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- Oct 10, 2004
- Messages
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May I ask who is riding pillion? 
Elvie
Guest
Me! There's no way I'm riding around with Gipsy's weight on the back! I'm happy to lend it to him in these circumstances!
Hope all gets fixed soon!...And enjoy the trip, whether with 1 bike or 2!!...
Elvie
Guest
Well we only did just over 100 miles and I can confirm that sitting on the pillion seat is much worse than riding as far as comfort goes. It may be because I don't move around so much as a pillion but I had a numb bum after about an hour and can usually go several hours riding it. Don't buy one to take your OH touring!
Doh!
I guess she'll just have to get used to having a numb bum.
An Airhawk for a birthday present
Have just returned to Budapest to pick up my bike, after 5 days of 2 up touring on Elvie's new F650 gs, in the Northern Highlands of Hungary. The 650 handled the touring very well. Obviously with 2 fairly hefty passengers and luggage the power to weight ratio wasn't as good as it might be, but it was never embarrased. The suspension coped well with the pre-load fully wound up, and other than for a liitle brake fade on some downhill corners in the 35c temperatures the brakes were fine. The seat however is another matter. I fully agree with all those who complain of the numb bum syndrome, and I'm fairly well upholstered in the rear. I think an after market seat may be in order when they become available.
The main dealer in Budapest seems to have made a good job of replacing the 1200GS front brake unit, and the bike rides well. The main benefit of the accident was visiting an area we hadn't planned to see. Eger was beautiful, and the Magyar Route 66 bikercamp in Szilvastravad was excellent. The scenery was beautiful, and we may well go back again. One interesting fact is that since we entered Hungary 11 days ago we've not seen another British bike, and only 2 British plated cars!
The main dealer in Budapest seems to have made a good job of replacing the 1200GS front brake unit, and the bike rides well. The main benefit of the accident was visiting an area we hadn't planned to see. Eger was beautiful, and the Magyar Route 66 bikercamp in Szilvastravad was excellent. The scenery was beautiful, and we may well go back again. One interesting fact is that since we entered Hungary 11 days ago we've not seen another British bike, and only 2 British plated cars!
fishburger
Registered user
Road test ,24hr on motorways.
Hi
Last saturday I was finely off to Normandy France to visit the D-Day beaches and all the museums.
Round trip from Oslo Norway 4500 km.
Took it easy the way down 2 and a half day,stayed over night in Germany and one night in Belgium.
Riding was all done on the motorways\autobahn ,free off charge in all the countries exept France,wher you have to pay.
The set up was my F800gs with following mods:
Bmw hand gaurds,with the highest spoilers
Bmw original sumpguard.
Bmw original luggage
60l waterproff bag ,strapped to the bike behind me,across the seat and the luggage boxes.
average crusing speed 120-130 km pr\hr,burst to 160 for a few km at the time.
After I have done what I came for I decided to go home in one go,took off at 0820 from Bayaux Normanry France and arrived in Oslo Norway 10:00,the next morning
2100km\1300 miles in 26 hr,including 55minutes ferry crossing from Germany to Denmark +30minutes waiting for the ferry.
That is the longest trip in 24hr I have ever done.
Findings and experience:
Driving above 100km pr hr has a big effect on the rider in windy condition,and I was very windy at times,the bike felt a little light but behaved ok at speeds over 100km\hr but the rider gets a sore neck\strained muscle in the neck.
You really have to keep on to the handlebars,when going fast in windy condition,and I mean real hard.
My opinion is that the bike could use a little more meat on the bones for extedend motorway crusing at high speed,was expected and confirmed by experience.
The original windshield is of no use,but to keep the bugs off the speedo\computer assembely.
Running trough the night on head lights for the first time ,and found the lights to be to be good, better when I took time to change my lightly darkend visor to a clear one
Cant see any reason to spend any money on extra lights,they worked fine.
My major consern was handlebar vibration,it got so bad that I could hardley move my fingers on the left hand and hurt like shit too,the reason was the new hand guards,when you install the new guards you have to take away the heavy bar ends,they will be changed to som small flimpsy ends made of aluminum and not from brass as the original.
The combined weight of the flimpsy bar ends and the stainless tubing \and plastic does not compensate in real weight as the original ends.
Keep in mined that this all happens above 100km\hr,slow down and you ar ok,but if you intend to do a fast motorway trip keep your original bar ends in place.
When I hit the beach in Denmark at 01:00 the temprature dropped to 8 deg C,after 3 hr of running it got so cold that I had to stop to put on some more cloths ,stopped at the road side and kept the engine running to warm my hands at the exhaust pipe,when suddenly I saw the alarm light on low oil pressure come on.The handlebar heaters kept my hands semi warm but freezing on top of my hands, as the guards does not protect your hands well enough from the cold winds\rain.
Nice to look at but gives little protection for wind\rain.
Stopped the engine,and controled the oil level,as I tought that the engine had run out off oil,but everything was just fine,level was right at the top notch.
The reason for the alarm was that the oil was to hot and thinner after prolonged driving at high speed,why, well the original BMW sumpguard covers the oilfilter and the oil cooler but it also take away the cooling air as both units is coverd by the guard.
The engine casing was about 35-40 deg C.
Let it rest for 10 minutes and everything was fine
Recommend to use a higher viscosity oil for this kind of riding,I used the Castrol 10-40 GPS.
The day after I returned home I cleaned the bike and measured the chain and had a look at the sprockets,all like new no mesurable change in the lenght of the chain(between 10 linkes)
Final verdict
The F800 GS is up to go 1000 + miles in 24 hr, if the rider can take the strain,and you take some precausion on the hand guards and the oil,and not at least a higher wind screen.
All in all it is a brilliant bike,but for extended motorways crusing at high speed I would like to get a smaller and wider frontwheel (more rubber)as the front feels a little loose at high speed and windy condition.
What about the seat? I never tought about it, a little after sun lotion(only thing aviable in my toiletbag) in the right place can do wonders.
Cheers
Fishburger
Hi
Last saturday I was finely off to Normandy France to visit the D-Day beaches and all the museums.
Round trip from Oslo Norway 4500 km.
Took it easy the way down 2 and a half day,stayed over night in Germany and one night in Belgium.
Riding was all done on the motorways\autobahn ,free off charge in all the countries exept France,wher you have to pay.
The set up was my F800gs with following mods:
Bmw hand gaurds,with the highest spoilers
Bmw original sumpguard.
Bmw original luggage
60l waterproff bag ,strapped to the bike behind me,across the seat and the luggage boxes.
average crusing speed 120-130 km pr\hr,burst to 160 for a few km at the time.
After I have done what I came for I decided to go home in one go,took off at 0820 from Bayaux Normanry France and arrived in Oslo Norway 10:00,the next morning
2100km\1300 miles in 26 hr,including 55minutes ferry crossing from Germany to Denmark +30minutes waiting for the ferry.
That is the longest trip in 24hr I have ever done.
Findings and experience:
Driving above 100km pr hr has a big effect on the rider in windy condition,and I was very windy at times,the bike felt a little light but behaved ok at speeds over 100km\hr but the rider gets a sore neck\strained muscle in the neck.
You really have to keep on to the handlebars,when going fast in windy condition,and I mean real hard.
My opinion is that the bike could use a little more meat on the bones for extedend motorway crusing at high speed,was expected and confirmed by experience.
The original windshield is of no use,but to keep the bugs off the speedo\computer assembely.
Running trough the night on head lights for the first time ,and found the lights to be to be good, better when I took time to change my lightly darkend visor to a clear one
Cant see any reason to spend any money on extra lights,they worked fine.
My major consern was handlebar vibration,it got so bad that I could hardley move my fingers on the left hand and hurt like shit too,the reason was the new hand guards,when you install the new guards you have to take away the heavy bar ends,they will be changed to som small flimpsy ends made of aluminum and not from brass as the original.
The combined weight of the flimpsy bar ends and the stainless tubing \and plastic does not compensate in real weight as the original ends.
Keep in mined that this all happens above 100km\hr,slow down and you ar ok,but if you intend to do a fast motorway trip keep your original bar ends in place.
When I hit the beach in Denmark at 01:00 the temprature dropped to 8 deg C,after 3 hr of running it got so cold that I had to stop to put on some more cloths ,stopped at the road side and kept the engine running to warm my hands at the exhaust pipe,when suddenly I saw the alarm light on low oil pressure come on.The handlebar heaters kept my hands semi warm but freezing on top of my hands, as the guards does not protect your hands well enough from the cold winds\rain.
Nice to look at but gives little protection for wind\rain.
Stopped the engine,and controled the oil level,as I tought that the engine had run out off oil,but everything was just fine,level was right at the top notch.
The reason for the alarm was that the oil was to hot and thinner after prolonged driving at high speed,why, well the original BMW sumpguard covers the oilfilter and the oil cooler but it also take away the cooling air as both units is coverd by the guard.
The engine casing was about 35-40 deg C.
Let it rest for 10 minutes and everything was fine
Recommend to use a higher viscosity oil for this kind of riding,I used the Castrol 10-40 GPS.
The day after I returned home I cleaned the bike and measured the chain and had a look at the sprockets,all like new no mesurable change in the lenght of the chain(between 10 linkes)
Final verdict
The F800 GS is up to go 1000 + miles in 24 hr, if the rider can take the strain,and you take some precausion on the hand guards and the oil,and not at least a higher wind screen.
All in all it is a brilliant bike,but for extended motorways crusing at high speed I would like to get a smaller and wider frontwheel (more rubber)as the front feels a little loose at high speed and windy condition.
What about the seat? I never tought about it, a little after sun lotion(only thing aviable in my toiletbag) in the right place can do wonders.
Cheers
Fishburger
Steve the Kiwi
Registered user
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2008
- Messages
- 883
- Reaction score
- 0
Bloody hell!
2100km in one bite!
I'm assuming you must have stopped for a "combat nap" at some point???
That's some serious going!
2100km in one bite!
I'm assuming you must have stopped for a "combat nap" at some point???
That's some serious going!
Bit of hard core travel, interesting post 
sijohnston
Registered user
thanks for taking the time to write this up so informatively. that is quite the marathon...but well done for giving the 800 its most comprehensive long-distance run.
Kaze
Registered user
Thanks Fishburger, great write up
Good to see a real-world warts n'all experience, not that I'll be doing that sort of distance in 24 hours! All respect to you mate!
Interesting point about the bar ends, I've asked the handguards & spoilers on my GS order (due September), I'll have to remember to ask them to keep hold of the original bar ends. Can the originals be fitted instead of the ones that come with the hand-guards?
Hopefully this'll kick off a few more posts of what the 800GS is like to live with (he says hopefully).
Good to see a real-world warts n'all experience, not that I'll be doing that sort of distance in 24 hours! All respect to you mate!
Interesting point about the bar ends, I've asked the handguards & spoilers on my GS order (due September), I'll have to remember to ask them to keep hold of the original bar ends. Can the originals be fitted instead of the ones that come with the hand-guards?
Hopefully this'll kick off a few more posts of what the 800GS is like to live with (he says hopefully
).fishburger
Registered user
Hi
Thanks for the comments,no "combat naps" but had ahard time staying awake around 5-6 in the morning,had a coffee at a gas station at 0600 ,that woke me up.
Heavy bar ends easely modified if you have a small milling machine,max half hr work,I will get it done when I find the place to do it.
Off on a new trip around Norway on wednesday,for some serious fishing.
Fishburger
Thanks for the comments,no "combat naps" but had ahard time staying awake around 5-6 in the morning,had a coffee at a gas station at 0600 ,that woke me up.
Heavy bar ends easely modified if you have a small milling machine,max half hr work,I will get it done when I find the place to do it.
Off on a new trip around Norway on wednesday,for some serious fishing.
Fishburger
Bob Baker
Registered user
"Buns of Steel award" to you sir 
Bob
Bob
Buckaroo
Guest
Great report, thanks.
Any idea what kind of gas mileage you got during your trip?
Any idea what kind of gas mileage you got during your trip?
fishburger
Registered user
Hi
I did not measure,but had a look at the computer to see the average and it was 0.44 liters pr 10km.
Yesterday I measuerd my consumption,how far I could get on one tank ie 17liters ,I tried to drive the bike as economical as possible and I got 340km out of 12.73 liters,with an other 4 liters left in the tank
That is 63 miles pr us\gallon,an gives the f 800 gs a safe "crusing" range of at least 400km\250 miles with out going dry.
crusing speed during test 80-90 km\hr
fishburger
I did not measure,but had a look at the computer to see the average and it was 0.44 liters pr 10km.
Yesterday I measuerd my consumption,how far I could get on one tank ie 17liters ,I tried to drive the bike as economical as possible and I got 340km out of 12.73 liters,with an other 4 liters left in the tank
That is 63 miles pr us\gallon,an gives the f 800 gs a safe "crusing" range of at least 400km\250 miles with out going dry.
crusing speed during test 80-90 km\hr
fishburger
Garmisch 2008 0n my 800
Well got back today after a super trip.
First the bike.
Well I was a bit worried about going to Garmisch this year as last year I went on my 1200RT, But you know what I enjoyed it more on the wee GS.
Ok I have modded my GS with a bigger Screen and Air hawk.
The screen worked well (Givi), I think there are better screens out there or due shortly, Its slightly to short for me. The airhawk is a must for a long trip or maybe an aftermaket seat. I find the standard seat uncomfortable after 30/40 mins so 12hrs each way to garmisch would have been a nightmare.
I found the secret with the Airhawk is to have it nearly flat.
My Mate on his 2008 GS ADV had to buy cycle shorts to pad his seat, Ha Ha.
The 800 coped with every detail very well, Luggage wise I had the 53 litre strap down soft bag and a BMW tank bag with everthing in those.
The bike felt heavy on the trip to the tunnel but after a few hours the bike felt as normal.
What else can I say, well the fuel consumption was super 55 on the Autoroutes/ autobahns and 70 on the mountain roads and A roads, very good when fuel is like blood. I actually got 270 miles from the Black forest to Garmisch on one tank. Bit nervous about hand numbness from the bars as I read Fish burgers report but found If I wore GS Rally gloves they were fine but if I wore the Atlantis gloves I got numb fingers.
The only bit of the bike I could moan about are the brakes they lack bite when the bike is loaded up for touring, I miss my old servo brakes form the RT, but I know why they have the set up for off road use!. Oh the 21" front wheel is fine on mountain hairpins as I think the machine is so light and balanced.
The bike is easy to ride and the engine used no oil, unlike the Boxer. It coped well in strong side winds today and ran well in the company of my friend Carl's Big GS Adv. I had loads of people stop me on the way through Europe to talk about my GS.
Secondly Garmisch.
I have been 5 times now and I think BMW have continued the sucess story for another year, loads more to see and do, but the best value was the Munich one X Track, I did not have a go but instead had plenty of laughs watching the Germans coming off.
What makes Biker Days, (as its now called) is no one particular thing, it is Just loads better than anything else you would find say in the UK. It is free to get in and to camp and the setting is Stunning. See you there in 2009.
Oh Whats next for my Wee GS, I think a set of TT Fog lamps, different screen, maybe a aftermaket seat.
Well got back today after a super trip.
First the bike.
Well I was a bit worried about going to Garmisch this year as last year I went on my 1200RT, But you know what I enjoyed it more on the wee GS.
Ok I have modded my GS with a bigger Screen and Air hawk.
The screen worked well (Givi), I think there are better screens out there or due shortly, Its slightly to short for me. The airhawk is a must for a long trip or maybe an aftermaket seat. I find the standard seat uncomfortable after 30/40 mins so 12hrs each way to garmisch would have been a nightmare.
I found the secret with the Airhawk is to have it nearly flat.
My Mate on his 2008 GS ADV had to buy cycle shorts to pad his seat, Ha Ha.
The 800 coped with every detail very well, Luggage wise I had the 53 litre strap down soft bag and a BMW tank bag with everthing in those.
The bike felt heavy on the trip to the tunnel but after a few hours the bike felt as normal.
What else can I say, well the fuel consumption was super 55 on the Autoroutes/ autobahns and 70 on the mountain roads and A roads, very good when fuel is like blood. I actually got 270 miles from the Black forest to Garmisch on one tank. Bit nervous about hand numbness from the bars as I read Fish burgers report but found If I wore GS Rally gloves they were fine but if I wore the Atlantis gloves I got numb fingers.
The only bit of the bike I could moan about are the brakes they lack bite when the bike is loaded up for touring, I miss my old servo brakes form the RT, but I know why they have the set up for off road use!. Oh the 21" front wheel is fine on mountain hairpins as I think the machine is so light and balanced.
The bike is easy to ride and the engine used no oil, unlike the Boxer. It coped well in strong side winds today and ran well in the company of my friend Carl's Big GS Adv. I had loads of people stop me on the way through Europe to talk about my GS.
Secondly Garmisch.
I have been 5 times now and I think BMW have continued the sucess story for another year, loads more to see and do, but the best value was the Munich one X Track, I did not have a go but instead had plenty of laughs watching the Germans coming off.
What makes Biker Days, (as its now called) is no one particular thing, it is Just loads better than anything else you would find say in the UK. It is free to get in and to camp and the setting is Stunning. See you there in 2009.
Oh Whats next for my Wee GS, I think a set of TT Fog lamps, different screen, maybe a aftermaket seat.
Deleted Member I
Guest
Photos
Got plenty,
Never work out how to post them.
Can I email ya one.
Got plenty,
Never work out how to post them.
Can I email ya one.
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2004
- Messages
- 3,580
- Reaction score
- 47
Hi Paddy
Excellent fuel consumption, I'm getting similar figures and ranges.
Could you be more specific about the Givi screen and how it's too short? How's the body protection and are you getting increased/decreased helmet noise?
On the braking side (without trying to insult you) are you aware the brakes aren't linked as they are on the RT, and therefore you need to apply the rear and the front brakes?
Tim
Excellent fuel consumption, I'm getting similar figures and ranges.
Could you be more specific about the Givi screen and how it's too short? How's the body protection and are you getting increased/decreased helmet noise?
On the braking side (without trying to insult you) are you aware the brakes aren't linked as they are on the RT, and therefore you need to apply the rear and the front brakes?
Tim
