Rear shock F650GS factory lowered

[Old Swiver]

Well here I am 300 klms south of Bangkok and the rear shock has packed it in.
You would think you'd get more than 6200 kms out of it, the bloody thing has never been off the bitumen.I'ts not overloaded, bike, rider and a change of socks, 300 kg tops.
A few questions, are these things rebuildable, the local guy wants 1200$us to get one from Germany. I have absolutely no faith in the bike anymore. I'm thinking of going home, this involves going south to Kuala Lumpur about 1200 klms, if I take it slow and the road is quite good will it get there. Are there any bodges, tricks of the trade to help the suspension survive. Thanks John

 

[Dean]

Well here I am 300 klms south of Bangkok and the rear shock has packed it in.
You would think you'd get more than 6200 kms out of it, the bloody thing has never been off the bitumen.I'ts not overloaded, bike, rider and a change of socks, 300 kg tops.
A few questions, are these things rebuildable, the local guy wants 1200$us to get one from Germany. I have absolutely no faith in the bike anymore. I'm thinking of going home, this involves going south to Kuala Lumpur about 1200 klms, if I take it slow and the road is quite good will it get there. Are there any bodges, tricks of the trade to help the suspension survive. Thanks John

Yeah right 300klms south of bangers rear shock packed in. thats a bummer. I can imagine the response me ringing my wife and telling her that, stranded in a terrible place having to spend a lot of money and extra time there.

if i new you better ide bring one out personaly for you a friend in need and all that!, dont off put by one part packing up wheres you british stiff upper lip, oh sorry I see you have a bit of Fosters in you!

Is it A F650GS twin ? (I'm sure you will get help)

 

[Old Swiver]

Puma, would that be the same stiff upper lip that took me to 73 countries, including a year in India and 8 months solo around South America?.
I'm not put off by one part going, it just pisses me off that the thing failed at 6200, this after the chain cracking and I'm waiting for the rear bearings to give up. That's why I have lost confidence in the bike, oh,nearly forgot the top hose debacle.
Yes it is a twin, that's why I posted on this forum.
Didn't realy appreciate the Fosters crack either, I was born in Oldham.
I posted here hoping to get some tips ect. Typical poms, nothing but snide remarks.
John

 

[colint]

Puma, would that be the same stiff upper lip that took me to 73 countries, including a year in India and 8 months solo around South America?.
I'm not put off by one part going, it just pisses me off that the thing failed at 6200, this after the chain cracking and I'm waiting for the rear bearings to give up. That's why I have lost confidence in the bike, oh,nearly forgot the top hose debacle.
Yes it is a twin, that's why I posted on this forum.
Didn't realy appreciate the Fosters crack either, I was born in Oldham.
I posted here hoping to get some tips ect. Typical poms, nothing but snide remarks.
John

You must be really pissed off, but if the shock is still intact and the spring isn't broken then you should be able to ride steadily back 1200kms.
I have allways found BMW themselves very helpfull with emergency service in the past have you tried customer services in Germany if your Aussie dealer isn't helping?
It doesn't help but there are always bad examples of any bike I had a new 1200GSA and had nothing but problems, changed to a second hand 800GS and it's never missed a beat in 12,000 miles through both winter and summer.
If there is anything I can do to help please let me know my mates brother lives in Bankok and I am sure there are other tossers in Thailand that may see this and offer help.

 

[Old Swiver]

Thanks Colint,
I'm off to the BMW dealer on Monday I hope it can be rebuilt. Sent an e-mail to my dealer today and will do the same to Germany.
Still pissed off, but I survived the local lunatics in Bangkok today, this place is as mad as everyone says.
Thanks for your kind offer, I'll keep it in mind if things don't pan out.
Regards John.

 

[Old Swiver]

Hi Colint, do you have an e-mail adress for customer services in Germany, I can't find it anywhere, is it a Nato secret?.
Saw the local dealer today, 1 month delivery from Germany, not good, as customs want the bike out of Thailand by the 4th of January. He's going to try and find somebody to do a rebuild. There's a brand new 2010 model on the floor same specs as mine, slight chance they'll let me have the shock.
Regards John.

 

[divelandy]

Some paths to try...

Here is the UK Customer Service information
Telephone: 0870 5050 160
email: [email protected]

Tachnical contact form on BMW DE http://www.bmw-motorrad.de/de/de/individual/contact_new/contact_technical.html

Finally, BMW Assist (DE)
* Domestic: 089 588 099 5882
* International: +49 89 588 099 589
* Info: +49 89 588 099 589

HTH

 

[Old Swiver]

Divelandy,thanks mate,
Sent an e-mail to Germany yesterday and got a reply saying they have passed it on to the relevant department. Here's hoping for good result.
Regards to all John

 

[Old Swiver]

Hi All, great news, trip back on, bike fixed. Posted a longish message on Horizons Unlimited today. Many thanks for all replies, even Puma, guess I needed a kick up the arse to get me going again.
Regards John

 

[Tim Cullis]

cross posted from HUBB...

That's absolutely brilliant news, well done to the guys at YSS and the help you got elsewhere. I don't know what it is with BMW, I get really peed off with their wimpish non-efforts. They sell us 'unstoppable' enduro bikes that they imply are suitable for RTW trips then can't be bothered to support riders who encounter breakdowns under warranty. I mean... just how difficult would it have been to fedex a shock from Germany or somewhere nearer? I would love to sort them out to be a customer facing organisation.

After soooo many problems with my 2008 F650GS twin I've decided the replacement 2009 model is now going to have to be downgraded for use as my 'city' bike and I'll be using my XT660Z Tenere for adventure trips--what a shame.

Anyway, John. Really glad you're all sorted and ready for the road again. Let us know how you get on, both here and on HUBB.

Regards
Tim