I'm planning a long trip (up to about 8000 km) this summer (Germany, Finland, Sweden, Norway) and I am wondering what preparations I should be making to my F800GS.
The bike has about 30,000 km on the clock, still on its original wheel bearings. Had a new chain and sprockets about 10,000 km ago (running a Scottoiller since then).
Do you think it would be worth changing the bearings the chain and sprockets just to be on the safe side?
Any other suggestions?
Prepping F800GS for a long trip
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Paul Neate
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daytona-supersport
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Re: Prepping F800GS for a long trip
Service, take spare bearings and a tool kit as well as your AA card.
Travel, enjoy.
You're not going to the back of beyond deepest darkest bush. So help, spares, etc
is aonly a telephone call away, or an internet post on ABR.
Travel, enjoy.
You're not going to the back of beyond deepest darkest bush. So help, spares, etc
is aonly a telephone call away, or an internet post on ABR.
Re: Prepping F800GS for a long trip
Probably best to do the wheel bearing as a precaution. check the chain for stretch and the sprockets for wear but as you only had them done 6000 miles ago and running a scottoiler they will most likely be okay.
while your at it check all other bearing and ensure all frame bolts are good and tight. do a good service and you should be good to go.
A couple of days checking and prepping bike could save you in the long run, and stop you from having a ruined trip waiting to get rescued and your bike fixed.
Have a good trip (thumbs)
while your at it check all other bearing and ensure all frame bolts are good and tight. do a good service and you should be good to go.
A couple of days checking and prepping bike could save you in the long run, and stop you from having a ruined trip waiting to get rescued and your bike fixed.
Have a good trip (thumbs)
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OnHellas
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Re: Prepping F800GS for a long trip
I would leave the wheel bearings as they are, but take a new set with me.
There's no point disturbing stuff, and who's to say the new ones will last?
Get the bike serviced and have a good check around it.
Tubes and tools to sort a puncture is good advice.
The chain will probably be OK too.
Don't forget your camara.
However, it's your bike, your trip. Do what you think is right and that will be the right thing.
Don't forget to enjoy it and have a great time.
There's no point disturbing stuff, and who's to say the new ones will last?
Get the bike serviced and have a good check around it.
Tubes and tools to sort a puncture is good advice.
The chain will probably be OK too.
Don't forget your camara.
However, it's your bike, your trip. Do what you think is right and that will be the right thing.
Don't forget to enjoy it and have a great time.
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byewayrider
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Re: Prepping F800GS for a long trip
Change the wheel bearings and cush drive one too...if.you have spares think of the weight and can you fix them at roadside...probably not same with disc pads..if old ones have life left save them for us in uk...
If you dont change stuff odds on are they will break at the most awkward time...
If you dont change stuff odds on are they will break at the most awkward time...
Solo ktm690 euro trail rider
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Simon_100
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Re: Prepping F800GS for a long trip
Hmm, interesting the different approaches; if it ain't broke don't fix it (mime) or prepare prepare prepare ...
My travel mantra is 'a little black dress* and a credit card**' school of thought ...
Room for debate here ..
Regs
Simon
*figuratively speaking of course ... :whistle:
** preferably someone else's ... (thumbs)
My travel mantra is 'a little black dress* and a credit card**' school of thought ...
Room for debate here ..
Regs
Simon
*figuratively speaking of course ... :whistle:
** preferably someone else's ... (thumbs)
Be sure to visit www.thespanishbiker.com the invaluable guide to motorcycling in Spain - plus guided rides, HISS Events* and off road touring support service
*Highly Informal Sojourns in Spain
*Highly Informal Sojourns in Spain
Re: Prepping F800GS for a long trip
At that mileage I wouldn't dream of touching the wheel bearings unless it's had a hammering offroad or in the dessert. The chain should also be fine - BMW's original is known to be hopeless and rarely lasts beyond 12000 miles but that's gone anyway.
Most importantly the head bearings should have been done. They are another known weak point and need to be done. I had mine changed at 16000 miles and it needed it.
They can go through rear brake pads and disks so check them too.
Other than that, get on it and ride (with breakdown cover and a credit card).I'm a firm believer in "know your bike and don't disturb anything before you go". (thumbs)
Most importantly the head bearings should have been done. They are another known weak point and need to be done. I had mine changed at 16000 miles and it needed it.
They can go through rear brake pads and disks so check them too.
Other than that, get on it and ride (with breakdown cover and a credit card).I'm a firm believer in "know your bike and don't disturb anything before you go". (thumbs)
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OnHellas
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Re: Prepping F800GS for a long trip
It is interesting, the different approaches. No one is wrong here.
But weight of spares has been mentioned and can you fix it at the roadside.
Bearings, negligible weight. No I can't fix it myself but I'll have the right parts if the bike needs them.
Head bearings, mine lasted 40,000 miles. Needs them again now, desperately.
As for using rear pads and discs, surely that's the rider not the bike??
The generator is is weak point, but surely no one thinks of carrying a spare.
www.sidecartravels.co.uk
But weight of spares has been mentioned and can you fix it at the roadside.
Bearings, negligible weight. No I can't fix it myself but I'll have the right parts if the bike needs them.
Head bearings, mine lasted 40,000 miles. Needs them again now, desperately.
As for using rear pads and discs, surely that's the rider not the bike??
The generator is is weak point, but surely no one thinks of carrying a spare.
www.sidecartravels.co.uk
Re: Prepping F800GS for a long trip
My tip is not specific to a GS800, although it pulled me out of the shit on my GS800 one time.
Punchtures can happen at the most inconvenient of occasions, sometimes it's better to do a temporary repair and get the fuck out'a Dodge. Then sort the job out at a better moment.
I had a major rapid deflation of my GS800 rear tyre, the tyre came right off the bead, the inner tube totally shredded.
I used a tin of Holts Emergency Puncture Repair......I thought I was clutching at straws, but the foam popped the tyre back on the rim and sealed it.
The bike rode perfectly for 120 miles and I swapped the tube at home.
I never leave home without it.
Punchtures can happen at the most inconvenient of occasions, sometimes it's better to do a temporary repair and get the fuck out'a Dodge. Then sort the job out at a better moment.
I had a major rapid deflation of my GS800 rear tyre, the tyre came right off the bead, the inner tube totally shredded.
I used a tin of Holts Emergency Puncture Repair......I thought I was clutching at straws, but the foam popped the tyre back on the rim and sealed it.
The bike rode perfectly for 120 miles and I swapped the tube at home.
I never leave home without it.
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