2008 BMW reviews

I have had 2 F800ST motorcycles a 2009 that I put 27k miles on, and a 2012 that I have put about the same miles on. These are great bikes. You can (and will) ride them all day long. Gas mileage is 60+ MPG on a trip as long as you don't go crazy with your right hand. The eat up the twisties, and do well on the highway too (with the right windscreen). Shifting up and down is smooth, throttle/power delivery is predictable and linear, Vibration isn't even noticeable with grip puppies on. Speaking of grips, the standard heated grips are a joy in the Northeast. I also love the low-maintenance belt drive. No chain lube or gear oil changes! And when I had to replace the new belt, I got one online and changed it myself, quick and easy. Mods: As an older rider, I didn't like the lean forward position, so I added bar risers and lowering kits on both bikes. The progressive springs front and back make a world of difference in handling. Show less

I bought my '09 ST in late January of 2009 after starting to ride with an '01 F650GS about 7 months earlier (it was a great bike to start with). I've found it is a great bike to continue the learning process with. It has enough power, is light, quick and comfortable. I've put about 7500 miles on since I purchased it. I'm located near in an area where I can go to the Sierra foothills in about 20 minutes - and then to the coast in a couple of hours. The bike is the best for these great California roads. Show less

In the time I have owned this motorcycle, it has never ceased to stop me from giggling. that's it. Giggling. It is so easy to ride. Accelerates well, stops quickly, predictable...I have used it for everything from riding to work, to the supermarket to load it full of groceries and frosty beverages...to riding down the highway for hours at a time, or zooming up and down mountain roads. The twistier the better. While all my friends are busy trying to find their shifter pedal, I just roll off and on the throttle. I don't think a better bike exists out there for me. Just ask my feeler pegs... Show less

Over the last year of owning the F800st and test riding at least a dozen other motocycles (just for fun), I've come to realize that every motorcycle has its place. From the giant luxury cruisers to the 175 horsepower sport bikes, I've come to appreciate the special attributes that each of the bikes I have ridden brings to the table, the road I mean. As such, I now understand the value and purpose of my F800st. This bike is a great commuter. What I mean is that it is a versatile enough bike to handle 80mph stretches of highway with no problem, it's easy to maneuver in town and in the parking lot, the luggage options are spacious enough to carry lunch, a gym bag, an extra set of work clothes, and a bag of groceries all at the same time. This machine is simply a non-nonsense workhorse. Well, almost no-nonsense. When the work week is through, it does like to venture out onto the windy roads less traveled (And I do mean windy). On its days off it likes to be ridden fast through as many twisties as you can find. It handles fantastically, but that is not to say it rides like a sport bike. It is way more comfortable than a sport bike. The engine is competent and powerful enough to get you in plenty of trouble with the law, but it's no K1300s. Overall, this is a great bike that can handle a variety of duties. If you like to ride to and from work everyday and still like to put on a couple of hundred miles on the weekends over long stretches of highway or through as many twisties as you can find, then this bike could be the bike for you. Show less

I bought the BMW R1200 GSA brand new on the 1st of March, 2008 after a lot of soul searching. I'd recently owned a Honda VFR 800 (pre-V-Tech) which is often reported to be the best bike ever made. It isn't - the R1200 GS Adventure is! It took me a few hundred miles to settle into the GSA - make no mistake - it's a very tall bike and it carries a lot of weight high up when fully loaded with luggage and a full tank. This weight soon disappears once you get moving but it can take you by surprise when you have to stop again. I initially removed all luggage, set the ESA on single rider comfort and made a point of never filling the tank above halfway (there's still more range than most other bikes on a full tank anyway) and this did the trick. Having covered a few miles I'm much more confident now. I'm delighted with the way the bike goes and handles. It's simply a pleasure to ride and although it may not be as fast as the VFR, I believe that I can travel faster on the GSA than I ever could on the VFR. I say this because the BMW just seems to handle anything I can throw at it and never seems ruffled. The high riding position gives a fantastic view of the road ahead while the screen does a great job of keeping the wind blast off. I recently rode 350 miles in one go and it was fabulously comfortable. The boxer engine is super-torquey and delivers a good punch from any revs. There is a bit of vibration at higher revs but it certainly isn't intrusive. I've even done a bit of gentle off-road riding on the dual purpose tires. My only negative is that it's a big, heavy bike to move around at very low speeds or around the garage but if you can live with that I don't think there's anything else in its league. Show less

After hours of research, I decided that I wanted to seriously investigate the R 1200 GS Adventure. I have been a motorcyclist since 1974. I've had everything from a Gold Wing to a 250 KLR and many in between, but never had I walked into a showroom and was greeted by such a friendly staff and awesome display and atmosphere. I scrutinized the bikes available and had every question answered with honesty and. In addition, a couple of very knowledgeable BMW Club members were present, and they, too, took the time to point out features and functionality of the GS from their own experiences. With all this friendly expertise, I was even more impressed with the bike. The financing went extremely smoothly, and within a short amount of time, I was the owner of my very own, brand new red and black 2008 R 1200 GS Adventure! And the icing on the cake was the ride! It was unbelievable! Everything from freeway to off road. This was the most incredible machine I had ever ridden! It does it all! I even took my wife for a ride on several miles of dirt road, where with previous bikes, with her aboard, it was dicey at best. With this machine, it was like she was not even back there! Then, I took us out onto the highway, and even with crosswinds blowing at 34 mph, it was like the bike was glued to the road. BMW outdid themselves when they designed this bike. The computer system was a snap to work. I must admit that when I went into the dealership, I commented that I thought it was a little 'pricey'. Now, I've changed my mind! It's worth every penny! Show less