Cw First Ride 2013 Bmw F800gt

CW FIRST RIDE 2013 BMW F800GT

IGNITION

FIRST RIDE

A grand-new spin on a been-around-a-while sport-tourer

Paul Dean

THE INITIALS tell the story. With the F800ST that BMW has been building since 2007, the "ST" stands for "sporttouring." But for 2013, the boys in Bavaria redesigned the 798cc ST to provide less of the "S" and more of the "T," then rebadged it "GT" for "grand touring."

Revised ergonomics prop the rider in a more upright, relaxed position with higher bars, footpegs moved 3/8-inch lower and farther forward, and a lVi-in. lower seat due in part to 9/i6-in.-shorter suspension. A taller windshield and reshaped fairing offer better protection from the elements. Snap on optional hard saddlebags, and you have an easyriding middleweight for touring, sport or otherwise.

With its 4.o-gallon gas tank brimming, the claimed-470-pound GT feels light and lithe, with low-effort, predictable steering. It delivers excellent straightline stability yet arcs through backroad corners with the kind of ease that inspires big, confident smiles.

Although the counterbalanced, parallel-Twin engine's internals are the same as the ST's, refinements in fuelinjection and ignition mapping allow the belt-drive GT to pump out a claimed 90 horsepower, five more than before. That allows peppier performance throughout the rpm range, with sharp throttle response and good midrange torque for the engine's displacement.

So, maybe the initials don't tell the story after all. Because not only is the F800GT much improved at the T end of the sport-touring spectrum, it's also better at the S.

2013 BMWF800GT

ENGINE TYPE

dohc parallel-Twin

DISPLACEMENT

798cc

SEAT HEIGHT

31.5 in,

FUEL CAPACITY

4,0 gal.

CLAIMED WET WEIGHT

470 lb.

PRICE

$12,395 to 13,190