650CS - not such a girlie bike after all

[Cheesy Mike]

I have a 650CS on loan while all the rusty bits are being sorted on my 1150. I've had it before and used it to ride 1.5 miles across Bristol city centre - and I hated it. Well yesterday I got to do about 60 miles on it - and I loved it. Get it out of town onto some twisty stuff and the thing is a hooligan and a total hoot. The cramped riding position for somebody my height is a bit of a problem, but other than that I can't fault it. Then, getting it back into the city for the Friday evening rush hour it comes into its own yet again as a superb bike for filtering. I though I could get the GS through anything in town but the CS is even better.

Summary: Definitely not a girlie bike and anyone who thinks it is should think again.

Mike

 

[richie]

Mate of mine has one for the last year and a half. Loves it to bits and he never touches motorways.

 

[(RIP) Boxertools]

They might be a great bike, but they don't hold their value.
My wife has had hers for 18 months, paid £4500 for it.
It's done 3400 miles and SPC tell me its worth £3000.

Mike.

 

[Deadskin]

It's shite

 

[Sid]

I had one once as a loan bike but it had a Remus can on it and it was total hooligan material - absolutely bloody fantastic - if anyone dared think about veering into your lane, you just had to rev it at them and they ran away with tail between their legs - flippin magic!
Sounded just like a 650cc single should.
Besides which, they're just so flickable through the bendy stuff - so depends on your journey type - only the 12GS comes close in flickability.

 

[Deadskin]

only the 12GS comes close in flickability.

ter

 

[Ming]

the pegs are too low and grind to atoms!!

 

[Paul Wakefield]

I went on a ride a few months back where someone was on a 650CS. I couldn't believe how damn fast the thing was. Even on the way back when we were making reasonable progress, he was always right there with us.

Paul

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

its not what you ride - its how you ride it .

My mate's got a CCM R30 - same rotax 650 lump - keeps up with anything A to B - as long as A is less than 100 miles from B

 

[SQD8R]

My buddy just bought one after I picked up my 12GS. I had the usual initial envy of anyone picking up a new bike and I was kind of regretting my 12GS for a while becuase I'm a cheap bastard and love to modify my bikes ( a bad combo I know) and I have the catalog with all of the Touratech crap for the Dakar. Since it was 1/2 the cost of my 12GS I was questioning my choice for about an hour. Then we went for a ride and I forgot all about it. We just did a trip out east and while the 650 can stay with the 12GS it can't when it's time ot put down the power. I noticed on the trip out that I seemed to be riding slower than my norm. I don't mean a continuos speed I mean through corners, accelerating etc. The anwer is simple of course when you consider I have twice the hp/torque of the 650. Coming off of big bore bikes over the last 10 years I doubt it would meet my needs over the long hual. I love the bike but I think the 12GS is the keeper. Besides off-road I can't see the 650 toping the 12GS. IMO, nothing humble about it.