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F800 GS with +70.000km - would you take it around the globe? F800 GS with +70.000km - would you take it around the globe?
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  #1  
Old 17 Jul 2013
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F800 GS with +70.000km - would you take it around the globe?
Next year I'm planning a trip to Mongolia and back with my (then) 6 year old 800GS with close to 70.000km on it. Anybody here has experience with that mileage on a bmw 800 twin engine? Can I expect a trouble-free trip of around 30.000km?
Except from fuel pump issues in hot conditions (Morocco) and battery problems (solved with a software update) there hasn't been any problems.
Except for bearings, brake pads, chain, filters, oil and tires everything is still original. Any suggestions on preventive measures?
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Old 17 Jul 2013
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I rode my 2008 F800GS to Mongolia and it had about that same mileage. You can never expect trouble free riding.

If its a stock battery I would reccomended fitting a Motobatt, an excellent battery. I'd change the tubes for heavy duty tubes (and carry spares with your repair kit). I have trouble with, what I think is my fuel pump, but only when its very hot and lowish on fuel so I always carry extra when I'm on tour (search the hubb for the toyota replacement). Everything else is just about optional.

If you're going to ride hard off road maybe think about upgrading the suspension, but if you do fit an Indy kit (see ADVrider) as the upper bolt is prone to bending. Try not to overburden the side stand as it's soft as shite. Don't carry loads of spares, plan to buy them out there or ship them to someone out there (do the same for tyres if possible). A GoCruise throttle lock and an AirHawk are nice when you do those high mile days.

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  #3  
Old 17 Jul 2013
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We have a customer who has done 100,000miles+ on his f800 st which has an almost identical engine without any trouble from the engine.
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Old 18 Jul 2013
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i would change the front rim too. The stock ones are soft and once they start to bend, you can expect a rapidly increasing rate of punctures.
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Old 18 Jul 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tonylester View Post
We have a customer who has done 100,000miles+ on his f800 st which has an almost identical engine without any trouble from the engine.
He must have been very lucky. The BMW F800 is known for engine trouble:

Canada to Argentina 2010 - Page 21 - ADVrider

F800-Forum.de - F 800 GS - F 800 R - F 800 S - F 800 ST - F 800 GT • Thema anzeigen - Motorschaden an meiner F800GS

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Old 18 Jul 2013
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Not just the engine; a quick review of the forums reveals a catalog of trouble prone systems that should be utterly embarrassing to BMW.

I rode one of these bikes and loved it but bought a v-strom instead as I couldn't cope with the uncertainty of owning an F800GS as I live 5 hours from a BMW dealer.
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Old 18 Jul 2013
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Originally Posted by ta-rider View Post
He must have been very lucky. The BMW F800 is known for engine trouble:
Its funny how this i brought up every single time a f800 is mentioned, yes there used to be a problem with with the 800 engine bmw changed alot of parts in 2008 so any bike built after this shouldnt suffer, i have rebuilt many f800 engines, some with as little as 5000 miles on, and the ones with new parts dont suffer from this.
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Old 19 Jul 2013
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Originally Posted by colebatch View Post
i would change the front rim too. The stock ones are soft and once they start to bend, you can expect a rapidly increasing rate of punctures.
Denfinatly ........
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Old 19 Jul 2013
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Originally Posted by tonylester View Post
the ones with new parts dont suffer from this.
No the one i liked too was the new model. The magazine took it apart after just 50.000 km and found totaly worn out pistons etc. You cant call this an adventure bike...
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Old 6 Aug 2013
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yes, i think if the bike is serviced ,and in good condition ! di it aa ;0
Quote:
Originally Posted by Edge1982 View Post
Next year I'm planning a trip to Mongolia and back with my (then) 6 year old 800GS with close to 70.000km on it. Anybody here has experience with that mileage on a bmw 800 twin engine? Can I expect a trouble-free trip of around 30.000km?
Except from fuel pump issues in hot conditions (Morocco) and battery problems (solved with a software update) there hasn't been any problems.
Except for bearings, brake pads, chain, filters, oil and tires everything is still original. Any suggestions on preventive measures?
I think if t5he bike is good ,then do it5, we only live once " all the best gim
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Old 1 Sep 2013
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Originally Posted by ta-rider View Post
He must have been very lucky...
Yes, very compelling. He was very, very lucky.
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Old 1 Sep 2013
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My F800 has done 26,000 miles and I've had none of these issues. I mention this as the only posts that tend to crop up in this type of thread are those who've had negative experiences. Mine's been excellent and trouble free. I'd love to take mine for this kind of ride!
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Old 1 Sep 2013
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Originally Posted by Endurodude View Post
I mention this as the only posts that tend to crop up in this type of thread are those who've had negative experiences.
More like people who have read/heard bad things about the 800, most have no personal experience
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Old 10 Sep 2013
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Ah the internet, what a great place for entertainment. A few people have a problem and suddenly everybody has the problem.

My bike is at the same stage as the OP, 70,000 km although it is a 2011. Only repairs have been replacing the water pump for leaking oil (warranty) and replacing the clutch as the idiot doing the maintenance didn't have it adjusted correctly. On my last trip I took a few parts to cover some apparently vulnerable areas (stator, bearings and injector) on the premis that if I had them . . . I wouldn't need them. That worked.

Would I take this bike on another trip of 30,000 km? Probably. Worst case scenario is you get stuck somewhere waiting for parts. So you get to hang around a town for awhile immersing yourself in the local culture. Could be worse.
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Old 3 Oct 2013
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I've got 75,000km and 30 countries on my 2009 F8 and it's been great. I've had 2 issues that were premature or unexpected. I was one of the few that actually had broken chain (@3500km) and the stock battery went at 3000km-ish.

I upgraded the rims and installed the Indy upper and lower shock bolt kit.

I will have no concern taking my F8 on the next tour. Check the valve clearance, change the oil and head out
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