F800GS Forks?

[killianm]

Originally Posted by sieg

On gravel and pavement if the KLR was OK the GS will be fine

I had an 04 KLR and thought the front end was mushy. I put in progressive springs and 15 or 20 weight oil. I liked that set up. The GS tends to dive on hard braking but I'm getting used to it. The suspension is OK but not great IMHO. I would like to get into some more off road stuff and adjustment up front would be nice. The spring and oil change is just a compromise for a great system. It is pretty cheap to do!!

[itsatdm]

This is the issue with the forks:





That is the cartridge tube. When BMW says non adjustable they mean it, the ends are crimped.

KLR's have damping rod forks. A rod/plunger forces oil through fixed holes in cartridge tube. low tech but easily modified. Thinner/thicker oil viscosity effect how fast the oil flows through the tube. You have cheap options like cartridge emulators.

The 800 has a compression valve crimped into the bottom. It uses washers for the oil to pass through. The oil flows around the washer and/or bends them. The viscosity benefit is limited. Too light an oil and it gets past the washer easily. Too heavy a viscosity and it will force the washers to bend too much/ too quick. The proper fix is change the stack of washers.

Usually changing springs will create a need to change the resistance in the compression valve. You can't do that with these.

This is a cheap solution that causes the owners to spend more than necessary to fix. At least Triumph and KTM have better suspension guru's
or accountants are not part of the design team.

My first ride of substance was Death/Saline Valley. I survived it also, though not much fun. A dinged rim (22psi) and a tank slapper between Race track and Lippincott. I am chasing an ADV rider on a Wee Strom and losing.


Not a lot of options in 2009. I did the springs/oil and later the first available cartridge tube. I fixed the abrupt throttle and moved the COG forward a little with suspension adjustments. That made a significant change in this bike.

I now have a stabilizer, but it was the last modification and not a requirement.

Yes I can ride it faster, but it is also easier to ride. Mine is a very stable bike.

[machinebuilder]

Originally Posted by itsatdm

Yes I can ride it faster, but it is also easier to ride. Mine is a very stable bike.

You said it better than me, for me it is faster because its easier to ride.

I'm starting to think about the steering damper, a roof on my house took priority of more farkles.

[Oso Blanco]

I just spoke to a friend who competed at the GS Trophy In South America on a 2013 F8. He personally owns (and rides the wheels off) an 09 F8. He said the new WP forks are a huge improvement over the Marzocchi's on the 08-12 bikes. He said they still aren't as good as 48mm WP units but definitely better.

[Gundy]

Originally Posted by Oso Blanco

I just spoke to a friend who competed at the GS Trophy In South America on a 2013 F8. He personally owns (and rides the wheels of) an 09 F8. He said the new WP forks are a huge improvement over the Marzocchi's on the 08-12 bikes. He said they still aren't as good as 48mm WP units but definitely better.

So does that mean the dive isn't as bad? It's really hard to find a review of the new 2013 anywhere, but people seem to be hinting that BmW at least partially fixed the fork performance.

[Oso Blanco]

Originally Posted by Gundy

So does that mean the dive isn't as bad? It's really hard to find a review of the new 2013 anywhere, but people seem to be hinting that BmW at least partially fixed the fork performance.

Not sure specifically what was different or changed but they rode the '13s hard at the Trophy event and were happy with the new forks for what its worth.

[murph76]

I just did a 7k trip last year on my 10' f800gs. To the point.....that suspension is shit- the upgrades are expensive-good luck...............oh yeah the rims are soft,upgrade............the throttle/fuel injection is abrupt i think they fixed it on the 13's but i haven't gone in for the upgrade to cpu so it remains to be seen..............that seat is shit get an upgrade................bent rear shock bolt- the fix was done by a customer on here! - what the fuck BMW..............haven't had the fuel pump problem but its been well documented............... overall its probably the best 50/50 bike on the market................but for the price you shouldnt have to fix all these problems that BMW used shortcuts on.

[ebrabaek]

Ohhhhh dear....

[Steveman]

Originally Posted by ebrabaek

Ohhhhh dear....

my brother in spirit

[murph76]

i was being nice

[Bigem]

Originally Posted by murph76

i was being nice

I gather you don't like it then?

Forks can be sorted without spending a fortune, but it is sub-standard for a 20K bike.

I still haven't found another bike that can match the F8GS for what I do on it. If there was something out there I would have it in my garage!!

[guzzimike]

Originally Posted by Bigem

I gather you don't like it then?

Forks can be sorted without spending a fortune, but it is sub-standard for a 20K bike.

I still haven't found another bike that can match the F8GS for what I do on it. If there was something out there I would have it in my garage!!

Wot he said.
I drank the Kool Aid and fitted Ohlins NIX, this was after I shagged a set of Bitubos.
Cost a small fortune but worth it if you're going to use the bike for purposes it wasn't designed for, such as taking it off road.

[Snowy]

Originally Posted by guzzimike

Wot he said.
I drank the Kool Aid and fitted Ohlins NIX, this was after I shagged a set of Bitubos.
Cost a small fortune but worth it if you're going to use the bike for purposes it wasn't designed for, such as taking it off road.

That last line hits the nail on the head.

Truth in advertising would be a start.

Motorcycle media who didn't kiss corporate ass would help.

[Bigem]

Originally Posted by Snowy

That last line hits the nail on the head.

Truth in advertising would be a start.

Motorcycle media who didn't kiss corporate ass would help.

True!

The bikes that have top class suspension seem to sell in such small numbers!

I wonder sometimes, maybe race-bred suspension isn't what the bulk of adventure riders want? If it was, there would be a lot more 990 Adventures sold, I think they have sold about 16 in Australia this year?

[Snowy]

They didn't sell 17 because they wouldn't let me test ride one with wifey on the back.

They have dropped the price. But still no demo.
BMW had demo bikes, but no stock to sell.

You have to wonder.