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Motorcycle Reviews . . . by women . . .
for women!
Riders share in-depth information about the bike they ride
2009 F650GS |
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2008 F800ST |
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2001 R1200C Phoenix |
2009
BMW F650GS
The
Reviewer
Name: Alice McCardell
Height: 5'3" (160 cm), 30" (76.2 cm) inseam
Years of Riding Experience: 2
Email Address: alicemccardell@yahoo.com
Bike
Basics
Manufacturer: BMW
Model: F650GS
Year: 2009
Type: Standard
Purchase Details: Purchased new. Came with heated
hand grips, ABS, onboard computer, windscreen, lowered suspension, and low
seat option.
Engine Displacement (cc): 798
Number of Gears: 6
Final Drive: Chain
Cooling System: Liquid
Seat Height (unmodified): 30.1" (765 mm)
Carburetion Type: Fuel Injected
Fuel Capacity: 4.2 gallons (15.9 liters)
Weight: 439 lb wet (199 kg)
Comfort
(original set up)
Hand/Foot Controls: Fits me well. The clutch has
a nice, light pull.
Seat: The lower, narrow seating setup lets me pretty
much flatfoot the bike while still providing a nice, commanding seating
position.
Long Rides: I like to get off the bike every hour or
so so that the seat doesn't turn into a 2x4 under me. In order to make the
seat so low, they had to remove quite a bit of padding. For shorter, daily
rides, it's perfectly comfortable. Vibration is minimal and the suspension
is incredibly smooth. And at 62 mpg, the 4.2 gal. fuel tank lets me go a
long way between fill ups.
Handling
Highway Power/Zip: It has tons of get-up-and-go
in all gears. I am totally confident in its ability to pass pretty much
anything I'll encounter.
Tight Turns: Great turning radius. I have no doubt
that it can make much tighter turns than I can.
Twisty Roads: Incredibly nimble and "flickable."
This is a fun bike to play in the curves with. It holds the road like a
champ while still allowing me to feel like I'm floating above it all.
Twisty roads = nirvana.
Wind/Rain/Heat: Seems to handle everything just
fine.
Braking Power: The ABS is terrific. I'm convinced
that it has saved my hide a couple of times.
Modifications
Made
What I Changed: I changed out the stock
windscreen for a taller one from ZTechnik.
Added
Extras
What I Added: Givi topcase and panniers, BMW
handguards, Crampbuster throttle control, ZTechnik carbon fiber fuel cap
trim, and a Garmin Zumo GPS.
Maintenance
What I'm Doing: I only check the tire pressure
and fluids. I have the dealership do the 6000 mile maintenance.
Conclusions
What I Think: I've put 6500 miles on this bike
so far and have been nothing less than thrilled with it for every one of
those miles. It's attractive, responsive, comfy, lightweight, and has
amazing fuel economy. BMW really thought of everything: the fuel tank is
even located under the seat for a truly low center of gravity. I can't
imagine what else I could ask for in a motorcycle.
2008
BMW F800ST
The
Reviewer
Name: Jennifer Jones
Height: 5'2" (177.8 cm)
Years of Riding Experience: 2
Email Address: jenniferk707@yahoo.com
Bike
Basics
Manufacturer: BMW
Model: F800ST
Year: 2008
Type: Sport/Touring
Purchase Details: Purchased new; low seat; low suspension; comfort
package included heated hand grips and onboard computer; safety package
included ABS and tire pressure monitoring (TPM).
Engine Displacement (cc): 798
Number of Gears: 6
Final Drive: Chain
Cooling System: Liquid
Seat Height (unmodified): 31.1" (787 mm)
Carburetion Type: Carb
Fuel Capacity: 4.1 gallons (15.5 liters)
Weight: 461 lb wet (209 kg)
Comfort
(original set up)
Hand/Foot Controls: Clutch adjusts with thumb
twist to allow easier grip reach, foot controls easy to reach.
Seat: Low seat is also narrower and more forward.
Long Rides: No long rides yet, but I loved this bike
on day one more than my beloved H-D Softail Deluxe (24.5" seat) that
has a Corbin seat and custom handlebars to allow me safe u-turns.
Handling
Highway Power/Zip: Plenty of zip and power
compared to my 1596cc H-D, and light enough bike that I actually put bike
through it's paces.
Tight Turns: Amazing - I even enjoy tight turns at
slow speeds.
Twisty Roads: I really enjoy leaning the bike. I
scrape my floorboards on my H-D Softail Deluxe, but even with the low
suspension I don't scrape the BMW.
Wind/Rain/Heat: I feel less heat from the BMW since
I don't have to rest my leg against the pipes as I do on the H-D. I can't
wait to need the heated hand grips.
Braking Power: ABS is wonderful!
Modifications
Made
What I Changed: Adjusted the clutch for easier
grip.
Added
Extras
What I Added: Bags are on order. HiD lighting is
on order.
Maintenance
What I'm Doing: Nothing yet.
Conclusions
What I Think: Flat foot - almost. The entire
balls of my feet plant solidly on the ground with this bike. I'll be fine
walking this bike up or down a gravel hill while seated. I don't stop over
a foot deep pothole, but I'' be able to park almost anywhere else. This is
the bike I wanted when I purchased my 2007 H-D Softail Deluxe. I couldn't
find a BMW that fit me in 2006. I was thrilled to find this bike new. If
not, I was stuck waiting to see the (H-D) Buell XB12XT or the Ducati 696
(more upright seating position and changed leg position from Ducati 695).
2001
BMW R1200C Phoenix
The
Reviewer
Name: Petra Lattmann (VTwin Mama)
Height: 5'10" (177.8 cm)
Years of Riding Experience: 30
Email Address: vtwinmama@vtwinmama.com
Bike
Basics
Manufacturer: BMW
Model: R1200C Phoenix
Year: 2001
Type: Cruiser
My Bike's Name: Bumblebee
Purchase Details: I bought this bike in June 2005 with 2,625 miles
(4,224 km) on it.
Engine Displacement (cc): 1170
Number of Gears: 5
Final Drive: Shaft
Cooling System: Air/Oil
Seat Height (unmodified): 29.1" (739 mm)
Carburetion Type: Fuel Injected
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gallons (17 liters)
Weight: 552 lb dry (250.4 kg)
Comfort
(original set up)
Hand/Foot Controls: My arms are in a wider U to reach
the controls (like going for a big hug!), but I have broad shoulders, so
this is comfortable and the standard set-up is not causing any tension in
my neck, back, or arms. The hand levers are adjustable to change how far
your fingers have to reach to grab the levers and I took advantage of
that. Because this is a cruiser, the foot controls are positioned like
you're sitting on a dining room chair (rather than cocked back for BMW's
sportier models). The foot pedals felt a little tightly spaced at first
(because the boxer engine is jutting out of both sides right by the
controls), but within a couple of hundred miles of riding, I had made
peace with that.
Seat: The original stock seat had already been changed out to the
rider/passenger version. It's comfy and the original owner's wife liked
the pillion set-up (she is about 5'3") with backrest. The challenge
would be for shorter riders to flat foot at a stop. There is a shorter
rear spring available, but the dealer's tech notes that he would rather
see the seat sides shaved down first.
Long Rides: I did a 550 mile ride in one day and was pleasantly
surprised the next day that I wasn't sore (just tired!). My normal riding
position is like sitting at the kitchen table, and because the bike has
the optional engine guard with built-in leg rest, I can change my leg
position. The little cafe style windshield does make a difference, but I
can see that if I was going to go on a cross-country trip, I'd want to
change to the bigger shield.
Handling
Highway Power/Zip: The throttle responds nicely and is
truly quick off the block. I don't feel like the engine is topped out at
my normal highway cruising speed of about 70mph, but this wouldn't be the
bike if you want to cruise for long times at even higher speeds (I'd be constantly
looking for a sixth gear!). I'll add that because the engine juts out to
the left and right of the bike (rather than under the tank), it took me a
bit to get use to hearing more engine running noise.
Tight Turns: I did take this bike out to a practice zone when I
first got it and set up markers to practice weaves and box turns. It took
me about an hour to really get the feel of how I need to set up a tight
u-turn without putting my foot down.
Twisty Roads: This is where the bike excels. The boxer engine
provides a low center of gravity and countersteering is super responsive.
I sometimes think Bumblebee is just waiting for me to hit the twisties so
she can show me what she's all about!
Wind/Rain/Heat: A high wind day tends to push the bike around on
open roads (I'm 190 lbs) in part because the wheel rims are a semi-solid
design so I just back off my speed. I was confident on the bike during a 4
hour ride in pouring rain, but feel this is largely due to making sure
that the tires are in good condition and properly inflated and maintaining
a riding speed that allows me to see water build-up on the road. I've had
no problems in high heat, but I prefer to exercise caution if a real
traffic jam where I'm sitting more than riding.
Braking Power: Feels smooth and the bike has ABS. Although I
haven't had an emergency situation yet, I met a gal with the same bike who
needed to stop super quick in a straight line, and she said the ABS system
was a life saver. On a deep curve, I can count on feathering the back
brake if needed.
Modifications
Made
What I Changed: In 2008 I changed out the footpegs for
floorboards. Yummy! It dropped my feet position by 2", which was
totally awesome given my long legs. And I really love not having the
footpegs dig into my arch!
Added
Extras
What I Added: The original owner had added a number of
extras, which I'm enjoying to the fullest! This includes the fog light
kit, engine guard w/cruising leg rest, and the detachable saddlebags.
Maintenance
What I'm Doing: At this time I'm doing basic fluid and
tire pressure checks, but left the recommended 6,000 service to the
dealer's tech (the 600 mile had already been done when I bought the bike).
I did watch the tech do the valve adjustment and he showed me how to lift
the gas tank off correctly because the @*#%*@& battery and air filter
are under the tank.
Conclusions
What I Think: This bike is truly a joy to ride. It's
light enough for me to push around, powerful enough for me to have fun,
designed to run smoothly on straights and twisties, and most importantly,
I feel confident on the bike. I wish there was a centerstand (no mod is
possible). I do know that parts and service are going to be a bit more
expensive, but I consider the bike worth it.
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