In a fashion conscious market what does it take to stand out from the crowd and attract a new breed of rider? Say hello to the new wave in motorcycle design
Somewhere out there is a new breed of rider. Let's call him Justin. Justin wants a bike. Well, he (or she, this is an adrogynous, sexually non-specific Justin) thinks he does anyway. Now here is the catch. Justin isn't a young rider right off a 125cc bike, he hasn't spent his formative years yearning for a Fireblade or GSX-R and the chances are he hasn't spent any time learning the ropes on a scooter. No, Justin just wants some form of two-wheeled transport that will help him get to his place of work faster than a car.
And not a scooter. Justin is very important to the motorcycle industry because he represents the future of two wheels. He is a new breed of biker, someone who, with the right bike, could become a loyal customer. Which is the problem. How does a bike manufacturer tempt someone with no brand loyalty or preconceptions towards what they can offer?
Make it look good. To this end bike manufacturers are building a new type of bike that relies as much on style and image as it does performance. Arguably more so. This new breed offers cheap, reliable motorcycling in a non-threatening package with something to make it stand out from the crowd. So what's on offer for Justin?
Meet 'Justin' Michael Brook, 30, is our 'Justin'. He's a technology journalist, which means he gets paid to play with gadgets. Having passed his test six months ago Mike is a typical new-wave buyer - style and image are as important to him as price and performance. So what do you reckon, Mike?
BMW F800S
BMW has a bit of an image problem with established bikers. Talk to your average Japanese bike rider and they simply won't entertain the idea of owning a BMW motorcycle. Offer them a BMW car, however, and it's a completely different matter...
Among the two-wheeled fraternity BMW's bikes are seen as being for pipe and slippers types. But many new riders don't have this preconception. They know the BMW name, see the stylish showrooms and take the bike on face value. Which is the key to the F800S, because you get a lot of bike for your money and a lot of simple, well thought-out, new-rider specific features.
Initially the £5995 price tag may seem a bit steep, but look at what you get. The parallel twin is more
powerful than the competition, has a maintenance-free belt drive, a fuel gauge and gear indicator (for an extra £130), pillion grab rails, heated grips and overall the bike feels and looks classy. Well finished, in a typically BMW way.
That's a feeling that is also conveyed in the way the bike rides. The F800S doesn't feel like a learner bike, it feels like a proper bike. It makes a pleasingly deep sound, unlike, say, the SV650, which has more than the hint of the hairdryer.
Once moving the BMW continues to surprise. It's actually quite quick, but it doesn't deliver its power in any great rush, more a gentle build up of revs that's deceptively fast. For new riders there's plenty of drive low down, and once they get a bit braver the far end of the rev range is there to explore. And with a top speed of nearly 140mph there's plenty to find.
As you would expect from a bike aimed at newer riders the BMW doesn't have razor sharp handling, but that's not to say it's a slouch in the corners. The BMW has a sporty side that it is more than happy to let the rider explore, but also a more relaxed side that won't intimidate, although the handling does go top heavy when it has a full tank of fuel. But that's something you easily get used to, and for the newer rider the BMW's comfortable riding position, low seat height and sporty handling will certainly help to build confidence and lead to the inevitable long-way-home trips on a sunny day.
But it's not all plain sailing. The gearbox on the F800S is horrible. Not only does the clutch have the slight pause then thud when it engages (something usually associated with shaft drives - which makes you think... ) but it's stiff too. Riding it for just half an hour through town is enough to strip skin from toes, biker boots or no.
With the BMW you don't get the feeling you're limited to one type of riding. The F800S can happily tour, commute, be ridden through town and even venture out on track. The gearbox is an irritation, but this is a solidly built bike that will satisfy new riders for a number of years, opening the door to a world of two-wheeled adventures.
MIKEY'S SECOND OPINION - BMW
Having passed my test at BMW's excellent rider training facility in Wales, I'm now genetically predisposed to ogle BMWs at every opportunity. In fact, it was the F800S I'd set my heart on as my first bike. Thankfully, Visordown came to the rescue with a smorgasbord of bikes for me to bugger about on and I quickly changed my mind.
It's not that the BMW isn't a good bike. It is. Ask the world's motorcycle press and they'll tell you it's a fine beginner's tool. It just has a number of things that don't quite add up to the £6000 price tag (£7000 fully-loaded).
Firstly, it's billed as a semi-sportsbike but makes the kind of buzz that evokes a wasp with a bit of a cold. Secondly, the fuel tank's position - just below the seat - makes the bike feel like it's riding with a pillion when full. Thirdly, for a £6k bike, the gearbox is desperately notchy and often a nightmare to slot into first after you've been sat in neutral at a set of lights, leaving you fumbling with the clutch before you finally bang it in. By which time you've been engulfed in a sea of half-blind, idiot car drivers.
Click to read the Yamaha MT-03 review
