What could be wrong?
Problem 1)
I went out for a ride during the (HOT) festive season and an old issue cropped up on my GS 800. I was going through Seweweekspoort and when I got to the turnoff to Gamkaspoort dam trying to make up my mind where to go when the bike's idling became irratic and then the motor died. Tried to re-start but it wouldn't. Waited several minutes and got it started. On the way back (taking the long way round over Rouxpos) it happened several times and I realized that as long as I keep the revs high the motor was fine. Low revs and the motor died.
This also happened in 2013 and I had the bike looked at and I thought the problem was solved cause it didn't happen again until now. The person that worked on my bike at the time replaced something electronic on the fuel management system. Not exactly sure what it was that he replaced. Prior to the problem I replaced the lead acid battery with 3x Ultrabat batteries. During the repairs the technician told me the Ultra batteries caused an electronic spike and I fitted a lead acid battery again.
On both occasions the problem occurred when it was very hot and mostly when the bike is at low revs or idling.
I had done other rides under similar hot conditions and the bike was fine......
Murphy was also present cause it always happened when I was riding alone.
Problem 2)
This does not happen all the time, doesn't bother me much but I'm not sure if it is related to problem 1...
When I turn the ignition on and the selftests are performed the speedometer needle does not always return to zero. The result is an incorrect reading. During my last trip I had the speedo showing 240 kmh while I was doing about 140 kmh (GPS speed).
Some background on my bike:
2011 GS 800, bought new.
Current kms = 21 000
1st time problem occurred, 14 000 km (Cape Town to Jhb, around Laingsburg area)
2nd time was around 18 000 kms (Augrabies coming back from Botswana/Namibia).
I fitted a Leo Vince tailpipe, as well as a performance chip. The chip was fitted at BMTech in Benoni, and I had it dynatuned at Superbike solutions in Somerset West.
The bike's fuel consumption is around 15 km/lt riding 2 up, loaded and at speeds around 140 kmh. If I ride nicely I get around 18.5 km/lt.
I had it serviced at the required intervals, except for the last service. (Time constraints, and haven't used it much)
Anybody out there that had the same experience?
Any advice/comments will be appreciated.
If it is a fuel pump issue, notice that our latest advertiser (Fuel Performance) sells "drop-in" replacement fuel pumps for BMW, with a lifetime warranty.
How much dirt did you ride? On my last trip (December - ride report pending), my bike also started idling strangely. It would cut out often in first gear when riding slow or pulling away. I could only start the bike easily in neutral and, when pulling away in first, had to keep the revs quite high.
Diagnosis: my air filter was a mucky, muddy mess. Thank goodness I now have one of those permanent air filters made of metal mesh - strongly advised by my mechanic, after replacing my paper filter twice in less than two years. Now I just have the filter cleaned (always stays clean inside, but outside becomes dirty) rather than paying almost R300 every time to replace one. My bike is now idling beautifully again.
Zanie, Two issues, 1, where is that R R,
you have had the Christmas break? 2, have a look on this forum and W D's there are several posts on air-filters and the different types and the reason for sticking with the original paper filter elements. 
You should be getting much better than 18.5km per lt.
You should be getting much better than 18.5km per lt.
Not with pillion and luggage at 140+ km/hr on the F800GS ...
... and the chip possibly makes it thirstier [?]
Sorry, Geoff - yes I didn't read correctly.
I agree Stan but he said "When I ride nicely" I get 18.5. He gets 15 at 140 loaded etc.
All,
Thanks for all the replies and advice... My hunch is the problem is fuel related so I might just purchase a new fuel pump.
The fuel consumption: The only reason I mentioned the fuel consumption was because I wanted to give as much information as possible. I rode with 2x GSA's during my last trip and the one time we filled up we all used pretty much the same amount. I have on a previous occasion done 320 km on one tank, but that was slow dirt road and sand riding with no pillion.
I've done two tours where an 800 ended up on the trailer ... final diagnosis for both was fuel pump.
Yep, fuel pump on the older models.
Before you blame the fuel pump, there are some basic things that can be checked.
Spark plugs, washing / water crossing without proper drying causes corrosion on the plugs which then arc across - poor running at lower revs
Air filter - has been mentioned
Plugs are cheap for the 800, just a little work getting all the plastics out the way, 1st thing to change, and as you need to pull the airbox off to get to the plugs change the air filter.
Lastly, it could be the idle control valve - but i think this is the thing that has been changed, really only needs a clean - judging by the low mileage your bike stands a bit, this can result in a sticky ICV
Faulty fuel pump has different symptoms, not to say its not the pump but i doubt it.
good luck
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