I’m using the RT for my big EU trips, but this is not so easy to answer as I actually do think the F800R can make a really good mid-range tourer with a far higher grin factor than the RT but this really depends on what type of roads you intend to ride, how far, and what time of the year! I’m also using the RT as I’m usually carring a lot of photography equipment which most people wont be.

Without doubt the RT is the undisputed king of long distance touring on motorway and national roads, and it also does a great job on most back roads, especially the newer 2010SE model. And if you take a pillion you will hardly notice that you have a passenger.

However, if you want to spend the majority of your trip on the small, banked, tight, windy roads of the Alps and Pyrenees then the weight and size of the RT becomes a right pain and it’s absolutely unsuited for exploring many of the really small rougher mountain passes. On my 2011 trip for example I almost dropped the RT on Col du Galibier for exactly this reason and was very frustrated with it’s size/weight on many occasions, as I always am. Many a day I really wished I had the F800 with me.

However, that said its great at everything else! In the 10 years I’ve had it I’ve never thought to sell it, but I am considering to upgrade it to the 2010SE model for obvious reasons, I’ll make my decision on this when the reviews on the new Triumph Tiger 1200 come out as I’m hoping it will tick all my boxes. The RT has fantastic brakes and top notch fairing and power adaptors which also makes it great for riding even in winter, and I’ll happily ride 1000km+ in a day on motorway if I have to, in comfort, and with a great tank range of almost 400km with buckets of room in the panniers.

The F800 is a different thing altogether. Taking a pillion with you on tour is definitely not an option as it’s not designed for it. With a pillion it handles like a drunken Irishman and your pillion will hate it! I wont take a pillion on the F800 at all. It’s got no fairing, so in bad weather it’s not great either and it’s hard to keep clean in winter. I also would not want to face anything over 700km on it in a day.

However it’s far more agile, easier to manage and far more exciting than the RT, it’s built for the back roads and suits the Alps/Pyrenees perfectly, if having fun on the glorious Alpine roads and corners is high on your list then you’d have to consider this bike. And from what I’ve seen the French/Italians and Germans think so to as this model sells very well on the continent.

It’s got a 15ltr tank with a fairly economical range of 300km of spirited riding which easily allows it to tour. To turn it into a comfortable enough tourer is not a big deal either, the following will do the job;

1. The Wunderlich touring screen looks really good on the bike and makes a big difference, around 140Euro from Nippy Normans.

2. You would also definitely need the comfort seat, the stock seat is too hard for long days.

3. Mirror extenders to bring the mirrors view out past your shoulders, needed for motorways, but only 25ish Euro.

4. A 45/48ltr Givi Top box, a pillion seat touring bag and maybe a tank bag. Stay away from the Trax type panniers, they are expensive and ruin the airflow around the bike drastically lowering the tank range. The BMW option for the panniers are ok, but expensive.

5. Good to have but not strictly necessary would be a front mud guard extender and a rear hugger, bike stays much cleaner with than without and you will be glad of them on a wet day.

6. Again not strictly necessary, but if you really like to use the throttle to it’s full potential you might want to get a stronger chain, the chain that comes as stock have been known to snap on this bike. Certainly no one would use the standard chain for a track day with this bike, BMW made a marvellous engine but cut corners fitting a cheap chain. I’ve put the same chain on mine as comes with the 1000RR as the thought of the chain breaking at speed terrifies me for good reason.

I’ve toured in Ireland on the F800 no problem, 400km in winter was the max I’ve done in one day, but as I’ve kitted it out with screen, comfort seat etc I wasn’t tired or sore at all. On good continental roads I’ve no doubt I’d be happy doing the 600 or even 700km in a day during the summer. But, unlike the RT I’d cut that in half in winter or bad weather.

Also consider your height, if your over 6 foot tall then the F800 will feel cramped and your legs will get sore so the RT is the way to go. If you have a leg shorter than 32” then the RT becomes a monster, you would need the lower seat option which leaves no room for the excellent electronic suspension.

With all this to consider I’m afraid I cant give you a definitive answer except maybe this, for mid-range touring to the western Alps or Pyrenees in late spring to late autumn riding solo I’d take the F800R as it’s easily capable and much more fun than the RT.

For longer tours in all seasons, tours which don’t include tight difficult mountain passes or tours with a pillion then it has to be the RT or something similar like the Honda Pan. I also read an interesting statistic which showed that people who bought the RT tend to either keep the bike for many years like me or trade up to a newer model RT, either way sticking with the RT while owners of other brands/models have a far higher statistic for swapping and changing. Personally, unlike the RT, I would not consider keeping my F800R for 10 years so I’m thinking that statistic is probably not far wrong.

The best thing to do is forget about which bike you’d actually prefer for looks, grin factor etc and properly consider what you want to use it for, look critically at both bikes as a tool to do a job, be careful to properly define the job and the decision will be far easier.

I’m not sure if all this has just given you a headache, but I hope it helps. I’d be very interested in what you decide so stay in touch!

Denis

I’m now living in Kinsale, is that anywhere near your shop if I want some more? I have the F800R parked up near Kinsale harbour for the winter which should be another good test for the ACF50 and intend to write a dedicated review of it in the spring. Will be happy to mention you in again as the supplier in the south..

So far I’m liking it, too early of course to see if it’s keeping the rust at bay, but it’s certainly making it easier to keep the F800R cleaner, and thats not a bad thing as the roads around here are covered in slick wet cow shite

Denis