F800ST Question

[RYJ]

Good Evening Folks, I have a question on the F800ST. I'm looking to purchase a used F800ST, does anyone know if there are any known issue with this bike???? I just sold my ST1300. The bikes seat height was a bit tall for me (I'm kinda short) even after installing a lower shock and seat. I didn't feel comfortable with it. any input would be great appropriated.

 

Thank you

Ray

[Firefight911]

Had one. Great bike. It was my wife's. Only issue we ever had with it was a need for a new rear wheel. They had a run where they were way off balance and required an excessive amount of weight to balance. No, this was not a tire issue. It was a wheel issue that was warranty replaced. Wife kept complaining that every time she broke a ton there was a harmonic set up and vibration. You don't know my wife....she rides like a girl!

[RYJ]

Thank you, for your input

[David13]

I had to replace the entire rear wheel assembly.

Other than that I had no problems.

There is a big forum. BMWF800ridersforum.

And F800Depot.

They list every problem ever known. But any bike can have some problems. I don't think they had a lot. Just check the bike over good.

dc

[RYJ]

Thank you.... this would be a dealer purchase, I hope it would be a better way to go. I would also purchase an extended warranty if they offer it. thanks for you input. I will look at the sites you listed.

[Guest Kakugo]

Thank you.... this would be a dealer purchase, I hope it would be a better way to go. I would also purchase an extended warranty if they offer it. thanks for you input. I will look at the sites you listed.

 

Mind the F800ST will get substantial updates for the 2013 model year so bear that in mind when haggling with the dealer.

[Downs]

I picked mine up used about 2 weeks ago. It's an 07 with 34,900 miles on it today.

 

So far

 

Blew a fork seal the day I picked it up

 

Glitchy instrument panel caused by idiots at the dealership who like to use a pressure washer.

 

Today...... Burnt up the Stator on my way to meet someone about 25 miles away. Semi-common problem caused by the way the charging system was designed and lack of cooling for the stator.

 

Other known issues with this model

 

Excessive cam chain slack/wear in a relatively short time.

 

Piston Slap in some early models

 

And the big one that lots of folks have had is a final drive failure (sound familiar?)

 

Due to various issues the bearings in the rear adjustment eccentric will wear out. In extreme cases it can cause a rear wheel lock-up/seizure while under way which is like slamming on the rear brake. Replacement cost if you take it to a dealership can run over 1,000 dollars.

 

http://f800riders.org/forum/articles.php

 

I will say that everytime I swing a leg over the bike I enjoy it though. The Rotax pulls smooth got plenty of power unless you are power obsessed and gets awesome fuel econ. I'm pulling down almost 60MPG at 80MPH.

 

The seat is comftrable, wind protection is good, ect. Overall it's a good bike but I think BMW dropped the ball and continues to ignore known issues with the bikes.

[TampaJim]

Since the engine is identical to the F800GS, you might want to check the "parallel universe" section on Advrider.

In particular http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=562199

[David13]

Downs

That is a worst case scenario, as I think those were the major issues, and all somewhat rare issues at that.

On the rear wheel, I don't think there was ever a lock up. I suppose it to be possible, but usually ended up just wobbling. So I don't think it's a real danger, but it is a problem, I don't know what percent of the bikes, and expensive.

It's also perhaps an internet exaggeration. I suspect that there are 1000s more out there who have no problem, never post, and spend their time riding, instead.

dc

[Downs]

I'll agree with that but at the same times the problems are known well enough that you need to be prepared to fix them yourself of pay a dealer to do it. At this point I wouldn't expect any of these bikes to make it though their service lives without having at least one of the "major" issues.

 

This stator job is one I'm doing myself and it's costing me around 220 dollars in parts.

 

If you take it to the BMW dealership they will charge you around 1000 dollars for parts to perform it because BMW doesn't sell the stator by itself for this part. They sell the stator and "flywheel" or rotor as a package. They won't sell the stator separately.

 

You can find used F800 Stators on Ebay pretty easy for around 120 dollars or so. I ordered a new one from Rick's Motorcycle Electrics. Cost me a bit more but it has a parts warranty at least.

 

 

 

I've got a 1979 GS1000 that's sitting at my parent's house. 33 year old bike and it's never had to have any of these parts.

[RYJ]

Thank you, very much for the info. I had heard that thr earlier models had some issues, I'm wondering if a newer 2009, have the same problems. No offence to anyone, that's why I normally lean towards Japanese bikes. My problem is the seat height. and I can't find a japanese bike sport touring bike with a seat height of 29 inches.

[Guest Kakugo]

If you can stretch out to 30" the Yamaha FZ6R may be the bike for you then...

[Downs]

FZ6 is a better bike over all the FZ6R. It's what I owned prior to this F800ST. The FZ6 is a better bike in all respects except for plastic coverage.

 

 

If the bike can hold together the F800ST makes an excellent SPort Touring mount. That engine makes me smile everytime I ride it.

 

 

[Bob Foley]

RYJ-- be sure that the stalling issue has been eliminated on the ST you are looking at.

 

I finally gave up with mine and bought a FZ6R. I am 5'7"--it fits perfect and not a single problem.

 

Good luck with your search.

[RYJ]

Thank you, I'll look into the FZ6R. It never crossed my mind

[TampaJim]

 

Downs the guys on the advrider 800GS board don't seem to be having much luck with rewound and aftermarket stators

 

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=706033&page=6

Aparently there is a design problem with the flywheel causing the stators to run too hot.

BMW now has a new assembly but like you say it costs big bucks.

[Downs]

Good to know we'll see how long this one lasts.

[RYJ]

I would like to thank everyone for their input. I'm starting to be a little concern with the reliability of the bike.

[Firefight911]

I forgot to add, ours also had an EWS ring go out and a sudden death battery that left Jamie with a dead bike on the way to the John Day UNRally.

[Downs]

Mine had an EWS warning a week ago. Turns out you can't put keyrings on your key without it playing havoc with the antenna

 

:rolleyes:

[Downs]

Also it seems as though there is some headway being made over on ADVRIDER with Electrosport making a better stator capable of withstanding higher temperatures. Which seems to be the killer of the F series stators.

 

BMW also has a new rotor/flywheel in the parts stream along with a stator that may fix the cooling issue.

 

I ordered some 1800 degree rated heat shileding I plan on putting between the exhaust head pipes and the stator cover. Should help cut down on heat a little bit.

[rclbaker]

To my knowledge & statistics, the F800S en ST models are considered very reliable.

See for instance the questionnaire results about satisfaction: 93% is (very) happy: http://f800riders.org/forum/showthread.php/55244-CLOSED-F800-Riders-Satisfaction-Survey-2010-%28F800S-ST%29

 

Rob

[RYJ]

Thank you, for your input

[UberXY]

Hi.

 

I had an F800ST for about 2 years. Never had a moment's problem with it. Never had a warranty claim. I followed some of the problems guys were having over on the F800 board, but I never had any issues.

 

I used it on the highway for touring; on the race track for a CLASS class; and on some pretty iffy long stretches of mud roads. It's a great little all around bike. It's very light weight, and if are uncomfortable with heavy bikes like RTs or GSs, the F800 is a good choice.

 

In my humble opinion, the bikes only real weakness is the front suspension - it's pretty soft and you can use it up quickly under heavy braking. Yes, there is a solution - a gold valve emulator - but it's expensive and involves drilling some internal parts. I sold the bike eventually and bought a K1200S, which probably has the best front suspension BMW ever made.

 

Gone but not forgotten:

 

 

K12 suspension:

 

[Rinkydink]

I bought a used 2007 and love it. I had fork seals and my clutch cover gasket crap out. I put fork gaiters on and haven't had the fork seal problem since. The clutch cover gasket was causing my oil light to flicker at idle. It was an easy fix though. I love it as it's a nice change from the RT and R90/6. Like the three bears not too hot, not too cold but just right...a fun machine.

[David13]

They are super. Mine had no problems, except the rear axle went out after warranty expired. $910 and my labor to rebuild it.

It never stalled. Not once.

dc

[Downs]

Oh same color as mine

 

Like I said it's not a bad bike.

 

You just need to be prepared to deal with one or more of the known issues with the bike. There's also the chance (pretty good over all) that you will get a bike with no issues

 

I do know that in the two weeks I've had mine I've had the fork seal issue and the stator issue. I bought the bike used so it could have had the rear bearings replaced already for all I know.

 

I am now running my belt with it adjusted to have a 90 degree twist while on the bike. Much more loose than the BMW Factory spec but after reviewing the other failures on the F800 board it's my opinion part of the bearing issue (other than soft rear axles on early models) has been an overly tight drive belt.

 

Buells experienced similar problems with their bikes before they started putting automatic tensioner on their bikes. My dad's stratoliner experienced a similar problem twice and it also has no automatic tensioner for the drive belt. He started running his belt looser than the factory spec and hasn't had a problem since.

 

We'll see how it works for me.

[RYJ]

Thank you all for your input, it's been very helpful.

[catneck]

My input.

I have an 800S, not ST. Different ergonomics, same parts.

18000 trouble free miles. Fantastic mix of light weight and performance, it serves me as a thrifty commuter. I have a few bikes to choose from, yet this seems to be the chosen one most every time.

Another nod to the f800riders site, you will find a wealth of information on that board.

Good luck with your decision.

Christian