F800 ABS – still a problem

[Anonymous]

#10383

Well my life is worth more than the $5-6000 that I will loose from trading in an otherwise good bike . I cant undersatnd those that have a fanatical fear of the ABS operation on their bikes they continue to ride them. Trade in and buy a non ABS model or a different bike.Off to look at the Sprint forums..  😐

I don't have a fanatical fear of the ABS and if I did I wouldn't ride the F800, that would be crazy.I have a measured logical response and choose to ride the bike in a manner that keeps me within a comfortable safety zone in my opinion. Come summer if there is no fix I will install an ABS on/off switch.I've had more problems with my F800 than any product I've bought in my lifetime. I still love the bike and I'm a patient guy. I expect BMW to fix the ABS fault. They may be hoping it goes away but I don't see that happening. My objective is to resolve these last issues with the bike. If I get many more new problems that may well change my thinking. Of course I still like the idea of an F1000 so maybe I'm a hopeless case when it comes to the bike overall. My F800 is one of the early ones and if you've been bouncing around the forums you'll know of the F800 that was stripped down by a mag at 50,000kms and found to have excessive engine wear. Apparently after the first 6 months BMW made changes to the engine. These earlier bikes appear to be suffering from excessive engine wear and I note that there are reports that BMW are replacing the pistons with the new modified pistons and barrels.I had been raising the issue of increasing vibrations and engine noise on my machine before this information became public. It sounds like the engine life may possibly not be too long on my bike.

hmmm, and there I was thinking I was saved as I had left the f800 forum site because of the constant discussion around ABS only to find it here as well.I have an f800, I have ABS, I have had the ABS issue however I would also say it behaves  (in my instances) the way ABS is meant to. I left the 800 forum because the more I read about the issue and the other constant issues plaguing the 800 the more paranoid I became of my bike failing at some stage. I have been lucky I suppose as I have had no issues with mine.After 3 days I learnt how to use the BMW indicators and it is now second nature.I don’t have an issue with the mirrorsHave not had an EWS issueWas looking at a R1200R, but their forum site seems as affected as well with various niggles.May go buy a Sprint.. depending on what the forum looks like

I think the forums are incredibly useful because they let riders know things that are not heard elsewhere. You're right, there are a lot of problems and faults listed for the F800 and I guess that's a reflection of the fact that the F800 has had a lot of problems and faults.I am surprised that those faults have continued for some years now. I do note that jumping on other forums that faults are listed but there are so few of them that it just makes the BMW forum stand out.The only issue I have with the mirror is that when it wears out it flops around in the breeze. When you accelerate and brake it swings back and forth. Actually the mirror stays in place till a certain speed then the wind blows it around so you can't see behind you. Oddly enough on my bike it just happens on the left side. My guess is the vibrations are wearing out the lugs that keep it in place. I'm hopeful the new part number means new and improved mirror design though.I see you've recently joined the forum so I guess you have a relatively new F800. Congrats, you've got a bike that I think has the potential to be a great bike. I know BMW have modded a fair bit on the bike so hopefully your problems will be few.Enjoy the ride. It seems it's largely due to us Beta testers that the bike has improved. If the R1200R has many of the same niggles and the Sprint site doesn't it can only mean the English are building better bikes than the Germans. (Any comments Alex).The funny thing about bikes is we all have our own likes and dislikes and I just haven't warmed to the Triumph. But then I also like the MZ and would probably buy one if I had the money even though the factory is closing at year end. (and its German Alex)I don't want to even think about replacing my bike. It's just takes too much time and energy. Although it would be nice to add the KTM 690 to the stable. It just looks right. Mind you so does the BMW 450, and the F650GS and F800GS.Just out of curiosity does BMW also have a lot of problems with their cars?

[Dave Ross]

#10384

If the R1200R has many of the same niggles and the Sprint site doesn't it can only mean the English are building better bikes than the Germans. (Any comments Alex).

It's entirely possible Des. Perhaps those people wanting a Sprint are very lucky. If I remember correctly the original Triumph was started by a German :-).

The funny thing about bikes is we all have our own likes and dislikes and I just haven't warmed to the Triumph. But then I also like the MZ and would probably buy one if I had the money even though the factory is closing at year end. (and its German Alex)

The motorcycle business is a great way to lose money. MZ is not the first to learn that and won't be the last. I think towards the end the looked at making bikes that people would not just like, but actually buy. BMW can afford to experiment and produce the odd flop, without going down the gurgler. I think it's great that they are risk takers, because every now and then they produce some brilliant bikes. However, it is no longer the company it once was and for some that's a bad thing. I like that they are moving with the times and can't wait to see what else they've got in store. I am just concerned that I might not be one of the people who can afford to buy their stuff.

Mind you so does the BMW 450, and the F650GS and F800GS.

There you go Dean, another potential fan of the G450

Just out of curiosity does BMW also have a lot of problems with their cars?

Only with the electronics. They are good at designing gadgets that nobody needs and then have them break down. That's probably unfair, but has  been true in many cases.

[Anonymous]

#10385

I don't know what it is Alex but there seems to be a lot of development and new product that comes out of Germany.I was looking at the exhausts being created by SR-Racing just North of Munchen and they seem to be getting bigger HP gains from their pipes. I don't think the pipes look a lot better as they're still big but from a performance point of view they work. (and apparently sound good).http://www.sr-racing.de  and there is a button for English for us non German speakers.Have you seen their product before.

[Robert George]

#10386

Mines not a new 800, have had it a year and 10K. Dont think the sprint site would show any different to that model, it will have issues by some owners. The comment was said tongue in cheek so I didnt have to constantly read what a lemon I had bought 🙂

[Dave Ross]

#10387

http://www.sr-racing.de  and there is a button for English for us non German speakers.Have you seen their product before.

No I haven't, thanks for the link. I have always had a soft spot for Neptune exhaust. However, it looks like they've closed shop. Didn't you have a nice sounding after-market system on your bike? While I would like a nicer sounding pipe, I can't get myself to change something that works perfectly well and does not upset the neighbours when I start the bike early on a Sunday morning. I am expecting my new shocks to arrive soon. They look like these here

[Dave Ross]

#10388

Mines not a new 800, have had it a year and 10K. Dont think the sprint site would show any different to that model, it will have issues by some owners. The comment was said tongue in cheek so I didnt have to constantly read what a lemon I had bought 🙂

What makes you think you've bought a lemon? I had a 400km ride on an F800S and thought it was a fantastic bike. It's light and fast, sounds great (even better with a Remus or Akrapovic can), in short a much more advanced bike than the K75S I used to ride. Unfortunately having a road only bikes eliminates access to some of New Zealand's most spectacular roads. The F800GS would be an upgrade for you to consider, it's got the best of both worlds. I used to curse even road works, while I was riding the K75 with its narrow handle bars and the low down debris catcher they called a lower fairing. On the GS I have to restrain myself from hooning past all the other traffic :-).

[Anonymous]

#10389

You have to be careful with fitting after market exhaust under the new regulation. You may be asked to prove the after market exhaust complies with the bike if you can not then you will be ask to replace with the original before you will get a warrant. You will find Experience will not install after market pipes now. The after market exhaust must not exceed the origainal exhaust sound level.Lemon bikes can be sent back and replaced with new at no cost to the owner.

[Anonymous]

#10390

So Alex you're going for Elka's. They look…  colourful. They'll stand out on your bike.Dean I had no idea about the exhaust swapping limitations. That seems a bit harsh. I'm not after LOUD, just a nice tone, smaller, better looking and lighter. I may have to check that out.I see on the F800 forum someone's installed Remus Powercone's and they look great.http://f800riders.org/forum/showthread.php?p=171729#post171729The can on my bike is BIG.

[Dave Ross]

#10391

So Alex you're going for Elka's. They look…  colourful. They'll stand out on your bike.

The sure look colourful, what a kind description :-D. Those Canadians have no taste in colour. Elka has made its name on off-road racing quads. I hope these shocks are as tough as people say and will last the distance, while providing more adjustment and a more compliant ride the my worn out Showas. They were certainly a lot cheaper than Ohlins are in NZ, but were more expensive than the Ohlins are in the US. We'll see, maybe I've gots myself a lemon shock :-).BMW has optional Akrapovic  (sp?) exhausts in their catalog. So unless your replacement is significantly louder than stock you won't have a problem. A lot of testers seem to be clueless anyway. Few will question a shiny new looking BMW and they probably won't know what's stock and whats not. Unless of course you have a boy racer exhaust like some K1200GT riders I know.In Germany they used to have pretty watertight regulations, but since the EU has formed some of this has been watered down. I think our stock exhausts have a stamp that certifies compliance with noise regulations. In Germany any changes to stock need to be entered into the so called Fahrzeugbrief, a document that describes the vehicles specification level, this must be carried in the car and produced on demand. For example, you may only fit tyres that are specified in this documentSome after market items carry a general certificate of compliance, that means that they have been accepted by the manufacturer and the TUEV as being 'unbedenklich' meaning benign to the safety of the vehicle. Non-compliance will void your warrant of fitness as well as your insurance.

[Anonymous]

#10392

So Alex you're going for Elka's. They look...  colourful. They'll stand out on your bike.

BMW has optional Akrapovic  (sp?) exhausts in their catalog. So unless your replacement is significantly louder than stock you won't have a problem. A lot of testers seem to be clueless anyway. Few will question a shiny new looking BMW and they probably won't know what's stock and whats not. Unless of course you have a boy racer exhaust like some K1200GT riders I know.In Germany they used to have pretty watertight regulations, but since the EU has formed some of this has been watered down. I think our stock exhausts have a stamp that certifies compliance with noise regulations.

Experience have said the Akrapovic may not comply as well as it was not the type of exhaust fitted to the bike on it's entry. Riding around with manufactures stickers on the exhaust is a good give away. They are a slip on can only so you could change for warrant time.

[Anonymous]

#10393

Mind you so does the BMW 450, and the F650GS and F800GS.

There you go Dean, another potential fan of the G450There is another fan too but he is in denial Mr Bell

[Dave Ross]

#10394

There is another fan too but he is in denial Mr Bell

Could very well be. He probably thinks that it's way overpriced for what it is. If you want the cutting edge of technology you have to bleed a little bit financially. I still think that a nice 250 is all you need for trail riding. Most adventure rides seem to cater for the larger bikes. I make the distinction between trail ride and adventure ride on how you got to the ride. If the bike was on a trailer it's not an adventure ride. Of course, that doesn't mean it can't be fun.

[Anonymous]

#10395

Alex apparently there are riders on very big bikes who trialer them to events. Apparently at small towns around the Brass Monkey you'll find trailers parked up.There's also a post on one of the forums with a guy with a flash SUV, trailer and unloading a large BMW so he can ride to the event a few hundred metres away. And the weather was beautiful.Where I'm going with all this is I'm not sure that definition always works. Maybe it should be if you could ride it there then....

[Author]

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