2008 Middleweight Sport-Touring Shootout BMW F800ST vs Honda VFR800 Interceptor – Motorcycle Review
2008 Middleweight Sport-Touring Shootout BMW F800ST vs Honda VFR800 Interceptor – Motorcycle Review Motorcycle.com rode from Los Angeles to Monterey, CA on a BMW F800ST and a Honda VFR800 Interceptor. After more than 900 miles of twisties and fast pavement, we compare these two middleweight sport tourers. Competitive in price, performance and comfort, it’s in the details where these bikes differentiate from each other. Read the full comparison at Motorcycle.com. www.motorcycle.com
Tags: 2008, F800ST, Honda, Interceptor, Middleweight, Motorcycle, Review, Shootout, SportTouring, VFR800
January 28th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
I have a Vfr in 1 Year I made 25000km ,fantastic bike i never had any problem with it. I LOVE IT !
January 28th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
The best true sport-touring bikes are made by Triumph…
January 28th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
The F800ST is agile, extremely comfortable, good fuel economy and a nice computer. However, my first impression when I got on it was PLASTIC! Its not well made at all, sounds aweful and is easily blown around in the wind. I found it hard to drive beyond 70mph/110kmph. It really was a struggle to keep it straight when the wind hits you from the side because of its light weight and sub standard aerodynamics. Really dissapointed with both bikes but if I went for any it would now be the VFR
January 28th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Right guys. Update for ya if your deciding between these two bikes. I dont like either anymore
You didnt see that one coming did ya? Either did I. Owned the VFR two months now and test drove the F800ST flat out for two days. The VFR is gorgeous and well built but I found it very sluggish (low torque) and not comfortable at all which surprised me.
January 28th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Its an optional extra since 2003.
January 28th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
I’m buying a VFR tomorrow. Really wanted a new F800ST but its too expensive and their impossible to find second hand here. The VFR will do the sport touring job fine i’m sure.
January 28th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Actually, my dad has a ZZR1400 (ZX-14). He’s 6’3″ and fits just fine, but I’m about an inch taller and proportioned slightly differently, and my legs are too long for the pegs on the Kawi. Definitely take a test ride on any bike if you’re a taller individual, you’d be surprised what can become a major comfort issue.
January 28th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
I’ve got the anniversary ’07 VFR also, isn’t that paint scheme just gorgeous?
January 28th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Hey VFR has ABS check it out
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January 28th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
I rode both and am much more impressed with the F800ST. The VFR felt heavy, it has a chain, no ABS, and doesn’t come on unless you wind it out. Besides, how much over 140 mph do you want to go? This is personal, but I enjoy a bike that’s a little different.
January 28th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Strange comparation….VFR is born 2002 BMW is more new….different filosophy and tecnique. For me, VFR is better
January 28th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
I have both in my garage right now – a 2008 F800ST and a 2007 anniversaryVFR800. The BMW is for sale, and the faster it leaves my garage, the better. A good bike, but clinical and boring, with a powerplant that sounds like electric hedge clippers. The VFR, in my opinion, is a more enjoyable machine, all around.
January 28th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
It really depends on your riding style/ speed preference. The VFR eggs you on. The accelleration as the RPM’s come up is WAY better- and takes the weight off your wrists if fatigued. If you like to “cruise” around and just throttle out of corners near the “speed limit” the comfort of BMW may be wiser.
I prefer the VFR. if you disagree get handlebar risers!! ; ) and a throttle lock, and slightly taller shield. = GOOD TO GO!!
January 28th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
I am 6’3″ and my interceptor is just fine.
January 28th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
I agree, even the best car begin to wear on the rear and back after longer distances, same way with all bikes.
January 28th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
cool thanks alot
January 28th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
go with the bmw
January 28th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
unfortunatley your going to have to cut your legs shorter… but seriously a mate of mine is 6ft4 and he is having to seel his 07 r1 because his legs just dont fit, a zzr1400 is excellent for the larger/taller gentleman
January 28th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
how would the vfr feel with me being 6 foot 5. I was looking for at the new R1′s. but maybe the vfr will fit better. any thoughts, I know Im huge.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
bmw CanT CuT bikes there bikes are shit stick to Cars bmw we need imPreza bmw
January 28th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
no, NOT BEGINNER U NOOB
January 28th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
I’ve gone 15 hours on a GSX-R 1000. Honestly, everything is uncomfortable after 15 hours.
January 28th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
beginner? for vfr?
January 29th, 2010 at 12:06 am
This is not over engineering, this is how all straight twins work, or should work, except when marketing dictates a staggered crankshaft to make the firing sequence uneven and make it sound like a V2, as they do on some Triumphs and the Yamaha TDM.
January 29th, 2010 at 12:54 am
If you mean that both pistons fire at the same time: it is not so. Both pistons go up and down at the same time, but with a four stroke, only one in two down movements is a firing stroke, the other is an inlet stroke. So when one piston is doing an inlet stroke, the other is doing a firing stroke. And vice versa ofcourse. The result is a firing stroke every revolution of the engine, instead of one every two revolutions as with a single cylinder. This makes the engine way smoother.