The worst 2008 BMW F650 GS problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Recalls 6
Equipment
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2017 F800R and F800GT motorcycles, 2014-2018 R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure motorcycles, 2016-2017 S1000XR motorcycles and 2015-2017 R1200R and R1200RS, 2008-2012 F650GS, 2008-2018 F800GS, and 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure motorcycles. When equipped with the optional aluminum luggage cases, the rear reflex reflectors may be partially blocked. The aluminum case mounts for the R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure may also partially block the reflectors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- If the rear reflex reflectors are obscured from view, it can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install reflectors on the cases or for the case mounts, an additional bracket with rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 17V481000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc
- What is wrong
- Bmw is recalling certain 2008 through 2010 f 650 gs motorcycles manufactured from january 11, 2008, through december 8, 2009. A washer may interfere with the front disc brake fasteners' torque. As a result, over time, a fastener or mutiple fasteners could become loose, allowing the brake disc to become loose.
- Risk
- A loose brake disc may interfere with proper braking performance and may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Bmw will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on january 13, 2011. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 10V496000 · Recall details
Power train
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the broken chain becomes trapped between the rear wheel and the frame, the rear wheel could lock up, possibly resulting in a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 10V274000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Water could flow into the canister causing a stalling condition increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 09V499000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
- What is wrong
- Bmw is recalling 509 my 2008 f650 gs and f800 gs motorcycles. The tightening of the chain sprocket fasteners may have resulted in various levels of torque being applied.
- Risk
- It is possible for the fasteners to work loose from the sprocket, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will loosen and inspect the chain sprocket fasteners. Those that have been damaged will be replaced. In all cases, the fasteners will be retightened. The recall is expected to begin during january 2009. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.
Recall number 08V692000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc
- What is wrong
- Bmw is recalling 373 my 2008 f650 gs motorcycles. Due to production and assembly tolerances, the length of one or more of the front brake disc fasteners may be insufficient. If the length of a fastener was insufficient, this could result in the fastener not being tightened according to specifications.
- Risk
- If this happened, the fastener could work loose from its threads. In some cases involving multiple fasteners, the brake disc could loosen, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove the brake disc fasteners and replace them with new longer fasteners. The recall is expected to begin during january 2009. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.
Recall number 08V693000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 BMW F650 GS 21
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- The motorcycle will not start
- Stress corrosion cracks may occur on the studs of certain milled footrests from the BMW Motorrad special...
- Vehicle battery not charged despite the battery charger being connected to the on-board socket...
- The clutch plates do not tolerate frequent and prolonged operation at the clutch friction zone, causing a...
- The wiring harness of the F 650 GS and F 650 GS Dakar (R13) models is routed along the right-hand top rail...
- Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been...
- Transmission rattles when the engine is at operating temperature and idling.
- Occasionally it's not possible to downshift the transmission; especially from 3rd to 2nd gear.
- Gear lever does not return to neutral position
Compare the 2008 BMW F650 GS
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Questions about the 2008 BMW F650 GS
Is the 2008 BMW F650 GS reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2008 BMW F650 GS.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 BMW F650 GS?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 2008 BMW F650 GS have?
6 recalls, covering equipment, service brakes, hydraulic and power train.
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