Riding south thru Columbia
 

I'm in need of a 24k service for my F800 GS nearing Bogota heading south, speak on Spanish. Any recommendations?

Marco Zen

Yes, do it yourself!

You'll do a better job and can be confident the work has actually been done.

In reality, the service is nothing more than an oil and filter change. Fluids do not need to be replaced anywhere near as often as BMW says (I replace coolant every 5 years and brake fluid never) and you'll find valves will typically go 60,000kms before adjustment is needed.

Other than that all you need to is lubricate and tighten the chain, check wheel and swing arm bearings for play (you can feel by hand if there is any) and tighten any loose bolts.

COLOMBIA (not Columbia)
Not sure I'd go 60K kms before having a look at valve clearances ... but certainly would not worry about them at just 24K kms. (15K miles).

Waiting until 60K is really pushing your luck. If just ONE valve has decided to tighten up ... at say 30K kms ... and you let it go until 60K kms, ... well, you've just cooked the head and cost yourself a couple grand ... in real money. $$$$$$$ :helpsmilie:

I routinely change brake fluid ... especially riding in wet and humid areas. But it is cheap and easy to do yourself. Brake fluid is Hydrascopic ... it absorbs water from the air ... and RUINS braking as the water BOILS, reeks havoc with braking performance and may ruin MC and calipers too.

Dont' forget your chain and sprockets. #1 most neglected items among Noob travelers. I hope you're carrying spare sprockets cause you probably won't find them outside a BMW dealer ... which you may find find in Bogota.??

You may find a chain somewhere but probably not a quality DID, RK or EK chain. Putting on a Crap chain? Really a bad idea, IMO. But the BMW dealer probably stock good ones ... at twice the market price. doh

Brake pads! They wear out! Be sure to check them! Rears wear out before fronts. Once again, if local shops don't stock F800 brake pads the BMW Dealer should have them.

Last: Tires! Colombia should have something decent!

Medellin is a good town for getting bike service. From what I've READ, several good mechanics/shops there who can help you out. Just not a big deal. Contact HUBB Medellin community.

If you have specific problems that require BMW expertise (like use of proprietary computers used to sort out "Error Codes") then you will need a BMW dealer. But not all BMW dealers in S. America are good ... so really best to try to sort out your problems on your own if possible. Tons of knowledge online.

Keep a good, fresh battery in that bike. A low batt can be the cause of problems ... from F.I. errors to CAN bus, ABS, clocks and more.

bier