New member ...Hi Guys.

[batman1]

Hi Guys,

Although I'm brand new on this 800 section, I'm not new to forum having owned a 1200 GS for a couple of years.

Anyway, I've just taken delivery (yesterday) of a 2011 GS-800 it's covered 42,000 miles, I rode it home from the private seller and it seems to ride quite nice.

I don't know how these bikes handle the higher mileages, but the first thing that I want to do is change the engine oil and filter, so please can someone tell me what grade/type of oil and filter she will need and where to get decent service items etc without paying retail BMW prices.

I have got very little in the way of service history about the bike, so a service schedule would be useful, I'm assuming that I'll have to start from scratch to play safe, when are valve clearances due, is it a simple or tricky job.

Also I'm intending to do some green laneing and forest tracks as well as the tarmac required to reach those places, can anyone recommend a reasonable compromise tyre that will give some decent grip off the road and yet still be reasonable fun on the tarmac?

Many thanks

 

[coyotedave]

Micky has 10000+ miles on his so big miles ain't a problem.

My advice would be to get it to a dealer and let them give it a full service and do any software updates.
This will pay dividends if you intend to keep it for a few years.

Great bikes though.


Cheers Dave.

 

[Micky]

Welcome to the 800 Batman ... I hope you get loads of miles'n smiles in with it.

Didn't you get a handbook with your bike re oil to use, valve clearance schedules etc? Coming in to this place and asking what oil to use is like asking for a full broadside

As Cayote Dave says ... my 2008 F800GS now done 118,000 miles, valve clearances still bang on smack between max/min tolerances, never been adjusted ... and running as sweet as the day it came out of the crate. The only oil that I've ever used is Putoline 10-40 and now 15-50 and always always genuine oil filters

As Cayote says, get a full service check over by a dealer, then you'll be privy to any computer updates and recalls, if you don't know its service history

 

[batman1]

Hi Micky,

I didn't realise I'd get a broadside on this section, you all seem quite friendly, however I do tend to wear my tin hat on the Watercooled GS section....as they take no prisoners

Thanks for the advice, I'll enjoy reading the handbook from cover to cover all in good time, but at the moment I'm excited and want to be on...I've had the bike less than 24 hours and it's in for it's MOT as we speak, I'm really impressed at the mileage re your bike, that's really good news after buying a bike which I thought might be slightly up on miles.

Many thanks.

 

[Deleted account 200123001]

what grade/type of oil

1). The right grade
2). The right type, olive and walnut tend not to work too well.

www.amazon.co.uk...search for F800 haynes manual

Sorry couldn't resist any longer....

Time to wheel this out again.
https://youtu.be/r8985eZr9pg

 

[batman1]

Hope you feel better now!

 

[dibbs]

I used Karoo 3's on my gs and they were very good for both tarmac and off road enjoy

 

[batman1]

I used Karoo 3's on my gs and they were very good for both tarmac and off road enjoy

Hi Dibbs,

Cheers for that, my bike has fairly new Tourance Next's fitted, good for tarmac but not ideal for a wet grassy track, I need a midway tyre or perhaps a slightly more off-road focussed.

I'll have a look at the Karoos.

I also need a Sat-nav mount that will sit my Nav5 above the clocks....any recommendations?

 

[Auwyn]

I have TKC tyres on my F800 GSA. People keep asking me if they are bad on the road, or if they vibrate (the dude who did my service asked if I wanted road tyres on it) but they are what I had on the bike when I got it and I am used to them. They are also nice if Waitrose car park is a bit muddy, so I know my bike will handle it.

 

[Auwyn]

http://www.conti-bike.co.uk/tkc-80-twinduro/

Them in fact

 

[younger06]

I have a set of TKC 70 ordered for my 1200.........they seem like a good compromise.

Sent using a Jedi mind trick!

 

[Micky]

I also need a Sat-nav mount that will sit my Nav5 above the clocks....any recommendations?

Difficult to get it up there, I've had a look at that over the miles and years!!

Had it mounted on the handlebar mounts, works just fine, can see the clocks just above it OK

Doesn't contact the tank bag ... it's fine just here for me.

 

[Auwyn]

I have a set of TKC 70 ordered for my 1200.........they seem like a good compromise.

Sent using a Jedi mind trick!

I have a 70 on the front and an 80 on the back.

Dont ask me why, it came like that.

 

[batman1]

So can I presume that the 80 is more off-road focused than the 70?

I found this video with some guys testing the Karoo 3's and they criticized the side slip that occurred with the Karoo 3's due to the paddle style tread pattern...any comments from others who are using them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJAw6OJiq4

Micky, many thanks for the sat-nav info, I'd still prefer it above the clocks if there is a bracket available..?

 

[Deleted account 200123001]

Hope you feel better now!

Much thankyou.

So can I presume that the 80 is more off-road focused than the 70?

Yes, the 80's are as good as you get without going for full blown knoblies and will cope with mud to a degree. TKC70 / Heidi K60 scouts cope with hard surfaces like gravel well enough, but still retain good mileage and grip but are no good in mud that has nothing to bite into. 80's will wear out quickly if you ride them hard on tarmac but will take you places that the others wont usually due to the centre band of the 70/30 type tyres which is aimed for predominately tarmac use.

 

[Micky]

Micky, many thanks for the sat-nav info, I'd still prefer it above the clocks if there is a bracket available..?

Simple answer .... No!

Depends on which screen you use, but to get it under the screen, over the clocks, it's gonna be all wibbly wobbly and probably obscure the clocks to a certain degree. But wibbly wobbly it will be. Hold your Nav 5 where you think you would like it mounting, then tell me how you're going to do it

Cos I'm fecked if I know .... and I love making special brackets and getting them powder coated

 

[ListerofSMEG]

https://www.facebook.com/f800gpsholder

I've got one for my 650GS & the tomtom400 sits above my clocks quite nicely

 

[batman1]

https://www.facebook.com/f800gpsholder

I've got one for my 650GS & the tomtom400 sits above my clocks quite nicely

Thanks, It looks like what I'm after, but how do I actually order it?

 

[Smythson]

Welcome!

Oil - Castrol Power 1 Racing 10W-40 4T

Oil filters are one of the few things that are often cheaper at dealer than elsewhere and i they include the copper washer (Albeit these can be cleaned and re used)

Valve clearances - i've not heard of anyone needing them sub 100k. Wait for a drop in fuel economy. As before Haynes manual is a worthwhile investment as a lot can be done on these bikes without going to dealer.

I've got the TKC70's. I got them because i like a little bit off road capability largely because i invariably get lost on my annual pan euro jaunt. These are the best i've found in terms of perfect for what these bikes are capable of on the road and pretty solid off road too. I only ride a 658 so these experiences may vary with the more capable 800's. In terms of mileage they are exceptional - about 15k so far and i'd predict another few thousand left though the rear is beginning to square.

Safe travels,

S

 

[batman1]

Many thanks, that's very helpfull...cheers!