Just in case anyone was wondering how these two bikes compare, I test rode the MT-07 already owning an F800R and all I can say is if the MT was available last June I would never have bought the F800.
I'm 5'6" and the MT fits me perfectly, it feels so compact compared to the F800 and when you start it up it has that wonderful, although very muted, off beat V twin feel to it, and I reckon with the right after market pipe it is going to sound awesome.
The engine feels SO much stronger at the bottom end and the midrange than my F800. It hasn't got the free revving surge at 5K like the F800 has but it really isn't that far away. in comparison the bottom end feels like a 1000cc bike against the F800. It feels lower geared than the F800 which probably accounts for some the extra bottom end urge, but I don't care it feels fabulous just like the throttle is directly connected to the back wheel.
The thing that also struck me was how perfect the constant throttle fuelling is even in higher gears at low revs I felt NO surging whatsoever, and no snatching from the drivetrain, something you couldn't say about the F800 without having to spend some cash on fuelling device.
The handling is an easy match for the F800 round sweeping and tight bends, although a little harsher on the UK's pothole filled roads. The riding position is definitely 'attack' like you're right over the front but I love that and miss that from my 950SM.
The only places that the F800 beats really it is the seat comfort, it started feeling hard after just 40 miles but again there will be solutions to this. The bike was showing 53mpg when I flicked through the dash functions and I assume no one treats demo bikes with a gentle hand
The end result? I've traded the BMW in and pick up a race blue ABS on Monday morning, trouble is I can't sleep ......
I'm 5'6" and the MT fits me perfectly, it feels so compact compared to the F800 and when you start it up it has that wonderful, although very muted, off beat V twin feel to it, and I reckon with the right after market pipe it is going to sound awesome.
The engine feels SO much stronger at the bottom end and the midrange than my F800. It hasn't got the free revving surge at 5K like the F800 has but it really isn't that far away. in comparison the bottom end feels like a 1000cc bike against the F800. It feels lower geared than the F800 which probably accounts for some the extra bottom end urge, but I don't care it feels fabulous just like the throttle is directly connected to the back wheel.
The thing that also struck me was how perfect the constant throttle fuelling is even in higher gears at low revs I felt NO surging whatsoever, and no snatching from the drivetrain, something you couldn't say about the F800 without having to spend some cash on fuelling device.
The handling is an easy match for the F800 round sweeping and tight bends, although a little harsher on the UK's pothole filled roads. The riding position is definitely 'attack' like you're right over the front but I love that and miss that from my 950SM.
The only places that the F800 beats really it is the seat comfort, it started feeling hard after just 40 miles but again there will be solutions to this. The bike was showing 53mpg when I flicked through the dash functions and I assume no one treats demo bikes with a gentle hand
The end result? I've traded the BMW in and pick up a race blue ABS on Monday morning, trouble is I can't sleep ......
