650 or 800?

Hi Navy Boy.

I have to agree with Tim.

Looking at the types of road you plan to travel, the 650 twin would be fine.
I myself live in South Africa and have a 650 twin, it is quite capable on even less than A-roads, two up.

I might get flamed for saying this :handbag, but according to dyno results I have seen, the 650 has marginally more torque over the 800, up to just over 5k rpm, and that might just make it a little more rideable two up, except if you ride near the limits that is.

Just my 2p...

:)
 
Tim Cullis said:
The F650GS twin is a better road bike and has the same amount of leg room (seat to pegs) as the F800GS.

After seeing a biking presentation on the country, ZA is on my list!

Tim
Click to expand...

Thanks chaps

As I suspected the 650 will be the one to use. Interesting story about the torque figures. When I saw the 650 spec I suspected that it would be something of an unsung hero in the BMW range having more usable, real-world power than many other models. Seems that this is the case.

I can recommend ZA Tim. I grew up there (From age of 8 until I was 20) returning to the UK in 1993. Having said that this will be the first time that I'll have been on a motorbike over there (On the road at least). :thumb2
 
I posted this same post on another thread as well, just looking for a little help:
I've been drooling and debating with myself over these two bikes for weeks and poring over reviews. Thrilled I just found this forum with its wealth of information. Current owner of an '03 650. For now its use has been in buzzing me about town but next summer I intend to take an epic 7,000 mile ride from Argentina to the state of Minnesota, so with these new bikes coming out it has me thinking there might be a better bike for such endeavors.

Now for my internal debate. Hands down, I think the F800GS is the most beautiful bike I've ever laid eyes on. The only reason that isn't the instant winner is my 30" inseam scares me away from it's shortest seat height of 33.5 inches. I like that I can get the balls of both feet on the ground with my current 650 and it's 30.7" seat height. Sure, I know it is within the realm of possibility to ride the 800, but I also know for all-around comfort the 650 is more to my size (and who can beat the cheaper price?). Thus, I was dead-set on getting the new 650 until an email exchange with a CycleWorld magazine editor said that the 650 is NOT dual sport. I emailed BMW and asked them to validate this and they said that it IS off-road ride-able, but that the spoked wheels and tires from the 800 would need to be purchased.

For my general purpose scooting around town, of course the 650 would be perfect, but for thousands of miles through South and Central America on crappy dirt roads and even crappier pot-holed paved roads... would I need new wheels/tires? Any other suggestions of what to have put on from the factory and what to get aftermarket? I've seen a lot of reports of people loving their 650, but none of them speak much about being on anything other than well tended European roads. Also, would I want to standard 32.2" seat or the low 31"? I'm all ears... help a guy out! (I'd also love to hear from Tim on this) And many thanks
 
Of course the F650GS is dual sport. This is just BMW marketing hype. Have a read of this from experienced evaluators...

we headed backwards on the same route (like mostly off-road) now mounted on the F650GS, mag wheels and all – yes I know all the BMW press has said that this is no off-roader, but off-road we took ‘em. Let me tell you folks – this little wunderkind is the unsung hero, with my jaded cranium now fueled with Espresso and not beer, I found myself chucking this little bugger around on the dirt with a huge grin on my dusty lips.

For a bike that’s not meant to be off-road – this one took everything that I threw at her – sure it doesn’t have the suspension travel that the big brother 800GS has, but it still handled the dust proper. If you’re a person who’s travelling down the West Coast and you see a dirt highway you want to investigate, but you’re worried coz your missus or some mates are on one of these – don’t be scared, the F650GS will handle it no worries mate. We ramped them, scraped them, bounced them across gravel and rocks, splashed them across water crossing and the tuff little buggers came out smiling!
Click to expand...

full words at http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6384895&postcount=4437

I've done a couple of days trail riding in the Pyrenees and expect to be doing Moroccan pistes again next month. All you need to add is a bash plate, engine bars, hand protectors and knobbly tyres.

Much of your trip will be on tarmac and the F650/800GS seat is quite hard, so have a look at an Airhawk blow-up saddle attachment. The extra height of the Airhawk will increase the seat to pegs distance to give your legs more room. If you go with the F800with the lowered seat you will feel quite a difference.

Tim
 
Thanks Tim and ZZ,
Firstly, ZZ, appreciate the tip and looked at fishburgers bike, all the way down to 31" and it looks great, my only preocupation with going that route is paying the extra couple grand for the 800 and then the considerable cost to lower it to my comfort level. Still think it's the most beautiful bike ever though...
So if I do go the 650 (which likely I will) I'd be well served to leave the mags on? And I shouldn't have to worry too much about them on crappy South American pot-holed roads? From Mexico and through the states the roads are great, but Central/South America leave something to be desired, just wanting to make sure I won't be left with a bent/broken wheel... knobbly tires front and back you think?
Anyone ever looked at giving the 650 a better paint job? I don't mind the colors but they (obviously intentionally) gave the 800 a much much better color scheme!
 
Oh also, when I go to order this bike, are there options I should purposely NOT get added on from BMW that I should look to aftermarket companies for? Or should I get the works from BMW? (panniers/topcase/hand protectors/bash plate/Akropovic silencer)?
 
It's personal taste really. I got the heated grips, centre stand, on board computer and that was it. I was suprised BMW didn't do a rear rack as standard so I had to buy that from TouraTech :thedummy

I am still waiting as far as bash plates, crash bars and panniers. Some very interesting products are coming on stream from around the world and in my view this can only improve.

:D
 
Went and test rode the 650 and in comparison to my current 2003 650... wow. Didn't realize how good it would look in person. These bikes are related in name only. SO much smoother, far less putt-putt, and so much quicker. The ergonomics were great, although I don't know how much I like the fluid reservoir sitting up top there (any fix for that) and the turn signal off button will take some getting used to. Otherwise, a far superior bike and I'm picking it up TOMORROW. Can't wait! Thanks for the insight guys
 
ElGuero said:
...I don't know how much I like the fluid reservoir sitting up top there (any fix for that) ...
Click to expand...

Touratech plastic fix:

325864150_eB7B2-M.jpg
 
ElGuero said:
Went and test rode the 650 and in comparison to my current 2003 650... wow. Didn't realize how good it would look in person. These bikes are related in name only. SO much smoother, far less putt-putt, and so much quicker. The ergonomics were great, although I don't know how much I like the fluid reservoir sitting up top there (any fix for that) and the turn signal off button will take some getting used to. Otherwise, a far superior bike and I'm picking it up TOMORROW. Can't wait! Thanks for the insight guys
Click to expand...

ElGuero, I am from Costa Rica in Central America and have a 650 twin after having the single 650. I can assure that this new 650 can deal with any road situation you can encounter in the rest of Latin America. I have tested my bike through gravel, river rocks and light mud with my Metzeler Tourance tires and the bike handles great. I have ridden with F800 and KTM Adventure through all these conditions and all of them have passed through the same road...! Ofcourse we are talking about reasonable conditions and not real enduro riding. Just be sure to have Tourance/Anakee minimum and all the protection accesories necesary.

Let me know if you need some orientation around this part of the world. You won´t regret acquiring the 650 twin!!!!
 
Wildman: thanks for the Touratech mod, I'll check it out now and likely order it (and need to find handguards, engine guard, wind screen, waiting on the panniers/top case). It's just a brace that holds it in place better to keep it from flopping around? I notice you have the BMW handguards... those the best the market has right now?
Tico, thanks for the advice, considering I picked up the bike today I don't really have a choice on what bike I'll be taking through South/Central America next summer anymore :o) Most major roads in the region aren't too bad, but last month on a trip to Belize I spent a day in Guatemala and the roads were just awful, so I'll definitely be adding different tires. How are the wheels? No need for wire spoked ones? I'll definitely look you up if I wind up cruising through CR el verano proximo.
So I've now owned it for 6 hours. I keep going out to look at it. Something so gratifying about owning a bike that started the day with 0 miles on the odometer!
 
i like the look of the 650 my old fundy was a cracker, allthough i will leave it for a year-18 months as there is more knowledge and experiance gained and possibly a few 'pre-owned' example's with a few of the extra's on the market. Allthough my 1100g.s. is going well at the moment so reluctant to change.
just my 2p
 
ElGuero, the wheels handel great as well. For the light off road this bike handles, there is no worry at all. Enjoy your bike, I have had it for 6 weeks and have put in 2,000 miles with out leaving this small country yet and with no complaints for the moment. Be sure to check out TT products, because you will need some additional protection.

Buena suerte y lo esperamos en CR.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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