Late last month, an EPA spreadsheet revealed details of new Kawasaki models like the Ninja 300 and the 636cc ZX-6R. That was the big news, but tantalizingly, there was also mention of a BMW F800GT, a model not currently in the manufacturer¢s portfolio in the US or abroad. Well, that¢s the bike you see above. 
     A more touring-oriented replacement for the old BMW F800ST, you can see that this new GT shares that model¢s frame and motor (also shared with the currently on-sale BMW F800R), but fits a new, full fairing complete with more contemporary lines and larger cut outs to vent the radiator. The exhaust is also now a high-mount unit and there¢s new wheels. 
     Like that old ST, but unlike the R, there¢s a single-sided swingarm with belt drive. 
     The old F800ST never sold terribly well, but was popular with its owners. Is the time now ripe for a new, more affordable BMW touring bike? That EPA spreadsheet¢s now been amended to exclude the F800GT, but before it was, it listed the power as 84bhp. A figure more or less inline with the 87bhp F800R. So don¢t expect any big engine upgrades or the rumored inclusion of the Husqvarna Nuda 900′s larger version of the BMW parallel-twin. The BMW F800ST is pictured below.


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