Option choices / regrets on new buy?

[Maxxx]

I'm taking the 800 for a test ride tomorrow and I know the follow up conversation (order) will probably follow fairly swiftly .........

So, in anticipation, I'm after some views from those that have either made choices that they have subsequently regretted or been totally satisfied with eg:-

ABS - is it worth it? I've read loads of complaints on here about sensitivity but not really figured if people consider it a "must have" or a waste of time?

BMW computer with oil warning light - huh? What else does it do? Do I need it?

BMW anti-theft alarm - is it Thatham approved? Is an aftermarket alarm a better choice? If so - which one?

Views greatly appreciated - cheers.

 

[shag]

I'm taking the 800 for a test ride tomorrow and I know the follow up conversation (order) will probably follow fairly swiftly .........

So, in anticipation, I'm after some views from those that have either made choices that they have subsequently regretted or been totally satisfied with eg:-

ABS - is it worth it? I've read loads of complaints on here about sensitivity but not really figured if people consider it a "must have" or a waste of time?

BMW computer with oil warning light - huh? What else does it do? Do I need it?

BMW anti-theft alarm - is it Thatham approved? Is an aftermarket alarm a better choice? If so - which one?

Views greatly appreciated - cheers.

Maxx

ABS - Definatly i wont go back to a non abs bike now.

OBC - Nope unless you not bothered about running out of fuel when the comp says 18 miles left in tank ( i just use the odimeter and fill up when i reach 180 miles) ... or you want to find out how cold it is?
open the bloody visors you find out

BMW factory alarm - Yes its help me lower my insurance with bmw motard but its not thatcham but it is from the factory

Just dont get the grey one

 

[Diamaduk]

Never had a bike with ABS before, I suspect that now that I have it I probably wouldnt buy another bike without it .

I really like the OBC, Its nice to know things like mpg and averages, I also find my fuel gauge to be pretty much accurate. for me it is a must have.

Dont know how much I would have saved on my insurance but the alarm which is not thacham approved does give me peace of mind when I leave the bike unattended. I have never had a false alarm (other than on the Mallaig ferry to Skye where I forgot to deactivate the motion sensor). The only downside to the alarm is that it occupies the void under the seat/tail where tools or such may have been stowed.

What I can say 7k in from Sept 08 is that every time I get on the Bike I have big grin on my face, Its a great bike, pleasing on the eye and more than powerful enough for my needs.

Jimmy

 

[Morticia]

Hi, Enjoy the testride. I have the 800GS and love every minute of it I dont have the ABS, never had a bike with one so don't know any difference. To be honest, i probably won't be riding it as hard as you guys.

The smile factor is definately 11 out of 10, i ride an hour and half to work, don't want to go into the car park, but just keep riding....

Have Fun
Morticia

 

[mikestatt]

I've had mine a couple of weeks and I had ABS and the OBC. ABS has got to be worth it, dont think I would want a bike without. As for the OBC seems to be fine on mine. Fuel gauge seems accurate although the range in tank is a bit strange. It registers around 125 miles when I fill it up and stays at that until it starts dropping and then seems to be about right. Didn't have the alarms so cant really comment. Other things it shows are MPG and air temp.
Just be prepared to have to pay for the LED lights as when i bought mine all bikes coming in from Germany had them fitted. This was the same with stock available from all the dealers I tried.
Grey is defo the better colour.

 

[Buz]

I have the 650 about 8 weeks old. ABS, think i'm glad i have it, nearly lost it in the 1st weekend, left hand bend, went straight on (havy rain, new rider, mates are nutters and go at stupid MPH) i'm sure I panicked but wheels didnt lock up and i didnt go down. Luckily nowt coming t'other way, that really knocked my confidence! OBC, yep, glad i got it as above find it usefull, only thing is te fuel range still trying to get to grips with that. Alarm, initially i didnt want it but the bike had the tyre pressure sensors fitted in the showroom, and according to the chap when i picked it up he reckoned it 'talked' wirelessly to the alarm so alarm was left on (but not charged for )
One thing i'd definately go for are the heated grips, definately worth it in my opinion.

 

[sijohnston]

everything except alarm. i live in a sleepy village in ireland and the bike stays in a locked shed (or outside in the summer). bw alarms used to take the toll on the battery, but it's sorted out now from what i believe.
obc - brilliant. i like to be able to see my gear (which you can't miss because it's apparently been designed for very partially sighted people!). the fuel issue is now sorted out on them and mine is accurate to the mile. i also like knowing the 'exact' temperature.
abs - just good to have.
enjoy

 

[Blobby]

As per previous posts, I too would not buy a bike without ABS. The system on the F800GS seems a bit crude but it does work. Just remember to turn it off when on gravel or off road as you can't stop if the ABS is on - literally, the brakes do nothing. I think we have probably all forgotten once.

Computer gadet is interesting in terms of outside temp and accurate in terms of average mpg, but the miles left in tank is totally inaccurate so just reset the trip at each fill-up. It's not essential for sure but gives you something to look at on boring road sections.

Get heated grips and I think a centre stand is really handy for chain lubes.

The theft alarm may help reduce insurance premiums but it is pathetically quiet when it goes off.

It's a cracking all round bike though

 

[Klanky]

The computers handy, but as said above - ignore the 'miles left' bit, the temperature is handy to know up here for when it's dipping around freezing.

ABS - yes.

Heated grips - yes.

Centrestand - yes.

I wouldn't bother ponsing around with higher screens or spots. get some miles under your belt on it and you'll have a better idea of what 'more optional' extras you want.

 

[shag]

The computers handy, but as said above - ignore the 'miles left' bit, the temperature is handy to know up here for when it's dipping around freezing.

ABS - yes.

Heated grips - yes.

Centrestand - yes.

I wouldn't bother ponsing around with higher screens or spots. get some miles under your belt on it and you'll have a better idea of what 'more optional' extras you want.

Nothing wrong with spots. I even have them fitted to my gas gas for night time plantation riding, and the 800 has a night time blast too..
Dont use the spots during the day


Klanky. just noticed you are up in john o'groats. if you dont mind me asking. I be up there in feb and i be looking for some off road tracks, i be grateful for any advice!
There be a cold beer init for you!
Cheers

 

[Maxxx]

Wow - thanks for all of the replies - that has indeed helped massively. I loved the bike and went through options with the dealer - I decided on the "comfort pack" which gives ABS, heated grips and centre stand.

I couldn't believe the price for hand protectors - £180??? What? Barkbusters from Adventure Spec are only £80 and look just as good.

I loaded on the Akro tailpipe - the demo 800 had an Akro and the demo 600 didn't ........by comparison, the 600 sounded a little .........weak?

Don't know if the Akro makes any difference at all on power, but it sure sounded sweet - any advice in this area? I would probably add Remus header at a later stage - anyone that can advise of price for Remus? Is it worth considering from the get go?

I figure I get one chance to scare the sh*t out of the SWMBO with the price ......I might as well make it worth my while ......

 

[ide508]

The BMW hand guards, i've paid a 150 € for them here in Belgium.
Well worth, as in case of fall they "do" their job... nothing else than a scratch on one of them.

 

[freeloader]

Wow - thanks for all of the replies - that has indeed helped massively. I loved the bike and went through options with the dealer - I decided on the "comfort pack" which gives ABS, heated grips and centre stand.

I couldn't believe the price for hand protectors - £180??? What? Barkbusters from Adventure Spec are only £80 and look just as good.

£180? That's steep - mine cost around the £100 mark, about a year ago, from BMW, although I fitted them myself. But I'm tempted to swap them for a pair which will actually deflect some of the windblast.

 

[Buz]

£180? That's steep - mine cost around the £100 mark, about a year ago, from BMW, although I fitted them myself. But I'm tempted to swap them for a pair which will actually deflect some of the windblast.

I had hand guards fitted by the dealer with the fins (650 GS), not sure of price as it wasnt marked on my receipt! like Freeloader i think they arent gonna be big enough for winter and deflecting the chill, look really sturdy tho.

 

[Klanky]

........Klanky. just noticed you are up in john o'groats. if you dont mind me asking. I be up there in feb and i be looking for some off road tracks, i be grateful for any advice!
There be a cold beer init for you!
Cheers

No problem, Shag. PM me with what you're interested in and I'll be glad to help. Unfortunately, a lot of the tracks are gated and locked - but I'm sure we can sort summat out.

 

[shag]

Thank you klanky. will pm you.
Got date wrong i up there in august-sept

Rich

 

[freeloader]

No problem, Shag. PM me with what you're interested in and I'll be glad to help. Unfortunately, a lot of the tracks are gated and locked - but I'm sure we can sort summat out.

 

[Blobby]

I couldn't believe the price for hand protectors - £180??? What? Barkbusters from Adventure Spec are only £80 and look just as good.

I paid £96 for mine from BVM Moto BMW in Stroud. They are very easy to fit and if you do drop the bike it saves breaking the clutch lever which is tricky to drive home without! Well worth the ££.

 

[everywherevirtually]

ABS - I've had moments to use it on and off and have to say it was less scary with it on

BMW computer - I like it. I like to know the temp, mpg and all the other feedback info on there.

BMW anti-theft alarm - Alarms are annoying. They are annoying to other people and a professional thief will have it deactivated and in the back of a van before you can say 'Thatcham Approved'. I take sensible precautions but I don't worry about as that is what insurance is for. I'm not saying it can't be nicked but the fact it's a BMW is going some way to putting opportunist thieves off.