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Not that I would buy one. Is anyone doing RTW on a F800GS??? Not that I would buy one. Is anyone doing RTW on a F800GS???
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 8 Feb 2009
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Not that I would buy one. Is anyone doing RTW on a F800GS???
Was wondering if anyone is using the F800GS to go RTW?? If so how is it taking this type of trip? I am curious to see how this bike would stand up to the riggors of such a trip.
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Old 8 Feb 2009
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Originally Posted by FUTURE View Post
Was wondering if anyone is using the F800GS to go RTW?? If so how is it taking this type of trip? I am curious to see how this bike would stand up to the riggors of such a trip.
I think a few people have done some pretty extended trips on these - about 40,000 km I believe, with very few problems - the bikes held up well; have a look at UKGSer.com and Adventure Rider sites for more details.

Once the initial teething problems have been sorted they seem like very good bikes.

S
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Old 16 Feb 2009
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Thanks for that. I see one going through Russia at the moment around Volgagrad on the ADV forums.
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Old 17 Feb 2009
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I've seen a couple reports of F800GS's
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Last edited by mollydog; 21 Mar 2009 at 22:44.
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Old 17 Feb 2009
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If you buy the 800 you can sell it when you return. It’s nice to have some money when you come back from an extended trip.

A magazine had searched for the cheapest bike you can own, funny enough the result was the 1200GS. Low maintenance-cost, cheap parts, cheap insurance and good reseller-value made it win.
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Old 17 Feb 2009
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I met a Czech guy near Nouadhibou who has put 42000k on his 4 month old 800, two up with his Mrs.

He had some fairly serious problems with his starter though, it was bump start only at the time I met him. Other than that, he said it had been flawless.

Birdy
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Old 17 Feb 2009
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.... what would it sell for?
I was born at night .... but not last night!
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Last edited by mollydog; 21 Mar 2009 at 22:45.
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Old 28 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FUTURE View Post
Was wondering if anyone is using the F800GS to go RTW?? If so how is it taking this type of trip? I am curious to see how this bike would stand up to the riggors of such a trip.

I was in the dealer getting my R1200 looked at and a fellow came in just returned from rtw on his f800gs. I spoke with him for a while, and apart from a few niggling problems, it's worst failure was the rear shock. He had it replaced with an Ohlins, and said he'd start around again in a heartbeat.
Good enough for me, and I traded for one.

Hope this helps
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Old 29 Mar 2010
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Antidote For Kool-Aid Poisoning?
Not all good news apparently:
Check out the threads below. Lots of comments from many owners with lots of experience on the bike.

The text below is quoted from the 2nd thread listed.
F800GS - More Problems with mine, lets hear about yours.... - ADVrider
Beware: F800gs Rims Are Junk! - ADVrider

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChiTown
My front wheel looks something like yours, bent to hell from a ride in Death Valley. @ 30PSI

Get used to shitty BMW dealer service and warranty coverage denied, it comes with the GS at no extra cost.

My Bike:
Rear wheel bearings and hub failure- denied. cost me about $400
Front end steering head bearing failure- denied. cost me about $350
Front wheel bent- denied.
Broken chain the first day of purchase.
Add in these still unfixed/unexplained issues: two major oil leaks (still had the bent valve cover on it, though I've asked for it to be replaced) , stalling in the rain, random overheating, transmission slipping, stalling when left idling for more than 1 minute, and a gas gauge/computer system that I PAID for as an option doesn't work for shit even after being serviced twice. My bike was at a dealer for 6 weeks, with nothing but a bill and no answers at the end.

No love for BMW NA or it's network of shitty dealers here.

I feel the vast majority of GS owners idea of rough or long distance riding are quite different from mine.
25,000 miles in a matter of 6 months of riding, never holding back on the GS, it's my experience that BMW obviously DID NOT have the kinks worked out on the 09's, and should have supported the bike better, especially for us "BETA TESTERS".
I half expected to have a few issues with the brand new design bike, but the service and support I have had is just plain wrong.

To me it's obvious BMW's Adventure Marketing Department is far more skilled than the Adventure Machine Making Department....

On a positive note, the GS sure is a decent road bike.
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Old 29 Mar 2010
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I was almost worried about you Patrick, but everything looks almost normal.
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