F800GS Fork Seal Replacement and Touratech Spring Upgrade

Replacing the fork seals with SKF fork seals is a great way to make your F800GS reliable off road when the trail gets rough. Upgrading the fork springs with Touratech Progressive fork springs really helps with fork dive and bottoming and makes the bike handle better than stock.
NOTE:
Below are the links for the two kits offered by Touratech. If you ride off road, I highly suggest using the heavy duty kit. I originally went with the standard F800 kit and bottomed out just as easy as stock. The standard kit does take away the fork dive, but only for street. In my opinion, they are still way to soft and the Heavy Duty kit is a dramatic difference and way better for off-road use.
Touratech Heavy Duty Spring Kit:
touratech-usa....
Touratech Standard Kit:
touratech-usa....
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Arclite ETHOS VLD Moto Sunglasses- amzn.to/38xwRDu
GoPro Hero 8 Black - amzn.to/2vLfe5W
Giant Loop Round the World Panniers - amzn.to/39xoycn
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Thermarest Inflation sack - amzn.to/2wxJDF0
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Bike Add Ons:
Outback Motortek Crashbar system and skid plate - OutbackMotortek.com
Ohlins Custom Front Forks - ohlinsusa.com
Ohlins Rear Shock
Akrapovic Exhaust - amzn.to/3aBjBPW
Power Commander - amzn.to/32ZeC91
AltRider Radiator guard - amzn.to/3aB5KZP
AltRider Headlight Guard- amzn.to/39yALgP
AltRider Pillion and Luggage racks - amzn.to/32XyHwf
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Camel ADV Windshield Support camel-adv.com
Camel ADV Footpeg Bracket
Camel ADV Aux Fuel Tank
MOTOZ Tractionator - Front- Rear- amzn.to/3cDD0l6
MOTOZ Desert HT - amzn.to/3cGyd23
Double take ADV Mirrors - amzn.to/32XJUNq
Touratech luggage racks
Touratech Rear Brake Res Guard
RAM Phone Mount - amzn.to/2IqiCWz
20mm Bar risers
Scotts Performance Steering Stabilizer -
STEGPegz
Luggage:
Giant Loop Fandango Tank Bag
Giant Loop Pannier Pockets
Gant Loop Tilimook and Rouge dry bags
Giant Loop Round the World Panniers with quick release mounts
Riding Gear:
Klim Krios Pro
Klim Badlands Jacket or Klim Carlsbad Jacket
Klim Badlands Pants or Klim Carlsbad Pants
Klim Inferno Fleece mid layer (Africa Twin edition)
Sidi Adventure Boots
Held Air N Dry Gortex Gloves (summer)
Alpine Star Tech Touring Gortex Gloves (winter)

[@Alanjowitt]

Thank you. It's amazing how little information BMW makes available on matters such as fork oil volume!

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tolfan123456]

Found you're video. Now i feel confident to give it a try 😊

[@backcountryadvmoto]

@@tolfan123456 it’s a pretty easy process just take your time

[@magnuskvandal8987]

I just did this job on my bike using this as a guide. Went really well, thank you!

[@chrisaldritt6639]

Thank you for posting this. Couple of cool tricks in there and saved me a bunch of time, money and a driver

[@sirjolly81]

Nice and simple forks. Did a set of showa 48mm twin chamber. Seals blown on the tube and inner second chamber. But Showa had 4 pin stakes that required drilling to undo and replace seal for 2nd chamber.

[@brianbuongiorno289]

Great video. Thanks for being so detailed about all the steps involved. Cheers!

[@veryscarygary]

Excellent vid. Thank for taking the time for this. My F800GS had Hyperpro springs installed when I bought it used and i'm going through the oil change procedure. I had the tight spring spacer issue that made it almost impossible to get the spring down enough to fit a 13 wrench in to take the cap off. I'm definitely going to sand it down a bit.

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Gary Davidson glad it helped!

[@192arto]

Good video, really helped me a lot ! I also changed the touratech springs. The difference was really big, like a different bike. Much better now.

[@turbotwerp]

Best vid of this process!! Thank you, I am about to tackle this on my 2012. Blown seal at 5000 miles, go figure.

[@michaelfodor4268]

Great video. Changing out the OEM springs on my bike finally! Good job for a cold and snowy Michigan Winter!

[@SloanChris]

Thanks. Changed out my fork springs and seals yesterday using your instructions.

[@cesarhurtado8742]

Today I used this video to do the job. It was really helpful. Thank you very much. If you ever come to Chile...let me know! I would be more than happy to thank you with a chilean style bbq!

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Glad it was helpful! I do hope to make it to Chile one day. Maybe Ill take you up on that :)

[@quadimus]

This may help. I followed the instructions in this video and was 99% successful. Where I had trouble was undoing the lock nut under the top cap. The 13mm not. When I tried holding it and using a 19mm on the cap, the 13mm kept poping off the nut because the spring would turn and lift it off. I fought for quite a while with this , even trying a super slim13mm wrench. Eventually I put the 19mm top cap nut in a vise and just concentrated on turning the 13mm nut and that worked. I think an impact gun would work well also.

[@andrewrenton1077]

this was a bloody good vid and a lot of help,little things that make the difference.

[@backcountryadvmoto]

andrew renton thanks for watching, and glad to help :)

[@davidmicklo97]

Got a blown seal on the MABDR last fall. We got to having too much fun. Plus the ride out to NY and back from VA to Colorado added a bit. I’ve had my 2010 F800GS to every state in the lower 48, with around 30,000 miles on it. Have never replaced the seals... guess it’s about time. Anyway, I’ve never done fork seals and a bit wary of doing it. Your video has really helped explain the process. Hopefully this goes well. Thanks!

[@backcountryadvmoto]

David Micklo It will go just fine for you. 👍🏻 Take your time, keep everything clean and lay everything out in order and you will have no stress. You will probably be pleasantly surprised with how it would feel with new seals and fluid. 30 K is quite a for them to never have been serviced

[@davidmicklo97]

Backcountry Adventure Motorsports, yeah no doubt, it’s long overdue. I’ve never ridden it too hard as my 350 EXC-F is reserved for that. Mostly highway miles on the GS. Still way overdue. The difference in price is huge by doing it yourself. Buying the seal driver, new seals and oil is under $150. Dealer said it would be around $500.I owe you a beer!

[@davidmicklo97]

I ended up not having the seal driver due to back order. The electrical tape worked great setting the seal! BTW, I noticed you measured your 120mm oil WITHOUT the black plastic. guide (the one you had to sand down). After you put that guide in, it really displaces the oil. Therefore your oil will be higher than 120mm in the tube. Not sure which would be the more accurate level. Any idea?

[@davidmicklo97]

Looks like the instructions say “Oil level is usually measured without spring and other internal parts (unless there is a remark on the label”.

[@JoseMartin-fp6yd]

Great video. Made my project so easy.

[@NagyFlorian]

The best explained video! Thank you. I have a question, for original springs, how much oil need for one fork?

[@pcmountaindog]

The front springs on my 2017 800gs are worthless. It's a joke that BMW calls the 800GS an adventure bike, when all it's good for is pavement. I bottom them out all the time and I don't even ride hard. The folks at Touratech suggested new valving cartridges/springs for the sum of 2000 dollars. I have no doubt they work great but I'm not sure I need to spend that much and the front and rear upgrades they are suggesting are 3500 dollars. I think I paid 10000 for the bike.. All I want is for it not to bottom out. I'm 225 pounds. Was wondering what people think of this spring upgrade. I wonder if it will do what I need? Great video, I did my seals last year and your video was a big time saver.

[@panagiotissane8237]

Great video, thank you for taking the time for it.

[@carperlacy]

Great video, I'll be doing this next week. Thanks ks for your help

[@Lesjensw]

Nice video, thank you. I'm about to do this myself on my 2017 800 GS and I could use links to for example the fork seal driver and the seals, the stick you measure the oil height with, etc.

[@shahidrasul6210]

Thanks Kyle you make a good instructor. Very nice video, It was very informative.

[@rubendutoit5365]

Thanks heaps for this detailed video. Helped me a lot.

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Glad it helped

[@superflycatchermtb]

Great vid...very well explained. Question...how should I expect that new spring and oil to perform on washboard gravel compared to the stock 2010 F800gs fork set up?

[@Alquimiaz]

Excellent video and explanation! Thank you very much, it was very helpful to me. Greetings from México!.

[@backcountryadvmoto]

So glad it helped. 👍🏻 thanks for watching

[@davidalcantara7589]

Excellent video !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@dimitrigrosso9435]

Ty from France for your video.i will use it.

[@thefelipech]

How much oil did you end up using? I used less than a litter.

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Felipe Cambronero that’s about right. 120mm from the top is less than 2 liters. Just under a liter per leg

[@emaeder18]

thanks for this tutorial. Will have to upgrade mine soon :)

[@chrisbryant106]

This video is awesome! One of the best DIY moto tutorials I’ve seen, thank you! Is there anything that indicates the Touratech spring type on the actual spring? Got my bike used and discovered they’re progressive, and now I’m not sure what oil level/oil to use. It looks like a Touratech, but can’t be certain.

[@backcountryadvmoto]

The springs for the Touratech kit are made by hyper pro, there might be a number stamped on them that you can reference. 10w fork oils is what comes with the kit. As far as height goes, you can start with what is stated in this video and add or take away 5mm to make them a little more softer or stiffer. Thanks for watching

[@chrisbryant106]

Backcountry Adventure Motorsports, thanks. My springs say WIRTH Gabelfedem, which I heard makes parts for Touratech. Also, is there any chance of blowing out the seal with too much oil? Thanks again for your input.

[@marcelruiz1939]

Hey, that's a great video, its was a lot of learning because I wnat to upgrade my F800GS 2013, and I'm planning to buy "Touratech Progressive Fork Springs" as you, but I need to know if you feel a better Behavior on Off Road. I feel my standard suspension (F800 GS 2013) are going bad on Off road, did you feel really a betterr improvement on off road??? its important for me to know

[@speedmonkey75]

Really well done video. Thanks! I just hit the like and subscribe.

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Thanks for the sub! Welcome

[@shak180]

Right on brotha! This video has definitely given me the confidence to tackle this job. I assume there won't be to much difference on a 2013 other than the springs being slightly different?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

shak180 yep almost the exact same

[@shak180]

@@backcountryadvmoto I wonder why in 2013 they went to a 43mm tube? I noticed your 2012 uses 45mm seals and my 2013 uses 43mm seals

[@TheBestValueDeals]

Hi Cyle - Great Video. Much appreciated. Cyle what is the SKF seal and dust cover numbers please...? Or is everything in 1 packet with one part number please...? - If so..., what is the part number please... Thanking You in advance...

[@udanphalcon]

Getting ready to change the seals on my F800GS with the help of this video. Do you really need to remove the damper/cartridge assembly to do this? Will the uppers not come off by doing the slide hammer motion, with the damper still assembled? I plan to take the black plastic spacer and nut off the damper rod.

[@joebaker2324]

Thanks a lot for this!

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Joe Baker no problem at all. Hope it helps. Thanks for watching

[@StefanoMaldarelli]

Thank you very very much !

[@nadeem102ful]

Hi ..it was a fantastic video .. I wanted to ask a question.. Mine is a 2013 GS 800 adventure with toura tech springs.. I recently bought this bike .. please guide me that does the travel of shock reduces after replacing the stock because the chrome portion looks lesser to me ..thx

[@backcountryadvmoto]

No you do not lose any travel

[@ngkerk-somerset-oos498]

Thanks for video. What is the size of the seals?

[@dannyhoile8526]

Hey Kyle. Following your video as well as my Haynes manual. I’m about to put the fork leg back together and I have a question about the oil volume and height. The Haynes manual specifies a different height than the Touratech specs. It also calls for SAE 7.5 vs the 10 that comes with the kit. You seemed to follow the Touratech specs in your video. Any isssues that you know of?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Yes follow the Touratech specs as the Haynes manual is for stock forks. The volume and weight are different.

[@franoutdoors]

Great video! Thanks

[@mikestowe1973]

I have a 2013...and after looking at the fork seal...I dont have that metal reataining clip?! any ideas on how to get the fork seal out? im at a loss?

[@shunorrr]

where can i get a shop manual for a f800GS adventure 2016 ?

[@DavidVanmeterDutch]

Same process for a 2014 GSA? Parts different but I am assuming process and fork design is the same.

[@bjrnhjjakobsen2174]

I have a 700gs which is a little different but I wonder if it is necessary to remove the forks if I am only doing a spring swap - it should be possible to drain the oil through the oil drain bolts at the bottom of the fork?.

[@AceMBP]

Thanks... Good job explaining how to do it. I am ordering the progressive springs. What about increasing the spacer size? good idea/bad idea? or do the springs and heavier oil do enough to prevent fork dive?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Ed DeBolt If you order the ones from Touratech that are designed for both the F 800 and the HP2. ( touratech-usa.com/Store/F800GS-HP2-Hyperpro-Progressive-Heavy-Front-Fork-Springs-up-to-2012 ) They will be plenty heavy. They are already just a touch longer than stock and I would try using the oil that’s in the kit before going with a heavier oil. It is a dramatic difference from stock on the stiffness

[@Alquimiaz]

Hello! You said that is 200 mm from the top of the bar to the top of the oil righ? But, when you fill the bar with the oil, you pump the inner cilinder? In order to fill with more oil? Or if you could tell me the quantity of oil in ml or oz. would be very appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[@backcountryadvmoto]

The spec on this is not in ml or oz unfortunately. Fill the fork, pump it until the air is bled and check the oil height. Add or take away till the oil is 200mm from the top when the fork is compressed.

[@StefanoMaldarelli]

Thank you for the video !!! Only one question ... What kind of wheels do you have? I like them ... Thanks again

[@backcountryadvmoto]

They are just the stock wheels for the triple black f800gs

[@StefanoMaldarelli]

@@backcountryadvmoto Thank you very much

[@ClaytonParadis]

Hi Kyle - a little late to the party here but really interested to know why you didn't opt for the cartridge upgrade as well? Clearly it adds to the cost of this upgrade - not worth it?? Appreciate your thoughts as I will be doing a seal replacement this winter and will be upgrading the suspension at the same time. Cheers, Clayton Canada

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Honestly, this was my wife’s bike and it was a budget decision but was really happy with the outcome.

[@ClaytonParadis]

@@backcountryadvmoto Thank you for your prompt reply!!

[@王超-x3n]

wonderful

[@albertkristjansson4088]

Great demonstration. Where did you get the SKF seals from? I know they are of a high quality

[@backcountryadvmoto]

I dont remember for sure, but i think amazon

[@Oldbrokenbones]

Call me stupid! why just not change the springs? My bike is nearly new, so do I require to do all the additional work? excellent talk through BTW

[@backcountryadvmoto]

You could absolutely just change the spring. In this case I wanted to upgrade the fork seals as well. Also the fluid was dirty and need to be changed. You would still need to measure the oil level after changing the spring. This spring is heavier/thicker And would take up more space in the tube and raise the oil level slightly.. Just be sure your oil level is correct after the spring change

[@Oldbrokenbones]

@@backcountryadvmoto Thanks for that, superstar!

[@Davfon23]

Excellent Thanks a lot

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Davfon23 you are very welcome! Thanks for checking it out. If you could give the video a thumbs up I’d greatly appreciate it as well as hit that subscribe button if you haven’t already 🙏🏻

[@jpvilacamourao]

Did ir worth the investment? Did the suspension get more harder?

[@suipful]

What was the length of the springs.. overall length?

[@AshokVlogs]

Is it possible to change springs with out dismantling fork like you did

[@backcountryadvmoto]

yes you can. Now if its been some time since the oil has been changed, then you might as well remove the forks from the bike. Also, if you arent changing seal, then you do not have to separate the forks complete, but if they have never been changed and you have some miles on the bike you might want to freshen them up with new ones for preventive purposes.

[@manborn]

Amazing!

[@brucek2083]

Awesome vid, thx, cheers

[@СерегаВинницкий]

Большое спасибо за видео!

[@cadecampbell8308]

Probably looked like a beaver had been chewing on the tube with those spastic screwdriver skills on the bushing removal. I actually yelled at the screen.

[@backcountryadvmoto]

There’s always one. You also might want to get your Tourette’s check out. I can assure you the bushings were not damaged.

[@cadecampbell8308]

@@backcountryadvmoto if you say so

[@jarredglover2963]

Looking at just upgrading my f8 springs to progressive. If you don’t change the seals, could you leave the forks on the bike for this?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

You could, but depending on the diameter of the spring it might raise the fork oil level. This could potentially blow your fork seals. If you haven’t changed your oil out in a while it would be better to just do a full service on them. Just my two cents though

[@dazmian1]

you prety much skipped most parts where you take things apart

[@RaySims-i9p]

sounds like a scam to me there are no shortcuts

[@RaySims-i9p]

you are using momentum for your bicep curls this is cheating try standing still

[@rayreynolds8360]

Be careful you might get sued with that name

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Not following you on that one. Over my head I guess.

[@rayreynolds8360]

@@backcountryadvmoto backcountry?com feels that need! Maybe their lawyers got tired of suing people using the likeness of the name?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Ray Reynolds oh ok! Lol. I’ve had this brand for about 5 years. And actually spoke to backcountry.coms lawyers when all that went down about that craziness. They closed their lawsuit because of how insane it was. The name is safe 👍🏻😁