08 BMW 800GS Fully Trip Prepared.

**Billy Bunter** · #1 8th April 2009

My bike is now returning on a boat back from Cape Town after completing a trip through Africa, it was bought specifically for this trip and now completed, is up for sale. It is a Uk bike i bought new in early October and put 600 miles on and then had first service done. It was put in a van to Tangier where i collected it and rode around Africa on it. The mileage is now around 8500 miles and it was fully serviced in Namibia at 6000 miles.

It is the full spec mode, ABS, centre stand, onboard computer, clear lenses etc

The bike is great and the only problem i had with it on the trip was clutch slip, but i had the plates replaced and it is now good. However, it has just completed a hard 8000 miles through Africa, it has been knocked around on the trip and the cosmetic conditon would be described as 'used hard'!! It has scratches on it, some dents in the panniers and paintwork worn away in places etc... it was a short trip, 4 months, but a very tough one. Although mechanically it started first time every time and the chassis components are all straight etc... it just needs agood clean up, a little love and attention and then it will be RTW ready, again.

It has every extra:

Metal Mule exhaust & pannier system (special exhaust keeps the bike slim)
Inner bags
Crash bars
Remus header pipes (no catalyctic converter)
Brake reservoire protectors - front and rear
Rectifier protector
Radiator Shield & protector
Full bash plate
Tank bag
Barkbusters hand guards
Nice loud horn kit
Sidestand extender
Handlebar risers
Adjustable & folding gear lever
H/D inner tubes
Folding brake lever
Stainless steel sprockets
H/D X Ring chain
Neoprene fork protectors
and finally, £300 touratech comfort seat (lovely!)

It also comes with a range of spares and tools, including tyres, exhaust, inner tubes, chain, clutch cable, plugs, puncture repair kit, specialized tool roles etc etc... There is so much more that i have around for it, all included, it really is all there and ready to go.

If you need it and by separate arrangment, electric tyre inflator, GPS and a couple of other usefull things available too.

8 months ago, this bike cost me nearly £8000 and extras another £3000... a little love and you have the ultimate trip bike... all for £5000.

I will reiterate though, this bike is returning from a very tough trip, it is not a motrcylce that you could class as in 'good condition' if selling it under normal situations... it is a trip bike.

Any questions please ask, you can also get me on 07775 654638 and please come and view the bike when it returns in a week, i am based in central London. Thanks.

**Billy Bunter** · #2 8th April 2009

Have tried to upload some... but it keeps saying error! but i can send some to an email address if this helps.

**dave ett** · #3 9th April 2009

I'm very interested, can you mail me some pics?

dave_at_dgce_co_uk

Ta.

Dave.

**Billy Bunter** · #4 9th April 2009

a couple of picture sent. many thanks.

**Billy Bunter** · #5 9th April 2009

A few people have sent me pm with the same questions and i thought it may be useful to post here the reply:

It is due back on the 15th of this month, then a few days to clear customs etc. Technically it is still under BMW warranty... whether they would honour it, i am not sure.

It really is a bike for another big trip, if you are looking for a another UK road bike the cosmetic condition is not upto much and i wouldnt want to sell it for that to be honest. I would even go as far that i would throw some extra stuff in, gps maybe, if it was for someone who was about to embark on their own adventure, this is what the bike is now really set up for.

**Travelsick** · #6 9th April 2009

Hi Will,

You probably sell this bike soon. If you do not sell the bike in 2009 (for whatever reason) just let me know.

At the moment I am travelling by Landrover from the Netherlands to Australia. I won't be back for a while, but already planning my next trip by bike...

Your 800GS is just the bike I am looking for...

Please keep me posted.

All the best,
Don (Travelsick - Home)

**Billy Bunter** · #7 9th April 2009

Thanks Don, will let you know... enjoy your current trip in the meantime though, i did that one a couple of years ago on a KTM, very enjoyable!

**Krip** · #8 10th April 2009

Hey Billy sounds like a fantastic trip you had something im looking forward to experiencing next year. A mate and I are planning a trip from Australia to South Africa for the football world cup next year and the riding up through Africa into Europe and have been looking at the BMW gs 800 and was wondering if i could get some tips off you about the bike and trip.

Firstly I was concerned about he size of the fuel tank on them for distance travel. How did you find the smallish tank compacity on the bike travelling throughout Africa?

Ive also read the rear suspension is the best and needs to be changed how did you find it standard or did you have it changed also?

Would love to hear about your route and anything that we should be aware of also.

Weve also been looking at the new Tenere's or the DR 650. Im guessing would be easier to get problems fixed on the Suzuki or Yamaha in certain places and that sort of sways my decision away form the BMW but really have my heart set on the BMW.

Obvioulsy we will be buying 2 of them to help with spares on the trip but how is the repairing of probs along the way if there is any?

Hope to hear from you sometime, in Byron Bay Australia, Sheldon

**Billy Bunter** · #9 10th April 2009

Hiya Sheldon, i would quite happilly reccomend the bike to anyone... well i would wouldnt i am selling one here!!

Seriously, there are some great forums that will give you more unbiased opinion on them and UKGSER.COM is always a great source of info on all Bm's but specific stuff on the 800 twins.

In adventure bikes i have only had this Bm and a KTM adventure for my previous trip so can not really compare with the bikes you mention, although logic says, not parts for sure, but repairs may be easier on the others as they are a little less technical. Although i got the clutch plates changed on mine in Africa without event and other than this in ran without missing a heartbeat, and this was quite a tough trip through parts of central Africa.

No probs with suspension front or rear and that is not something to worry about changing at all.

As regards the fuel tank size, this concerned me a lot too, especially through a lot of remote areas, however, the bike is so incredibally frugal on fuel, 200/250 miles a tank full is easilly achieveable even when loaded up... and this was generally more than sufficient, if your still concerned take a 5 or 10 litre jerry can strapped somewhere to the bike and use this, as i did, but never needed to, as changing the capacity 'adventure style' is an expensive and unnecessary modification, although i have read one is available. If you are very easy on the throttle i would not be surprised if somone mananged to get closer to 300 miles from these bikes, the engine management is superb.

I modded mine a lot, but thats me! in reality, you could simply change tyres to TKC's, chain to a branded H/D item (as the original has a dubious reputation) and slap on some luggage and pretty much go anywhere on it. Very enjoyable to ride on the open road, feels quite road bike'ish and can cope with dirt trails etc very well too... it didn't like deep mud or water, but then again, nor do i...! but still ploughed on limited mainly by my skill, bravery and judgement.

Hope this helps, if you need anything else, just ask.

**canuki** · #10 14th May 2009

I am very interested.

please try to get back to me with more info about the bike and its farkles as well as your schedule.

thanks.

camillo O bucelli.
camiloosejo at hot mail -com

**Bobduro** · #11 14th May 2009

Hi Billy,

Do have a link for your trip? particularly the KTM trip to Oz.

I'd be really interested to hear how you found the KTM for such a trip, problems, performance etc.

thanks

**Billy Bunter** · #12 14th May 2009

Hi Camillo, will email you later.

**Billy Bunter** · #13 14th May 2009

Hi Bob, sorry no link... am never good at keeping records of my trips, except in my mind of course

As regards the KTM, if there is anything specific, please ask, but i can confirm the KTM makes a great trip bike, with light weight, good power, strong and robust cycle parts but slightly highly strung needing more frequent service intervals than your Jap or German equivalent.

I did have some breakdowns too over the eighteen months which did slightly sour my impression of the bike, but it was a 2001 model and i am led to believe the post 2003 bikes are a lot better built and with better reliabilty.

Check out the KTM section here for more info.

Hope this helps.