BMW F800 GS Adventure accessories

[lrosales]

Hello soon fellows GS users,

The moment has arrived to make a quite big investment on happiness, and finally buy my GS. I have decided to go for a brand new F800 GS Adventure. I'm very excited about this, and as I'm newbie I want to be as informed as possible.

My question is what are your recommendations about the additional accessories that I should fit to my new love.

Anti Theft alarm I'm sure is a must. What else do you have?

Thanks!
Leo

 

[Big-G]

You tell me. As I'm also looking at moving from a 1200gs to the 800.
The two machines are so different and you will be more switched on than us .
Good luck.
G

 

[JJH]

I have had a few gs models 100 1200 1200 GSA and have ridden the 1100 and 1150. I now have a f800 adv. if you are considering a alarm I can't see any reason not to get the bmw one. ( cue posts about the reliblaty of same ) Most alarms can give trouble so I don't wire them tru the ignition as there is a immobiliser anyway. A Scott oiler a fender extender make sense. After that you are looking at personal taste and comfort. I will get a high screen when I see one. I also put bar risers on again it's a mater of taste. If you post what you are looking for you will get plenty of 'helpful' advice. Hard Luggage options seem limited at the moment but soft bags should be a piece of ... Some people put a bigger drive sprocket on I forget if it's 16 or 17 tooth. JJH

 

[lrosales]

Hi Gary,

Why would you change a 1200GS for the 800GS? I'm asking because it's supposed to be the best of the adventure bikes, and it's probably my next step after a few years of enjoying the 800GS.

Cheers!
Leo

 

[lrosales]

Thanks JJH,

You gave me very good tips there. The alarm it's better if it's fitted by the BMW guys I guess. The scottoiler is something that I will definitely consider. The bar risers are useful for off road, right? Or you think the driving position it's better with those fitted?

Anyway, those are things that I guess I can change later, as soon as I make some miles and get to know this beauty. My question was more related to accessories that I should consider fit from the dealer. What do you think about the ESA? Does it worth it? Or it's just a nice toy that you will never use? I'm not planning to ride a lot in winter, so the heated grips are not smth I really need, and the LED indicators, I don't know, I guess they look nice.

What I don't really understand is how an adventure edition come with no centre stand, any maintenance task is a pain in the ass without it.

Sorry, more than a specific question, this are all the things that I'm considering, so any advice from your experience is very useful.

Thanks,
Leo

I have had a few gs models 100 1200 1200 GSA and have ridden the 1100 and 1150. I now have a f800 adv. if you are considering a alarm I can't see any reason not to get the bmw one. ( cue posts about the reliblaty of same ) Most alarms can give trouble so I don't wire them tru the ignition as there is a immobiliser anyway. A Scott oiler a fender extender make sense. After that you are looking at personal taste and comfort. I will get a high screen when I see one. I also put bar risers on again it's a mater of taste. If you post what you are looking for you will get plenty of 'helpful' advice. Hard Luggage options seem limited at the moment but soft bags should be a piece of ... Some people put a bigger drive sprocket on I forget if it's 16 or 17 tooth. JJH

 

[JJH]

Everything is down to personal choise you either want risers or not depending on your size and perefferd riding style. I perefer a center stand ESA ? I have it but could live without. You would be surprised when you might use heated grips even 5 am on a summer morning for 10 or 20 minuts. Led indaciators why not they seem to last longer than bulbs. Abs and ESA are a safety boon and can be switched off. I don't go off road and do about 30000 km a year so comfort is a primary concern for me. JJH

 

[Big-G]

Hi Leo, the only reason is that I've owned 4 GS now from the 1100 of the 90's through the 1150 and now on my second 1200. You can imagine the thousands of miles I've done on what is a basically the same if brilliant bike. I now just want a change.
I've tested Triumph, both 1200 & 800. I've not yet tested the Yamaha but I also like the concept of less power / more fun. I found this out when swapping my sports bike to the Ducati 749 rather than the 999 I tried.
In terms of the BMW I was even thinking of buying the basic 800gs and fitting all my own extras for a bit of fun but I like the idea of the 22 litre tank.
I have yet to meet anyone who doesn't find the 1200gs easy to ride quickly but I need a change before I probably go back to the new WC 1200.
G

 

[JJH]

It's a 24 ltr tank which I have put 25 ltres in still not empty. JJH

 

[hitmanh]

Hello soon fellows GS users,

The moment has arrived to make a quite big investment on happiness, and finally buy my GS. I have decided to go for a brand new F800 GS Adventure. I'm very excited about this, and as I'm newbie I want to be as informed as possible.

My question is what are your recommendations about the additional accessories that I should fit to my new love.

Anti Theft alarm I'm sure is a must. What else do you have?

Thanks!
Leo

Mine is ex-demo, fully kitted out with all 800GS options.

If I was paying for the options, I probably wouldn't bother with the ESA or traction control (ASC). I'd never buy a bike with out a central stand (and lubing the chain is a doddle whit it and a ball ache without) or heated grips, the LED aux light kit is useful (more light on the road, plus makes you stand out more) though quite spendy. Computer is a bit meh, but some people like it. Alarm is up to you, but if you go for it, may as well get it factory fitted.

Screen is worth investigating if you're tall (at 6.4 I get quite a bit of turbulence at 60 and up).

Bar-backs and risers depend on fit, fine for me without, though I'd consider risers if I was planning on standing for any amount of time.

 

[lrosales]

Thanks Hitmanh,

Lucky you getting one of those.

The adventure is supposed to bring a high windshield, much necessary for me as well as I'm 6.1. I never had a bike with heated grips, but I'm also not used to ride on this latitudes, so I reckon I'll consider it. LED lights... well... to be honest... they look great, and that's one of the reasons I like the GS. And the centre stand, I still don't understand how a machine like this, built to cover long distances is not already fitted with one.

I'll have a chat with my dealer, but I just wanted to be a little bit informed from real users so they don't sell me everything!! I think I'll go for the factory fitted alarm, the leds, asked them about the centre stand, and consider the scottoiler in the near future.

Thank you all!

 

[matr69]

I wouldn't get an alarm as they are an utter pain in the backside on a day to day basis and also once fitted unless you are an electrical guru an expensive job to get removed when you are fed up with it. I don't think they deter real bike thieves anyhow. I had an alarm on one bike and never again.

On the GSA 800 test ride I did the heated grips came in very handy and the BMW integration on these is really good. A centre stand as you say is a must.

As for the bike itself I much prefer it over the standard 800GS. I personally would go for the travel edition which has everything except ESA. Think the RRP is £10,535 less whatever discount you can get but that is pretty much ready to go, the only thing I would then add is a proper bash plate.

 

[JJH]

I've had bmw alarms over the last 10 years with no trouble. JJH

 

[matr69]

I've had bmw alarms over the last 10 years with no trouble. JJH[/QUOTE

I haven't had a BMW branded alarm so perhaps they aren't so sensitive and don't reset themselves every 30 seconds or so. But to me they aren't good value, I'd rather a decent chain and lock.

 

[colint]

I've had bmw alarms over the last 10 years with no trouble. JJH

JJH tried to PM but no reply you need to contact me re delivery DHL need phone number!!!!!

 

[Big-G]

Ok, picking my adventure T on Saturday. I can not believe I've swooped the 1200 for one of these but roll on.
Now I'm looking for options.
1, fancy a proper bash plate not the bit of tin that comes std.
2, need to fit Givi top case without paying daft money for a bit of kit.
3 , where is the power source to run the sat Nav.
4, hand guard extensions, the originals don't stop the wind.
5, poor the screen doesn't adjust on a 10k bike. Givi aftermarket coming up.
I've already identified the difference in the 800 is that it is built to a price by missing off stuff considered normal on the 1200.
Oh well. More after Sat when I pick it up.

 

[lrosales]

I'm going to the dealership this Saturday as well. What kind of discount should I aim for? Accesories? Percentage?

 

[Big-G]

10% on accessories seems about right but it's up to you to do the deal on the bike.

 

[Reggie P]

If you have the funds ... then get everything !
In order of importance imho
Comfort seat ( or Touratech similar ) - if you buy a st F800GS , I think the Adventure comes with its "own" comfort seat
Heated grips
Electric adjustment of rear damper ( actually works well and very impressed with mine )
Vario paniers ( who the heck wants to carry a lid around with them when they are off the bike?
Centrestand
Bmw alarm ( never any false alarms or flat battery - so different from having some "oxford crap " added later )
GPS ( with a lock )
Trip computer ( I love being able to see the OAT )
Finally , when the standard Pirelli's wear out get some Michelin Anakee 3's they transformed the bike.
10 % off accessory price ?...no way , try harder . You should get more like 20 , 25% if the bike is at list.
Walk away ?