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2008 BMW F 800S Overview
For 2008, BMW offers the F 800S as a sport motorcycle with 798 cc on tap. The 2008 BMW F 800S is built around a Liquid-cooled parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 12.0:1. Out on the road, the F 800S delivers 62.5 kW @ 8000 rpm of peak power and 80 Nm @ 5800 rpm of torque. Flat out, it's quoted at 219.7 km/h. In everyday use, the 2008 F 800S tips the scales at 209 kg, carries a 16-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 820 mm and spans a 1466 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 14.4 kg heavier than the average sport motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2008 BMW F 800S spec sheet below.
2008 BMW F 800S compared with other bikes in the Sport category
Measured against other bikes in the Sport category in our database (up to 1607 models, one entry per model), the 2008 BMW F 800S comes out as follows.
- With 820 mm, the F 800S has the joint 411th tallest seat height of 1607 bikes in the Sport category.
- Wet weight of 209 kg is heavier than that of 833 of the other 1212 bikes in the Sport category.
- Narrowing the field to the 625 models within five model years of it, the seat height of 820 mm is taller than that of 395 of the other 624.
Versus the 2007 model
The figures we track are unchanged from the 2007 model: peak power, peak torque, wet weight, displacement, seat height and top speed all match.
2008 F 800S - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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⚡
Strong power output: Peak output on the F 800S is 62.5 kW @ 8000 rpm and 80 Nm @ 5800 rpm of torque - strong numbers for what it is.
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🔧
Fuel injection: No choke, no jetting, no altitude compensation to think about - fuel injection just works across a wider range of conditions than carburetion.
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🛑
Strong front braking: The disc front brake bites hard and stays consistent - a solid foundation whether it's stock or upgraded with braided lines.
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⚙️
Low-maintenance final drive: Belt final drive is about as close to maintenance-free as motorcycle drivetrains get.
Considerations
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📏
Tall seat height: An 820 mm seat puts flat-footing out of reach for a lot of riders - sit on it in person before committing.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Cooling system servicing
With Liquid cooled, thermal management is largely automatic, but the coolant has a service life of its own - replace it on the manufacturer's interval to protect the water passages and thermostat.
Fuelling & injector care
Fuelling on the F 800S comes from Electronic intake injection. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.
Brake disc and pad wear
2 x 320mm discs, 4 piston calipers up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.
Suspension condition on used examples
Suspension duties are handled by 43mm Telescopic forks up front and Die-cast aluminium single sided swinging arm with rear wheal axle and eccentric adjustment, central spring stud , spring pre-loaded hydraulically adjustable to continuously variable levels by means of handwheel, rebound damping adjustable at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.
Final drive maintenance
Belt final drive keeps day-to-day maintenance minimal on the F 800S - just periodic tension and wear checks rather than the regular cleaning a chain demands.
Frame & chassis check
The Bridge-type aluminium frame chassis holds up well with normal use; on a used bike it's still worth checking the head-stock and swingarm pivot area for impact damage or corrosion.
F 800S - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
A pre-purchase check on the 2008 BMW F 800S with its 798 cc sport should cover the same ground every time: service history, drivetrain condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. This model runs belt final drive, so check belt tension and tooth wear - a cracked or glazed belt is a clear sign of neglect. Now 18 years old, this sport is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept F 800S settles to a smooth idle within seconds.
Oil and filter changes
Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for the F 800S's 798 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin, dohc, 4 valves per cylinder - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. With a 12.0:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.
Fuel system care
Injector systems like the F 800S's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.
2008 BMW F 800S - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2008 BMW F 800S have?
The 2008 BMW F 800S uses a Liquid-cooled parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine with 798 cc of displacement. It is liquid cooled.
What is the top speed of the 2008 BMW F 800S?
The 2008 BMW F 800S has a factory-quoted top speed of 219.7 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.
How much does the 2008 BMW F 800S weigh?
The 2008 BMW F 800S weighs 209 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2008 BMW F 800S make?
The 2008 BMW F 800S produces 62.5 kW @ 8000 rpm of power and 80 Nm @ 5800 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2008 BMW F 800S?
The 2008 BMW F 800S has a 16-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 266-320 km between stops.
Is the 2008 BMW F 800S suitable for shorter riders?
The 2008 BMW F 800S has a seat height of 820 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.
What brakes does the 2008 BMW F 800S have?
The 2008 BMW F 800S uses 2 x 320mm discs, 4 piston calipers at the front and single 265 mm disc, 2 piston caliper at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2008 BMW F 800S use?
The 2008 BMW F 800S runs 120/70 ZR17 front and 180/55 ZR17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2008 BMW F 800S have?
The 2008 BMW F 800S is fitted with a 6 Speed transmission.
BMW F 800S Spec Evolution
The BMW F 800S was produced across 5 model years (2006-2010). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
| Engine Type |
Twin |
Twin |
Liquid-cooled parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Twin |
Twin, four-stroke |
| Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.) |
9.4 inches |
10.4 inches |
10.4 inches |
10.4 inches |
10.4 inches |
| Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm) |
240 mm |
265 mm |
265 mm |
265 mm |
265 mm |
| Stroke |
4 |
4 |
75.6 mm |
4 |
- |
| Fuel System |
Injection |
Injection. Electronic fuel injection |
Injection. Electronic intake pipe injection / digital engine management (BMS-K) |
Injection. Electronic intake pipe injection / digital engine management (BMS-K) |
Injection. Electronic intake pipe injection / digital engine management (BMS-K) |
| Colours |
- |
- |
Sunset Yellow, Flame Red, Lahar Grey Metallic |
White aluminium metallic matt, Flame red |
White, red |
| Bore x Stroke |
82 x 75.8 mm |
82 x 75.8 mm |
82.0 x 75.6 mm |
82 x 75.8 mm |
82 x 75.8 mm |
| Fuel Reserve |
- |
- |
2.00 litres / 0.53 gallons |
2.00 litres / 0.53 gallons |
4.00 litres / 1.06 gallons |
Key Specifications
Engine
Liquid-cooled parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Power
62.5 kW / 85 hp @ 8000 rpm
Torque
80 Nm / 59 lb-ft @ 5800 rpm
Top Speed
219.7 km/h / 136.5 mph
Fuel Capacity
16 Litres / 4.2 US gal
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Full 2008 BMW F 800S Specifications
Year
2008
Make
BMW
Model
F 800S
Colours
Sunset Yellow, Flame Red, Lahar Grey Metallic
Make Model
BMW F 800S
Seat Height
820 mm / 32.3 in (low seat: 790 mm / 31.1 in)
Wheelbase
1466 mm / 57.7 in
Height
1155 mm / 45.5 in (excl. mirrors)
Length
2082 mm / 82 in
Width
860 mm / 33.9 in (incl. mirrors)
Dry Weight
182 kg / 401 lbs
Fuel Capacity
16 Litres / 4.2 US gal
Wet Weight
209 kg / 461 lbs
Engine Type
Liquid-cooled parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Stroke
75.6 mm
Displacement
798 cc / 47.7 cu-in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Fuel System
Injection. Electronic intake pipe injection / digital engine management (BMS-K)
Bore x Stroke
82.0 x 75.6 mm
Compression Ratio
12.0:1
Cooling System
Liquid cooled
Fuel Induction
Electronic intake injection
Fuel Reserve
2.00 litres / 0.53 gallons
Ignition
Knock control and oxygen sensors
Lubrication
Dry sump
Starter
Electric
Valve System
4
Battery Capacity
12V / 14 Ah, maintenance-free
Clutch
Cable-operated multiplate-plate wet clutch
Final Drive
Belt drive
Final Drive Ratio
1:2.35
Gear Ratios
1st 2.46 / 2nd 1.75 / 3rd 1.38 / 4th 1.17 / 5th 1.04 / 6th 0.96:1
Gearbox
6-speed
Transmission / Drive
6 Speed
Frame Type
Bridge-type aluminium frame
Suspension - Front
43mm Telescopic forks
Suspension - Rear
Die-cast aluminium single sided swinging arm with rear wheal axle and eccentric adjustment, central spring stud , spring pre-loaded hydraulically adjustable to continuously variable levels by means of handwheel, rebound damping adjustable.
Rake
25.8°
Steering Head Angle
64.2°
Trail
95 mm / 3.7 in
Wheel Travel - Front
140 mm / 5.5 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
140mm / 5.5 in
Alternator
Three-phase alternator 400 W
Brakes - Front Diameter (in.)
12.6 inches
Brakes - Front Diameter (mm)
320 mm
Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.)
10.4 inches
Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm)
265 mm
Brakes - Front
2 x 320mm discs, 4 piston calipers
Brakes - Rear
Single 265 mm disc, 2 piston caliper
ABS
Optional (disengageable)
Rims - Front
3.50 x 17
Rims - Rear
5.50 x 17
Tyres - Front
120/70 ZR17
Tyres - Rear
180/55 ZR17
Wheels
Cast aluminium
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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