F800 fantasy - how should it develop?

Ross Dean

Ross Dean

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Thanks to GunZenBomZ for the idea for this thread :)

I've just part-exed my 2009 F800 after over 8000 miles and had a great time riding it. I'll be looking for another multi-role bike after a few years and by then I am hoping that the 800 GS will morph into a 950cc bike with fully adjustable suspension via a switch, a top rate chain drive, a large capacity tank and tyres with those new modular inflated balls rather than tubes.

How would you like the bike to develop and/or have you heard anything about future F800 developments?
 
For general daily use with a bit of touring and messing about the bike has almost everything it needs. There are things to change tough, but my list is short and my personal taste,
1) The seat designer and tester has to be sacked, BM must start subbing out their seats to people who ride and know whats required, other manufacturers succeed.
2) The fuel gauge needs to be more reliable (Yes mine is the latest spec). Currently 110miles loses half the thick top bar and its a none linear drop until the warning light flashes at 180 to 210 miles with a reserve of 40 miles.
3) The brakes need a bit of work to stop them clunking, fixed caliper and floating disk, or floating caliper and fixed disk but surely not both together.
4) The standard hand guards are OK but need the top section to be higher, and explain who wants a lower guard but not the top (its at an extra cost)
5) Supply a cheaper luggage option for those on a limited budget.
6) To help with the above redesign the tank to be slimmer at its widest part, and tuck the silencer in better to reduce the luggage width.
7) I do get a bit fed up of the exhaust noise at times, point the end of the pipe down bit.
8) Increase the finish on the fixings and fasteners, Im rusting up in places after only 5 weeks and 3100 miles.
9) Reduce the odd engine rattles and noises.
10) I hate dip sticks, black oil on a black dipstick? Fit a level glass. And take all mention of "on board computer with oil warning" of the specification. It dose not have one (Or will mine light up if the oil is low, the book says not and the dealer dose not know).
11) The bike should come with a rack fitted as standard.
12) The plastic over the instruments should be more scratch resistant, preferably glass. I have a small scratch on mine from wiping water off with my soft summer gloves.

As I said at at the beginning its a personal list, goes on a bit but not having the above is not spoiling the bike (Except the seat)
 
1. Improve the seat.
2. Make the dummy tank a better shape for tank bags - or build in a compartment big enough for wallet, paperwork and camera.
3. Make the alloy wheels out of harder material.
4. Make the front suspension adjustable.
5. Improve the finish.

That'll do.
 
Shave some width off its erse, while increasing tank capacity :D - what I'm on about is fitting full width ally panniers which are no wider than the handlebars.

Improve the seat (this bears repetition!); I'd like it wider under my erse.

Handlebar switches off the K1300S - or even the old F650 single.

Move the sidestand further back (ref Tim Cullis and his experience with full luggage) and reduce the angle the bike leans over while using it.

Make it go further on a gallon of petrol; a 300 mile range would be just dandy. :thumb
 
1: Taller screen as standard (although it's not really that bad).

2: Don't supply the bike with fekkin' Battlewings.

3: Yup, it has to be repeated...SEAT!

4: Uprate the weedy headlight, I nearly shat myself the first time I went out in rain on a night-time. I'd prefer something that does more than supply 'mood' lighting for voles in the hedgerow as I pass them.:rolleyes:

5: Sort out the really serious balance issue, every time I go off road I fall off.........
 
freeloader said:
Shave some width off its erse, while increasing tank capacity :D - what I'm on about is fitting full width ally panniers which are no wider than the handlebars.

Improve the seat (this bears repetition!); I'd like it wider under my erse.

Handlebar switches off the K1300S - or even the old F650 single.

Move the sidestand further back (ref Tim Cullis and his experience with full luggage) and reduce the angle the bike leans over while using it.

Make it go further on a gallon of petrol; a 300 mile range would be just dandy. :thumb
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, as Klanky said, a better screen. I'd say taller and wider.

And I agree with him about the 6 candlepower headlamp...
 
the important changes

I think you've all got poncy asses! I find the seat fine, and did so even with 700 mile days across Europe. Also, I found the battlewings to be brilliant on the tar. In the dry they you could have your shoulder on the ground and in the wet, they behave a lot better than tourances. This is of course, if you're into road tyres...which I'm not. Again, disagree with the screen remarks. I've tried a few, and the stock screen works best for a range of riders (probably the 95th percentile). If it had come with the Metal Mule screen, I'd have hated the bike, as my ears were shot after an hour or two with that thing. No screen is going to be as good as the GSA screen because we're sitting up higher on these things. So, now I've corrected you all, here's what I think:

1. Klanky - loved your mood lighting for Voles! The headlight is piss-poor.
2. Given that these are allegedly built for dirt, a rear hugger to protect the spring from much and winter salt seems like a no-brainer???
3. A 2 stage tank using some of the space above the head of the engine which would then drip feed down into the under-saddle tank. 24 litres combined with its excellent fuel consumption would be perfect, delivering over 300 miles.
4. Tubeless tyres.
5. They probably got this right, as most people tend to ride GS's on the road it seems, but I'd have liked one less tooth on the front sprocket to make it less revvy off road and give some more grip.

There, done. I'd leave everything else alone. :rob


Klanky said:
1: Taller screen as standard (although it's not really that bad).

2: Don't supply the bike with fekkin' Battlewings.

3: Yup, it has to be repeated...SEAT!

4: Uprate the weedy headlight, I nearly shat myself the first time I went out in rain on a night-time. I'd prefer something that does more than supply 'mood' lighting for voles in the hedgerow as I pass them.:rolleyes:

5: Sort out the really serious balance issue, every time I go off road I fall off.........
Click to expand...
 
Lets be honest.... a 90 degree v twin. Preferably 950+

oh! and +1 with the harder rims.

everything else is just fine.
 
GS 800 improvements

I have had my F 800 GS for 12 months. Improvements I would like.
Improved suspension it is close but the damping is to hash and too soft at other times?
18 " X 4" Rear wheel to allow a wider choice of offroad tyres.
Slimmer rear end by narrowing fuel tank without reducing capacity.
Wider gear ratio's ie Lower first gear higher top gear the engine has the power to pull wider ratios. would reduce clutch slipping at low speeds and reduce revs for fast touring.
Apart from that I would say the bike is perfect. I do not have a problem with the seat or screen I have done 1500 KM two up in a weekend with no discomfort. The finish on some hardware is marginal but I guess if you want better seat better screen & finish there is the 1200 GS.

Rob T
 
F800 ... twin cylinder with an extra crank throw for counterbalance :thumb

But why not use the extra crank throw for an extra cylinder 120 degree three cylinder :thumb:thumb

Wouldn't be that much wider, still narrower than the radiator etc.

What a crackin' engine a three cylinder 1200cc version would make :thumb:thumb:thumb

:beerjug:
 
I wish they'd do an option to add 2 more wheels, then i wouldnt have to worry about wearing out the side stand.... :augie
 
Micky said:
F800 ... twin cylinder with an extra crank throw for counterbalance :thumb

But why not use the extra crank throw for an extra cylinder 120 degree three cylinder :thumb:thumb

Wouldn't be that much wider, still narrower than the radiator etc.

What a crackin' engine a three cylinder 1200cc version would make :thumb:thumb:thumb

:beerjug:
Click to expand...

you could almost call it a triumph:augie
 
gsrichie said:
In the words of my great idol Tim "toolman" Taylor "MORE POWER URGH URGH URGH"!
Click to expand...

4260069821_70d0c3fc76.jpg
 
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