F800 questions

[roy.henderson]

Hi all.
I have recently got my F800GS and I'm very pleased with it. Handles great, nice and nimble. My 1150GS seemed like a tractor by comparison. Anyway I'm planning a longish trip and have a couple of questions.

The bike came with a lowered seat. Would any short-legged person like to swap for a standard one? The low seat is a bit lacking in softness!

Tank bags - I've read the thread but what I want is a bag with rucksack type shoulder straps. Can anyone clarify which bags have this feature? I looked at the Bags Connection system at the show - they now have a bracket which attaches with the four screws on top of the "tank" but their bag doesn't seem to have double shoulder straps. Or maybe there is a model. Also has anyone used the Held vario system?

Forks clonking - it sounds like the fork internals rather than the discs. What's the solution?

These will probably be old chestnuts to most of you but I'd appreciate any advice.
Roy

 

[jackassdave]

can you clarify ,clonking ,is it under braking ,over bumps ,do you have a centre stand ?

 

[roy.henderson]

I think its the clonk that others have mentioned. Slow speed going over bumps/potholes - sounds like a sharp tapping noise from the area around the top of the forks. Yes I have c/stand, no play in head bearings.

 

[Striker]

Roy

My son wants a low seat so may swap with you.

 

[spm0912]

Re the clonking, bestrest in the US do rubber bushings that fit inside the top of the fork. Bit of a faff to fit but do the job. The discs still rattle a little but at least I don't feel the front end is gonna collapse when I hit bumps. They are only a few quid but you will need to contact them first otherwise the standard p&p charge is $30!!!!

 

[Dave Ett]

I'd be checking it's not the head bearings making the clonk.

I wouldn't swap for a standard seat, they are a torture device! Sell the lowered and buy a comfort, or something aftermarket like the Touratech / Sergeant. Or just get the seat you have modified with gel inserts etc.

Baglux do a bag with shoulder harnesses and a strap on tank thingy you leave attached to the bike.

 

[roy.henderson]

Thanks for replies.
I'll check out the baglux - I'm also being told about a tank bag called the Held Martello - anyone got one?
There seemed to be no play at the head bearings but I will check again.

I tried out the standard seat on the GSes at the bike show and they felt more comfy than my lowered seat - it's like an ironing board. They also felt better than the stock seat on the 1150gs, which I could live with, although it wasn't brilliant. So, bad as it may be, I'm sure the standard seat will be an improvement.

BTW, one of the most annoying features of the BMs I've driven is the indicator cancelling button. What demented designer thought that the right (twistgrip) thumb was a good way to cancel? Every other bike on the planet has the indicators at the left thumb where it doesn't interfere with throttle control. Can the wires to the horn button be reversed perhaps? Has anyone moved this button?

 

[spm0912]

Trust me, you will get used to the indicators, bizarre as the layout seems now I actually prefer it and find the jap bikes I ride at work awkward to use.

 

[Roy Barnes]

Trust me, you will get used to the indicators, bizarre as the layout seems now I actually prefer it and find the jap bikes I ride at work awkward to use.

I agree.

 

[Dave Ett]

Can the wires to the horn button be reversed perhaps? Has anyone moved this button?

I know it has been done in the past on other can-bus bikes. Something about swapping the plugs from the left and right handlebars where they go into the loom...

Maybe a google will help - think it was on the K1200RS I read about it.

 

[roy.henderson]

Hmm. Well I had my 1150 for years and never got used to it. It's more annoying on the 800 because the throttle action is very sensitive (compared to the other bikes I've had). I eventually fitted a Signalminder on the 1150, but I'm not sure if that's available for the F800. Some research needed...

 

[spm0912]

I know what you mean about the twitchy throttle. I fitted an accelerator module after a month of ownership which cured it for me, though if I was honest it may just have been coincidental with me getting used to it. Had to go through the same learning curve after I fitted grip puppies but no problems now.

 

[Bury_Dave]

I know what you mean about the twitchy throttle. I fitted an accelerator module after a month of ownership which cured it for me, though if I was honest it may just have been coincidental with me getting used to it. Had to go through the same learning curve after I fitted grip puppies but no problems now.

I know what you mean too but have just gotten used to the twitchy throttle and it is only a problem if I am switched off and so is a good reminder to switch back on again.

Some people see such foibles as bad and prefer to ride bikes that are 'easy' (read tame) because they are either lazy or poor riders

Dave

 

[BenGS]

I found the perfect solution for the overly responsive throttle, a restriction kit :O it had to be done by law but it has now made me a more confident rider on the bike when pulling away from junctions or getting back on the power. It doesn't even feel like it has lost any power to be honest i can still do 70mph as quickly as i could without it.

All in all rather happy

 

[roy.henderson]

Well the throttle isn't a problem for driving, it just makes it jerky when cancelling the flasher. I can live without this particular foible. A look at the wiring diagram in Haynes suggests that the flashers are controlled by the ZFE so unless I can hack the firmware I don't see many options there. I must admit that the canbus system simplifies the wiring. However we're at the mercy of the black box - no bodging allowed!

 

[outrunner]

I have ridden bikes for more than 40 years and all of them that had indicators were the left button does all type. In May this year I got my 650 gs and within a couple of days I got used to the three button system and find it OK, even the cancel button gives me no grief, stick with it and it will all fall into place.


Andy.

 

[Micky]

The Wunderlich tank bag can be turned in to a ruck sac ... great piece o' kit

The fork clonking? Will undoubtedly be the floating discs moving on the rivets that hold them to the hub

Hold the front brake on and rock the bike back and forth ... you'll see 'em move, you'll hear 'em clunk ... no probs

65,000 miles on mine now and going great

 

[roy.henderson]

Thinking about it, I seem to remember my 1150 having a similar clunk, which I put down to something loose in the bodywork (marble in the ashtray?) because I could never find anything to blame. Since it had floating discs as well then that would make sense.
So far I'm looking at wunderlich, Held Martello, baglux, all look good - any votes for the "Best Tank Bag with Rucksack Straps that fits nicely on an F800GS"

 

[thomo57]

+1 for the Wunderlich Tank Bag

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G97VtwEacVY

http://www.nippynormans.com/products/f650gs-08-on/item/wunderlich-tank-bag-touring-f650gs-08-on-800gs-wun-1250111

 

[Ger74]

+1 for the wunderlich tank bag. It does make putting the key in the Ignition more fiddly as its quite close.
For the seat have you tried the air hawk cushion. it makes a big difference !