BMW Please take note

[Sooty09]

I collect my new GS800 tomorrow and breaking the news to others has brought unexpected replies. The Versys forum are usually supportive of people leaving the camp, but to move to a BMW brought out all sorts of horror stories of engine blowups, fork clunks, stalling etc.

The lads at work started a sweep, I get £25 if I make it to 2010 without a major recall or being stranded at the road side. I pay £1 to each if I win. My riding friend had a similar deal but only made it 3 weeks before he was stuck in Wales with a broken R1200RT(£12500 bike) fuel pump. They are so sure the BMS are the most unreliable bike currently available. One young lad even printed a report from the F800.ORG web site showing GS tanks splitting.

The people I have come in contact with are not INTERNET anoraks trawling the web for bad news, it seems to be common knowledge (or folk lore) amongst the public now. I try to be positive and suggest all these issues are cured now, but they have bikes of various ages and have had no real issues.

Its hard to be positive as I know BMW have made some real bloopers and heads should have rolled. The original F800s I rode was a total disaster, sweet engine but a transmission from hell. I knew it within 10 miles so why the bike was signed off as developed I will never understand. £100000 later the bike is good now but hundreds of pissed off owners have told their sorry tale to too many people. GS 1200 owners are also not shy telling tales of gearbox and bearing failures. The seat on the F800GS is a good example, rubbish two years ago, rubbish today yet a man in a shed near you can make it great for £100.

I understand now BMW are launching a Superbike, just what the buyers of BM bikes need, why they could not concentrate on their core market and make what are simple bikes reliable is beyond my comprehension.

I'm collecting the bike tomorrow with a bit of trepidation, I'm not 100% sure I have done the right thing. Its wonderful to ride and if it's as reliable as my wifes F650GS has been I'll be very happy, if it leaves me stranded more than a few times it's goodbye BMW.

 

[PRAETORIAN]

I will be watching your experiences closely as I am on the cusp of buying a new bike, and the F800 is near the top of my list.

I wish you all the best mate. Good luck!!

Cheers

 

[Account removed]

Ride it enjoy it, if and when it goes wrong deal with it as you see fit.

But give it a chance first.

 

[mechcanico lee]

the 800 gs is a strong bike i dont think you will have any problems, work it hard from new ....if its going to break it will break however you treat it

 

[wessie]

I bet one of the Versys doom merchants is called Lozzo!

He has been banging on about BMWs being unreliable heaps for a decade or more over on ukrm.

 

[Tim Cullis]

I will never ever buy a new BMW model in its first year of manufacture.
I will never ever buy a new BMW model in its first year of manufacture.
I will never ever buy a new BMW model in its first year of manufacture.
I will never ever buy a new BMW model in its first year of manufacture.
I will never ever buy a new BMW model in its first year of manufacture.

(repeat x 100)

Hopefully many of the issues have been resolved
--stalling due to fuel map,
--top radiator hose too short,
--fuel gauge errors

but many are still outstanding including
--chain/linkage breakages
--clutch slip
--forks

My particular issues (stammering under acceleration, side stand cutouts) are still to be resolved after so many months and I have lost all confidence in using the bike for long distances. It's been on a BMW Assist recovery trailer/van four times now, once in Germany, and it would have been five times if BMW Assist covered Morocco when the rear wheel bearing failed.

It's a crying shame as when the bike is running well it's a real delight to ride.

Tim

 

[everywherevirtually]

20,000 miles now, 25 countries and territories, off road, on road, snow, ice, rain. A new radiator top hose, a few software updates, 1 flat rear tyre, 1 chain replaced at 18,000 miles and a few minor recalls that were not issues for me in the first place.

Personally I love this bike. It's a strong, versatile bike that looks the business and rides well in many conditions. Ignore the naysayers and just ride.

Deal with things as they come and don't worry about what might happen

 

[morrisw7]

Hi I certainly hope you get a good un, I've read a lot about happy people who had no issues to report about F800GS's but I'm an unlucky one:
- oil leak day 1 returned to dealer
- oil pump & crankshaft replaced at 5400m
- sounding like a bag of nails at 8100m
- new engine on route from BMW as I write...
I've had a few loose bolt issues, but it's a great bike to ride & it always makes me smile so I'm sticking with it until they stop giving me replacement bikes.. however I will return it after the 36 months is up... no confidence I'm afraid in BMW now..

Good Luck!

 

[Dave Ett]

I guess there will always be 'Friday afternoon' built cars or bikes, and of course it's human nature to shout loudly about things which go wrong rather than those which always go right.

MOoern vehicals are complicated things, and mostly built to a price - whatever the market. BMW have come under this banner more in recent years than ever before, but because they have gone more mainstream, and massively widened their product range, they are picking up customers who wouldn't have bought BMW before.

I think there will always be 'envy' of those owning a BMW (I have two cars and two bikes) simply because of the badge, so anyone who isn't on one is likely to make more of an issue when they do go wrong.

If you can find a bike which does everything an 800GS can, for the same money, and more reliably, then buy it.

 

[morrisw7]

The F800GS lives again!!

Good news is that the dealer rang today! The new engine has arrived an was being installed as we spoke.. I can collect it next week.. !!
Even better I'm getting some nice new LED replacement indicators added as well for nought...onyack.
The only downside is I've got to run her in again!! Oh well any excuse to ride me bike..

 

[mechcanico lee]

Good news is that the dealer rang today! The new engine has arrived an was being installed as we spoke.. I can collect it next week.. !!
Even better I'm getting some nice new LED replacement indicators added as well for nought...onyack.
The only downside is I've got to run her in again!! Oh well any excuse to ride me bike..

great stuff .....back on the road soon .."running in whats that" ?

 

[majorbumsore]

not an expert but consider this, average BMW ridden for thousands of miles a year in all weathers, up hill darn dale and a big smile at the end of the day.
average Jap bike, sat in shed while owner down pub tellin anyone who will listen that 'they'er a biker '
Oh and then the 50 mile run to the same cafe once a month if there is no chance of rain and the other power rangers have a pass from the wife.

15 years of BMW ownership Hundreds of thousands of miles all over europe and asia and a rear oil seal leek on an 1100 Gs in spain about 10 years ago.
or and I threw the side stand swich away in france recently. big deal.

get on and love it.

 

[Dave Ett]

I have 100,000 miles on my FJ1100, and know of many 1200's with over that on them.

Lets not assume everything coming from Japan is a plastic rocket eh? Just as BMW do make bikes without a silly engine layout.

 

[majorbumsore]

I have 100,000 miles on my FJ1100, and know of many 1200's with over that on them.

Lets not assume everything coming from Japan is a plastic rocket eh? Just as BMW do make bikes without a silly engine layout.

Your right I'm sorry, i have also had some good jap bikes, a zx10 with 70 thousand for instance, and loved every thing about it.
but the masses dont do the milage so reliability is hard to compare.
Plus I like having a go at power rangers. Its my right as a non gay motorcycleist

 

[Mister Mischief]

enjoy the bike

bought the 800 from release, no problems at all in first year,

soon as had the 6000 mile service thats when all the recalls started, which all have been done, unless theres more hiding on a technicans laptop, waiting for the latest press to calm down,

my main issue has been after service, generally good but when bad, very bad,

would add, get your rear rim checked, and dont be surprised if its screwed,
its not covered by the warrantry, it may be best to go to a independant wheel specialist, or wheel builder, and have them check the spokes,, and replace, fix them,

apart from that, its a brilliant bike,,, but considering the ktm smt
if i had the money i would get a gs1200a