2009 BMW F 800 GS: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 10 owner complaints on record; most reports concern wheels; the 2008 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Stator / flywheel no longer charging battery. Ran on battery power until engine quit on freeway at 65 mph. Coasted to shoulder and waited for tow. 2nd time this happened. First time at 28,000 miles. *tr”Owner report · Engine · May 2014
“The stator of the alternator fried, so the battery started discharging and when empty the computer and the engine stalled. I had the stator rewinded and the same problem repeated 5000 miles later. I had it rewinded a sencond time and it happened again. I am into my 3rd rewind and just expecting the problem to reappear...”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 bmw f800 gs motorcycle. While traveling 75 mph, the contact attempted to downshift from sixth to fifth gear and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the computer was updated. The failure recurred following repairs. The dealer then performed a second computer software update to correct the failure. The failure mileage was 2,200 and the current mileage was 4,200.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2010
Show 4 more owner reports
“Wheel bearing on chainring side of rear hub wore out prematurely at 9,000 miles. Other bearings on front and rear hubs were functioning well. Had I not checked this bearing, after reading about multiple such incidents, catastrophic failure could have occurred while traveling at freeway speed leading to personal injury and potentially injury to others. *tr”Owner report · Wheels · Apr 2010
“After 9000 miles the clutch on my 2009 f800gs suddenly started to slip on the freeway when downshifting and accelerating. There was no previous symptoms of any problems in the drive train/clutch apart that the adjustment of the clutch was to the last limit (all service done by bmw dealer). Since then any acceleration makes the rpm jump 1000+ rpm before gradually coming down and actual acceleration occurring. This can be a safety problem as a loss of acceleration can lead to an accident or death on a motorcycle. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2010
“I had the rear wheel bearings on my 2009 bmw f800gs motorcycle checked during its routine 6,000 mile service. The bearings on my bike showed evidence of accelerated wear. They were replaced by the bmw shop, under warranty. One would expect such bearings to last a _minimum_ of 50,000 miles, and so failure with so little mileage was utterly unexpected. On a motorcycle, rear wheel bearing failure at speed could lead to loss of control of the vehicle, resulting in injury or death to the operator. *tr”Owner report · Wheels · Oct 2009
“Rear wheel bearing deterioration at 12,000 miles on a bmw f800gs. Riding under normal circumstances. Check the bearing after reading an internet post about several other people with the same make and model having bearing failures. The bearing felt pitted and gritty. I took it to the deal and they replaced them under warranty with factory parts. Unchecked this would have most likely lead to a catastrophic failure with possible injury or death. *tr”Owner report · Wheels · Sep 2009
Recalls - 3 campaigns
BMW IS RECALLING 754 MY 2009 F800 GS VEHICLES. THE AXLE SHAFT WALL THICKNESS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT WHEEL QUICK-RELEASE AXLE AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED AXLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 F650 GS AND F 800 GS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 27, 2007 THROUGH MARCH 30, 2009. THE DRIVE CHAINS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PRODUCED TO SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, OVER TIME THE DRIVE CHAIN COULD BREAK.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVE CHAIN AND SPROCKETS ON THE AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 F650 GS AND F800 GS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 2008 AND DECEMBER 2009. DURING ENGINE OPERATION, A VACUUM IS CREATED IN ORDER TO DRAW FRESH AIR INTO THE CANISTER. THIS AIR THEN MIXES WITH THE FUEL VAPORS CAPTURED BY THE CANISTER, AND IS SUBSEQUENTLY COMBUSTED. DUE TO THE ROUTING OF THE VENTILATION HOSE, WATER NEAR THE END OF THE HOSE COULD BE DRAWN INTO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ADD AN ADDITIONAL HOSE AND ROUTE IT SUCH THAT THE PRESENT DEFECT IS PREVENTED. THIS REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2009 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact F 800 GS by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 BMW F 800 GS reliable?
NHTSA has 10 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 BMW F 800 GS. The most complained-about area is wheels.
Does the 2009 BMW F 800 GS have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:axle assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.