New BMW F800GT first ride

BMW’s new middleweight tourer, the F800GT, is currently being put through its paces for the first time by MCN’s Andy Downes. These are his first impressions:

“We’ve done around 100 miles so far through Hertfordshire and into Suffolk on mostly wet and slimy roads but the new BMW is proving perfect for the conditions. It has ABS as standard and our test bikes also come with the optional electronic suspension system, ESA, heated grips and more.

“It’s a really nice, friendly bike, a good middleweight tourer which would be perfect if wanting to downsize from, say, an R1200RT or GS or even step up from, say, an SV650 or suchlike – it still has 90bhp, afterall, and will happily tear around the countryside.

“The only fly in the ointment is that it’s not the most exciting bike in the world, either – it’s a good, pleasant bike.

“Read my full test in next week’s MCN – out March 13.”