Considering the F800 GS, could do with some advice :)
- Thread starter PRAETORIAN
- Start date
Mike, many thanks, as always, for your thoughts 
I wish I was coming with you to Asia! I have pretty much made my mind up that the 800GS is the bike for me. Unless I have a really bad experience on the test ride, I cant see me changing my mind
I have a couple of questions about your bike, if I may?
In the link to your pictures, the top box does not match the panniers. What kind of top box is it? A BMW one or another brand? Without wanting to be too nosey, what kind of ballpark would I be looking at to kit an 800GS out with luggage and fixing racks like yours?
I notice you have some knobblies on the bike too. What sort are they? I was thinking TKC's or Metzeler Karoo T's. How do you find the handling on knobblies?
As far as seat comfort goes, I'm pretty sure sargent do a seat for the F800GS, as I have already linked to it earlier on in this thread. Whether it is available in a low seat format, I dont know
Also, you mention you are using a BMW Sump Guard. Is that another name for a Bash Plate? Or is it something entirely different? I am interested to know why you chose the BMW version over something like an Adventure Spec GiT product? I have not seen any pictures of the underside of the Adventure Spec kit, but am I right in thinking the BMW bash plate covers the entire underneath of the bike's sump, right back to the rear wheel almost?
When do you head out on your trip to Asia? I imagine you are very very busy planning and arranging kit right now!
Is Mrs Mystic coming too, or is it a solo thing?
You did take them off the 1150 for the express reason you wanted to put them on your new F800GS in view of the fact you were planning a big offroad trip to mongolia or somewhere I bought your 1150 with the OEM footpegs
Have a look in your garage. You might find you have a second pair in there
Once again, thanks for getting back to me, I appreciate it
If I dont hear from you before you leave, all the very best with your upcoming trip Mike
Good Luck!!
Matt
I wish I was coming with you to Asia! I have pretty much made my mind up that the 800GS is the bike for me. Unless I have a really bad experience on the test ride, I cant see me changing my mind
I have a couple of questions about your bike, if I may?
In the link to your pictures, the top box does not match the panniers. What kind of top box is it? A BMW one or another brand? Without wanting to be too nosey, what kind of ballpark would I be looking at to kit an 800GS out with luggage and fixing racks like yours?
I notice you have some knobblies on the bike too. What sort are they? I was thinking TKC's or Metzeler Karoo T's. How do you find the handling on knobblies?
As far as seat comfort goes, I'm pretty sure sargent do a seat for the F800GS, as I have already linked to it earlier on in this thread. Whether it is available in a low seat format, I dont know
Also, you mention you are using a BMW Sump Guard. Is that another name for a Bash Plate? Or is it something entirely different? I am interested to know why you chose the BMW version over something like an Adventure Spec GiT product? I have not seen any pictures of the underside of the Adventure Spec kit, but am I right in thinking the BMW bash plate covers the entire underneath of the bike's sump, right back to the rear wheel almost?
When do you head out on your trip to Asia? I imagine you are very very busy planning and arranging kit right now!
Is Mrs Mystic coming too, or is it a solo thing?You did take them off the 1150 for the express reason you wanted to put them on your new F800GS in view of the fact you were planning a big offroad trip to mongolia or somewhere
I bought your 1150 with the OEM footpegs Have a look in your garage. You might find you have a second pair in there
Once again, thanks for getting back to me, I appreciate it
If I dont hear from you before you leave, all the very best with your upcoming trip Mike
Good Luck!!
Matt
mystic
Registered user
It's a BM Vario top box - came with the bike - they also do a pair of matching side panniers - certain there are pictures of them on the forum - a search would bring them up. Looks OK, but not overlly impressed with the capacity. Cost wise, for supply & fitting of Ard side cases and Holan frames - recall it was somewhere around £475.
Yes - Conti TKC's. Haven't riden very much on them over tarmac - put them on specifically for some much-needed off road riding practice with my riding partner in preparation for the Asia trip. They seem fine however on road - a bit viby at very slow speeds - but nothing to worry about. Aware that some on here ride with them on all the time - do a search on the tyres sub forum. Pair off new Tourances now back on the bike in readiness for the trip - (we're carrying spare TKC's on the back in readiness for the rough stuff waiting for us!
)Well I call it a sump guard - others call it a bash plate! Same thing. Like the BM top box, it came already fitted to the bike - so no point in changing it! It's solid and provides good protection (almost back to the rear wheel) where you need it. However unless you intend going off-road quite a bit, I'd put this one a bit down your list of priorities for the bike.
When do you head out on your trip to Asia? I imagine you are very very busy planning and arranging kit right now!
Sometime during the last week of this month - everything depends upon when we have all five of our visas in place - they're promised within the next 10 days - but until I have the passport back in my hands I'm not allowing myself to count on it!
No 'Mrs Mystic' isn't coming
no room for her hair-drier etc. etc. etc Too fond of her home comforts. I've teamed up with another Tosser off the site - as a riding partner. Picked him solely for his mechanical and tyre-changing skills! Yes lots of last minute preps yet to do.You did take them off the 1150 for the express reason you wanted to put them on your new F800GS in view of the fact you were planning a big offroad trip to mongolia or somewhere
Have a look in your garage. You might find you have a second pair in there
Bloody hell Matt - so I did now you come to mention it!
Yet another senior moment! Must have the original pair kicking around somewhere - trouble is my garage is such a tip I'll take me months to track 'em down! Pop into the Wanted/For Sale section around November to pick up a bargain! Good luck sorting out your bike Matt - you know where I am if I can be of help.
Mike
widge
Guest
Hi ive own'd an 800gs since january and come from a gsxr750 k6 due too a missus that likes riding pillion, Shame that any bike has a duel seat too have too lugg the missus around when a bike is too get away from them! But all said and done the 800gs is a fabulous bike with minnimal glitches, its human nature too moan about everything, but a test ride wiill put your mind a rest that the 800gs is the perfect bike for all occasions and dont miss the gixer too much as ive had my knee down on a track day.Off too see ROSSI n co at san marino in september riding there with missus, carnt wait too see how the beauty faires up too the job! Will keep this site posted too let all you dudes no!
everywherevirtually
Registered user
This is what San Marino, looks like from an 800GS perspective
Maybe you can let us know if the Sibirsky sticker is still under Euro stars?
Bash Plates
Like Mystic I have a BMW bash plate which came with the bike and like Mystic I don't see the need to change it ... but unlike Mystic I think that the standard guard is totally useless and needs to be replaced, probably with the Adventure Spec one unless you never ride off the bitumen.
I have seen an 800GS with a broken oil cooler from a small stone flicked up by the front wheel, and the oil filter is also vulnerable. Also the sump guard will keep some mud of the area around the exhaust, filter and oil cooler. I have also heard of loss of oil pressure from the oil overheating because of this. I have a Wunderlich "Fender Extenda" which really does stop a lot of mud building up in this area.
So ... I don't know what BMW where thinking when they released their "unstoppable" GS without enough protection, the proper Guard should be standard. (They probably should have used some of their Husqvarna acquired expertise and buying power on the suspension as well ... then KTM would have been really worried).
I think some kind of headlight protector is a good idea too ... you would be amazed what new ones cost.
Not really whinging (you Poms are so much better at that!)... I love my 800 more all the time, and the last tank produced 77 mpg !
Like Mystic I have a BMW bash plate which came with the bike and like Mystic I don't see the need to change it ... but unlike Mystic I think that the standard guard is totally useless and needs to be replaced, probably with the Adventure Spec one unless you never ride off the bitumen.
I have seen an 800GS with a broken oil cooler from a small stone flicked up by the front wheel, and the oil filter is also vulnerable. Also the sump guard will keep some mud of the area around the exhaust, filter and oil cooler. I have also heard of loss of oil pressure from the oil overheating because of this. I have a Wunderlich "Fender Extenda" which really does stop a lot of mud building up in this area.
So ... I don't know what BMW where thinking when they released their "unstoppable" GS without enough protection, the proper Guard should be standard. (They probably should have used some of their Husqvarna acquired expertise and buying power on the suspension as well ... then KTM would have been really worried).
I think some kind of headlight protector is a good idea too ... you would be amazed what new ones cost.
Not really whinging (you Poms are so much better at that!)... I love my 800 more all the time, and the last tank produced 77 mpg !
sijohnston
Registered user
most people tend to recommend what they have on the bike themselves. i will try and offer a slightly more objective take on things based on what i've seen elsewhere and what i've cycled through myself. In order of priority buys (bearing in the mind the summer will not be long in giving way to winter):
1. adv-spec crash bars. I had givi, they were crap and rusted to bits. These are the best on the market hands-down. make them a priority as you don't want to fit new panels or plastic weld like i've done.
2. hand-guards. leave the bmw ones alone, they're strong, but too small. i've the got the touratech offerings but might look at the barkbusters if i had to do it again. you'll need these in the winter regardless if you're only on-road.
3. mud-sling. these have just come on the market for the 800 and i am still in need of one. last winter my rear spring got entirely mauled by the salt on the roads, and so if you can enter the winter with one already, you'll get more life out of it.
4. HID's. these are a brilliant addition and you'll be very glad for them when the evenings start closing in.
5. headlight protector. i saw someone paying £230 for a new headlight unit at my local dealer a few weeks ago, owing to stone damage. i have the Touratech grill, which you must coat with ACF-50 for the winter as mine rusted to bits last winter (but was replaced by them). I like the mesh grill as opposed to the perspex which deflects light back at you unless you've the hood on (which is yet more expense).
6. Adv-spec GIT plate. I have the BMW bash plate, powder coated it black. I've done a fair bit of off-roading and the seams have cracked on both sides. tried to replace under warranty but they wouldn't because i'd powder-coated it (making it stronger
). If i could do it again, i'd buy the GIT offering.
7. luggage. I have the alpos tins on SW Motech frames (bykebitz) as they were the cheapest and i didn't want to worry about bashing them back out when i'd binned the bike. stahlkoffers etc look good too, as do everywherevirtually's ortlieb soft bags. these are just personal preference and unless you're touring in the near future, put these on the long-finger.
stuff like reservoir covers, radiator grills, pegs, are all just gucci. you can add those at a later date. get the stuff that protects and is functional first. if you're touring next month, then get the panniers. i like the famsa tank bag and had a hein gericke one first, but again personal choice.
anyway fella, it's a brilliant bike and i can honestly say that i'd buy it again, even with the warranty issues. so go for it and i'll look forward to meeting you at a meet.
1. adv-spec crash bars. I had givi, they were crap and rusted to bits. These are the best on the market hands-down. make them a priority as you don't want to fit new panels or plastic weld like i've done.
2. hand-guards. leave the bmw ones alone, they're strong, but too small. i've the got the touratech offerings but might look at the barkbusters if i had to do it again. you'll need these in the winter regardless if you're only on-road.
3. mud-sling. these have just come on the market for the 800 and i am still in need of one. last winter my rear spring got entirely mauled by the salt on the roads, and so if you can enter the winter with one already, you'll get more life out of it.
4. HID's. these are a brilliant addition and you'll be very glad for them when the evenings start closing in.
5. headlight protector. i saw someone paying £230 for a new headlight unit at my local dealer a few weeks ago, owing to stone damage. i have the Touratech grill, which you must coat with ACF-50 for the winter as mine rusted to bits last winter (but was replaced by them). I like the mesh grill as opposed to the perspex which deflects light back at you unless you've the hood on (which is yet more expense).
6. Adv-spec GIT plate. I have the BMW bash plate, powder coated it black. I've done a fair bit of off-roading and the seams have cracked on both sides. tried to replace under warranty but they wouldn't because i'd powder-coated it (making it stronger
). If i could do it again, i'd buy the GIT offering.7. luggage. I have the alpos tins on SW Motech frames (bykebitz) as they were the cheapest and i didn't want to worry about bashing them back out when i'd binned the bike. stahlkoffers etc look good too, as do everywherevirtually's ortlieb soft bags. these are just personal preference and unless you're touring in the near future, put these on the long-finger.
stuff like reservoir covers, radiator grills, pegs, are all just gucci. you can add those at a later date. get the stuff that protects and is functional first. if you're touring next month, then get the panniers. i like the famsa tank bag and had a hein gericke one first, but again personal choice.
anyway fella, it's a brilliant bike and i can honestly say that i'd buy it again, even with the warranty issues. so go for it and i'll look forward to meeting you at a meet.
most people tend to recommend what they have on the bike themselves. i will try and offer a slightly more objective take on things based on what i've seen elsewhere and what i've cycled through myself. In order of priority buys (bearing in the mind the summer will not be long in giving way to winter):
1. adv-spec crash bars. I had givi, they were crap and rusted to bits. These are the best on the market hands-down. make them a priority as you don't want to fit new panels or plastic weld like i've done.
2. hand-guards. leave the bmw ones alone, they're strong, but too small. i've the got the touratech offerings but might look at the barkbusters if i had to do it again. you'll need these in the winter regardless if you're only on-road.
3. mud-sling. these have just come on the market for the 800 and i am still in need of one. last winter my rear spring got entirely mauled by the salt on the roads, and so if you can enter the winter with one already, you'll get more life out of it.
4. HID's. these are a brilliant addition and you'll be very glad for them when the evenings start closing in.
5. headlight protector. i saw someone paying £230 for a new headlight unit at my local dealer a few weeks ago, owing to stone damage. i have the Touratech grill, which you must coat with ACF-50 for the winter as mine rusted to bits last winter (but was replaced by them). I like the mesh grill as opposed to the perspex which deflects light back at you unless you've the hood on (which is yet more expense).
6. Adv-spec GIT plate. I have the BMW bash plate, powder coated it black. I've done a fair bit of off-roading and the seams have cracked on both sides. tried to replace under warranty but they wouldn't because i'd powder-coated it (making it stronger
7. luggage. I have the alpos tins on SW Motech frames (bykebitz) as they were the cheapest and i didn't want to worry about bashing them back out when i'd binned the bike. stahlkoffers etc look good too, as do everywherevirtually's ortlieb soft bags. these are just personal preference and unless you're touring in the near future, put these on the long-finger.
stuff like reservoir covers, radiator grills, pegs, are all just gucci. you can add those at a later date. get the stuff that protects and is functional first. if you're touring next month, then get the panniers. i like the famsa tank bag and had a hein gericke one first, but again personal choice.
anyway fella, it's a brilliant bike and i can honestly say that i'd buy it again, even with the warranty issues. so go for it and i'll look forward to meeting you at a meet.
Thanks for that insight mate
I have already decided on adventure spec stuff like crash bars and bash plate. They will be a first purchase along with barkbusters. I may well try and stretch to some HID'S too. Luggage will come last and im unsure if i will go the hard luggage route. Seems to me that quality soft luggage is more versatile and does not really offer any chance for something to break (luggage rack for example). Looking over some adventure motorcycling pictures i see a lot of people using soft luggage. I guess my only concern for soft luggage is security.
Im still uncertain as to whether i will put knobblies on it yet. Having never rode a bike on them before im wondering if i would be best getting used to the gs first on stock tyres then upgrading to knobblies at a later time. Im fairly confident in my ability but i have been on and off riding for a while now and getting used to knobblies is just another hurdle i dont necessarily need to start off with.
Cheers
Matt
Dave Ett
Registered user
If yo're not going to fit knobbly tyres and venture off road, why bother with the crash bars?
You wouldn't buy a road bike and kit it out with them, so why do it to the GS? You're no more likely to drop it on the road...
The other advantage with hard luggage is waterproofing. There's no soft luggage in the world that'll keep out water as well as hard boxes!
You wouldn't buy a road bike and kit it out with them, so why do it to the GS? You're no more likely to drop it on the road...
The other advantage with hard luggage is waterproofing. There's no soft luggage in the world that'll keep out water as well as hard boxes!
everywherevirtually
Registered user
You are completely wrong on both counts Sir.
Most people will more than likely drop the bike wheeling it out of the garage or at a standstill. Praetorian has a 29" inside leg like me and so there are occasions where it will get away from you. The last time I dropped mine was not on the epic Sibirsky trip but outside Sainsbury's
The bars saved the plastics and sustained some scratches which I patched up with some spray paint. As for the bags. I tested the Ortlieb bags by submerging them in the bath with my clothes in!
Everything came out dry. That is why we used them for Sibirsky Extreme and also why the motosyberia.com team used them on their travels. Look at their river crossings on YouTube!
I'm not suggesting everyone will be going off to Siberia or crossing rivers but I used mine through a British winter with snow, ice and rain and I can only say they were superb
They are also A LOT lighter than conventioned panniers and a lot cheaper. As for security. Well I wouldn't leave valuables on a bike anyway. Clothes, camping gear, spares and tools go in the bags. Passport, documents and gadgets go in a tank bag or my kriega rack pack that comes with me.And of course we all know the real reason why people want metal panniers...
ILMV
Registered user
I would agree, I have dropped my bike twice (within 5 minutes of each other :'( ), now lucking the first occasion the handlebar saved the plastics, and on the second occasion it dropped it on mud, so the plastics didn't scratch. I will put a set of crash bars on the bike, for the reasons everywhere stated.
As far as panniers, there is some truth in what Dave Ett said, I had a set of fabric panniers and they were definetly not waterproof, although on the other side of the coin I have heard that solid panniers can sometimes develop leaks. I am planning on getting a set of Stahl Koffer (sp?) panniers, and making some linings to go in them.
As far as panniers, there is some truth in what Dave Ett said, I had a set of fabric panniers and they were definetly not waterproof, although on the other side of the coin I have heard that solid panniers can sometimes develop leaks. I am planning on getting a set of Stahl Koffer (sp?) panniers, and making some linings to go in them.
everywherevirtually
Registered user
The first time I dropped my bike I broke my clutch lever. The second time it was on muddy ruts so no problems. The last time when I had the bars on it fell in such a way that the kerb reached further in that if it had just fallen on flat ground. So in that instance the bars did save the plastics.
Austin Vince & Lois Pryce have used the Andystrapz panniers on their trips and swear by their waterproofness. For me Ortlieb is my bag of choice. Used to use them when I went canoeing. As for other brands I cant comment on. I have a hein gericke Tuareg tank bag and that does leak in the rain unless you pull over the little orange rain cover that comes with it.
For me it's just a weight issue. The 800 is a heavy bike and adding big metal boxes is just not for me. If you are mostly on the road then there's no problem but if you go off road and you have to paddle the bike through the rough stuff there is the danger of getting your leg caught between the pannier and the ground.
I saw this on Long Way down. I think it was with Charley. He very nearly got a broken leg.
but each to their own
sijohnston
Registered user
disagree too. crash bars are the first thing i'd buy, as indicated. panels are expensive and scratch up easily. you take out fully comp insurance but don't drive your car recklessly (I presume).
Ortlieb stuff is ALWAYS bulletproof/waterproof/bombproof. I have alu panniers, but if i was doing a big overland trip, i'd probably take ortlieb bags because i have caught my leg under the pannier off-roading and it is damn sore and could easily result in a break which wouldn't be ideal far from home. but let's face it, most people here go for pose value???
Dave Ett
Registered user
So you've all fitted crash bars to every bike you've owned then?
SamD
Registered user
No, but a lot of Sportsbike owners fit crash bungs which perform broadly the same role. Not sure what issue you have with people wanting to protect their investment....
ILMV
Registered user
I had crash "mushrooms" on my Suzuki Gs500F, not the fastest bike known to man, but as I dropped it the first day I got it I was glad I had them
I haven't yet invested in a set of crash fars yet, they are on my shopping list.
As for the panniers, I guess it is each to their own, I am wanting to tour Western Europe (France, Germany etc) next year, I personally would prefer solid panniers... that said, 2 up with fully laiden boxes, going to be a heavy bike to shift
I haven't yet invested in a set of crash fars yet, they are on my shopping list.
As for the panniers, I guess it is each to their own, I am wanting to tour Western Europe (France, Germany etc) next year, I personally would prefer solid panniers... that said, 2 up with fully laiden boxes, going to be a heavy bike to shift
sv969
Guest
Dropped mine (once)....got caught out on a bad slope and bike fell away from me. Had Givi bars fitted and just got a few minor scratches. Best £100 i've spent and looking forward to dropping it again
Dave Ett
Registered user
It's not an issue, but one poster said it would be thier number one priority to fit them, so I questioned that since the guy asking for advice has stated he'll never go offroad.
They were on mine when I bought it, and saved the bike when the previous owner got punted off in Morocco. I was glad of them when I fell off twice earlier this week (albeit on mud so little chance of damage anyway).
Going back to the luggage discussion, I dunno about other setups, but the metal mule on mine uses some pretty beefy bars to hang the cases from, which double up as crash bars for the backend, not to mention the panniers themselves preventing bike damage (again, as testified by the previous owner and the marks on the boxes).
My experience has been with Givi for the last 15 years, and it's very very good stuff. I've added a givi top plate to the GS now, as I find a top box in day to day use far more convenient than just about any other piece of luggage...
SamD
Registered user
makes sense. I can understand fitting them whether you go offroad or not - with them a silly little low speed/stand still drop will likely cost a lot less to fix....
everywherevirtually
Registered user
Here's the vid I mentioned earlier
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With reference to the metal mule luggage it might be strong enough for the home counties but for real adventure... I'm not so sure
Here is a recent extract from the guys out in Siberia
http://www.sibirskyextreme.com/page/2/
"Tony had been admiring his new luggage mounts. The guys had not only made two new solid mounting points for the front of his luggage system, but had reinforced the entire rack. The Metal Mule racks use the strength of tubular steel and then render that strength meaningless by flattening it at every mounting point, so that the mounting points are weak flat squashed ex-tube.
Whats the point making something strong if its full of weak points? A couple of the mounting points not only have the steel flattened, but then make it even weaker by bending the flattened bits. Not surprisingly, those bent flattened bits had cracks all thru them and in one case sheared off completely. I am certainly no metal wizard, but I learnt enough after a few days with Erik Bok to know the basics.
Flattening tube to make a convenient mounting point was something I never saw Erik do. Tube is tube .. its round precisely because that shape makes it strong. Take away the shape and you take away the integrity of the frame. The tube should be welded directly onto strong separate mounting plates, not squashed to create a two ply thin steel mounting plate."
<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UGFiQYQmbTY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UGFiQYQmbTY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>
With reference to the metal mule luggage it might be strong enough for the home counties but for real adventure... I'm not so sure
Here is a recent extract from the guys out in Siberia
http://www.sibirskyextreme.com/page/2/
"Tony had been admiring his new luggage mounts. The guys had not only made two new solid mounting points for the front of his luggage system, but had reinforced the entire rack. The Metal Mule racks use the strength of tubular steel and then render that strength meaningless by flattening it at every mounting point, so that the mounting points are weak flat squashed ex-tube.
Whats the point making something strong if its full of weak points? A couple of the mounting points not only have the steel flattened, but then make it even weaker by bending the flattened bits. Not surprisingly, those bent flattened bits had cracks all thru them and in one case sheared off completely. I am certainly no metal wizard, but I learnt enough after a few days with Erik Bok to know the basics.
Flattening tube to make a convenient mounting point was something I never saw Erik do. Tube is tube .. its round precisely because that shape makes it strong. Take away the shape and you take away the integrity of the frame. The tube should be welded directly onto strong separate mounting plates, not squashed to create a two ply thin steel mounting plate."
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