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School me on a 2010 BMW 800GS

slowpoke

slowpoke

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Joined
Jun 25, 2002
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IN A TRAILER DOWN BY THE RIVER!...
Moto(s)
Crash into trees...
Name
Asian Dan
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AMA #: 1102172
Going to take a look at one, but not too familiar with them.

Things to look for? Any major issues? Recalls? Hiccups? Anything?

Thanks!
 
Be aware that a lot of stuff is factory options - ABS, heated grips, center stand, 12v outlets etc.

If you are going to travel on it, all that stuff is very nice to have. Aside from that, check it out like any other bike - farkles fitted, crash damage, proper maintenance for mileage, brakes and clutch properly adjusted, fork seals good, etc, etc.

Also check out advrider.com - probably more info than you would ever need there. Very nice bikes though - enjoy!
 
There have been instances of low mileage clutch failure, but I'm not sure of the prevalence. Something to look into.
 
Go for the 1200 Henry! :)

It only weighs 50lbs more, but you get a bike with mucho character!
 
My clutch went out at 27,000. Whether or not you think that is low is up for debate apparently. Truth be told I am hard on the clutch especially off road. First gear is a little twitchy and very tall, so I use it a lot.

This is from my 09, although I am not sure if they got all the fixes in for to '10.

There is an issue (cosmetic only) on the seam around the gas tank. Not the tank itself but the plastic around it. Between the colored plastic and the black plastic cracks can occur. Take a look. They should replace it for free.

The wheel bearings are a known issue, keep an eye on them. Also should be replaced for free. My rear wheel bearings took a crap and destroyed the wheel hub. All replaced for free. That was at around 24k.

Chain and sprockets had a recall, although I am 90% that was first year only. no problems with mine but I got a brand new set for free at 18k. :party

Oil can seep out of the top end (very small amount) as the gaskets they had were designed poorly. This will usually happen after the valve checks. Also I think only a certain range in the first year. Easy fix anyway.

That's all I can think of right now.

Oh if it has an after-market rear shock, there is a chance the rear shock bolt is bent. I know a ton of people on advrider have had this issue. Last I checked this was poor design on the part of the third parties and not bmw though. Just something to look for.
 
1st gear is still very tall and a little twitchy at low speeds, but I typically stay in 1st until 30 MPH (though this weekend I red-lined it in first @ 50 MPH to see how fast I could go...does about 70 in 2nd gear before red-lining). I've put 4000 miles on mine in about 2 months of ownership and the only thing that's wonky is the gear indicator sensor, but mechanically has been bullet proof.

It's a great all arounder, I use it for commuting and touring with some light off-roading. I've upgraded the skid plate, added engine guards, AUX LED fender mounted headlights, a fuse box with relay, light-guards and LED flashing brake light. I also love the BMW hard boxes. I've ordered a Mirage 2 windscreen (the stock one is pretty useless), and my next upgrades will be a custom or comfort seat and eventually fork spring upgrades.

How tall are you? They are pretty tall bikes, taller than R1200GS.
 
two words: tubed tires
 
number_6 said:
if it disapeared or something and now having lived with it you were suddenly in the market again, would you buy it again?
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100% without a doubt. 3 years later and I still stared at it this weekend (parked at a campsite in Yosemite) and said out loud "I love my bike". <-sad, but this actually happened. :laughing

Although they are supposedly updating it for 2013, so I'd wait and see what they did to it. :teeth
 
Incidentally I decided to buy new because in my opinion the asking prices on the very few used ones on CL were ridiculously high...they tended to be fully farkled, but the asking price was close to MSRP...on a 2-3 year old bike! Decided to buy new and choose my own farkles.

revnort was a super nice guy and let me come check his out before I got mine, and he regularly answers my stupid questions ;)
 
HappyHighwayman said:
Incidentally I decided to buy new because in my opinion the asking prices on the very few used ones on CL were ridiculously high...they tended to be fully farkled, but the asking price was close to MSRP...on a 2-3 year old bike! Decided to buy new and choose my own farkles.

revnort was a super nice guy and let me come check his out before I got mine, and he regularly answers my stupid questions ;)
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Used prices are a very BMW'esqe thing.. I too have found used prices in general much closer to new MSRP than any other marquee. My guess is that the typical BMW owner values their bike (all maintenance done at dealer, don't mind spending $ on pricey OEM parts, etc)

And to top it off, the typical BMW owner will not nickle and dime you. It's probably just and older generation thing.:ride:p
 
stan23 said:
Used prices are a very BMW'esqe thing.. I too have found used prices in general much closer to new MSRP than any other marquee. My guess is that the typical BMW owner values their bike (all maintenance done at dealer, don't mind spending $ on pricey OEM parts, etc)

And to top it off, the typical BMW owner will not nickle and dime you. It's probably just and older generation thing.:ride:p
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I understand that they value their bike, but it's like the HD guy who put $10,000 of farkles on his bike and expects KBB+ $9,999.99. Effectively I get the farkles that they liked for free, and no warranty, and 10,000-30,000 of someone else's miles.
 
Kornholio said:
You're a good convert, Stan. :laughing
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lol.. Other than charging obscene prices for OEM parts - I don't find BMW's more special than the other premium brands i've had (Ducati, even MV Agusta)
 
stan23 said:
lol.. Other than charging obscene prices for OEM parts - I don't find BMW's more special than the other premium brands i've had (Ducati, even MV Agusta)
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True. But this thing hasn't had any of the bugs my Ducati's did. :teeth
 
Kornholio said:
I don't think you see that with BMW's as much as you do Harley's, though.
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Agreed. The fact is I think the absolute lack of F800GSs for sale used is an indication that their owners like them. It's been around 3-4 years now and there aren't any for sale used and hardly any new.

There are two listed on CL and they're both new from the dealer.
 
The only BMW's I usually see for sale on Craigslist are coming from a happy owner who's just looking to upgrade to the newer version of their bike.
 
Go with a Wee-Strom 650. Better bike. Ride them both and see.
 
HappyHighwayman said:
Agreed. The fact is I think the absolute lack of F800GSs for sale used is an indication that their owners like them. It's been around 3-4 years now and there aren't any for sale used and hardly any new.

There are two listed on CL and they're both new from the dealer.
Click to expand...

Protip: They didn't sell many F800GS's. It's kind of an odd man out bike for BMW.

They have the lightweight F650GS single and twin for those who want to get into adventure riding with some dirt thrown in. And they have the R1200GS for the Long Way Round wannabes.

The F800GS is expensive, somewhat heavy, and those looking to do some serious dirt work would probably go straight to KTM (990ADV)

It's not to say it ain't a bad bike.. It just sits in a peculiar position in the lineup.
 
Another excellent point. I feel it is likely the F800GS holds it value well, but as I intend to ride mine for another 96,000 miles it wasn't really a factor in its purchase ;)
 
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