BMW F 800 GS (K72) 2008–2018: Specs, Facts & Known Issues

The Machine's Character

BMW built the F 800 GS around a liquid-cooled 798 cc parallel twin making 86 hp and 61 lb-ft, then hung it on a chassis that takes the off-road half of adventure seriously. The 21-inch front wheel, 9.1 in (230 mm) of front travel, 9.4 in (240 mm) of ground clearance and chain final drive tell you where the priorities sit. The fork is an upside-down unit with no adjusters; the rear shock takes preload. At 456 lb (207 kg) wet it stays slim between the knees, though the 34.6 in (880 mm) seat is a real height.

This one suits the rider who wants gravel on Saturday and 400 highway miles on Sunday out of the same machine, and who doesn't need the biggest engine in the class to feel like the bike is finished. It ages like a working tool rather than a showpiece, but it wants attention. Chains and sprockets can be worn out by 8,000 mi (13,000 km), rear wheel bearings have gone noisy around 11,000 mi (18,000 km), and the rear shock and its mount don't love sustained heavy loads over rough ground. Loaded two-up, the twin runs short of easy headroom sooner than solo riders ever notice.

Hard Numbers

Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.

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Key specifications
Power	86 hp (63 kW) @ 7,500 rpm
Torque	61 lb-ft (83 Nm) @ 5,750 rpm
Displacement	798 cc
Engine	Parallel twin
Cooling	Liquid-cooled
Gearbox	6-speed
Final drive	Chain
Fork	Upside-down (USD)
Front brake	300 mm
Front tire	90/90-21
Rear tire	150/70-17
Wheelbase	62.1 in (1577 mm)
Ground clearance	9.4 in (240 mm)
Front travel	9.1 in (230 mm)
Rear travel	8.5 in (215 mm)
Seat height	34.6 in (880 mm)
Wet weight	456 lb (207 kg)
Fuel capacity	4.2 gal (16 L)

Equipment check

Chassis

Electronic Suspension Optional
Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard

Comfort

Heated Grips Optional
Luggage System Optional

Safety

ABS Standard
Traction Control Optional
Ride Modes Standard

Known issues

2013 side-stand switch recall (NHTSA 14V065000)

electrics occasional Recall

NHTSA campaign 14V065000: water could enter the side-stand switch on model-year 2013 F 800 GS machines (and several other BMW models), either preventing a start or shutting the engine down while riding. Dealers replaced the side-stand switch free of charge. The campaign opened in April 2014.
2009 front axle recall (NHTSA 09V088000)

suspension rare Recall

NHTSA campaign 09V088000: 754 model-year 2009 F 800 GS machines left the factory with a front quick-release axle whose shaft wall thickness was out of specification. An under-thickness axle could deform or break. Dealers inspected the front wheel quick-release axle and fitted an improved part free of charge; the campaign opened in June 2009.
2008 chain sprocket fastener recall (NHTSA 08V692000)

drivetrain rare Recall

NHTSA campaign 08V692000: 509 model-year 2008 F 800 GS and F 650 GS machines had their chain sprocket fasteners tightened to inconsistent torque. The fasteners could work loose from the sprocket. Dealers loosened, inspected and re-torqued the fasteners, replacing any that were damaged. The campaign opened in January 2009.
2008-2010 charcoal canister water ingress recall (NHTSA 09V499000)

fuel system occasional Recall

NHTSA campaign 09V499000: on F 800 GS and F 650 GS machines built between January 2008 and December 2009, the routing of the evaporative canister ventilation hose let water be drawn into the charcoal canister, which could stall the engine. Dealers added and re-routed an additional hose free of charge. The campaign opened in May 2010.
2008-2009 drive chain recall (NHTSA 10V274000)

drivetrain occasional Recall

NHTSA campaign 10V274000: drive chains on F 800 GS and F 650 GS machines built between 27 September 2007 and 30 March 2009 were not produced to specification and could break over time. A broken chain trapped between rear wheel and frame could lock the rear wheel. Dealers replaced chain and sprockets free of charge. The campaign opened in August 2010.
Rear shock absorber failure / weak shock mount

suspension occasional

Some owners report rear shock failure or cracking around the shock mount, especially under heavy load or rough terrain.
Premature rear wheel bearing failure

chassis occasional

Rear wheel bearings can wear out early, often around 11,000 mi (18,000 km). Symptoms include play and noise.
Rapid chain and sprocket wear

drivetrain occasional

The OEM chain and sprockets may wear quickly, requiring replacement as early as 8,100 mi (13,000 km). Aftermarket kits can improve longevity.
Steering head bearing wear

chassis occasional

Steering head bearings can develop a central notch, causing vague steering and difficulty turning. More common on bikes with heavy off-road use.
Stator overheating and burnout, mainly on earlier model years

electrics occasional

The alternator stator sits inside the engine cover with limited cooling, so its windings run hot, the insulation breaks down and the windings burn out. Charging output drops, the battery drains, and the bike can eventually stall and refuse to restart. Earlier model years are the most affected; a later vented rotor design improved cooling, but failures are still reported on bikes built after the change.

The Expert Benchmark

Where this BMW F 800 GS pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.

What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class

Long-Range Trust

Offroad Credibility

Suspension Range & Load Control

Luggage-Ready Escape Value

Low-Speed Balance

Rider Command While Standing

Torque in the Dirt

This bike Class average

The shape of the BMW F 800 GS — numbers and character vs. the average Adventure

Head-to-head: BMW F 800 GS vs. its rivals

Power

86 hp This bike 94 hp Triumph Tiger 800 67 hp Suzuki V-Strom 650 94 hp Honda XL 1000 V Varadero 77 hp Moto Guzzi V85 TT Centenario

Torque

61 lb-ft This bike 58 lb-ft Triumph Tiger 800 46 lb-ft Suzuki V-Strom 650 72 lb-ft Honda XL 1000 V Varadero 60 lb-ft Moto Guzzi V85 TT Centenario

Displacement

798 cc This bike 799 cc Triumph Tiger 800 645 cc Suzuki V-Strom 650 996 cc Honda XL 1000 V Varadero 853 cc Moto Guzzi V85 TT Centenario

Wet weight

456 lb This bike 463 lb Triumph Tiger 800 474 lb Suzuki V-Strom 650 578 lb Honda XL 1000 V Varadero 507 lb Moto Guzzi V85 TT Centenario

Seat height

34.6 in This bike 31.9 in Triumph Tiger 800 32.3 in Suzuki V-Strom 650 33.0 in Honda XL 1000 V Varadero 32.7 in Moto Guzzi V85 TT Centenario

The Long-Haul Verdict

Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the F 800 GS is actually built for.

Aerial view of a winding asphalt road cutting through volcanic terrain on La Gomera, Canary Islands. The road curves through sparse green vegetation with rocky volcanic peaks visible in the background and a settled valley to the left. Clear lane markings, dry climate, partly cloudy sky.

Best motorcycle for Moab?

For technical desert terrain this is a competent partner rather than the sharpest tool. The 21-inch front and 9.1 in of travel do real work, but slow switchbacks ask more of you than 456 lb suggests.

Made for Moab · Bar M / Kane Creek · Imperial Sand Dunes

Best motorcycle for Highway 1?

Days of 200 to 400 miles on twisty pavement suit it well. The screen and seat hold up at pace and the tall stance gives you a view over the corner. Just don't expect a soundtrack to match.

Made for Highway 1 / Big Sur · Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway

Best touring motorcycle for long distance?

Solo and sensibly loaded it will cross the country in comfort, weather included. Two-up with full luggage the 798 cc twin gets worked hard, and the 4.2 gal tank keeps your fuel stops frequent.

Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road

Alternatives to the BMW F 800 GS

If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.

Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this BMW F 800 GS. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.