GS800 reliability.....is it so bad?

[RadoR6]

Hi guys.
I am new here and your advice will be very much appreciated.
Paid the deposit a few weeks ago and the bike should be delivered shortly.
But....instead of being excited and looking forward to it,after reading never ending topics about reliability I am becoming more and more frustrated and worried that I am going to waste all that hard earned money.
I mean...problems with coolant hose,front wheel axle,rear wheel bearings,stalling,fuel gauge,fuel tank cracks,side stand,clutch (?),chains....and god knows what else,isn't it a bit too much for a single model which was launched just two years ago?I don't want to support someone (BMW) which seems is only taking advantage of its fans and nothing will be changed until they find enough idiots(for them and that doesnt mean you are) who buy their underdeveloped products.
So is it really so bad and I should look elsewhere or should I give it a chance?
PS: I currently own a Yamaha R6 and in nearly four years it didn't need anything except filters,lubricants and other fluids.10 000 miles and chain was adjusted ONCE!

 

[santrix]

All those things should have been addressed now at the factory.. some of those problems are from the very first batch.

Don't worry... be happy.

 

[v8legend]

All those things should have been addressed now at the factory.. some of those problems are from the very first batch.

Don't worry... be happy.

To be honest, I wouldn't worry. If you look on this forum, there are plenty of high milers out there with no problems. My bike has only covered just over 7000m but with no problems at all. My only concern would be the chain, however, mine has only needed adjusting twice since I've had it, which is much less than my old Ducati, so I can't really complain. This looks to have been addressed on later models anyway. Chain apart, very few people have had many of the problems reported, it's just that BMW have been open about there modification process which some manufacturers do on the quiet. I think the biggest problem with the F650/800's supposed reliabilty issues come down to 2 factors. 1: The bikes are actually used by most owners rather than wheeled out for a sunny 30 mile trip to some cafe. 2; we have here a very active forum which does a fantastic job of keeping everyone informed of potential problems. Reading the 'Ride' reader survey, it paints a negative picture of a bike which most owners are very happy with. It's fuel consumption is amazing, with fantastic handling especially on bumpy roads. My only negative would be the seat, which I have changed. However my mate who has the same bike has no issues with the saddle at all.

 

[Micky]

38,000 miles and no problems. Great bike ... buy and ride

Welcome to the land of UKGSer's by the way.

 

[Dean]

positive thinking

Hi guys.
I am new here and your advice will be very much appreciated.
Paid the deposit a few weeks ago and the bike should be delivered shortly.
But....instead of being excited and looking forward to it,after reading never ending topics about reliability I am becoming more and more frustrated and worried that I am going to waste all that hard earned money.

hello and welcome Rado6

yes but look on the bright side you know exactly what to look out for so forwarned is forarmed all that waranty no problems issues solved.

pay anover £12.00 top left corner (Click Here To Subscribe)

and you can find out all the good stuff which by far out weighs the bad stuff

Great bike you have on order

Dean

 

[RadoR6]

Thanks for your replies now I can sleep better.There is no doubt that GS800 is a good bike built for a purpose.Just there was only a very little needed to make it a great and almost unbeatable bike on many fields.What BMW should have done?Just to take off a few pounds from their profit,to add a few pounds to the list price and there would be some cash for getting higher quality components.Result?Happy customers,no costly global recalls,keeping high brand image...anyone can imagine more.Concerning the poor quality chains I think it is unfair to blame the Czech manufacturer as I am sure that those chains are fine for less powerfull bikes and it is BMW who whilst knowing that the specific part may be unsuitable went for it anyway.

 

[mechcanico lee]

There a good bike with some minor recall issues on some of the earlier bikes, ride it and enjoy.

 

[GunZenBomZ]

RadoR6, I think the size of the bike is manageable to be able to eventually do your own maintenance & repairs.

Yeah! there's been a list of things needing to be sorted, which have been sorted.

Paddy

 

[GS Biker]

You going to love it. At the end of the day, the warranty will cover any problems you may have.

 

[Malcolm Leick]

My chain ran for 21,000 miles with no problem, and even when I changed for a more heavy duty DID X ring the mechanic said there was plenty of life left in it. As someone else suggested, people often use the forum to get advice when things go wrong (the bad news syndrome). People talk less when things are fine and I'm sure you will have lots of fun with your new bike. If you do have a problem, this is a great place to find a solution.

 

[dogman]

29 miles on mine and it's going great!

 

[Passing Phase]

Got mine yesterday changed from a 1200 gsa found it a bit strange at first but I think I am gowing to like it

 

[dogman]

Me too. I am a ex GS/ADV owner who now has an F800GS which is everything the R1200 could offer, same big size bike, but with great economy, smoother engine, no numb hands after 10 minutes, no shaft drive worries or other reliability issues. We will be great freinds I think!

 

[alan]

careful...

I posted a similar thread on ADV asking if there were known solutions to the well know well documented faults.
All I expected was advice on replacement bearings, wheel rims etc but all I got back was a bunch of angry old blokes defending the faults as rare yet I learned of all the faults from that same website.

I emailed five BMW dealers asking if any of the issues you list had been addressed when they bought the Orange paint this year. Not one single reply...

For my particular needs it still remains the top bike in a list of one but I just can't bring myself to buy one with all those problems, which will still be failing long after the warranty expires. What is the point of replacing a broken part with the exact same part??

I made the fatal mistake of saying I would stick with my wee strom till I am convinced these issues have been addressed and was then accused of being a Suzuki spy and planting bogus posts on the BMW site. Very weird (bit scary actually )

The way my luck is running at the moment I just can't afford to take the risk

 

[chippy]

Alan its your money,if your happy with the v strom stick with it,i just switched from a versys to a 650 gs,and ive got a few problems ,noisy clanky chain,vibrations,snatchy throtle,stif clutch,but its all good fun

 

[alan]

As I said. It still remains my bike of choice as the wee can't cut it off road but as I have a couple of houses to sell to get the bank off my back before I can make serious plans I am just holding fire. Hopefully these issues will be cured by evolution

 

[Dean]

Alan its your money,if your happy with the v strom stick with it,i just switched from a versys to a 650 gs,and ive got a few problems ,noisy clanky chain,vibrations,snatchy throtle,stif clutch,but its all good fun

I dont have those problems, but i like your spirit

As I said. It still remains my bike of choice as the wee can't cut it off road but as I have a couple of houses to sell to get the bank off my back before I can make serious plans I am just holding fire. Hopefully these issues will be cured by evolution

Just a Tip

Save the ones on Mayfair sell the ones on old kent Road and do not forget to collect £200 as you pass GO unless, your going straight to Jail

oh and good luck with the bike plans

 

[Greggers]

I don't post much over on ADV anymore ...

The 800 is a jewel of a bike, let down by some minor cost-cutting by some Bavarian bean-counters.

All of the faults that will turn up will be addressed under the fairly comprehensive warranty that BMW give on their new bikes, but beware that they will replace cheap and substandard components with the same products if they're replaced under warranty.

If you start doing your own maintenance (yes, most ADs will let you do this if you have a modicum of sense and let them do the diagnostic bit) YOU then can choose to use say DID chain instead of the crapola CZ they've used in the past, YOU can specify SKF bearings instead of the dubious Chinese under greased things they've been using ...

The engine is an absolute peach - search for the thread that Jon posted with a link to a recent disassembly of a 12k motor - when I saw that I thought the engine he was working on was new ...

As you say, it's your money and the replies to your questions will always depend on the people you ask. If my tuppence is worth anything, the GS8 is one of the most versatile and usable bikes I have ever owned, with the exception of the electronics (I don't have a diagnostic thingie yet) it's easy to work on, and if you get the recalls sorted out and don't use OE consumables, it will be as reliable and enjoyable as any other bike on the street. Get this month's BIKE magazine for a great write-up.

HTH

Greg

 

[v8legend]

A fantastic bike that has had a few teething problems, most of which didn't actually stop owners enjoying their bikes.

I think BMW have been dragging their model range up to date kicking and screaming. Away from the dull but dependable old, and into modern and hi-tech new. It's a fine line they've walked, and for the most part they've got it right.

However, their fitment of a crap chain, and their slow reaction has not done their 'modern' image any favours. A lot of F800GS owners are new to the marque, and haven't had the service that the reputation promised.

 

[Klanky]

Don't worry about the 'issues' surrounding the 800. The early recall/mod issues have all been resolved - so it's not a case of all the 800's on the road being just failures waiting to happen - it aint so.

My 08 bike had all the necessary tweaks done by BWM - even though I had no issues with any aspect of the bike at all. 8k in the first year with no problems and still no problems now.
There should be no bikes out there that have outstanding tweaks (if the owner is getting the servicing done by BMW, that is). And anyway, the more recent bikes don't need any of those tweaks in the first place.

Some of the 'problems' highlighted by people are more to do with unfamilarity with anything that doesn't behave or handle like an inline four jap roadbike - which is where more than a few GS800 riders are coming from. Some accept that things may be different, some take a little while to adjust and some seem to just whine endlessly on about the slightest difference between the GS and 'my old bike that never used to do that'.....

Get it dirty - often, wear the paint off the panels, fall off it on wet grass, slap some panniers on it and go touring, take the panniers off and play silly buggers on the twisties, stick extra bits on and don't worry about the scratches or the surface rust on a few boltheads and spokes.

Just ride the bloody thing, don't listen to the whingers and enjoy yourself...big time