BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Here's my f800gs....











TBC

I don't recall the F800GS had UpSideDown forks . . . .
Removing the plastic body panels sure does save some weight.
Looks like you sure are hard on the machinery.

Rat bikes rock.

May I introduce, STB!

(that's storm trooper bike)

Style: black & white Roundel.

New forks? Swapped or internals?

About the front forks . . . I knew Boxer's new GS had conventional forks and a 19" front wheel. Obviously, the F800GS has USD (UpSideDown) forks, spoke wheels with a 21" front.


Phil's bike has the F800 engine but the model is named "F650GS". It is designed for Regular gas, has mag wheels and the more owner friendly conventional forks. Phil, you made the better choice. USD forktubes are a PITA to keep clean, have a shorter service life and are more expensive to service or repair. The street riding performance gain over conventional forks is nearly invisible when both are properly set up. That opinion is based on replacing a few hundred USD and conventional fork seals and also installing Gold Valve kits in street and track only bikes. USD forks are worse than a high maintenance GF.

CycleRob wrote: USD forks are worse than a high maintenance GF.

I'm posting this and this is what you want to talk about?
Have fun in this forum by yourself, no wonder nobody comes in here.

whatever, my forks are better suited for an high performance ADVENTURE dual sport bike, which mine is.

Joe, did you just have your plastic parts painted?...Or is that Storm Trooper bike a different one? I don't see the little white "smilie face" on the STB.

I want to pull my plastic parts off and just spray paint them "ratty" colors, but I'm not sure how to go about sanding etc.

I think it neeeds four strips of ductape running parallel to the handlebars on the middle of the seat for good measure.
Awesome!
Leo

ChiTown,
If you are still here . . . my negative vote for USD forks compared to conventional forks was aimed at "street riding" by the majority of riders. To the over-the-edge 10% of riders that need high performance equipment, USDFs can provide that extra measure. For the other 90%, they are not an asset. I put Boxer and myself in that group. For us, practicality and longevity are much higher on the list than winning on the track and precisely why I wrote that carefully worded warning:

USD forktubes are a PITA to keep clean, have a shorter service life and are more expensive to service or repair. The street riding performance gain over conventional forks is nearly invisible when both are properly set up. That opinion is based on replacing a few hundred USD and conventional fork seals and also installing Gold Valve kits in street and track only bikes.

I have seen the shock on the faces of customers when shown the damage and learn of the just the necessary replacement parts price total. Those USDF lower forktubes are very expensive because the Aluminum lower portion that holds the axle is bonded to the (often irreparably damaged) steel tube uppers. DirtBike owners with USDFs, even if they are fanatical about forktube cleanliness, will be punished by the USDF design that puts the forktube seal travel area in the soupy dirt storm that surrounds the front wheel. On USDFs the more expensive hardened tube surface coatings help, but there still is the vulnerability of the rubber seal. Ironically, the R1200GS is the very best front fork design there is because the seal travel area is way up top, out of the damaging debris field. Also, the TeleLever's shock replacement, upgrade or modifications are easy to do in your garage with a credit card and shippers like UPS.

This reminds me of the KillSwitch debate where I was in the minority. Both then and now I based my recommendation on years of practical experience selling the replacement parts to the more popular opposing group. I'm not some sort of vindictive KillJoy, just the service dept wrench that has BTDT and willing to pass on the lessons learned to those that have a choice.

.

Boxer wrote:Joe, did you just have your plastic parts painted?...Or is that Storm Trooper bike a different one? I don't see the little white "smilie face" on the STB.

I want to pull my plastic parts off and just spray paint them "ratty" colors, but I'm not sure how to go about sanding etc.

Same bike but I can't tell when riding it.

I took the panels to a body shop, and 3 coats of white, plus 3 clear coats later this is what I have.
Way more than I needed... flat white would have been good. They didn't do any sanding, just cleaned the surface and sprayed.

I'm giving her another chance so as long as she behaves the black and white roundels will stay...

Some more images... I'm almost done with the bike, just in time to leave on Saturday for a 2 month, all dirt Adventure.... we'll see what the bike looks like when I get back!

Grade A Choice.

Is that a white Pelican case on tail or other mfr?

You ever experience the stalling problem like my wife's F800S?

ChiTown wrote:CR,
Nobody asked you for your opinion, mr know it all. You're off topic in MY thread.
Beat it.

ChiTown wrote: I'm posting this and this is what you want to talk about?
Have fun in this forum by yourself, no wonder nobody comes in here.
whatever, my forks are better suited for an high performance ADVENTURE dual sport bike, which mine is.

Damn, Chitown, you really have a way with people. Hope for your sake you're more open than that on the road.

Peter

Hey Peter, I am this way in person or online. When someone is annoying I speak my mind. Life is too short to not be honest with your feelings.
So far my life is pretty darn good with these ways. No everyone is like you ya know. Thankfully.

Now, unless you have something positive to add to this f800gs thread, beat it!


BTW, I'm halfway across oklahoma riding all dirt, and loving my ohlins' suspension, and upside down forks. I had to finally stop once the temp gauge hit 113 this afternoon.

Isn't this the new 2011 BMW Mad-Max bike ?

You've done a great job with that bike, it look's great - Enjoy your trip.