2013 BMW F650GS Spied

[Dean]

2013 BMW F650GS Spied as on the front page of Todays MCN!


But no mention or spied 2013 F800GS Yet

A few changes and they say:
"switchgear: gone are the BMW indicators of old which needed three buttons to operate. The firm's research found potential new owners hated them."

 

[BBB61]

From the photo it looks like the same frame and swinging arm are in use and the changes amount to cosmetic only. Hardly enough to describe the bike as new. As for the indicators, SWMBO has used the three button set up for the first time ever on her 650 and is getting on very nicely with it.

 

[Tim Cullis]

What I would really love to see, but doubt it would happen are
- wider ratio gearbox--same top gearing but with much lower first/second gears,
- narrower exhaust (oval instead of round) tucked in closer to the wheel,
- chain tensioner.

Changing the switchgear is a negative for me. I have the 'industry standard' setup on my Tenere and much prefer the BMW system.

 

[Silversurfer]

Interesting to note that BMW's researchers have found that potential new owners hate the 3 button indicator set-up.

This current BMW owner hates them as well.

I bought my first BMW, an F800GS, because it is the best bike in it's class. In the past I admit to not buying BMW following test rides because I detested the indicator set-up. Attempting to cancel the indicators whilst accelerating out of a junction or roundabout is, for me at least, a real safety issue when the conventional L/H single switch is so much easier and safer to use.

I have done 18k miles on my 2010 F800GS and still hate the bloody indicators.

 

[v8legend]

Interesting to note that BMW's researchers have found that potential new owners hate the 3 button indicator set-up.

This current BMW owner hates them as well.

I have done 18k miles on my 2010 F800GS and still hate the bloody indicators.

You do a lot of miles on your bike, and you still haven't got used to them?

I only ride my bike for fun. With wife/kids etc, I don't get too many miles in! In fact I've done more miles on the continent than I have at home, yet the indicators are not something I've thought about til this thread.

 

[SERVDAVE]

What I would really love to see, but doubt it would happen are
- wider ratio gearbox--same top gearing but with much lower first/second gears,
- narrower exhaust (oval instead of round) tucked in closer to the wheel,
- chain tensioner.

Changing the switchgear is a negative for me. I have the 'industry standard' setup on my Tenere and much prefer the BMW system.

Got mods, you should email BMW, they may take your points onboard!

I think its ashame they are ditching the beamer switchgear. i prefer it to the standard system too! I would imagine rather the punters stuggling with it they was sick of journalists saying how hard and stupid the system is!

 

[Dean]

Like Bob says the changes are only cosmetic just to call it a 2013 bike.

where some F800 riders use the F650's sprocket to smooth things out I did here the New F800's do not accept it, as the design has changed on the later F800 making it a different fit.

But as for the indicator switches I like it as they are and easy enough, once you get the hang but I do not ride another bike and know no different

 

[GS Biker]

I personally think that the BMW 3 way indicator switch is better than the 1 button operation.

 

[ILMV]

3 button indicator setup by far the best I've ever used, the Japanese rocker / push to cancel is nowhere near as tactile and precise as individual buttons.

 

[marcusfordus]

Switch the switches

Why not make it easier for themselves and do two switches instead of three.
One on the left and one on the right.
You press the switch once to switch it on and press it again to switch it off, so that has got to save production costs for bmw and meet everyone half way on the the left-right cancel issues.
I would have loved to have that arrangement on my 800.

 

[rce]

Why not make it easier for themselves and do two switches instead of three.
One on the left and one on the right.
You press the switch once to switch it on and press it again to switch it off, so that has got to save production costs for bmw and meet everyone half way on the the left-right cancel issues.
I would have loved to have that arrangement on my 800.

I agree but for that to work the auto cancel would have to go (I have to press twice to keep the indicators on when approaching a slip road).

When I first got the F I hated the indicators and would have given my high teeth for standard switch gear. But now I am used to them prefer them to old way.

I can see BMW problem that new to BMW riders will be put off, but with some thought on how the switches work, possibly putting the cancel on the left so it doesn't affect throttle control when exiting a roundabout for instance.

Same problem with the horn button, positioned really badly with a good chance of putting left indicator on when sounding horn... Someone pulls out on you, you sound horn and turn left indicator comes on. Witnesses look and see you indicating left so it is your fault!

 

[v8legend]

Same problem with the horn button, positioned really badly with a good chance of putting left indicator on when sounding horn... Someone pulls out on you, you sound horn and turn left indicator comes on. Witnesses look and see you indicating left so it is your fault!

That's only a problem in the UK. I don't think they're likely to change it just for us.

 

[gs_lad]

12 replies and still no images of the new 2013 f650gs?

 

[jimbob59]

What I would really love to see, but doubt it would happen are
- wider ratio gearbox--same top gearing but with much lower first/second gears,
- narrower exhaust (oval instead of round) tucked in closer to the wheel,
- chain tensioner.

Changing the switchgear is a negative for me. I have the 'industry standard' setup on my Tenere and much prefer the BMW system.

I'd love those upgrades...

The only rumor I ever heard that made sense (other than money/tooling),
on the "tall" first gear was to get a better rating on the drive-by noise test requirements, don't know if it's true or not....

 

[Adeeelnv]

Can someone scan it? I can only find this tiny image

 

[casperghst42]

I'm with Tim, the current switchgear is way easier to deal with when one have cold fingers. Also it allows me to indicate to the right while scratching my nose.

The gearbox could use a lower 1th/2nd, and higher 6th, it got enough poneys to pull ~500rpm lower in 6th.

I would like to see upgraded front suspension, maybe as an option - full ajustable please. And an 18" rear wheel. And if possible a 19 or 20l tank (and a fuel pump which does not break down). That would make me happy.

And while I'm at it, maybe some better rims, don't care much for TL, but would like to have rime which are not made out of butter.

As for the exhaust, maybe look at the QD (cheap option) ... which allows for symmetric panier rack.

But with my current happiness, I might change brand next time anyway....


Casper

 

[mrsroynie]

...

Attempting to cancel the indicators whilst accelerating out of a junction or roundabout is, for me at least, a real safety issue ...

So don't. I don't know what an instructor's take on this would be, but I think I normally complete a manoeuvre before cancelling indicators, hooting the horn, switching on or flashing headlights, pressing the PTT button on the comms, or fiddling with anything else ... One thing at a time

 

[sijohnston]

Wouldn't touch the switch gear, I love the quirky BMW indicators. Also, love the industrial look of the fat exhaust, albeit I took it apart and ripped out its inners and replaced with a straight through perforated stainless pipe, which makes it much lighter and helps the engine breathe a lot easier.

Tougher rims for sure as my rear has taken a real bashing!

A few litres more in the tank would be great, as would better gearing down low, but other than that, there's not a 'do-it-all bike' to touch it.

After being stolen mine was recovered by the police 3 weeks ago and returned to me on Saturday past, and in the hiatus of being stolen and being recovered I couldn't think of a worthy replacement.

 

[armstrg]

I reckon rename the lil bugger to F800GSR or something like that.... the amount of times I have had to explain its an 800cc

Not sure if I could go back to normal switching now - but still manage to give a blast of left indicator occassionally, so it might be safer for me....

I like the sound of it, cause it sounds different from most other bikes I think; not a traily, not a roady...

How about a high low switch like on 4wd that switch the front and back cogs between road and offroad modes... and spikes out of the tyres when the going gets icy...

 

[earwig]

Being able to fit the 800GS touring screen as an optional extra as well as the rather nice alloy ones rather than the varios

Why havn't BMW agreed to that allready or are the 650 and 800 sooooo different in body and chassie fittings