F800 GS

[karlp]

Been considering one of these for ages and reading posts on here seem to indicate it is a good bike, capable of many miles.

The only issue I can find with them is weak headrace bearings which should be fairly easy to deal with.

I have searched but not found much else that causes any issues.

Front fork upgrade is to be considered
Replacement of brake fluid reservoir to that shown by Micky

Can anyone enlighten me to anything else before I press the button

 

[marcusfordus]

Seat height is taller than a 1200 GS, and mine did stall a few times on closed throttle which scares the crap out of you when turning right across traffic. Yet still I'd have another if someone wanted a swapsie for a MT-09

Sent from my XT615 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Micky]

Been considering one of these for ages and reading posts on here seem to indicate it is a good bike, capable of many miles.

The only issue I can find with them is weak headrace bearings which should be fairly easy to deal with.

I have searched but not found much else that causes any issues.

Front fork upgrade is to be considered
Replacement of brake fluid reservoir to that shown by Micky

Can anyone enlighten me to anything else before I press the button

Go for it ... you know it makes sense

108,000 miles now



As an aside, I think I've cracked the head bearing situation ...

After initial setting up and preloaded torque, after a thousand miles or so the handlebars will go light, still no play there, but a tad lighter than what they were. Slacken the bearing pinch bolt and tighten up by about five degrees, re tighten the pitch bolt ... another thousand miles, tighten up by two or three degrees

To re torque them takes more turning power than the torque required ... hence just five degrees and feck the torque
15,000 miles since mine were last done and still feel bbbbbbbbbaaaaauuuuuutiful

 

[snappo]

I've had mine for 4 years now, and done almost 30k on it - a mere child when compared with Mr Wheeler, I'll grant you, but I feel qualified to comment - get one, they're fackin ace!

A mate of mine reckons it looks like a Transformer. The exhaust (standard) makes a great noise, like a barking angry dog. It's great in traffic, roll on acceleration is brilliant for overtakes, the wide bars make pushing it into long sweeping corners a great experience.

I regularly do 400 mile days on it and hop off quite happy, (tho I have had a custom seat done by Tony Archer)

It's brilliant on fuel, and it seems the harder you ride it, and the more 'system' you ride it, the better it gets.

I still smile every time I take the cover off it, or walk back to it when I've parked up for a wander.

The only reason I would ever consider swapping mine for a 1200GS, (or anything else for that matter), is if I was going to do lots of two up, big luggage touring.

Take one out on a test ride. If it is a bit tall, you can have it lowered, or get a low seat.

Get one. Get one. Get one.


Oh, did I say, get one now?

 

[Jaws100]

I've had mine for 4 years now, and done almost 30k on it - a mere child when compared with Mr Wheeler, I'll grant you, but I feel qualified to comment - get one, they're fackin ace!

A mate of mine reckons it looks like a Transformer. The exhaust (standard) makes a great noise, like a barking angry dog. It's great in traffic, roll on acceleration is brilliant for overtakes, the wide bars make pushing it into long sweeping corners a great experience.

I regularly do 400 mile days on it and hop off quite happy, (tho I have had a custom seat done by Tony Archer)

It's brilliant on fuel, and it seems the harder you ride it, and the more 'system' you ride it, the better it gets.

I still smile every time I take the cover off it, or walk back to it when I've parked up for a wander.

The only reason I would ever consider swapping mine for a 1200GS, (or anything else for that matter), is if I was going to do lots of two up, big luggage touring.

Take one out on a test ride. If it is a bit tall, you can have it lowered, or get a low seat.

Get one. Get one. Get one.


Oh, did I say, get one now?

With all of the above

 

[JJH]

With you on everything except tube type wheels. Pain in the ass when punctured. It's the only down side. JJH

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

Glad someone mentioned the stalling when pulling off on a closed throttle. I've done that on a couple of occasion on mine (a F700GS) and nearly dropped it as a result.

I really don't think it's a fault with the bike, but you do need to be aware of it - needs a few more revs than you're expecting to pull away.

 

[Micky]

With you on everything except tube type wheels. Pain in the ass when punctured. It's the only down side. JJH

Nooooo ... can't remember when last left stranded with a puncture in a tubed tyre mmmm OK, maybe back in the 1960's

It's 2014 now, and a can of the correct stuff will get you home

We really do get very few punctures these days, and if you are going off in to the wilderness then just carry a spare tube ... sorted

A gash or cut in a tubeless tyre and you're fecked, with no way out

Glad someone mentioned the stalling when pulling off on a closed throttle

As for you young fella, since when do you set off on a closed throttle

FFS now that is a recipe for disaster

 

[JJH]

Nooooo ... can't remember when last left stranded with a puncture in a tubed tyre mmmm OK, maybe back in the 1960's

It's 2014 now, and a can of the correct stuff will get you home

We really do get very few punctures these days, and if you are going off in to the wilderness then just carry a spare tube ... sorted

A gash or cut in a tubeless tyre and you're fecked, with no way out







As for you young fella, since when do you set off on a closed throttle

FFS now that is a recipe for disaster

I don't know what the correct stuff is for tubed tyres. Like yourself I am on bikes many years and fondly remember fixing punctures on the side of the road without removing the wheel on my much abused Honda 125 twin. It's not as easy nowadays and the last time I had a puncture I had no tools with me no brake down service could help and I have 2. 1 with bmw and the other with insurance co. I now carry tyre levers wheel removal tools and repair kit. I would be very interested to know what can of stuff you mean. The standard stuff is not suitable for tubes as a small hole can very quickly rupture with catastrophic results JJH

 

[Micky]

I don't know what the correct stuff is for tubed tyres ....

Took me all of five seconds on Google JJH

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Produ...=Accessories&gclid=CJDnyZqvib8CFaPItAodQTYA3Q

Used it a couple of times over the years ... if it don't work then mobile phone and recovery does

 

[JJH]

Thanks for that I always assumed that it was not advisable to repair tubed tyres this way. I'm gonna order one. JJH

 

[ymfb]

I've done 14k on mine, akrapovic end can improves the sound, touring screen, another seat, I've got a BMW comfort seat and a Corbin they are both great. Ive had one set of replacement head race bearings under warranty, seems to eat tyres but that maybe me, just fitted new chain and sprockets.

 

[Micky]

Thanks for that I always assumed that it was not advisable to repair tubed tyres this way. I'm gonna order one. JJH

Mmmm well really that's correct, but any port in a storm an' all that

Seen me riding the old BSA's with patches on top of patches, nuthin changes

Getting a puncture these days is akin to a con rod being thrown outside the crankcases ... chill out, ride and enjoy. There is nothing that can't be sorted

 

[JJH]

I missed a wedding over my puncture. It's the breakdown co that pissed me off. They offers me everything except what would get me home. JJH

 

[hairysteve]

Selling my gs800.... see my ad in gs motorcycles for sale and wanted.

 

[earwig]

....

As for you young fella, since when do you set off on a closed throttle

FFS now that is a recipe for disaster

Found that out the hard way with my F650 twin Auto pilot on a Monday morning. Stalled on drive and dropped bike 2 weeks latter, my back is still playing up after I twisted it picking the bike up after the stall. Scuffed hand guard only damage to bike

 

[Homer1968]

With you on everything except tube type wheels. Pain in the ass when punctured. It's the only down side. JJH

+1 the only negative point ive found on mine. Ive had it just under 5 years and done 25k
The Motul stuff Micky recomends is super, i used it and it got me from Dijon to Doncaster. I know it says no more than a 100 km but i needed to be at work the next day

 

[stumpi]

So tubes in tyres, yes, a real pain to fix by the road! Bought a new 800 just two weeks ago and on the first ride!!! Nail in the rear tyre.! Gah! Being an owner of a number of mountain bikes and having two of them running tubeless tyres I had a thought.
I dropped some of this http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/131202183718?nav=SEARCH into the valve, reinstalled the core and span the wheel a couple of times ensuring it got to the nail hole site and hey presto, two weeks of all sorts of riding later it's holding up fine.

 

[JJH]

I would not chance doing that. Your tube still has a hole in it. If it lets go at speed you are in trouble. I would use such a product as a get you home and then remove tyre and inspect for damage and if possible I would repair tube but after putting in the sealant it probly would be better to replace it. I have seen the claim to make tube type tyrers into tubeless. Well it aint going to make a tube type rim into tubeless use with caution. I am speaking from experience. JJH