RadoR6
Registered user
Hi guys.I know I should have written this a bit earlier(on our first year anniversary) and Iam 3 months late,but better late than never.As some of you know,last year I’ve been asking you your opinion on GS800 reliability.
So how was our “relationship” during the last year and after 7000mls of being together?
Immediately after purchase I fitted ADV-spec crash bars(wanted to avoid my very bad experience when I accidentally dropped my 3months old R6 and ended with more than £500 damage),bash plate,Barkbusters handguards and taller dark smoke Puig windscreen (realised that genuine one from BMW was absolutely useless after 6mls run home from the dealer very first day) as I thought it is a MUST!So bike was protected and also looked better.
But within two months I started to be unhappy with deep front end diving when breaking (very unpleasant when you ride a sport bike at the same time) so Hyperpro springs were next on the list.At the beginning had a bit of a dilemma if I should let BMW to fit them not to lose warranty on forks but when they quoted me with £240 for fitting, it took me no more than 2 minutes whilst thinking...”what the hell could possibly go wrong with forks which got about the same level of sophistication as an anvil” and I knew from that moment they’re not getting my hard earn cash.Instead I phoned my good friend in Slovakia which opened a workshop for bikes only a few months earlier,told him when Iam coming home and fixed the date when I’ll bring the bike.So brought the bike one day in the afternoon and whilst bike being in the workshop I asked my friend that Iam a bit concerned about (to be honest that was something which was giving me sleepless nights for weeks) about wheel and headstock bearings plus the swingarm just for peace of mind and if he could check them and grease them if necessary.It was the right choice.
Even if headstock was fine, wheel bearings needed a bit more grease but the most shocking was when he took off the swingarm and saw that there was hardly any grease.It took approximately 8 hours to finish the job and we both took the bike for a test ride.All was well so I could finally start enjoying my one month holiday.And I really did
.
Was even thinking to send photos directly to BMW and ask them
if they could put one more option on their long option list so people could opt for a small charge some extra grease from the factory so it saves them a lot of headache.
Believe it or not for all this work carried on the bike I paid 90
euros(of course it was the price for me but there wouldn’t have been much difference if I had to pay full price).
But on my way back to the UK (after about 3months of ownership) I’ve developed more health problems which almost brought me at the edge of insanity
from that “shaky” front brake reservoir so bought an aluminium protector/cover from Metal Mule and my detoriated mental health started to improve immediately.
A bit later I’ve noticed that a rear brake lever is uncomfortably small and didn’t find it very safe not to be able to find the brake with foot when I might need it so a Touratech brake extender found its place on the bike.
And at last as I’ve experienced a few times small stones hitting my helmet,decided to buy a front light protector from Rugged Roads before it is too late and I will find myself browsing ebay or make a visit to my dealer for a new headlight.
So what can I say now?Was quite frightened at the beginning from all those horror stories what I read on the forums for about a year before purchase,worried that something might go horribly wrong.I know that 7000mls is not much but must say that bike was absolutely 100% reliable and didn’t have a single problem with it. Well...except one.Shortly after 6000mls servicing I’ve noticed a slight mist of oil on the left side of the rocker gasket which was promptly and efficiently sorted by my dealer. But there were no bearings failures,no battery,no stalling,no fuel gauge,clutch,coolant hoses or fuel pump problems.Nothing...
So at the same time and even if we having a great relationship there are some things which don’t make me very happy and still not 100% sure Iam considering sale.
The only reason is that as my riding will be more two up soon again I’ll need a little bit more power.So thinking of Multistrada 1200,Super Tenere 1200 or GS1200.
Would like to ask....how much is it worth with these extras and all work that has been done?The bike has got also a comfort pack(ABS,heated grips,computer and centre stand)and 9months of remaining warranty.
Hope you’ll enjoy this reading and thanks for your replies
So how was our “relationship” during the last year and after 7000mls of being together?
Immediately after purchase I fitted ADV-spec crash bars(wanted to avoid my very bad experience when I accidentally dropped my 3months old R6 and ended with more than £500 damage),bash plate,Barkbusters handguards and taller dark smoke Puig windscreen (realised that genuine one from BMW was absolutely useless after 6mls run home from the dealer very first day) as I thought it is a MUST!So bike was protected and also looked better.
But within two months I started to be unhappy with deep front end diving when breaking (very unpleasant when you ride a sport bike at the same time) so Hyperpro springs were next on the list.At the beginning had a bit of a dilemma if I should let BMW to fit them not to lose warranty on forks but when they quoted me with £240 for fitting, it took me no more than 2 minutes whilst thinking...”what the hell could possibly go wrong with forks which got about the same level of sophistication as an anvil” and I knew from that moment they’re not getting my hard earn cash.Instead I phoned my good friend in Slovakia which opened a workshop for bikes only a few months earlier,told him when Iam coming home and fixed the date when I’ll bring the bike.So brought the bike one day in the afternoon and whilst bike being in the workshop I asked my friend that Iam a bit concerned about (to be honest that was something which was giving me sleepless nights for weeks) about wheel and headstock bearings plus the swingarm just for peace of mind and if he could check them and grease them if necessary.It was the right choice.
Even if headstock was fine, wheel bearings needed a bit more grease but the most shocking was when he took off the swingarm and saw that there was hardly any grease.It took approximately 8 hours to finish the job and we both took the bike for a test ride.All was well so I could finally start enjoying my one month holiday.And I really did
.Was even thinking to send photos directly to BMW and ask them
if they could put one more option on their long option list so people could opt for a small charge some extra grease from the factory so it saves them a lot of headache.Believe it or not for all this work carried on the bike I paid 90
euros(of course it was the price for me but there wouldn’t have been much difference if I had to pay full price).But on my way back to the UK (after about 3months of ownership) I’ve developed more health problems which almost brought me at the edge of insanity
from that “shaky” front brake reservoir so bought an aluminium protector/cover from Metal Mule and my detoriated mental health started to improve immediately.A bit later I’ve noticed that a rear brake lever is uncomfortably small and didn’t find it very safe not to be able to find the brake with foot when I might need it so a Touratech brake extender found its place on the bike.
And at last as I’ve experienced a few times small stones hitting my helmet,decided to buy a front light protector from Rugged Roads before it is too late and I will find myself browsing ebay or make a visit to my dealer for a new headlight.
So what can I say now?Was quite frightened at the beginning from all those horror stories what I read on the forums for about a year before purchase,worried that something might go horribly wrong.I know that 7000mls is not much but must say that bike was absolutely 100% reliable and didn’t have a single problem with it. Well...except one.Shortly after 6000mls servicing I’ve noticed a slight mist of oil on the left side of the rocker gasket which was promptly and efficiently sorted by my dealer. But there were no bearings failures,no battery,no stalling,no fuel gauge,clutch,coolant hoses or fuel pump problems.Nothing...
So at the same time and even if we having a great relationship there are some things which don’t make me very happy and still not 100% sure Iam considering sale.
The only reason is that as my riding will be more two up soon again I’ll need a little bit more power.So thinking of Multistrada 1200,Super Tenere 1200 or GS1200.
Would like to ask....how much is it worth with these extras and all work that has been done?The bike has got also a comfort pack(ABS,heated grips,computer and centre stand)and 9months of remaining warranty.
Hope you’ll enjoy this reading and thanks for your replies
You will then just need to remove the first & last links [-URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/863/dsc05453m.jpg/-]
