Riding the first BMW F 800 R Chris Pfeiffer

With the BMW F 800 R, BMW Motorrad increased its F 800 model series for 2009, presenting a sporty roadster created for a high level of riding dynamics and the greatest riding pleasure in the segment of the medium bikes. In addition to the two roadsters R 1200 R and K 1300 R, it was the third BMW roadster to see its international opening in the BMW Motorrad Urban world of knowledge.

But it wasn’t just on public roads that the dynamic BMW naked bike swiftly made a name for itself. The extreme ease of handling which the F 800 R allows its rider was demonstrated by four-times World and European Stunt-Riding Champion Chris Pfeiffer as long ago as 2007 and 2008 on an F 800 S specially adapted to his needs and closely resembling the later F 800 R. Since the official appearance of this model in November 2008 in Milan, motorcycle acrobat Chris Pfeiffer has now been riding the new F 800 R at international competitions and shows – on a version which is only distinguished from the serial production machine in some details.

In 2008, Chris Pfeiffer took part in stunt shows and contests on 85 days - and this year his appointment schedule is equally full. Chris Pfeiffer says: “No matter whether it’s about me as an individual, as a freestyle rider or as a racing rider: it’s always a question of being creative and showing the audience new, exciting things. It is simply amazing when the crowd starts to cheer even before you’ve started. I really appreciate the great support provided by BMW, and for me the F 800 R is simply the perfect stunt motorcycle – as demonstrated by my recent success.”

This was reason enough for BMW Motorrad to mark Chris Pfeiffer’s success on the new F 800 R by bringing out a special model, the BMW F 800 R Chris Pfeiffer, closely resembling his competition bike. In addition, there are the elaborate paintwork; the special edition sports Akrapović® muffler and other features to enhance the motorcycle’s sporty style. The basic technical characteristics remain unchanged from the standard model.

The F 800 R Chris Pfeiffer engine is again the liquid-cooled parallel twin with 4-valve technology and a capacity of 798 cc. As in the F 800 R, the in-line 2-cylinder engine provides especially impressive pulling power, spontaneous response and a low level of fuel consumption.

Even in the lower engine speed range, the 4-valve engine - not especially short-stroke in design, with a bore/stroke ratio of 82.0 to 75.6 millimeters - quickly increases engine speed, building up 90 percent of maximum torque at just 5,000 rpm. Between 5,000 and 8,000 rpm the engine provides an impressively dynamic level of power delivery to the accompaniment of a unique sound. With a nominal output of 64 kW/87 bhp at 8,000 rpm, the engine produces a torque of 86 Nm at 6,000 rpm. Chris Pfeiffer on the unique twin: “The engine is loads of fun - I love its response even in the low and medium engine speed range, as well as its enormously wide rpm range, both when riding on the road and for stunt riding. Then there is the perfect throttle response and sensitive controllability of the 2-cylinder engine - imperative to be able to perform spectacular stunts.”

In its design, the F 800 R Chris Pfeiffer is the same as that of its eponym from the Allgäu. The multicolour paint finishes in the BMW Motorsport colours of Alpine White non-metallic, Lupine Blue metallic, Magma Red non-metallic and Black silk matt contrast with the black drivetrain and swing arm; a white front wheel completes the sporty outfit. The standard, painted pillion passenger seat cover of the F 800 R Chris Pfeiffer also reflects the machine’s sporty purpose. The fact that it does not have cockpit fairing merely serves to emphasise the powerful, purist character of this special model. The F 800 R Chris Pfeiffer also attains a very high level of individuality, authenticity and value due to the overpainted Chris Pfeiffer signature on the central cover and the sponsor stickers which are supplied with the bike and can be optionally applied.

In terms of riding dynamics, the F 800 R Chris Pfeiffer delivers everything its sporty exterior promises. The “little roadster” by BMW Motorrad has already found more than 3,000 fans since May for its very agile, sporty performance. This is just what Chris Pfeiffer wants for his shows and competitions and will be much appreciated by sports-oriented motorcyclists on winding country roads or in the mountains.

Features that contribute to the exceptionally dynamic performance in the F 800 R are the low weight of just 199 kg fully fuelled, the sprint-oriented gear ratio and the chassis, which is specially adapted to the demands of a sporty naked bike with light-alloy bridge frame and dual rear wheel swing arm. Uniquely for the special model F 800 R Chris Pfeiffer, the spring of the rear spring strut is finished in red to match the bike’s sporty multicolour paint finish.

Chris Pfeiffer himself is happy to confirm the excellent chassis properties from his virtually day-to-day contact with the F 800 R: “The fact that no changes have been made to by competition version shows just how easy the F 800 R is to ride. I simply vary the tyre pressure, depending on road conditions. That really says it all.”

The new F 800 R Chris Pfeiffer is fitted as standard with the very sporty rear silencer by Akrapović®, otherwise only available as a special accessory. Its main advantages over the standard silencer are reduced weight and a throatier sound. Like the sporty rear silencer, the LED direction indicators (for Canada: white direction indicators) contribute to the dynamic appearance of this special model.

In addition to this, the F 800 R Chris Pfeiffer can also draw on the extensive BMW Motorrad option and accessory program to fulfil any further customer demands in terms of individual equipment features.

The market launch will be at the beginning of September 2009.

Chris Pfeiffer was at the Berlin Spandau plant in person at the beginning of July 2009 for the start of serial production of this F 800 R special model: he lent a hand himself and even rode the very first BMW F 800 R Chris Pfeiffer off the assembly line. As a small thank-you for this first special model bearing his name, the four-times World and European Stunt-Riding Champion provided a “best of” selection from his numerous stunt shows and competitions for the staff at the BMW Motorrad production plant. As he said when it was all over: “I am very pleased and proud that there will be a BMW Motorcycle on sale which bears my name. I regard this as both a great honour and a powerful source of motivation. Riding the first machine to bear my signature off the production line really was a unique experience.”

Here is an overview of the main features of the new BMW F 800 R Chris Pfeiffer as compared to the standard model:

• Akrapović rear silencer for a dynamic appearance and a sporty sound.

• Spring of rear spring strut finished in red.

• Painted pillion passenger seat cover.

• Highly sporty visual appearance with paint finish in the BMW Motorsport colours of Alpine White non-metallic, Lupine Blue metallic and Magma Red non-metallic, contrasting with elements in black silk matt.

• Front-wheel finished in white.

• Clear overpainted Chris Pfeiffer signature on the central cover.

• Set of sponsor stickers supplied.

• No cockpit fairing.

• LED direction indicators.