New Owners - Stupid Questions Thread

[inmate-n00b]

I'm trying to figure out whether or not my old RAM mount U-bolt will fit on the F800GS. What's the diameter of the handlebars?
I've seen the diameter listed online as 1", 1.25" and 1 1/8".
Which one is it?
The majority of the websites/forum posts I've read seem to have it at 1.25". I just want to make sure.

GREAT idea for a thread, btw.....
I will try not to abuse it.

[Lost Rider]

Originally Posted by HighFive

Hhhhmmm....can't say I'd recommend skipping a valve check. All motors are not made the same.
But, I'm only in the 4k range....I've got lots of riding to do yet before I get to that point. So, what do I know?

True, not all are the same, but at over 45,000 miles mine are still in spec and have never been adjusted.... not really something to lose sleep over at low miles IMO.

[inmate-n00b]

Originally Posted by OMG_WTF

I'm trying to figure out whether or not my old RAM mount U-bolt will fit on the F800GS. What's the diameter of the handlebars?
I've seen the diameter listed online as 1", 1.25" and 1 1/8".
Which one is it?
The majority of the websites/forum posts I've read seem to have it at 1.25". I just want to make sure.

GREAT idea for a thread, btw.....
I will try not to abuse it.

Hmmmm looks like I answered my own stupid question:

1" in the middle of the 800 bars, tapering down to 7/8" at the handlebar ends.

[Lost Rider]

Originally Posted by OMG_WTF

Hmmmm looks like I answered my own stupid question:

1" in the middle of the 800 bars, tapering down to 7/8" at the handlebar ends.

Self reliance is part of growing up on ADV.


Not too stupid, I didn't know with certainty myself....

[HighFive]

Stupid Question #12: Is anybody really using that "raise-the-front-fender-thingy" from Touratech?

Its officially on the TT website as: "Mudguard riser kit w longer SS brake line BMW F800GS"

I tried to copy the photo, but my Mac doesn't want to cooperate this evening.

Its quite expensive, and appears to be very minimal in the "raising" department. Does it work in the mud? Is it necessary? Is it worth the expense? What is everybody doing about there low front fender clearance?

HF

Edit....Super Thanks, ChiTown! I didn't know that uber secret snapshot trick. Where's the cheat sheet?

[Lost Rider]

I can't help you with the TT fender thingy since I don't have one, but can help you with the Mac not doing what you want. (I have however been screwed by muddy roads packing up my front wheel to the point where driving wasn't possible, and could have used one. Once.)



When you can't drap and drop a photo from a given website:

To capture a portion of the desktop, press Command-Shift-4. A cross-hair cursor will appear where your pointer was and you can click and drag to select the area you wish to capture. When you release the mouse button, the screen shot will be automatically saved as a PNG file on your desktop.
Then upload to display as you wish.

[Bayner]

Originally Posted by HighFive

Stupid Question #12: Is anybody really using that "raise-the-front-fender-thingy" from Touratech?

Its officially on the TT website as: "Mudguard riser kit w longer SS brake line BMW F800GS"

I tried to copy the photo, but my Mac doesn't want to cooperate this evening.

Its quite expensive, and appears to be very minimal in the "raising" department. Does it work in the mud? Is it necessary? Is it worth the expense? What is everybody doing about there low front fender clearance?

HF

Before a long trip this summer I got one, since I just wasn't interested at modding up my own kit at the time. It works fine. I can see how it would still be able to pack up with mud in some conditions, but it does add more clearance than it appears to. It was silly expensive: I think you could make one pretty easily with a few bent pieces of metal and a brake line made to spec...

On a side note, has anybody with the TT riser packed the thing up with mud?

[MCMXCIVRS]

Originally Posted by Bayner

On a side note, has anybody with the TT riser packed the thing up with mud?

Yes!!!!! Stopped the front wheel, dumped the bike, broke my ankle, burnt out the clutch trying to get the bike out (with a very painfully broken ankle), panicked the world sending for help with my SPOT tracker, had to get the bike hauled home in a truck, spent six weeks on crutches while we had the best weather we've had all year.

I'm doing a complete front fenderectomy now.

[inmate-n00b]

In your experience with the F800GS, are the axle alignment tick marks accurate?
For my old sportbike, they were not. The tick marks were more for road-side, emergency maintenance.
I had to use the "string method" (http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/sportryde...ntmethod.shtml), which was a pita.

Thanks again!

[HighFive]

Originally Posted by OMG_WTF

In your experience with the F800GS, are the axle alignment tick marks accurate?

Yes, mine are. I have an alignment tool....the kind that screws onto the rear sprocket and has a long skinny steel rod for assisting visual alignment. Simple, handy thing, really.

I used it for alignment and confirmed the adjuster marks are very close (side to side) on my bike. I re-installed my chain 3 times (thru my bearing work) and re-confirmed this every time.

HF

p.s. But maybe mine is "special"

[Gallowbraid]

Love this thread, here's my noob question:

Have an 05 KLR, wasn't run for the last year, I've cleaned the carb, changed the oil, drained and put fresh gas in it...runs great now. Of course now winter has hit and I need to put her up for the season. So:

Is it better to prep it for the winter and simply store her, or is it better to occasionally start her up and let her run for a bit through the winter?

If it is better to store the bike, what are the things I need t do to prep it?

[HighFive]

Uhhmmm.....trade the KLR for an F800 like I did. Call Honz at Gateway BMW in St. Louis. He loves to trade for KLR's. Then, you can spend the whole winter farkling it out.

And while you're at it....if you can't ride....start it once a week and let her idle a while. Maybe shift her through the gears while on a lift stand. Keep it on a trickle charger too.

HF

p.s. Do it....you know you want one. Or, you wouldn't be hanging around in here.

[Lion BR]

Originally Posted by HighFive

Stupid Question #12: Is anybody really using that "raise-the-front-fender-thingy" from Touratech?

Its officially on the TT website as: "Mudguard riser kit w longer SS brake line BMW F800GS"

I tried to copy the photo, but my Mac doesn't want to cooperate this evening.

Its quite expensive, and appears to be very minimal in the "raising" department. Does it work in the mud? Is it necessary? Is it worth the expense? What is everybody doing about there low front fender clearance?

HF

Edit....Super Thanks, ChiTown! I didn't know that uber secret snapshot trick. Where's the cheat sheet?

Hey HF,
The 2010 and 2011 F800 GS have a wider gap between front fender and front tire than the 08 and 09 bikes. Not sure if you need this or not.
Lion

[Hardroad]

I hear what your saying, Gallowbraid is in a area that does have warm days in the winter where he could ride if wanted.
Keep the bike ready to ride.
Hardroad

[HighFive]

Originally Posted by AlanI

With respect. but imho this is the last thing that you should be doing. Running the bike without any load i.e. floating rear wheel won't do the engine one bit of good.........uneven cooling/oiling with a high risk of internal condensation forming.

Well....I didn't call it "Stupid Thread" without reason.

While I don't disagree with any of your measures....especially if they help you sleep better all winter. Those steps all seem sound precautions, but I'm not sure they are really necessary in every case. I think its hogwash to say running your bike ever so often will harm it. Letting it come up to temp should minimize or eliminate any potential condensation. Working thru the gears to splash some oil around ain't a bad idea either.....load or no load. the motor doesn't care if it has a load or not. All the parts are moving just the same. But what do I know?

I've seen many a bike "ready to ride" sitting on a dealer's showroom floor for 6 months to a year, and they don't have it bubble wrapped. And it doesn't seem to be harmful to it. Granted its indoors. But there are plenty of them out in the warehouse too. Like those hostages in the BMW repair shop for several months.....they don't take extra storage precautions on them.

But let's compromise. If your beautiful F800 is going to sit idle all winter, why not bring it into the living room and keep it on display? Give it the honor it deserves, keep it in a nice climatized enviro, and have a great conversation piece for the guests!

Otherwise, keep it ready to ride! Like Hardroad said. And ride the Mother...

HF

p.s. I've let a bike sit over 6 months, with fuel in the tank, and then fired it up and rode the dog snot out of it that same day....and for several more years. Never had a problem with it. But that was a 2-stroke with premix in the fuel. Maybe they are tougher than these 4T's. I donno...

And, I don't live in the Northern Hemisphere, either. So, I respectfully pass judgement to those who live in much colder climates than me....for their conditions.