1200 to 650!

[Johnnyx]

Hi, I have just started looking into selling my GS1200 - in favor of a bike more suited to my riding.. (short commute, occasional tour, and a dabble at off road - I'm a smallish chap, just finding the 1200 a bit of a handful..) I love BM GS bikes... and the 650 could be the bike for me.. (hope!)

I haven't actually test ridden a 650 GS... but hear good things!! ... anyone else made this 'backwards' switch... ummm and lived to regret it? - or pleased they did the deal!?

Cheers!

J

 

[Wizard]

Did it the other way around (via a rice rocket), but always said that if I had to commute I'd get a 650. Great position, very flickable, and a hell of a sight quicker than you'd think It's just a tad light for what I want as a leisure-only rider.

Mind you, I may be persuaded to trade-in the 12 in a couple of years when the 850's had the niggles worked out of it

 

[wildbeeste]

Went from a 650 Dakar to 1150 GS
Still Miss the 650
Would go back to it very quickly if the opportunity came up but quite happy at the moment.
So I see no problem with what you are doing

 

[ROLLINSDAN]

Well........ I've had my plastic tanked 1100 for the last three years, I love it, but being 5'9" it can be a handful in traffic and also trying to find a steady footing when the tank is full . I, too, am commuting on a daily basis with it and sometimes feel the 650 may suit me better.

I called Williams in Manchester yesterday, they are loaning me a 650 demo bike for the whole of Tuesday, I'll feedback what I think afterwards....

 

[mr moto]

if you hang on for another year you could get the f800gs? the best of both worlds hopefully?

 

[Johnnyx]

...thanks for the replys folks.. at least I don't feel quite as 'crazy' about the poss trade down now!

I did think about the 800.... but tbh, I would rather let time pass - as has been mentioned, get all the 'bugs' ironed out before I put my cash into one!

ROLLINSDAN. would be good to get your feedback next week - cheers for that..

 

[ROLLINSDAN]

...thanks for the replys folks.. at least I don't feel quite as 'crazy' about the poss trade down now!

I've read a few times before, it's a "Downsize" not a "Downgrade", this is maybe the reason for such an interest for me.

if you hang on for another year you could get the f800gs? the best of both worlds hopefully?

I was wondering about that, but what about Dakar rally rules about 650 bikes being the largest capacity to be used?! Would this then mean no new or factory supported BMW bikes? Am I wrong?!

 

[STUBBS]

went from an 1100 to a 1150 to an 850gs

 

[MikeP]

Until recently I owned one alongside my 1150.

The 650GS is one of the great under-rated GS's because many people go for the bigger bikes, discounting the 650 purely on cc or the chain.

One-up or one-up and fully loaded it will get you anywhere that the bigger GS's will. (Just as quickly too but you do have to work it harder, not that it seems to do them any harm).

There are a lot of people who have used 650's to cross Continents (and more), not many of them have a bad word to say about the 650.

If the Boxers don't 'fit' you, the 650GS will be perfect for what you want. The 650 riding position is much closer to the 1200 than the 1150, just less of it in all directions.

 

[VAL. H.]

I was wondering about that, but what about Dakar rally rules about 650 bikes being the largest capacity to be used?! Would this then mean no new or factory supported BMW bikes? Am I wrong?!

I read in MCN last week 'I think, in the 800 feature' the 650 is being redesigned in patrnership with Aprilia for 2007.

I have a 12, and have used the 650 as a loaner a couple of times. Have to say I think it's a cracking little bike (thinking of getting one myself to chase the trainees). I think it needs a bigger screen though, but thats not difficult is it.

Go get a test ride, and find some twisty roads

 

[ROLLINSDAN]

I rode it for 160-ish miles yesterday, I'll write my thoughts about the experience later on

 

[Johnnyx]

... looking forward to that ROLLINSDAN... jury still out here!!

 

[gerry wallbank]

1200 - dakar

Hi, I have just started looking into selling my GS1200 - in favor of a bike more suited to my riding.. (short commute, occasional tour, and a dabble at off road - I'm a smallish chap, just finding the 1200 a bit of a handful..) I love BM GS bikes... and the 650 could be the bike for me.. (hope!)

I haven't actually test ridden a 650 GS... but hear good things!! ... anyone else made this 'backwards' switch... ummm and lived to regret it? - or pleased they did the deal!?

Cheers!

J

yep just made that very same move give me a bell 01535645332 mob07815811057

 

[Johnnyx]

Gerry! thanks VERY much for the number... don't want to write details of conversation - for privacy... but you seem to be happy with the 650 so far - which is great feedback. Maybe speak to you again soon - best to you and yours!

J

 

[Micky]

Just done 3,500 miles on my 1200 Adventure... enjoyed every minute

BUT it's not done anything my 650 GS Dakar wont do



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