I've just rejoined this site, with the same name, but a different account as my old one was totally shut down, but my old posts are still visible.
I rejoined to find out how other owners were getting on as my bike is out of warranty from yesterday and, selfishly, I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything.
Luckily it seems all is well with my beautiful 800. I've had only a few issues, the chain and sprockets being one, which has been more than covered in other threads. the second was the plastic heat shield that bolts on behind the left foot-peg, which became brittle and cracked in the middle as I was cleaning the bike! Neither of these issues were covered by warranty in Motorrad Central East, and to be honest I wasn't happy either time, but I think the mechanics are really great, so I'll continue to go there for any major jobs, but most of the servicing will be done at home now that the warranty is up.
The third, and final issue I have is the battery, it says in the manual to disconnect it when the bike is unused for extended periods, which I did once to connect a heated waistcoat, unfortunately this resets the computer and you have to go back to your dealer to get the "Service" light switched off on the dash. I decided to leave the battery connected while the bike was off the road for a month over winter (yes a month, but I was using my TDM not a car, so I'm still a hard man), but then it died even in this short time, and I had to go and have the computer reset anyway. The official BMW line is to keep the battery charged using BMW's charger, but as I have no power in my garage, this isn't possible. This will be a long term problem for me, and I've yet to come up with a solution I'm happy with. Suggestions?
Now as I've got used to the bike, and feel very happy with it, I'm a little insulted to find some people on here suggest the 650 is a better road bike. I realise it's got a smaller front wheel, but it's also got less power. Correct me if I'm wrong, but surely that little extra top end power will be alot more useful while overtaking on road than while sliding through a muddy field, or inching your way over rocky terrain. I've owned alot of road bikes, and the 800 is (so far) my favourite, my TDM850 has a nicer power delivery, my ex FZ1 was alot faster, but apart from that the 800 is equal or better than anything I've had.
I spent a lovely 400 mile day in the highlands on a 650, and it was nice, but I personally think my 800 could run rings around it, the big front wheel on the 800 doesn't seem to be an issue with a relatively small 85bhp, and the 650 feels very flat when you come to any straight bit of road.
I think it's obviously a matter of personal taste, but I for one reckon the 800 is the best "solo-with-luggage-and-a-little-off-road-ability" road bike on the market.
Sorry about the incredibly long post.
I rejoined to find out how other owners were getting on as my bike is out of warranty from yesterday and, selfishly, I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything.
Luckily it seems all is well with my beautiful 800. I've had only a few issues, the chain and sprockets being one, which has been more than covered in other threads. the second was the plastic heat shield that bolts on behind the left foot-peg, which became brittle and cracked in the middle as I was cleaning the bike! Neither of these issues were covered by warranty in Motorrad Central East, and to be honest I wasn't happy either time, but I think the mechanics are really great, so I'll continue to go there for any major jobs, but most of the servicing will be done at home now that the warranty is up.
The third, and final issue I have is the battery, it says in the manual to disconnect it when the bike is unused for extended periods, which I did once to connect a heated waistcoat, unfortunately this resets the computer and you have to go back to your dealer to get the "Service" light switched off on the dash. I decided to leave the battery connected while the bike was off the road for a month over winter (yes a month, but I was using my TDM not a car, so I'm still a hard man), but then it died even in this short time, and I had to go and have the computer reset anyway. The official BMW line is to keep the battery charged using BMW's charger, but as I have no power in my garage, this isn't possible. This will be a long term problem for me, and I've yet to come up with a solution I'm happy with. Suggestions?
Now as I've got used to the bike, and feel very happy with it, I'm a little insulted to find some people on here suggest the 650 is a better road bike. I realise it's got a smaller front wheel, but it's also got less power. Correct me if I'm wrong, but surely that little extra top end power will be alot more useful while overtaking on road than while sliding through a muddy field, or inching your way over rocky terrain. I've owned alot of road bikes, and the 800 is (so far) my favourite, my TDM850 has a nicer power delivery, my ex FZ1 was alot faster, but apart from that the 800 is equal or better than anything I've had.
I spent a lovely 400 mile day in the highlands on a 650, and it was nice, but I personally think my 800 could run rings around it, the big front wheel on the 800 doesn't seem to be an issue with a relatively small 85bhp, and the 650 feels very flat when you come to any straight bit of road.
I think it's obviously a matter of personal taste, but I for one reckon the 800 is the best "solo-with-luggage-and-a-little-off-road-ability" road bike on the market.
Sorry about the incredibly long post.
