Any one have any experience with this bike? My wife is stuck on the idea of a BMW motorcycle but I'm not too familiar with them. I'd prefer something more common for parts and maintenance purposes, but her mind is made up.

Any feedback is appreciated, thank you.

Some of these german bikes use way too many 'special tools' to do basic services. Whereas, metric bikes from japan have less special tools for servicing, better parts turnaround, more dealers than euro type bikes. Visit all the dealers to match what could come close to the 800.

Maybe there is some attraction to the bike? Sits lower? More females ride this bike? Was she looking at Home&Garden magazine and there was a story of and her F800? Why the attraction on this particular bike?

Look, if she wants the F800, let her drive to the dealer for oil and air filters, and whatever breaks down, she is back to the dealer to deal with it. Try an f800 site, see if the bike is worthy or has one problem after the other? That's the same basic engine family with the same wherever the bike was built? It sure is not in germany. Go check the neck and see where it was assembled? They may use cheap whatever parts on that bike no doubt.

The rr's are buggy with their black box is why you don't see many racing and if they did, they are not now...Hint-Hint. I can't say for sure about the f800. The service bays are a good indicator of who is hung up waiting for parts vs. basic service being done. So if there looks like too many 800's sitting in the service dept, that's one clue. The other is the net.

Thanks for the feedback. You just reiterated my arguments against it.

What's your experience with the Kawasaki 650r?

YW. Hey, it's just a second opinion, so we can't both be wrong coming to the same conclusion tell her. My neighbor has a 650klr and he takes it to work a lot. He did have the dealer burn out the wire harness when it was new... Reversed the battery and the posi touched the frame. I told him not to touch it and just take it back to show the install of the battery was kind of obvious. Other than that it's been the only time he's come over for help. Seems to be dependable if I don't hear from him. It's been a few years so, you make a conclusion like I have. Other than his bike, my 3 products from mother teapot, I doubt if you can go wrong with the 650r. My only concern are her feet touching the ground. Be more stable upon stops. And also, I don't know if they are the same engines, but still, you know the product as you can relate with the 14's durability/execution/availability of parts, etc.