BMW F800GS

The BMW F800GS represents a new direction for me as I normally ride sportsbikes. To kick things off I’m going to head to the Highlands and explore some of our great isle’s finest asphalt offerings.
james.archibald@motorcyclenews.com

Year: ALL

MCN Fleet: Bye-bye Beemer

14 February 2017 by James Archibald

Time for the BMW F800GS to return I’ve had a fantastic experience with BMW’s middleweight adventure option, but the time has sadly come for the F800GS to return. I must admit, when I took delivery of...

MCN Fleet: (nearly) 18,000 miles later on the F800GS

16 November 2016 by James Archibald

The ODO actually read 17,300 miles when the service indicator appeared again on the dash of the GS. Bringing the 12,000-mile service forward to coincide with a trip to Germany back in August has meant...

MCN Fleet: A dim view of the F800GS

04 November 2016 by James Archibald

It’s reached that depressing time of the year when the clocks go all topsy-turvy and night encroaches a lot sooner than it should. The extra riding about in the dark has highlighted that the headlamp...

MCN Fleet: The F800GS and the Scottish spectacular (Part 3)

20 October 2016 by James Archibald

I stumbled across a small hand-made sign for a lighthouse that led down a tiny road that disappeared into the distance. With the day getting on I thought it best to think of somewhere to shack up for...

MCN Fleet: The F800GS and the Scottish spectacular (Part 2)

18 October 2016 by James Archibald

Glencoe led me through to the Isle of Skye, continuing north on the A82 before peeling off to the equally incredible A87 as it snakes alongside Lochs Duich and Alsh. I stopped at a café for some lunch...

MCN Fleet: The F800GS and the Scottish spectacular (Part 1)

12 October 2016 by James Archibald

The first thing I did when I got the F800GS in March was take it to a trip to the Scottish Highlands. The trouble was, with only a long weekend, I didn’t get to see as much of this vast and beautiful...

MCN Fleet: F800GS is getting tired of tyre changes

28 September 2016 by James Archibald

I fitted a set Metzeler Karoo 3s on the F800GS the other week ready for the Sweet Lamb Adventure Bike Academy in Wales. The Michelin Anakee IIIs I was using before were predominantly road focused and...

MCN Fleet: The F800GS does the dirty, again

23 September 2016 by James Archibald

One of the things that I’ve been adamant that I wanted to do while I have the F800GS this year is learn to ride off-road. Having never taken to the dirt previously. I’ve done this by attending a...

MCN Fleet: New tyres but my F800GS soon feels deflated

16 September 2016 by James Archibald

I managed a grand total of 26 hours with the new Metzeler Karoo 3s on my F800GS before they started feeling a little strange. I had been getting on well with the tyres. Though billed as an off-road...

MCN Fleet: The GS is booting up to go off-road

15 September 2016 by James Archibald

Back in June I took the F800GS and myself off-road for the first time at the Sweet Lamb Adventure Bike Academy. It was one of the best things I’ve ever done on a motorcycle and is something I promised...

MCN Fleet: The GS goes back to the workshop

07 September 2016 by James Archibald

So the GS has just clocked up over 14,000-miles and I have to be honest, though a lot of those have been covered on the motorway, it has also had somewhat of a hard life. Using the BMW off road and on...

MCN Fleet: The GS takes a trip home

24 August 2016 by James Archibald

I arrived back to the familiarity of my small cul-de-sac at 1:30am after having ridden solidly for nearly 16 hours; tackling the 820-miles from Berlin on my trusty F800GS after attending the...

MCN Fleet: A long day done for the BMW F800GS

12 August 2016 by James Archibald

Yesterday was a long one aboard my BMW F800GS fleet bike. I’m headed to this weekend’s BMW-sponsored Pure & Crafted festival in Berlin and decided it would be a good time for me to ride on mainland...

MCN Fleet: Time for the GS to get a refresh

10 August 2016 by James Archibald

So the GS is booked in for its 12,000-mile service at Balderstons BMW in Peterborough. It’s a big milestone for the bike, and will see its valve clearances checked, air filter replaced along with the...

MCN Fleet: F800GS is back on stable ground

27 July 2016 by James Archibald

The Continental TKC70s that have been on the GS have been replaced after 7000 miles of cautious road riding with Michelin’s more tarmac-focused Anake III tyres. The difference between the two was...

MCN Fleet: Touring is miles more fun on the F800GS

12 July 2016 by James Archibald

As I near the 10,000-mile mark I’ve started to reflect on my time with the GS so far. I’m finding it a great machine to live with and for the most part I’m really happy with it. Sure there are a...

MCN Fleet: Time for a pit stop, again

29 June 2016 by James Archibald

In the three months I’ve had the GS I’ve clocked up a hefty 8384 miles, along the way getting 140-160 miles out of a tank before the reserve light comes on. For my riding and the distances I’m...

MCN Fleet: Adventure on your doorstep on the F800GS

18 June 2016 by James Archibald

After spending a day learning to ride off-road at the Adventure Bike Academy previously, my next long-term adventure with my BMW F800 GS started on the doorstep of Snowdonia’s National park. With...

MCN Fleet: Mastering the mud on the F800GS

15 June 2016 by James Archibald

Dirt tracks, loose rocks and rivers have all passed me by so far in my riding career. The fear of dropping my bike on its side always played a key role in this. But now I have a GS. It’s built for...

MCN Fleet: The sun doesn't have to shine for the BMW F800GS to thrill

27 May 2016 by James Archibald

The 800 eats the miles like a buffalo at a buffet so I can spend hours in the saddle without an ache or pain; thanks to its relaxed, upright riding position. I just stick the electronically adjusted...

MCN Fleet: Rain starts play on GS

19 April 2016 by James Archibald

This is my first year with an adventure bike and rather than give myself a gentle introduction, I headed to the Highlands. The idea was to face a five-day baptism of fire (or rain as it would turn...