howzit guys.
i am coming over to the uk in the next 6 weeks,i have finally decided i will buy a 800 GS,and give it a try.
i have owned and competed on [south african gs challenges] dakars,x challenge,1150 gsa,1100 gs and a hp2.
i also owned a 1200 gs but never got to enter the years gs challenge due to many bones being broken while in training.[takes forever to heal when your almost 50]
i only mention this so you know that i have ridden other bmw bikes and that i am pretty serious at off road adventure,and not a newbie..[wife rides a dakar].
i didnt go for the 800 gs when it was launched here i south africa as it was hideously expensive at the time.[well,still is actually.]and very close to price of the hp2,which i thought would be better.
anyway, back to the story,i have seen a few on this site for sale with low mileage and much bling.
i am going to ride a lot,sometimes two up but not always.
i will go on just about every off road ride advertised and try and do a few long trips with members when they go away on adventures.
[we will be based in suffolk near ipswich,wife already there actually,this adds no value to the thread but thought i would let you know
]
so i was wondering;
1, do you pick up problems with fuel capacity when out with fellow gs travelers?
2, what capacity is the tank and what milage do you get?.
3, what is the std suspension like? fair,weak or a must upgrade?
4,the seat looks really awe-full,how much is a good upgrade and what is the difference like.
5,i dont want an airhawk cushion.
6, do the touring type screens work on this model? or is there a huge amount of buffeting?
7, how much is a full service ?
oils and filter i can do but valves etc i know nothing about on this model.
8, why does the center stand look like it was made the the legs of one of my old school chairs ?? does it break ??
9,how comfortable is it for a pillion? here i am talking with a decent seat,is there legroom or is the pillion really cramped ?
10,has the motor proved reliable,whats the biggest problem encounted on the 800 ?here talking in general, usually each model has a known weakness somewhere, ie, the hp2 has a crap rear shock,needs the front forks re valved,the tank is too small,it eats rear tyres and drowns itself when crossing deep water.
11,will the 19 inch wheel from the 650 twin fit the 800gs with no adapters?
i like to have a road ready set of wheels for my bikes,i`m not fond of knobblies on the road in the wet.
12, I see that e bay in the uk is king of the classified and all the bikes seem to go so cheap [compared for example to this site,i am not being offensive here but after much research see the same bike pop up on e bay at a grand less .] is e bay the way to go and is it trustworthy. here in S.A. It wouldn't work,far too many criminals.
Thanks in advance for your answers,looking forward to meeting you all.
my must have bike will have ;[just in case you see one on the market in a few weeks]
GS 800.
abs.
heated grips.
panniers.
aftermarket seat.
big screen.
aftermarket pipe.[plus original]
bonus stuff would include,wide pegs,aftermarket suspension,aftermarket protective covers,sump,brake cylinder etc.
i am coming over to the uk in the next 6 weeks,i have finally decided i will buy a 800 GS,and give it a try.
i have owned and competed on [south african gs challenges] dakars,x challenge,1150 gsa,1100 gs and a hp2.
i also owned a 1200 gs but never got to enter the years gs challenge due to many bones being broken while in training.[takes forever to heal when your almost 50]
i only mention this so you know that i have ridden other bmw bikes and that i am pretty serious at off road adventure,and not a newbie..[wife rides a dakar].
i didnt go for the 800 gs when it was launched here i south africa as it was hideously expensive at the time.[well,still is actually.]and very close to price of the hp2,which i thought would be better.
anyway, back to the story,i have seen a few on this site for sale with low mileage and much bling.
i am going to ride a lot,sometimes two up but not always.
i will go on just about every off road ride advertised and try and do a few long trips with members when they go away on adventures.
[we will be based in suffolk near ipswich,wife already there actually,this adds no value to the thread but thought i would let you know
]so i was wondering;
1, do you pick up problems with fuel capacity when out with fellow gs travelers?
2, what capacity is the tank and what milage do you get?.
3, what is the std suspension like? fair,weak or a must upgrade?
4,the seat looks really awe-full,how much is a good upgrade and what is the difference like.
5,i dont want an airhawk cushion.
6, do the touring type screens work on this model? or is there a huge amount of buffeting?
7, how much is a full service ?
oils and filter i can do but valves etc i know nothing about on this model.
8, why does the center stand look like it was made the the legs of one of my old school chairs ?? does it break ??
9,how comfortable is it for a pillion? here i am talking with a decent seat,is there legroom or is the pillion really cramped ?
10,has the motor proved reliable,whats the biggest problem encounted on the 800 ?here talking in general, usually each model has a known weakness somewhere, ie, the hp2 has a crap rear shock,needs the front forks re valved,the tank is too small,it eats rear tyres and drowns itself when crossing deep water.
11,will the 19 inch wheel from the 650 twin fit the 800gs with no adapters?
i like to have a road ready set of wheels for my bikes,i`m not fond of knobblies on the road in the wet.
12, I see that e bay in the uk is king of the classified and all the bikes seem to go so cheap [compared for example to this site,i am not being offensive here but after much research see the same bike pop up on e bay at a grand less .] is e bay the way to go and is it trustworthy. here in S.A. It wouldn't work,far too many criminals.
Thanks in advance for your answers,looking forward to meeting you all.
my must have bike will have ;[just in case you see one on the market in a few weeks]
GS 800.
abs.
heated grips.
panniers.
aftermarket seat.
big screen.
aftermarket pipe.[plus original]
bonus stuff would include,wide pegs,aftermarket suspension,aftermarket protective covers,sump,brake cylinder etc.
The grunt this beast gives out, amazes plenty of my mates.
company'. The people usually are real & sound, we could analysis loads of things within the remit of your question. But life & eating a hot meal must be obeyed. 
