TheJoker
Registered user
Glad you got it sorted, Jonno. With regards to the bill, pay it and then take it up with BMW UK. That's what I would do.
lunchbox
Registered user
You have great faith in BMW head office customer service Jonno! My experience with two faulty chains was that it took over a year and the involvement of VOSA to get them to even admit a problem (even after the manufacturers, CZ, admitted there was). They then replaced chains at service (no recall) and refused to reimburse those of us who had previously replaced chains ourselves at our own cost. My advice - don't pay!
As for wheel bearings lasting 12k miles being OK, my mate has just replaced an original one in his 17 year old FJ1200 Yamaha after 42k miles (the other one is still OK). The quality of parts BMW have used in the F800/650GS is just not acceptable for an expensive (yes it is!) motorcycle and has damaged their reputation considerably amongst those of us with long memories.
I am seriously thinking about replacing mine with something like a KTM SMT which has better quality components all round, which is sad because I have had 3 previous BMWs and they have been sound.
Jonno
Registered user
Done and dusted
Had a reply to my complaint letter
to Park Lane - the £88 fault finding fee has been waived, but they 'can't comment on another dealer's willingness to fix the fault under warranty'... Seems to me like BMW probably don't re-imburse them as much as they can charge the consumer, so they go for the consumer if they can.
Thanks again for your input guys.
Joker - I just felt that I needed to keep Park Lane involved and accountable for trying to charge £300 for something that, broadly speaking, is definately a warranty issue. I agree, head office may have re-imbursed me, but Park Lane shouldn't be wasting people's time.
Lunchbox, I agree, I didn't know much about what timeframes constitute reasonable wear-and-tear for different parts, but have since learned that race bearings being worn-out after just 12000 miles is a joke. I had planned to export this bike to Australia at considerable expense and to 'run it into the ground' (put many thousands of miles on it), but now have to re-think whether it's as reliable as I'd hoped. With things like chains snapping and bearings wearing out, etc, on UK bikes that are used on flat tarmac, I'd hate to see how these bikes cope in the desert / on the dirt like I'd planned. Despite them supposedly being built for adventure. Grrrr! Anyway, still mostly love the bike, so will now get my 12000 mile service with motoscot and keep riding.
J
PS - Joker let me know if you guys want to go for a spin any time.
Had a reply to my complaint letter
to Park Lane - the £88 fault finding fee has been waived, but they 'can't comment on another dealer's willingness to fix the fault under warranty'... Seems to me like BMW probably don't re-imburse them as much as they can charge the consumer, so they go for the consumer if they can.Thanks again for your input guys.
Joker - I just felt that I needed to keep Park Lane involved and accountable for trying to charge £300 for something that, broadly speaking, is definately a warranty issue. I agree, head office may have re-imbursed me, but Park Lane shouldn't be wasting people's time.
Lunchbox, I agree, I didn't know much about what timeframes constitute reasonable wear-and-tear for different parts, but have since learned that race bearings being worn-out after just 12000 miles is a joke. I had planned to export this bike to Australia at considerable expense and to 'run it into the ground' (put many thousands of miles on it), but now have to re-think whether it's as reliable as I'd hoped. With things like chains snapping and bearings wearing out, etc, on UK bikes that are used on flat tarmac, I'd hate to see how these bikes cope in the desert / on the dirt like I'd planned. Despite them supposedly being built for adventure. Grrrr! Anyway, still mostly love the bike, so will now get my 12000 mile service with motoscot and keep riding.
J
PS - Joker let me know if you guys want to go for a spin any time.
lunchbox
Registered user
Glad you got it sorted Jonno. As regards hard use - for serious off roading I would go for a proper enduro bike - a KTM or Husky, Honda or Yam or something. They are lighter, stronger and built with proper off road suspension. For mild off roading and adventure touring (particularly with luggage) the 800GS is great and seems to have a strong motor, you just have to replace softer OE bits like chain, bearings, rims etc when they go. If you check the other 8GS sites, especially the US ones you will see people taking them to some pretty wild places!
russh
Registered user
Head bearings fail 6000 miles, second set fail 4000 later
More head bearing woes!
I noticed strange handling at around 6000 miles on my F800GS which I could attribute to worn head race bearings. Took the bike to NOG who sorted the problem under warranty, I presume by replacing them.
However 4000 miles on and three months out of warranty the same feeling was back. As the bike was due for a service I asked for the bearing to be checked again.
When I got the bike back they said the head bearings had been loosened off and re-torqued and to see how it goes. But the problem was worse than ever, it was even quite evident with the bike on it's centre stand so I presume the dealer mechanic never even felt the steering after adjusting it. The bearings are pitted, no amount of adjustment will sort this.
I could attempt to get this fixed again by NOG, but for the hassle of dropping the bike off, fighting with BMW to get these done under warranty I might as well do them myself. At least I know how they have been fitted. Bearings now ordered from Motorworks.
What bothers me is why are they failing? Tapered head bearings should last ages if adjusted correctly (unless they are made of Plasticine) Looking at the adjustment procedure it looks like they are always set to tight. I've always set taper bearings up by tightening until all the detectable play goes then back off by a gnat's testicle, this way I get no clonk and no wear, if it does clonk just tighten a gnats more. I maybe wrong on this but the few sets of head bearings I have replaced I've never had problems with again.
More head bearing woes!
I noticed strange handling at around 6000 miles on my F800GS which I could attribute to worn head race bearings. Took the bike to NOG who sorted the problem under warranty, I presume by replacing them.
However 4000 miles on and three months out of warranty the same feeling was back. As the bike was due for a service I asked for the bearing to be checked again.
When I got the bike back they said the head bearings had been loosened off and re-torqued and to see how it goes. But the problem was worse than ever, it was even quite evident with the bike on it's centre stand so I presume the dealer mechanic never even felt the steering after adjusting it. The bearings are pitted, no amount of adjustment will sort this.
I could attempt to get this fixed again by NOG, but for the hassle of dropping the bike off, fighting with BMW to get these done under warranty I might as well do them myself. At least I know how they have been fitted. Bearings now ordered from Motorworks.
What bothers me is why are they failing? Tapered head bearings should last ages if adjusted correctly (unless they are made of Plasticine) Looking at the adjustment procedure it looks like they are always set to tight. I've always set taper bearings up by tightening until all the detectable play goes then back off by a gnat's testicle, this way I get no clonk and no wear, if it does clonk just tighten a gnats more. I maybe wrong on this but the few sets of head bearings I have replaced I've never had problems with again.
RadoR6
Registered user
This thread made me really upset as it reminded me an experience with this workshop.Was dealing with this dealer on behalf of my brother(because of his language difficulties) who took there his F650GS(1cyl).The've had the bike for almost 2 months !!!,were'nt able to find a fault and wanted to charge him almost £700,loads of excuses and loads of 
.When I've asked them what for they want to be paid,their answer was "for the time we've spend on the bike" or they will not release the bike.Things started moving and were resolved after I involved Trading standards.
.When I've asked them what for they want to be paid,their answer was "for the time we've spend on the bike" or they will not release the bike.Things started moving and were resolved after I involved Trading standards.
head bearing failiure on the single cylinder F650 range is usually caused by them having oil in the frame and getting the headstock hot, which causes the crap grease in there to melt away. Renew bearings and replace with a high temp grease and no more probs 
rc mad
Registered user
the oil in frame is only related to the earlier 650's the fi bikes have a oil tank.
Reason for failure is still crap / lack of grease tho
Reason for failure is still crap / lack of grease tho
alan
Registered user
Steering bearing failure
Took the F8 for its first service just before my month long Spain trip and asked dealer to check wheel bearings as I have read horror stories on net about premature failure.
The expected reply about build quality and never heard of it before blah, blah, blah.
He returned to say wheel bearings fine "as I knew they would be" but...
Your steering head bearings are knackered.
Well the bike had done nearly two thousand miles.
Of course no parts in stock anywhere so against his dire warnings of warranty void corporate crap I went with slightly notchy steering.
Back now with 5k on clock and will try and book bike in at Clarks Birmingham (where I have absolutely no faith) and will post response asap
Bike didn't miss a beat even from rear tyre blowing at 80 on motorway, fell off at about 20mph and started a treat
Took the F8 for its first service just before my month long Spain trip and asked dealer to check wheel bearings as I have read horror stories on net about premature failure.
The expected reply about build quality and never heard of it before blah, blah, blah.
He returned to say wheel bearings fine "as I knew they would be" but...
Your steering head bearings are knackered.
Well the bike had done nearly two thousand miles.
Of course no parts in stock anywhere so against his dire warnings of warranty void corporate crap I went with slightly notchy steering.
Back now with 5k on clock and will try and book bike in at Clarks Birmingham (where I have absolutely no faith) and will post response asap
Bike didn't miss a beat even from rear tyre blowing at 80 on motorway, fell off at about 20mph and started a treat
GunZenBomZ
Registered user
I hope you throw some pictures up on a ride-report.
Yeah...head stock bearing...get new one from motorworks or other company. Bmw seem to like selling parts that wear extremely quickly..but 2k???
Yeah...head stock bearing...get new one from motorworks or other company. Bmw seem to like selling parts that wear extremely quickly..but 2k???
Greggers
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I think a high proportion of the blame for these bearings' failures is down to wrong installation - not to say that they're shite bearings in the first place (and if I replace mine I'd use bearings made out of real steel not BMW cheese), but if they're not installed right they'll fcuk up even quicker
Greggers
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I think a high proportion of the blame for these bearings' failures is down to poor installation technique - not to say that they're shite bearings in the first place (and if I replace mine I'd use bearings made out of real steel not BMW cheese), but if they're not installed right they'll fcuk up even quicker
stephen.stallebrass
Registered user
Turning bars from full left lock to full right lock is smooth with no problems but giving the forks a jiggle from the bottom there is some tiny movement.
You reckon this might just need tightening up rather than a full bearing replacement? Anyone know the location of that 'how to' guide for replacing these bearings?
You reckon this might just need tightening up rather than a full bearing replacement? Anyone know the location of that 'how to' guide for replacing these bearings?
divelandy
Registered user
The following assumes that you have a center stand:
- ask an obliging partner sit on the back seat - or further back to lift the front wheel
- A jack or blocks positioned under the bash-plate if your on your own
alan
Registered user
tweeky
I asked if they could just be nipped up but was told that they are not that type of bearing (conical I presumed?) So don't know??
Will call Clarks tomorrow and see what excuses they throw at me
It probably only needs tightening up, however certain dealers like to scare you into replacing it, @£50p/h.
Ow & make sure you notice any damage to instrument panel due to newbie technicians resting tools on them...
I asked if they could just be nipped up but was told that they are not that type of bearing (conical I presumed?) So don't know??
Will call Clarks tomorrow and see what excuses they throw at me
alan
Registered user
wobble bars
Mine do too, almost a tank slapper. Is that duff steering bearings? Can't say I feel any "pocket' when passing straight on point. Dealer told me mine were fooked after 1900 miles!
Do they really make the ballbearings by dropping solder into a bowl of cold water?
Mine do too, almost a tank slapper. Is that duff steering bearings? Can't say I feel any "pocket' when passing straight on point. Dealer told me mine were fooked after 1900 miles!
Do they really make the ballbearings by dropping solder into a bowl of cold water?
Greggers
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Hola...
The bearings are tapered (or conical if you like) so they could be tightened, but the fact that they are already notch means they're fooked, so tightening them up won't make the problem go away.
Whoever fits the new bearings will need to be sure that they are properly set otherwise they'l fail prematurely again ...
...AFAIK - they have to be reasonably tight in the first place, if they're loose, then it allows the steering head to hammer up and down exacerbating (great word eh?) the problem ...
G
The bearings are tapered (or conical if you like) so they could be tightened, but the fact that they are already notch means they're fooked, so tightening them up won't make the problem go away.
Whoever fits the new bearings will need to be sure that they are properly set otherwise they'l fail prematurely again ...
...AFAIK - they have to be reasonably tight in the first place, if they're loose, then it allows the steering head to hammer up and down exacerbating (great word eh?) the problem ...
G
stephen.stallebrass
Registered user
Took the F8 to my indie garage today for a check as there was some play in the forks. Luckily it just needed tightening. I paid £150 and got a new D.I.D chain fitted too as well as four gratis stainless hex bolts for the handle bar risers. If you need a good, honest, reliable mechanic in Peterborough then nip over to Bikes Trikes 'N' Stuff. These boys are great and will not bullshit you like some places. 
blue leader
Registered user
after replacing the tyres on my 800gs at 10k, it was found that 3 of the 5 wheel bearings where goosed, so thanks to this forum i got skf bearings and seals from simply bearings for only £50 and fitted in 1 hour.
then came the 2 year service at 11k. leaking cam cover gasket and goosed steering bearings (the bike is 1 month out of warranty), so the service manager at john clarks tayside contacted bmw and passed on my disgust and i'm glad to say they have agreed to replace the bearings free of charge which is just as well as there was no way that i was going to pay for them to put more rubbish chinese bits back in, as for the cam cover I told them about the well documented problem and the easy fix with good sealant so all being well i should be back on the road by the end of the week.
All I have to say is that i could accept these failures if i had paid half the price, but £9k for a so called adventure bike that falls apart after 10k is not acceptable and i can say for sure this will be the last bmw that i buy as i have no faith in them anymore.
then came the 2 year service at 11k. leaking cam cover gasket and goosed steering bearings (the bike is 1 month out of warranty), so the service manager at john clarks tayside contacted bmw and passed on my disgust and i'm glad to say they have agreed to replace the bearings free of charge which is just as well as there was no way that i was going to pay for them to put more rubbish chinese bits back in, as for the cam cover I told them about the well documented problem and the easy fix with good sealant so all being well i should be back on the road by the end of the week.
All I have to say is that i could accept these failures if i had paid half the price, but £9k for a so called adventure bike that falls apart after 10k is not acceptable and i can say for sure this will be the last bmw that i buy as i have no faith in them anymore.
MikeMike
Registered user
Thank you for voicing my sentiments exactly!
You got off lucky though, at least your dealer goes to bat for you.
Here where I live they fight tooth and nail to deny customers any access to BMW corporate when you have a warranty claim.
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