About to buy the new G650GS

  • Thread starter Thread starter lupine lacuna
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lupine lacuna

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As my first bike!

However I had a few questions. I am a climber and mountaineer, and I expect to need to take a few bits and pieces on the back of it as you can imagine. I also intend to do some farely long trips on it, hopefully off road but only in Europe.

What should I be looking at adding to it, other than a centre stand (which along with ABS and heated grips is already on the demo I am getting)

And is there an obvious aftermarket pannier kit I should get?

Thanks so much,

Cheers

Paul
 
G650GS

Hi Paul,

Great choice of a well proven and very underrated bike. I have ridden mostly in the arctic north/Iceland on 1150GSA/HP2E and now an R1200GSA but if I was going anywhwere really 'rough' i'd be taking Mrs P's G650GS or the previous F/G650GS single and leaving the 'bigger' bike at home....!

As for panniers our choice is the Touratech Zega aluminium 29 litre pannier set aswell as a touratech 'tank' bag and a BMW topbox.

You can get the Touratech Zega panniers in three sizes, 29,35 and 41 litres and there are lash down loops on the top of each pannier for fastening dry bags with camping gear in etc.

Here's a list of kit we put on Mrs P's F650GS and now her G650GS.......!

Touratech Zega pannier set
Touratech Zega inner bags
Touratech tankbag with raincover
Touratech tailpack
Touratech upper and lower engine bars
Touratech perspex headlamp protector
Touratech sumpguard
Touratech sidestand enlarger plate

BMW handguards
BMW topbox

That'll suit our needs but there are other very good choices of panniers and accessories from the likes of Metal Mule and Rugged roads etc.

The new G650GS has a slightly smaller 14 litre fuel tank than the previous F/G650GS and although the fuel consumption is excellent I'd maybe carry an extra fuel can just incase you're somewhere really remote and get low on 'gas'.....!

Check out www.f650.co.uk for a lot of extra info on the new G650GS aswell as www.ADVrider.com and look in the Thumpers section.

Hope this helps a bit and i'm sure you'll enjoy the bike. It's a really fresh and sharper styled version of a bike that been around for over ten years.

FP.:thumb
 
Thanks Farmer. I know that the BMW Topbox with this model uses the same ignition key which is useful for daily activities, but why is it normal for people to go with it over a third party one as is so often with side panniers?

What about thinks like battery charges, crash bars? Things that BMW will tag on at point of purchase...?

I have posted on AV, will check out the other site too. Thanks very much - I just wanted to get the bike from BMW ASAP with everythin I need from BMW, and then worry about researching all the other stuff from everyone else afterward... :)
 
lupine lacuna said:
Thanks Farmer. I know that the BMW Topbox with this model uses the same ignition key which is useful for daily activities, but why is it normal for people to go with it over a third party one as is so often with side panniers?

What about thinks like battery charges, crash bars? Things that BMW will tag on at point of purchase...?

I have posted on AV, will check out the other site too. Thanks very much - I just wanted to get the bike from BMW ASAP with everythin I need from BMW, and then worry about researching all the other stuff from everyone else afterward... :)
Click to expand...

Topbox is easy to put on and off and I suppose you don't need a rack either with the BMW one. I've used a Givi which was bigger and a 'customised' GSA box bolted straight onto the rack on previous F650GS's which looked the mutts. The plastic BMW box is much cheaper than most of the alternative alloy boxes aswell.

I suppose a lot of folk just run a topbox and no panniers. I've nothing against the BMW vario panniers, they're nice and slim but the mounting system isn't very robust and I prefer top loaders to side loading panniers hence the aftermarket ones. I'm very happy with the BMW/Touratech made panniers on my GSA though. I had Zegas on my previous BMWs and was very comfortable with their simplicity.

As for battery chargers I use an Optimate, it's good for the lawnmower and the farm Quadbike aswell. Can't say i've had to use it on the 650 or GSA but then I often leave it plugged in over the winter so the bikes are always 'good to go'....!

There's nothing wrong with the BMW G650GS crashbars and sumpguard either and they're good value. We just felt like a change and I liked the looks of the TT. stuff www.Touratech.co.uk, having said that we're still waiting on the stainless ones to arrive from TT UK.

The BMW handguards aren't so tough but you need bar risers and an extended brake line to fit the TT. ones and ours isn't a Rallye bike so we're happy with the BMW ones, again they don't cost a fortune.

Mrs P's bike is a G650GS/FL and our factory options were lower suspension, heated grips and ABS........!

There's some pics on www.F650.co.uk

If you don't want to spend a lot of ££££ on you're luggage set up you can always go for the 'Sh*tkicker look' get an old ammo box, paint it with a rattlecan to match the bike, chuck a couple of Ortleib dry bags across the pillion seat and you're good to go...........Anywhere......!!!!!:cool:

FP.:thumb
 
Yeah just saw the cost of luggae, christ!

Might start looking at cheaper options!
 
Farmer Palmer said:
Mrs P's bike is a G650GS/FL and our factory options were lower suspension, heated grips and ABS........!

FP.:thumb
Click to expand...

Hi ya I'm new to the site so please excuse the silly question - I've ordered my GS650GS and hopefully I'm getting it at end of June Woohoo! :bounce1 but I'm intrigued by the FL suffix quoted by Farmer Palmer, he mentioned it also on another forum I've recently subscribed to - I'm really getting into all this adventure bike stuff HAHA! I've bought the t-shirt, got the trail type textiles and a buff now all I need is the bike DOH! :) I digress what is it?
Dizzxxx
 
@kazntone Shame the guy hasn't got any more of those E41 boxes left... need to keep my eyes peeled for them again.
 
Dave78 said:
I'm guessing Factory Lowered.. so the bike is just that bit closer to the ground

However I stand to be corrected.
Click to expand...

Thankyou mines a FL too then - knew it would be something I should have guessed!
Dizzxxx
 
You should check out the Kriega website http://www.kriega.com/pages/Home.html

Works out a hell of a lot cheaper.

I bought the R25 (which has a compartment for a hydration bag)first to see how it would live up. Loved it so much I splashed out and got the US30 and US10, as well as a tank strapping. All their US bags are waterproof and universal fit for any bike. I really like the way you can combo all the US bags so you can have anything from 10 litres-70 litres sitting on the back of your bike, up to 20 litres on the tank, and 35litres on your back.

And if all that isn't enough space, you could always get some soft panniers as well.

The only thing is though, as soft luggage it has the usual hassle of not being lockable.The hooking straps on the Kriega (which are great when you're in a hurry for work or the likes) I can see it being super easy for anyone who would want to chance their arm. But I suppose if you're going to have 30 litres + of gear on your bike I don't think you'd have to worry too much about that.
 
Soft luggage alternative

Don't forget Ortlieb also make motorcycle panniers, got mine over the Wolfman's because they had a bigger capacity and have stiffer sides, easier to load. Cheaper too.

Done a few trips with mine and found them to be completely waterproof, well-made and hopefully (time will tell!) durable.

Got mine from Gillside Cycles (main UK distributer) and they have them at an even better price at the moment http://www.ortlieb.co.uk/index.php/motorcycle.html
 
Wow.....

Those Ortlieb panniers look great.:drool
I like the way they're fully waterproof instead of having the fiddle round with stupid waterproof overbags that never actually fit.Might have to get a pair myself if I have to do any adventurous travelling. :augie

They look pretty big height wise though. Do you think that might cause a problem with the exhaust ?? :nenau

I think I might have answered my own question.

Found this from Ortlieb on what the fitting system for their "Speed bags & Saddle bags" are like according to make and model of your bike. Looks a bit risky for the older GS's, and really doesn't bode well for the newer bikes :mad::mad:

http://www.ortlieb.de/_pdf_en/Motorradliste_en.pdf
 
Gracious said:
Those Ortlieb panniers look great.:drool
I like the way they're fully waterproof instead of having the fiddle round with stupid waterproof overbags that never actually fit.Might have to get a pair myself if I have to do any adventurous travelling. :augie

They look pretty big height wise though. Do you think that might cause a problem with the exhaust ?? :nenau

I think I might have answered my own question.

Found this from Ortlieb on what the fitting system for their "Speed bags & Saddle bags" are like according to make and model of your bike. Looks a bit risky for the older GS's, and really doesn't bode well for the newer bikes :mad::mad:

http://www.ortlieb.de/_pdf_en/Motorradliste_en.pdf
Click to expand...

Probably should have said, throw mine over on top of a pair of SW-Motech quick release pannier frames, they keep everything off the exhaust. TBH they're probably a bit too substantial for just soft-bags, but got them incase I wanted hard luggage later.
 
I'm trying to decide which top box to get for my new G650GS....I'd really like one of the aluminium 'square' type boxes, such as a 'Trax' type, but with all the manufacturers (inc Givi, etc) don't seem to list a fitting kit for my bike.

Are the standard fitted racks the same on the G650GS & the F650GS, does anyone know please? In other words, would a top box for a F650GS fit straight onto my G650GS??

Thank you!
 
MarkyRR said:
I'm trying to decide which top box to get for my new G650GS....I'd really like one of the aluminium 'square' type boxes, such as a 'Trax' type, but with all the manufacturers (inc Givi, etc) don't seem to list a fitting kit for my bike.

Are the standard fitted racks the same on the G650GS & the F650GS, does anyone know please? In other words, would a top box for a F650GS fit straight onto my G650GS??

Thank you!
Click to expand...

Hi, Farmers correct of course. BUT, for the avoidance of doubt if you're looking for a used one, make sure its off a 2007 or earlier bike. (i.e. a single cylinder not the more recent F650GS thats a twin!)

Enjoy;-)
 
Thanks for the help folks....pretty much decided on an Aluminium "Xplorer" box from Motobins....not cheap, but figured I'll just buy the one that way! They've given me some ext dimensions of the 45 ltr box, which are: 47cm across, 37.5cm width, and 31cm deep. This seems fairly small for 45 ltrs, but I'm guessing they've given me the correct ones - I can't see the Xplorer in another size anyway!

Anyone able to confirm these for me please (or give their impression if they seem correct).

Cheers

:)
 
Actually, please dis-regard the above question....just dug around in my school-days maths and worked out that it's easily 45 litres!

I was told taking notice wasn't a waste of time back then, too - seems they were right! :)
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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