► Post pics of your F650/800GS

[GS800NR9]

Can you tell us more about the brake reservoir mod Micky? Is it a BMW part nr? What's involved? Ta

 

[H.R.H. Nashskye]

Modified the front brake master cylinder reservoir today

Yeah, I know what you mean about the cylinder, it makes me chuckle everytime I look at it, it's kind of like it's been put on there for comedy value, which I strangely like...

This is Lorenzo - the first 800 in Scotland!!onyack

 

[Elvie]

And here's Vince, the first 650 twin in Wales!

Had him a week now and done just over 500 miles. On the whole am very pleased but have a few niggles in the sizing department. For a start in their initial blurb BMW stated that this bike would be particularly appealing to women hence all the " girl's bike " remarks on here. Looking in the handbook I see that the lowest setting for the rear preload is designed for a 85 kg rider & full tank. Now I'm no lightweight at 11st but that's only 70kg ....doesn't say much for German "girls". Similarly the clutch adjusted to its narrowest span is just about ok if I use just 2 fingers on the narrowest part of the dogleg. If I use 3 or 4 fingers its too much of a stretch & I get wrist ache. Final moan is the rear brake lever which doesn't seem to be adjustable and is too low for my high heeled boots ( Daytona Ladystars - bl**dy great for shortarses!) WHAT SORT OF GIRLS BIKE IS THIS??

Seriously though I'm having a great time riding it and the above niggles are much less of a problem than on most other bikes. It's really light and manouevrable, corners well, slick gear box that upshifts clutchlessly with ease, even between 1st and 2nd, there's an excellent turning circle & slow speed control. The front brake is adequate ( I'm used to a Fireblade which has superb brakes but appreciate I'm not comparing like with like ) haven't used the rear brake as its somewhere down out of reach! The engine has plenty of poke, even when riding at less than 5000 revs and can only improve when I can give it a bit more wellie. The small screen isn't bad at legal speeds but once you get to 80 there's too much windblast, it's also quite noisy. I think I'll probably buy the large screen. The seat is too hard for a full days riding but I'm ok on it for about 3 hours or so - I've obviously more in built padding than whoever it was could only manage an hour and a half! I suppose my bum may get used to it, but as I've bought it for long distance touring I may look at alternatives at some point.

Overall it's a hoot to ride and the negatives are fairly minor and correctable. I'm really enjoying it and looking forward to a long term relationship

 

[EmmettC]

I finally braved a little bit of off roading, it was a farmers track through the mountains north of Duns, and it was a dry day yesterday so it was easy. I went out yesterday morning for a wee run and got home at 5, with another 230 miles on the clock, and no numb bum. I must have more padding than anyone else

 

[blackie]

And here's Vince, the first 650 twin in Wales!

Woohoo another 650! This is distressing , the more I look the more I want ... can't wait for mine to get here btw you have impeccable colour taste as I chose the same colour too!

... Final moan is the rear brake lever which doesn't seem to be adjustable and is too low for my high heeled boots ( Daytona Ladystars - bl**dy great for shortarses!) WHAT SORT OF GIRLS BIKE IS THIS??

Umm could you unbolt the rear brake lever and re-insert it one cog up the spline?

 

[Micky]

Can you tell us more about the brake reservoir mod Micky? Is it a BMW part nr? What's involved? Ta

As per the post, BMW Part number is 32 72 7 666 151. Straight fit, ten minutes. OK 20 minutes. Need shorter screws for the mirror fixing clamp, cos you do away with the reservoir mounting bracket and that's it. Actually, being careful, I didn't even need to bleed the brakes.

Syringe to draw the brake fluid out of the reservoir, change and refill. Just like that.... Don't get brake fluid on the paintwork!

Yeah, I know what you mean about the cylinder, it makes me chuckle everytime I look at it, it's kind of like it's been put on there for comedy value, which I strangely like...

But when I look at it all I can see is some bloke saying to the design team at 4.55pm on a Friday afternoon ... "C'mon you guys, we're off in five minutes, for heavens sake get a move on and finish that job, it's on the assembly line on Monday morning!"

 

[GS800NR9]

Just phoned the dealers to order the part and got the reason it was designed that way. According to them the first models had direct mounted brake fluid reservoirs and the vibration through the bars was "foaming " the brake fluid and getting air into the system. The peculiar setup we have now is a direct result of having to isolate the reservoir from the vibrations.

I obviously queeried what was different on this bike to so many others and the dealer can only suppose it's a particular resonance present on this model. Having seen the way it shakes about at the moment you have to wonder about this but maybe you can let us know how you get on with it Micky.

 

[Elvie]

Umm could you unbolt the rear brake lever and re-insert it one cog up the spline?

No. Have done that with the gear shift which is now perfect for me. The rear brake lever is fixed. I have thought about taking the rubber off the pegs to lower them relative to the lever but wonder about getting more vibration through my feet if I do and would my feet tend to slip on the pegs without the friction of the rubber? Have also thought about building up the brake lever somehow. Will have a word with the dealer when it goes in for its first service on Monday.


Incidentally I quite like my wobbly brake cylinder ...it's just a bit more BMW character!

 

[chrisjk]

would my feet tend to slip on the pegs without the friction of the rubber?

Your feet will stay on the pegs better, the teeth should see to that. I always take the rubber off if I am going off-road at all. Feet slip on muddy rubber but not on muddy steel teeth.

 

[Micky]

The peculiar setup we have now is a direct result of having to isolate the reservoir from the vibrations.

Thanks for that GS800NR9 ... it is a thought that crossed my mind. But if it is the case then they could have mounted it the same as on the F800S/ST ?? I'll keep an eye on the situation so to speak, but I don't know where it will get the air in to the system from because the reservoir is full and covered by the rubber seal, under the cap, down to the level of the fluid.

Got a good run coming up a week on Monday, down to the Black Forest and then to the Eifel's... that should show any problems up

 

[Mrs Radar_UK]

Finally got to take some piccies today, only on the drive though as we were busy fitting new parts to Mr Radar UK's bike, hoping to get out tomorrow providing it doesnt snow!

Seems everyone is buying the iceberg blue, I'm thinking everyone else thinks the blue and red colours are nasty too!

Just got to wait now until TT send my new parts, so far I've ordered crash bars, hand guards and GPS mount, I'm having the new 650 scotoiller fitted end of April with the 1st service and my garmin hard wired, then it's a case of saving more pennies to buy other bits and bobs, a more comfortable seat is definitely on the cards!

I'm also having the same problem with the rear brake lever, only got size 6 feet and even with my altbergs on which have quite a thick sole I can't reach it as its too low down so I'll be asking the dealer if they can do anything with it when its serviced.

 

[Elvie]

Seems everyone is buying the iceberg blue, I'm thinking everyone else thinks the blue and red colours are nasty too!

I'm also having the same problem with the rear brake lever, only got size 6 feet and even with my altbergs on which have quite a thick sole I can't reach it as its too low down so I'll be asking the dealer if they can do anything with it when its serviced.

Iceberg is definitely the nicest colour! I asked my dealer about the brake pedal today. They suggested buying a new one and they would cut and weld it to the right height. I'll have to think about that.....I can imagine them doing it then me wanting it a bit higher/lower.

 

[blackie]

No. Have done that with the gear shift which is now perfect for me. The rear brake lever is fixed. I have thought about taking the rubber off the pegs to lower them relative to the lever but wonder about getting more vibration through my feet if I do and would my feet tend to slip on the pegs without the friction of the rubber? Have also thought about building up the brake lever somehow......

TT makes some sort of extension for the brake lever, it might be worth checking it out.

http://www.touratech.com/shops/001/product_info.php?cPath=2_35_242&products_id=4750

 

[bavarian]

Here are a few pictures. Look carefully and you can locate about 15 mods.

Offroad & off balance.

 

[HMR]

Sorry... but it looks feckin awful without the beak

Efficient anti-theft thing! But that is not the reason for taking away the beak. I needed the bar to hold the net protecting the headlamp. Plenty of 20 mm size gravel up here!

I see an extra fuel tank. How's the range increase? An what's the rest of the farkles?

The extra tank contains Swedish ABSOLUT Rocket Fuel. Increses the drivers range substantially. Also perfect for cleaning googles and as emergency fuel for the bike.

One other mod is an extra power outlet/inlet directly to the battery entirely free from all CAM Bus Computer Nonsense.

where is the front mudguard extender from?

Home made. Just rubber.

 

[Micky]

Efficient anti-theft thing!

But that is not the reason for taking away the beak. I needed the bar to hold the net protecting the headlamp. Plenty of 20 mm size gravel up here!

Anti theft? .... I can see that HMR, no one would steal it for sure

How does the 20mm gravel jump up and break yer headlight?

Here's my 12v extra supply wired through a Centech separate fused supply direct to the battery...

 

[TERRY RYAN]

Picked this one up this afternoon

 

[Bob Baker]

Got a phone call form Southport Superbikes today to say my bike was ready for collection a day early so blagged time off work and a lift to Southport. The ride home (only 28 miles) was bliss as been travelling around in car for last five weeks. Only noticed when I got home that wind deflectors had not been fitted so phoned shop and will be put on next time I am up that way (5 minute job).

Bob

 

[Bob Baker]

nice one mate, if you dont mind me asking, is that the lowered seat you got there, coz ive noticed some seem to be sculpted, others dont

Yes it is the low seat on mine but eventually will get Seargent or touratech touring seat (both not out till next year. The wind deflectors are the plastic spoilers that fit on top of the hand guards.

I went to work on her today and it met with lots of approval from my workmates.

Bob

 

[Micky]

Here's my F800GS in the Black/White Forest last Wednesday

www.adventure.gs

was it cold nice picture.

-1.5 on the computer read out, but as said above, with adrenalin coming in all shades of brown it didn't really feel cold

Here's another piccy then ....