BMW F 800 R to be released in Thailand - 440,000 Bht rumored price from Barcelona BMW

[KTMphil]

With production (assembly) of the BMW F 800 R (only this model currently) now underway in Rayong, Thailand. More in the link below:



BMW has announced the official start of production of the BMW F800R at the Rayong assembly plant in Thailand

https://bmwmcmag.com/2013/11/launch-of-bmw-motorcycle-production-in-thailand/

At the current Bangkok Motor show, Barcelona Motor Co. Ltd (the official BMW authorized dealer in Thailand), have been whispering a price of 440,000 Bht for the first 20 bikes ordered, then a slight increase thereafter, this has no confirmation yet.


Below are the current retail prices from Barcelona Motor Co. Ltd. As you can see the imported BMW F 800 R was/ is 750,000 Bht

 

[KTMphil]

Out of the crate, this bike will have very stiff suspension, its been designed as a naked street bike to compete with the Triumph Street Triple 675, Yamaha FZ9 (MT-09) etc....., so as standard, not the ideal touring bike for Asia, where repaired and broken roads are common, you'll have numb hands in no time. So suspension modifications will be needed to make it a decent long distance tourer "for Asia".

From a review by MCN:


BMW F800R (2009-current) Motorbike Review | MCN


The feel of the BMW F800R is taut and precise. The chassis is stiff and the suspension has been developed to work in conjunction with the chassis. Under braking and through the turn the bike is settled and feels compact, solid and… great. The rear shock is a little soft for pillion use but adjustments made (spring preload, damping) actually work. Goodly amount of steering lock and low-ish seat height make the F800R a good traffic-buster.

 

[KTMphil]

So how does 440,000 Bht price for the BMW F 800 R (798cc 87HP) compare to other touring motorcycles available in Thailand?


Honda CB 500 X (471cc 47HP) - 217,000 Bht The best entry level, touring motorcycle available in Thailand, superb handling. A bit gutless especially 2-up or with lots of gear for a big trip, as you can see the BMW F 800 R with its bigger engine has almost twice the HP. Suspension a little stiff for fire roads etc...



Kawasaki Versys 650 (649cc 60HP) - 313,000 Bht Definitely one of the contenders for the ugliest motorcycle ever produced. Kawasaki played around with the engine and suspension from the highly successful Kawasaki ER-6 and came up with this road tourer. Very comfortable riding position, ideal for big road trips, with comfortable suspension.



Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom (645cc 65HP) - 350,000 Bht (confirmed by 2wheels) Just about to be released in Thailand for the first time, a well proven touring machine. Very little ground clearance under the engine which would deter me from buying.



Triumph Tiger 800 (799cc 94HP) - 800,000 Bht Very nice road touring bike, doesn't score well as an adventure bike when tested off road against real adventure bikes and big price considering it's assembled in Thailand.


Kawasaki KLR 650 (651cc 42HP) - 310,000 Bht (rumored) Will be released in Thailand this year (2014). Single cylinder, super simple, 20 year old design, perfect for a tour where lots of off-road terrian will be involved (21" front wheel, soft suspension, good ground clearance etc...)


KTM 690 Enduro (690cc 66HP) - 650,000 Bht Superlight, single cylinder thumper, perfect machine for a huge off-road trip. We have a guy here with 100,000km on his with the same piston and piston rings. Uncomfortable and fuel tank mods. needed for big touring, not an ideal road tourer at all.



Ducati Hypermotard (821cc 110HP) - 499,000 Bht Released in Thailand this year, one of the most fun road bikes you will ever ride. Stiff suspension makes it a boneshaker on uneven roads and not ideal where lots of off road will be involved. Tiny rear end would make luggage carrying for a big trip problematic.

 

[KTMphil]

So the imported BMW F 800 GS is 730,000 Bht (the adventure model with 19" front spoked wheel)--- The Thai assembled BMW F 800 R is 440,000 Bht, what needs to be changed to make it (BMW F 800 R) a decent adventure tourer:


1. Suspension way too hard, different springs and thinner fork oil may do the job?

2. 17" front and rear wheels. BMW use a 17" rear on their adventure models, the 17" front will be a hindrance off-road but maybe bearable

3. Cast wheels, you ding the rim on a rock and you could have a serious problem, some quasi adventure bikes are now sold with cast wheels.


What else?

 

[2wheels]

Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom (645cc 65HP) - 350,000 Bht (rumored) Just about to be released in Thailand for the first time,

Actually the V-Strom 650 was released here back in September last year (I went to inspect it in Bgk) and the price was confirmed at 350,000 (which seems to be excellent value
for a very good bike).

 

[LivinLOS]

You can add the Yammie MT-9 to the mix in the list above.

 

[KTMphil]

You can add the Yammie MT-9 to the mix in the list above.

I dont know anyone who's ridden one, so dont really have any input yet

 

[brake034]

The new BMW F800R at 440K baht is a great offer, such a shame that the current BMW distribution chain in Thailand does not have a very good name (and I am using polite words here) where service is concerned!

 

[KTMphil]

Monday 16th June, 2014, Barcelona BMW, Chiang Mai, are receiving 2 BMW F 800 R's. One will be a showroom display bike, the other a demo bike. Kumpol at Barcelona Chiang Mai, told me he has received deposits for 5 bikes so far and expects delivery to take about 4 weeks from now.

 

[2wheels]

BMW F800R Review - YouTube


Actually starts at 1'30".

(SmokingTire.com)

 

[KTMphil]

As promised, Barcelona BMW, Chiang Mai, received their two BMW F 800 R's, one showroom and one demo. model


Showroom

IMG_8567_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Demo. model


IMG_8578_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Take your motorcycle license and you can take the demo. model out for a spin




IMG_8580_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





First thing I noticed was that the bike felt very long, also the bars are very flat giving more of a sports bike riding position which wouldn't be very comfortable for long distance touring. First thing I would do is change the bars. Taking off from standstill, compared to the Ducati Hypermotard 821, it had a very long 1st gear, clutch felt good from standstill, all very controllable.


Rated at 87 HP at 8,000 RPM, there was plenty of power. It has that sewing machine, precision kind of BMW power delivery, engine note doesn't sound particularly good from the in-line, 2 cylinder engine, a decent exhaust would obviously help.





IMG_8601_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Brakes were excellent, I hit them hard and there ABS was smooth and not staggered like some cheap ABS systems


IMG_8600_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

At 440,000 Bht, it looks like an excellent long distance touring bike for the money in Thailand.



To be used as an adventure tourer, there's a few inconviences for sure, the ground clearance is about the same as a Suzuki V-Strom 650 cc


IMG_8586_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



IMG_8577_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




No upside down forks, there's only about 4" of travel in the front suspension, it would be easy to bottom out the front suspension


IMG_8584_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Steering damper included as standard


IMG_8585_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



IMG_8582_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr







Rear suspension


IMG_8569_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Great brakes


IMG_8568_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Flat bars


IMG_8571_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





IMG_8570_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




IMG_8574_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






A couple more shots


IMG_8573_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





IMG_8566_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




IMG_8572_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





IMG_8576_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[bsacbob]

Very nicely placed oil filter just like the V Strom.

The 1200 in the background look's tasty.

 

[CraigBKK]

Found this on the BMW Motorrad YouTube channel

[video=youtube_share;jBw2bbq1IiM]http://youtu.be/jBw2bbq1IiM[/video]

The GS seems to be taking all the spotlight, on this forum anyway. Any news about the R? Are they selling?

 

[CraigBKK]

Very nicely placed oil filter just like the V Strom.

The 1200 in the background look's tasty.

I too look at the 1200 in the showroom, as well as the countless videos on Youtube of this bike in the Trophy events. I don't think I could ever justify paying 1.2 mil + for a bike here, especially now the 800 is 'cheap' at less than half the price. If Phil paid 27K for insurance on the 800, what's it cost on the big rhino?

Watching the BMW adventure vids is still fun though