POSITIVE thread

[lunchbox]

serial moaner struck dumb

Having done my fair share of moaning over the chain issue I have to say this is the best bike I have owned in 40 years of riding, and the most fun since my XT500 in the late '70s - I can ride over roundabouts and overtake my friends along the grass verge again!

Having now got the seat lowered and "comfortized" by Dave at Digger for £45 I spent 4 hours yesterday tearing round the lanes and B roads of N Wiltshire, including a couple of mild green lanes, and can honestly say it's the best fun I have had on 2 wheels for years. I even think the exhaust note is great and may prevent me spending hundreds of pounds on an aftermarket number - but then it is a Lanfranconi!

I had forgotten how good a parallel twin can sound and perform but this bike has brought it all back. Great idea for a thread this - anyone thinking about buying an F800GS should do so - particularly the faster, sexier metallic grey one!

 

[Ghostrider]

I love my F800GS

Just come back from Turkey on my F800GS no problems whatsoever, best bike I've ever owned and I love it.
Fitting the TKCs this week for some decent offroad mileage.
I've read all about the problems with the bike hoses, chains etc but i've not had any trouble yet.

 

[Sooty09]

I must admit I was a bit anti when I had a test ride on the first F650 and 800. I was adamant the Kawasaki Versys was a better all round bike with a much lower price tag.

Soon after getting my Versys my wife chipped in her old F650single for a 3000m old ex demo 650 twin. It was soon obvious I was having to work very hard to keep in front of her. I was impressed by the Versys 65mpg and was worried about having to remember her 16l tank, no need to, she averages 80 mpg (tank to tank not on the computer figures) at the same pace. We have just returned from the Alps and I was very impressed by the composure and pulling power of the BM on the hair pin bends.

The saddle and luggage were the only problems on the BM (None on the Versys). We have a SW Mocheck QD pannier rack fitted with 21L cheap Givi panniers on the BM. They do the job and are not excessive in width. The saddle will be sorted soon for £110. (How can a single operator in Bradford come up with a shape and foam combination when BM with all their R&D produce a product NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE).

The bike has been 100% reliable, its had a few recalls over the past 5 months and 7000 miles. The next recall is something to do with the fuel pump/gauge and is due in August. The bike is 18 months old and is probably one of the first batch, yet it runs sweet, no glitches, has never cut out and as far as the dealer is aware never had a CPU update?

The chain is original and has only needed adjusting once, I did that when the tyres were replaced at 7000m. (Fitted Pilot2 road tyres but they make the bike a bit skittery so probably not the best choice). The bike has eaten a set of front and rear pads, the new soft EBC pads seem to have taken a real pasting in the Alps and will not last as long as the original. The bike also has an appetite for dip lamp bulbs, 2 so far which is 2 more than I have ever fitted to other bikes.

My conclusion is the F650 is a better bike than my Versys, and the Versys is one of only a few bikes I think can do the all rounder task to my satisfaction. I still do not like its insect look with hard to clean nooks and crannies but I am intending to be riding my own F650 this time next week.

 

[F650Dakar_Norway]

My '08 F800GS just passed 26000kms (yup, that's 26kkms) on the stock chain.
Guess now is the time to get shaky nerves.
Nah, must be a lucky SOB with a good chain

 

[Blind Lemon Ade]

I think in the month I've had my F650GS, I've ridden it more than I did the Fazer 600 in the year I had it...

The 650 has superb torque, it pulls out of bends and away from junctions really nicely. The OE tyres even inspire confidence, Battlewings or something, I've had them (nearly) over to the edge on some roundabouts.
The suspension is great, really soaks up the potholes of Kent, and 2-up is just as much fun. Fuel consumption is good enough for Norbert Colon (He's tight as a gnat's chuff...) and it's light to push around.

So far I've added a camel-toe (Ooer!) to the sidestand; the dealer threw in a Touratwat rack, and a Givi topbox sits on there. I put in brighter headlamp bulbs; I'm considering a louder horn, to make the blind b*ggars take notice, and a taller screen...

 

[GS Biker]

I'm considering a louder horn, to make the blind b*ggars take notice, and a taller screen...

Go for the Louder horn, Nippy Normans do one for the GS 650, "STEBEL MAGNUM HORN - (BLACK) - 136dB (with spade connectors)". Put one in my 800gs, tell you something, it’s a laugh when you see the black cabs, limo's, white vans, etc catch a scare and see it’s only a bike coming past. Sounds a lot bigger than it is. I would not do without it, especially in London town!

 

[raboomdea]

Go for the Louder horn, Nippy Normans do one for the GS 650, "STEBEL MAGNUM HORN - (BLACK) - 136dB (with spade connectors)". Put one in my 800gs, tell you something, it’s a laugh when you see the black cabs, limo's, white vans, etc catch a scare and see it’s only a bike coming past. Sounds a lot bigger than it is. I would not do without it, especially in London town!

I agree...much more effective than indicating left in anger!!!!!!

 

[ILMV]

I have a funny feeling I might dip into my overdraft for one of those bad boys, can't wait to see the driver of the Vauxhall Nova shit himself when he so much as tries to cut me up