The 2013 BMW F800GT - BMW 800cc Tourer

The new 2013 BMW F800GT supersedes the company's F800ST model, bringing with it an increase in performance to 90 horsepower at 8,000rpm, ABS brakes as standard and improved ergonomics – which has seen the handlebars raised by 20mm.

The BMW F800GT, as a middleweight Grand Tourer, can now also facilitate electronic suspension adjustment (ESA) and automatic stability control (ASC), while allowing for an extra 11 kilograms in payload to be carried. The motorcycle's now fitted with lighter wheels and both rider and pillion seats have been made more comfortable to suit the motorcycle's extended touring nature – the seat can also be raised or lowered between 800mm and 840mm. Suspension has been reworked to achieve a new level of handling, while the motorcycle's stability has been improved with the introduction of a 50mm longer rear-swing-arm.

For 2013 the 800cc market's hotting up thanks to additions like the F800GT from BMW. It's a real-world motorcycle that looks attractive and will no doubt prove extremely practical. The standard specifications respectable enough, but it's quite likely that a tooled-up version of the BMW F800GT could prove more tempting than a pricier and bulkier 1000cc sport-tourer.

Attention appears to have been paid to the smaller detail with a new, easier-on-the-eye look to the clocks, remote adjustment to the rear shock's preload and the latest generation of BMW's control switches. All of which make the BMW F800GT even more attractive.