Sold the F800GS, now have 1200 GSA

[Blobby]

By the way, the F800GS is a cracking bike. Seriously good, but I wanted a change.

Three questions:

- Mine is a june 2011 and it seems to jump out of 4/5th gear, usually back down to 4th as far as I can see. Is this just me being too gentle on the gear change process?

- Is it really uncool and not done to keep the side panniers on all the time? They are damn useful and if I take them off, I've got to find a place to store them.

- I need a aluminium top box plus fittings? Do bargains come around often or am I best to just buy one from my local BMW dealer?

Really enjoying the bike so far. 45mpg, really comfy, great suspension, can wear summer gear whereas on F800 needed winter gear at the mo due to different wind protection. Can wear summer gloves now so F800 hand guards clearly are not as good as the GSA. GSA needs more effort to throw round bends but am sure that will become second nature very shortly.

Overall, am loving the new toy

 

[rockchunk]

feck me a dont even wear summer gear in the van,,,enjoy yer bike mr b

 

[GS_or_bust]

I tried to get second hand top box and rack, kept missing them so I decided to make my dealer happy and bought a new one.

 

[Wapping]

- Mine is a june 2011 and it seems to jump out of 4/5th gear, usually back down to 4th as far as I can see. Is this just me being too gentle on the gear change process?

You are not engaging gear properly.

- Is it really uncool and not done to keep the side panniers on all the time? They are damn useful and if I take them off, I've got to find a place to store them.

Do whatever you want to do.

If you think they are useful, keep them on.

If you can't think where to store them, keep them on.

Nobody will know (or really care) what you do.... Particularly if you don't tell them.

PS You are also sailing into "Should I take my underpants off at night?" seas.... Take care. It's a man's bike you are now riding... make man-type decisions.

- I need a aluminium top box plus fittings? Do bargains come around often or am I best to just buy one from my local BMW dealer?

If that two questions or one?

Only you know if you want the top box.

They come up for sale in the FS&W section, which will be cheaper than a brand new one from BMW, if I really had to make a guess that saved my life. You are a subscriber, get some value from the £12 you have spent and see what's on offer or been on offer.... then decide if you can or can't wait.

 

[DING-DONG]

PS You are also sailing into "Should I take my underpants off at night?" seas.... QUOTE]

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Have you adjusted the gear lever to fit your boot/riding style? If not then adjust it and see how you get on.

 

[Blobby]

Have you adjusted the gear lever to fit your boot/riding style? If not then adjust it and see how you get on.

Never thought about adjusting it tbh as it didn't seem badly positioned but as my gears seem to be dropping down on their own after changing up, I will try lowering the lever to make the up changes more positive. Thanks for the help.

 

[WindyChuffer]

- Is it really uncool and not done to keep the side panniers on all the time? They are damn useful and if I take them off, I've got to find a place to store them.

Who's going to judge you?

There is only one reason to take them off - if you aren't using them AND you are doing a lot of filtering.

Otherwise who gives a flying fu*k?

 

[Yonkyo]

- Mine is a june 2011 and it seems to jump out of 4/5th gear, usually back down to 4th as far as I can see. Is this just me being too gentle on the gear change process?

I take it you bought it used. What’s the mileage on the bike?

If it’s been run-in correctly, it shouldn't be jumping out of gear like that.
Take it back to the stealer whence it came, and get it sorted.

 

[snerkler]

- Mine is a june 2011 and it seems to jump out of 4/5th gear, usually back down to 4th as far as I can see. Is this just me being too gentle on the gear change process?

Seems odd that it's only 4th/5th, if you were being too gentle why is it only these gears and not all? I'm sure some boff will answer this.

-

Is it really uncool and not done to keep the side panniers on all the time? They are damn useful and if I take them off, I've got to find a place to store them.

I've not had mine on since day one, am I uncool?

can wear summer gear whereas on F800 needed winter gear at the mo due to different wind protection.

You're hardier than me, I've got my winter togs on.

Can wear summer gloves now so F800 hand guards clearly are not as good as the GSA.

I have the handguard extensions so I too can wear summer gloves during the winter, I don't find there's enough feel in oven mitts

 

[Wapping]

I've not had mine on since day one, am I uncool?

You were worried how uncool your helmet would be..... That's for sure

and let's not forget this gem.... Why are they so big?


.... and maybe I have a vague recollection of 'Should I take my panniers of when staying in a hotel?' before you changed your site persona... oh, and how dirty the panniers were becoming, all revolving around the importance of 'The Look'......


Pardon me.... The 'Should I take my panniers off?' seems to have been someone else...... Hey-ho, so close but no cigar. Never mind, here it is in all its glory: Here, it's good for a laugh

 

[snerkler]

You were worried how uncool your helmet would be..... That's for sure

and let's not forget this gem.... Why are they so big?

Both perfectly reasonable questions

.... and I have a vague recollection of 'Should I take my panniers of when staying in a hotel?' before you changed your site persona... oh, and how dirty the panniers were becoming, all revolving around the importance of 'The Look'......

Can't take credit for that

You have an insanely good memory for my posts, hope I don't have an online stalker

 

[Wapping]

Both perfectly reasonable questions

No doubt at the time they were

You have an insanely good memory for my posts,

Like little diamonds twinkling just out of reach, they keep coming back to frustrate my best efforts to forget them

 

[snerkler]

Like little diamonds twinkling just out of reach, they keep coming back to frustrate my best efforts to forget them

Well to frustrate you further may I remind you of the leaf blower

 

[Wapping]

Well to frustrate you further may I remind you of the leaf blower

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!

 

[Blobby]

I take it you bought it used. What’s the mileage on the bike?

If it’s been run-in correctly, it shouldn't be jumping out of gear like that.
Take it back to the stealer whence it came, and get it sorted.

6k miles. Rode it today and was more positive about gear changes and had no issues. Will mention to dealer tomorrow but happy to give it a few days for me to settle into the bike but also being cautious as I've not come across a bike which jumps out of gear like this so not convinced it's just user error.

 

[snaponphil]

Same experience

6k miles. Rode it today and was more positive about gear changes and had no issues. Will mention to dealer tomorrow but happy to give it a few days for me to settle into the bike but also being cautious as I've not come across a bike which jumps out of gear like this so not convinced it's just user error.

Hi blobby, keep bumping into you..
There have been a few people with the twin cams that have had the same gear issues, I personally shit me pants the first time, bike lurches & revs like a bronco if overtaking, it's only ever done it when I've been a bit less positive with the clutch or gear lever.. I put it down to a quirk of the bike & the F800's don't do it.!
If u got a cure let me know, although someone suggested lubricate gear linkage which I've not yet done..

 

[Pete the paint]

Hi Blobby,
Don't feel bad! I too had an F800gs and eventually went to the dark side also; got a 1200gs, which I love. Gear shift is smoother than 800 which I found notchy. But to be frank it's all about clutch control and release.
Good thing is that at last you don't have to worry about the coolant hose coming off, as I had to do for two years.
Still the 1200 is great and the seat is lower too.
Pete

 

[snerkler]

Hi blobby, keep bumping into you..
There have been a few people with the twin cams that have had the same gear issues, I personally shit me pants the first time, bike lurches & revs like a bronco if overtaking, it's only ever done it when I've been a bit less positive with the clutch or gear lever.. I put it down to a quirk of the bike & the F800's don't do it.!
If u got a cure let me know, although someone suggested lubricate gear linkage which I've not yet done..

I would suggest it's not a quirk across the board as I've ever experienced on my twin cam GSA, nor the other twin cam GSA and GS I've ridden

 

[snaponphil]

I would suggest it's not a quirk across the board as I've ever experienced on my twin cam GSA, nor the other twin cam GSA and GS I've ridden

U may be right..
Having had a good look at the linkage it defo doesn't need lube. When cold its stiffer to move lever & as it warms up it gets more positive.
Will get dealers to have a look sometime.