BMW F800R:

the 798cc inline twin on either side of its four-valve, dohc combustion chambers have released a further three horsepower, taking the total muster to 90bhp. Maximum riding force remains the same 85.5Nm, but the peak now arrives 200rpm earlier in the rev range.

As with allBMW800cc parallel twins, there is a third conrod reciprocating on the crankshaft to counter-balance engine vibration, and the harshness that the motor once displayed when stretching it out to its 8500rpm redline is virtually unnoticeable now. As a result, this is a more playful engine than before, particularly as it’s now pulling lower ratios in the first two gears of a more preciseshifting six-speeder.

A slightly more authoritive engine note completes the charisma upgrade, but don’t get too excited as other Euro rivals like Triumph’s Street Triple 675 and Ducati’s Monster 821 continue to offer more.

Meanwhile the intent of the F800R to be the ‘‘Captain Sensible’’ of the middleweight streetbike class remains, despite those racier new clothes. This is still the bike that uses the least fuel in the segment thanks to the way the patented fuel injection system varies the pressure of the fuel delivery according to the load on the engine. The result is a bike capable of 3.5litres/100km fuel use figures if consistently gentle throttle applications are applied, and even when thrashed, the F800R can still out-Prius a Prius.

The new front end headlines the chassis changes, adding inverted front forks and the same Brembo M4.3 four-piston brake calipers as used by the Ducati 899 Panigale. The forks feel slightly stiffer than the previous conventionally mounted

Engine:

798cc liquid-cooled fuelinjected dohc 8v parallel-twin; 67kW (90bhp) at 8000rpm and 85.5Nm of torque at 5800rpm.

six-speed sequential gearbox, chain final drive.

Transmission:

Frame:

Alloy twin-spar frame with cast alloy rear swingarm, 43mm non-adjustable inverted telescopic forks with 125mm of travel, rear monoshock adjustable for spring preload, electronic compression, and manual rebound damping with 125mm of travel.

Price: $16,990 Hot:

BMW’s New Zealand distributor has used the opportunity of the 2015 upgrade to really sharpen the pencil, reducing the price while adding a heap of desirable features.

ESA is the El Cheapo version and works on the compression damping of the rear shock only; although improved, emo-appeal still lags behind that of some rivals.

Not:

suspenders, adding extra front tyre feedback to allow better use of those more aggressive stoppers.

The addition of ESA to the bike isn’t quite as successful, as it only works on the compression damping of the rear shock unlike more complexBMWinstantly adjustable suspension systems. Fortunately, you can dial in preload and rebound quickly and easily manually on the F800R and then select from three ESA settings – Comfort, Normal, and Sport – the one that best matches these preferences. Overall result is a better, more flickable bike than before, one that’s equipped with Metzeler Z8 road rubber, and the back-up of well-fettled ABS and traction systems for when these superb tyres finally let go.

So it’s appropriate forBMWto cloak the F800R with a snappier set of togs. It remains one of the least demanding rides of the midsized streetbike class while now delivering a more exciting personality and riding dynamic than before.