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bigger tank and suspension
 

Hi Guys, I got an 800 about a year and a half ago. Nothing at all wrong with it, best buy ever. I had it in the Ukraine over the summer and it hit some rough raods which bend the original front rim. Upgraded now to an excel rim, I did change the suspension too to an Ohlins on the back and harder springs on the front as I added the touratech long range fuel tank. Now able to do about 700km in one go. Planning an rtw trip starting in june on it, can't wait. Comments about wrap around guards are rubbish I think, get handle guards and oil sump guard, remember it all keeps adding to the overall weight of the bike :-(

I rode my F800GS to Morocco and back, and it never missed a beat. Sea level to 8600 feet, 6 degrees to 36 degrees. I did 1800 miles in three days on it, back from Taoz to the channel, and it never missed a beat: Ride, stop, refuel, ride. Repeat until you reach the ferry!

Off road, I found it really easy since the twin seemed to have a little more torque and less inclined to stall than the other bikes along - all singles.

I bought it from a guy on here who'd bought it new, ticked all the boxes and then rode it to Cape town. He says it was perfect for him too.

Now showing 14000 miles, and 12000 of those were done on 'adventurous' roads.:scooter:

HOWEVER!

It's now in BMW with it's engine in bits, since the clutch lever stopped re-engaging the clucth. Apparently a 'stopper' has fallen off the clutch mechanism, and into the gearbox. Various new parts are being fitted - and all under warrantee with no quibble.

I love it - with crash bars, MM boxes and touratech seat it is my perfect bike.:thumbup1:

Whilst your F800Gs is still under factory warranty is it possible to buy an extended "aftermarket" warranty in the UK? This is common in the US and you can buy it easily as long as the bike is under factory warranty at time of purchase.

I've done this on several bikes (no BMW's) but never needed the warranty on any. (Vstrom, DRZ400, Tri Tiger, KTM Duke ll)

In most cases here in the US the price was reasonable but very negotiable. Here there are two or three big companies that handle these warranties. Dealers sell them and can do a big mark up on the price. The trick is to bargain hard for the best deal.

I got three years extra on my Tiger for $600 USD. This is identical to factory cover. Just a thought.

Most of my friends have done this on their R1200GS bikes. Only one has had trouble, his bike is now sold ... he's already bought a new '10 GS.

Hi just my 10p worth took 1 out for a test ride after riding f650gs in spain for 14 days.
I found the bike too heavey for me and my uk ride ois a bandit 1250, looking at if i dropped it loaded have a look at this gs site ::. UKGSer.com .:: - Powered by vBulletin and take what they say with a large pinch of salt but go out & try 1 then you will get an idea

Have just fitted the Hyperpro lowered springs to mine, and it's loads better for me - I was struggling to get more than tip-toes on the floor. Well worth the £200 and it only took a couple of hours to do.

I'm interested in this modification too, I'm nearly flat footed on pavement, but I think on trails it would be a bit awkward at it's current height.

Are the Hyperpro's variable rate springs? How much lower did they make it? Finally, did you adjust the rear shock as well?

Thanks, Peter

This is the write up I did for the mod:

Hyperpro springs - ::. UKGSer.com .::

I think it might answer you questions?

I have ridden my F800GSpot with my wife and a truckload of luggage through ~ 3000km of alpin roads and some roads get to the med and through Eastern Europe back to Scandinavia.
All in all ~ 6000 km this summer.
Any time we got a chance we left the tarmac.
We calculated the bike to carry me at 115kg, my wife at 75 kg, bike at 207 full tanked and ready and, hold your breath now, 90 kg of luggage.

Muddy roads, gravel, German Autobahn, Eastern European mismaintained asphalt, a lot of Alpin serpentine roads.
No problems whatsoever except one mirror shaking loose.

Seat and screen is so bad standard.
Change them.

We fitted the bike with all the hard part protections from TT and Wunderlich. We carry Zega panniers and a tankbag with tank panniers.

When this bike can start up on a gravel goat path in the alps with a 30-35% rise and all that weight, I see no torque issues at all.

I have been used to, through +30 years riding a lot of mainly Italian bikes like Ducati 900SS, Moto Guzzi 620ccm TS Singles with 28-32kg flywheel (the bacon slicer), the latter being able to tow a VW Transporter up from the ditch.

All constructions have their way of compromising.

Should I mention a few cons, except the windscreen and seat issues, it would be lack of adjustment of the front suspension, the restrickted fuel capacity, price (which adds up 180% of tax in my country), small footpegs, heavy standard exhaust (changed to something lighter, better sounding and slightly more powerful on mine), the horn that sounds like a 20mph moped comming by.

I have had no technical issues at all at 10.000km.

I would suggest the F800GSpot to be one of the most versatile traveling bikes presently.

This is not to discard any other bikes at all.
I would love to have 10, 20 or even 30 bikes to choose from as they each have their character and qualities.

In my dreams........... Untill the lottery comes out in my favour.

Niklas