650 GS as a first bike?

modman

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Hello all, this looks like the right place to put this post, so hope to get some advice.

A bit of background. I got my bike licence 2 years ago almost but the restricted one for 33bhp which in about 3 weeks should hit 2 years so means I can get any bike. I only did the test so I could ride my offroad bike to and from Enduro events and do some greenlaning. During this time I had a KTM 200 Exc and a Yamaha WR250 (Now for sale to fund a GS) I think in total in the past 2 years I have only probably spent 40 hours on the bikes and fallen off a fair few times on Enduro events and to be honest I'm pretty crap. I put it down to being a short arse (5 foot 6, 30 inch leg) and offroad bikes being pretty tall, but I think that's just an excuse.

My friend has a 1150 (or is it 1200?) GS and swears by it. Also, I'm dying to do some European trips on it similar to the one put on here: http://www.chernobylchallenge.co.uk/ (Unfortunately that one is full), but that's probably the major reason I want a bike. I have a nice car to do other road trips in but can't go taking it too much to Eastern europe due to the state of the roads.

Since I can't legally ride a 650 for a few more weeks until my licence become full, I thought I'd ask here to see if I am wasting my time and should start on something smaller/easier. Would I be ok hopping onto one of these? If it matters, I'm 35 years old so won't be new on the road as well.

I just posted in the other thread if I should be looking at the low seat version (or are the seats interchangeable?) and my budget is up to £3000 incl some panniers/top box etc. I only have basic bike wear which I bought for doing my test in, but it's proper bike wear at least.

Any advice would be really appreciated. I live just off the M1 J20 and work in Milton Keynes so if anyone is keen to show off their bike to me it would be good. I don't want to go and look at dealers or private sellers yet as I'd just be wasting their time due to not being able to ride it legally.
 
I would say it's a good choice myself, but then it's what I did.

By the way the older singles are easily restricted and de restricted - search as there are lots of posts.

As for low seats you should be OK on standard - I'm 29" IL and it's OK.

Have a look in the for sale section, I think there was a restricted one in there recently.

Cheers
 
You'll be fine on a standard height F650GS (single cylinder anyway, I can't comment on the twins).
If you worried about your road skills I suggest you spend a bit more time on the road with your current bikes to gain a bit more experience.
 
Thanks for all the tips and advice. Found my licence earlier and it turns out my 2 years is up in 4 days time which is great. I also will stop worrying too much about the lowered seat version.

I'd be looking at the single cylinder 2004 year or newer. Budget can't stretch over £3k so I think I should be able to get a nice one for that price. I'm not a subscriber on here, so scouring ebay and Biketrader at the moment.

I read elsewhere that the new G650 GS coming our imminently is going to be around £5k, does anyone know if that's accurate as although I can't afford it, it seems a very competitive price considerign BMW used bikes want over £5k for 2ndhand F650 GS's.
 
Dude, let me tell you what I did for my 'one', Sarah Teach.
She wanted a 650GS, but had read about the factory low version, and it's traits, the worst being the touch-down on cornering. The noise of such an incident would really spook her, so I decided against buying that model.
Instead we found an almost new black 650GS, I then order a Wunderlich Ergo Low seat, removed some rear spring preload and slid the fork sliders through the yokes slightly.
This gave her a two feet plant if she so needed, boosting her confidence no-end.
At 5'3" and a 28" in-seam she is managing fine with the bike, but of course the measures mentioned above would not have to be so harsh for your size.
I even reckon you could up the anti and head for a Dakar 650GS, and fit the standard GS seat or the Ergo Low (the Dakar has the tall seat plus taller suspension, +25mm iirc).

Look at what bike would you really want, and then look in to the engiunnering to allow you to have that machine. Usually there are answers to most issues.... but not all!

Timpo.
 
Modman.....I started off on the 650 single (factory lowered) and now ride the 650 twin (also factory lowered).....:)

Both are great bikes...although very different to ride.....:bounce1

Oh, and I'm 5ft and a smidgeon tall....so I don't think you'll have any height issues at all, even on a standard sized bike.....:cool:


:jaq
 
Well nobody has put me off and it'll only be a weekend and touring bike so I won't be in at the deep end and have to ride it immediatly all the time.

Thanks for all the advice, it's really appreciated. Now .. to find a bike. Biketrader has nothing in my budget but shall keep looking but I've found 2 on eBay but they're bloody miles away!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160554652822&rvr_id=215656844642&mfe=sidebar

and

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190508925665&rvr_id=215652666314&mfe=sidebar

Both yellow would you believe. I'm not fussed on colour though, as long as it's not pink! :)

I'll keep on looking for one local so I can get a feel for one first. There are a couple of dealers in Northampton so I can always pop in there for a test ride. What's the etiquette on test rides by the way? Just go in with my own helmet/protective gear and they'll let me out on one? I feel a bit bad doing that though knowing full well that their bikes are too expensive and I won't buy one from them. - Thanks again - Daniel
 
I bought a F 650 GS as my first bike.

Great choice...

:thumb2
 
I passed my test 2 years ago next month and went out and bought the 650 twin, normal seat and no lowering kit etc (i'm 5'7" and 29IL) Apart from my low confidence from not riding for long i've had no real issues with the height. I'm sure you'll have evn less worry what with doing your offroading, i've not done any but have been told it is really good for helping with balance etc.

Have no worries, you'll do just fine with one :thumb2
 
Last edited:
modman said:
Hello all, this looks like the right place to put this post, so hope to get some advice.

A bit of background. I got my bike licence 2 years ago almost but the restricted one for 33bhp which in about 3 weeks should hit 2 years so means I can get any bike. I only did the test so I could ride my offroad bike to and from Enduro events and do some greenlaning. During this time I had a KTM 200 Exc and a Yamaha WR250 (Now for sale to fund a GS) I think in total in the past 2 years I have only probably spent 40 hours on the bikes and fallen off a fair few times on Enduro events and to be honest I'm pretty crap. I put it down to being a short arse (5 foot 6, 30 inch leg) and offroad bikes being pretty tall, but I think that's just an excuse.

My friend has a 1150 (or is it 1200?) GS and swears by it. Also, I'm dying to do some European trips on it similar to the one put on here: http://www.chernobylchallenge.co.uk/ (Unfortunately that one is full), but that's probably the major reason I want a bike. I have a nice car to do other road trips in but can't go taking it too much to Eastern europe due to the state of the roads.

Since I can't legally ride a 650 for a few more weeks until my licence become full, I thought I'd ask here to see if I am wasting my time and should start on something smaller/easier. Would I be ok hopping onto one of these? If it matters, I'm 35 years old so won't be new on the road as well.

I just posted in the other thread if I should be looking at the low seat version (or are the seats interchangeable?) and my budget is up to £3000 incl some panniers/top box etc. I only have basic bike wear which I bought for doing my test in, but it's proper bike wear at least.

Any advice would be really appreciated. I live just off the M1 J20 and work in Milton Keynes so if anyone is keen to show off their bike to me it would be good. I don't want to go and look at dealers or private sellers yet as I'd just be wasting their time due to not being able to ride it legally.
Click to expand...
Hi ,MrsB has an F650GS from new,now 10 years old. It is a factory lowered job and is quite easy to get the stand support touching down. Julie is 5ft 2 and both feet easily planted. At your height go for the standard bike.She had a CB500 before this another excellent bike but for touring with luggage F650gs is brilliant to a max 0f 85 it will do this all day. Any more and big weaving excitement,has a topbox on which perhaps encourages high speed weave. She has toured all over europe fully loaded for camping with daughter on the back. The little bike appears to be awesome and bombproof. You will not be let down.
Andrew
 
If you are not into sports bikes then absolutely yes. My first bike was a Honda Dominator. That got pinched, which was a blessing, as it gave me the chance to by the F650 and I have never looked back. Apart from a very very cold Feb back in 2000 when I first had the bike, I have never had a bad day on it. For me the F650 is an ideal first bike no question.
 
I'll echo all the above - had a single cylinder 650 as my first bike. Doddle to ride and in no way a problem for your first "big" bike. I put 12,000 miles on mine in a year or so :)

Now on a 650GS twin via a Fazer and CBF 1000....
 
a 650 is absolutely fine as a first bike. I'd even say the 1200gs would be fine as a first bike if you can handle the size and weight.

I'm surprised that people say the single's great for touring as I'd have thought it'd be very vibey, but then what do I know as I've never ridden one :nenau
 
All the new F650's are twins. They stopped the big single several years ago. Though its not a boxer twin. The F800GS is a good middle ground nimble like the F650 with more grunt like the R1200.

The only reason I didnt go for the 800 as an upgrade from my 650 is that I have been drooling over the 1200 for several years.

Just my thoughts but personally I wouldnt go for the R1200GS as a first bike unless you are extremely confident. It's a big bike but a lovely ride (tested one yesterday) but a bit imposing as a first bike.
 
+1 on these. I actually started out with my first bike being a 650 Dakar.

I won't go on about how much I miss it, but I really do, I had to sell it - anyway, enough about that.

I'm 5'9" and I found the stock seat a bit high, so I put the lower seat on it and adjusted the suspension a little. After that, it was fine.

They are great bikes and I doubt you'll regret getting one.

I had my full bike license when I got mine and didn't have to restrict, but I hear (other members on here can correct me if I'm wrong) that a 650 can be restricted for as little as about £8.00???

Go for it, great bikes. :thumb2
 
Excellent - More helpful advice. My licence becomes full as of tomorrow as well!
 
Well the nice 650 I was looking at has sold. So onto another one, they're all so far away though, you'd think that living in the Midlands that things would be closer :)
 
Hi again. More searching (Aren't 650's hard to come by!). Does anyone have any opinions on this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160557756136&rvr_id=217365462663&mfe=sidebar

I've spoken to the seller, it has service history, in good condition for the year, no corrosion on engine or front of shocks and he's doing another service on Monday (Oil change + check). It'll need new tyres shortly as they only have about 500 miles left in them but he'll ensure the MOT is done and will put new tyres on if it needs them (Split the cost with me 50/50 as I assume he'll only MOT it when it's sold)

So, your opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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