BMW F800GS
The parallel-twin F800GS gave the GS line a lighter, more dirt-capable middleweight with a 21-inch front wheel.
Made to order: your copy is researched, fact-checked, and typeset to our standard, then delivered within about two weeks. We'll email you the moment it's ready.
About the BMW F800GS (2008-2018)
The F800GS was the bike that made BMW's GS family affordable. Built from 2008 to 2018, it wrapped the 798 cc parallel twin (a two-cylinder engine with the pistons side by side) in a real off-road chassis: a 21 inch spoked front wheel, long travel suspension, and a fuel tank tucked under the seat rather than up front, which keeps the weight low.
The appeal is the middle ground. It is far lighter than a boxer-engined R1200GS, so a solo rider can wrestle it out of a rut, yet 85 hp is plenty for highway speed with luggage. Final drive is a chain rather than a shaft: more maintenance, cheaper repairs. Prices have stayed reasonable and aftermarket support is enormous.
Specifications at a glance
| Years | 2008 to 2018 |
| Engine | 798 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin (82 x 75.6 mm) |
| Output | 85 hp (63 kW) at 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 83 Nm (61 lb-ft) at 5,750 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed, chain final drive |
| Weight | 207 kg (456 lb) wet, 214 kg (472 lb) from 2013 |
| Seat height | 880 mm (34.6 in) standard |
| Wheels | 21 in front, 17 in rear, spoked, tubed tires |
Known issues to check before you buy
- Stalling and fuel pump recalls. BMW recalled 2008 to 2010 bikes for a vent hose that could draw water into the charcoal canister and stall the engine, and later campaigns covered the fuel pump controller. Cutting out under load or refusing to restart are the signs, so ask for proof the recalls were done.
- Rear wheel bearings. The best documented weakness. Bearings can collapse and take part of the rear hub with them, turning a cheap job into an expensive one. Rock the wheel sideways for play and listen for rumble.
- Water pump seals. A wet or stained weep hole under the pump means an internal seal is letting coolant or oil past. BMW revised the pump around 2013, so look for pink or brown crusting below it.
- Chain and sprockets. These wear fast, and BMW also recalled some bikes for a chain and sprocket set that could snap. Check for tight spots and hooked teeth.
- Side stand switch. Recalled on 2013 bikes: a pin in the redesigned switch could work loose, cutting the engine or preventing a start.
Owning one
Service is straightforward by BMW standards and most jobs suit a home mechanic, but the small tank, the tall seat and the chain all ask something of the owner. This volume documents the BMW F800GS (2008-2018) specifically: verified specifications, the documented weak points and how to inspect each, the service data, and the parts and owner community that keep them running.
Inside this volume
Known issues & a buyer's guide
The documented weak points for this exact model, how to inspect each, and what a proper fix costs.
Full specifications
Every published figure, engine and frame detail, and running change, with the conflicts flagged, not guessed.
Systems & maintenance
Engine, fueling, electrical, and chassis, plus service intervals and torque and fluid data.
Parts & community
Where the parts are, what cross-references, and the clubs and forums that keep the model alive.
Make it your bike.
We fold in your year, your engine and options, your rebuilds and modifications, your VIN, and your own motorcycle's photo on the cover. The book stops describing the bike that left the factory and starts describing the one in your garage.