51]

I side with stevew. Today's bmw bikes are so so expensive and ott. I'm 65 still ride an innova and a '98 cb250 nighthawk. If I want to go a distance, I take the nighthawk. Simple bikes that get you there. I would take the nighthawk around the world and be confident it could be fixed locally. A friend has a 7 year old 800 bmw, bought from a main dealer when it was a couple of years old, he took it back for a problem and they ended up rebuilding the engine. Last year it konked out again, another dealer fix. He wrote a stinking letter to head office. He tells me it's only worth a couple of grand now. On the other hand, my bikes are totally reliable and maintain their value. We live in a crazy world.

[stevew]

Ah, CB250 Nighthawk, what a nice machine. Had one myself but sold it. Regret that now, but hey ho, stuff happens !!

[Diesel Dave]

That's an engine I really liked, although I only ever had a lowly CM200 from the early 1980's; 6v electrics and 4 speed gearbox.

Handling was dodgy and the brakes were worse but the motor was a delight, even though it dropped a valve in the first week I owned it and I had to replace the head and one piston. A CD185 head from the breakers did the job.

Thereafter it ran for 5 years.

Actually Steve you have had quite a few nice bikes even the CB500 was nice.....but you have sold the lot.

[Newtsalad]

Finally got to look at the RT yesterday!

Carb gaskets were US, so ordered some new ones today. The Bing carbs look very industrial!

[Diesel Dave]

If they are the ones with the clipped on float bowls, then be prepared to kick them off from time to time bringing you to a halt and a short walk back up the road to pick up the bowl......

[Newtsalad]

If they are the ones with the clipped on float bowls, then be prepared to kick them off from time to time bringing you to a halt and a short walk back up the road to pick up the bowl......

Couple of self tappers in the bottom then to hold 'em eh Dave?

[r80rob]

Never had any issues with mine falling off and I kick them fairly regularly to free up the sticky floats

Glad you're getting it sorted Newt , they really are great bikes once you get acquainted with them.