Any one gone from 1150 to F/G650?

[Jhock]

Hi,

has any one gone from an 1150GS to an F650GS or G650?

I am thinking about it, I want something with some more off road ability but I still have to be able to ride on the road and can't afford 2 bikes.

Any regrets?

Are they any good off road, they weigh less?

Are there ay differences between the Dakar and standard GS model?

 

[jtw000]

Kind of, I went from a 1200 to an 800, to a G650x. The 1200 was quite capable but remote. It felt like I was riding a two wheeled car, almost boring. The 800 was obviously easier and felt quicker, more lively. It was more frugal too, used less fuel and it certainly looked better. Then the 800 was stolen, I didn't have it all that long either, long enough to start to be disappointed with it. On a whim I bought a 650 C Country, to use as a commuter and weekend green lane toy. It felt a bit weak at first but was restricted to 33bhp. I got that fixed and then it was far better. I rode another 800 some time later and although it was nice it didn't make me want to own one again. As for the 1200, I never missed it. It was very comfortable and easy to ride but it just wasn't a bike, it was two wheels bolted to a computer. It's tough to explain but it felt like I was riding something that belonged to BMW. The little 650 is all mine, when I ride her she feels like an extension of my arms and legs. Offroad it handles far better, it's cheaper to run, it's more fun and it's tough, really tough. I've never looked back. It's a compromise, sure but it's a better bike by far.

 

[fatbaldbob]

I am fortunate to have both a 1200 GSA and a 650 Sertao, it really depends what you use the bike for, wether or not it will suit you. If you want to go two up touring then you may find the 650 underpowered and cramped, likewise for long motorway journeys, however it is more than capable of doing it and very fruggle too. But as a commuter / back road bike its great. its light weight and you can throw it around, same goes for its off road ability, but you do have to work it a bit to keep it on song, but thats half the fun of it. Take a test ride and see what you think and perhaps compare it against an F800 GS which sits in between the two.

Never owned a Dakar but on the Sertao and standard G650gs there are several differences, longer travel suspension, larger front wheel, comes standard with ABS (switchable), heated grips and bash plate.

 

[John RTW]

I'm still on a RTW, but now the GSA 1150 has gone home to Blighty I'm continuing on an XT660R. Now I've done 15,000km's around AUS I can say it's more than capable of doing everything you want (solo) all be it at a slower pace.

I know it's not quite a F/G 650, but same same but different.

The big plus factor is it's so much easier to pick up once you've had a big off.

 

[jtw000]

I had a friend dong an RTW from Australia on a BMW F800gs. After 27 breakdowns he swapped out for a 660 Tenere in England and rode back on that without issue. I nearly went for one myself but got an XC for the same price and really no comparison. In fact we crossed paths again in Bangkok and rode each others bike. His had had a lot of work, mine too and we'd both ridden the respective opposites before.
I jumped off his very impressed, far more power than stock and it handled fairly well too, he jumped off saying the same thing about mine.

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Same here but different............I've got a 1200GSA and just bought a G650GS Sertao which I've lusted after since they came out last year and used to have an HP2E and a F650GS and before that an 1150GSA and an F650 Funduro.

Mrs P has a G650GS which I've ridden quite often even though it's a factory lowered model(a wee bit like her) and she had an F650GS before that.

I love the F/G650GS's and think they are really underrated bikes but you can't really compare them to a bike with over twice the horsepower......It's not really fair on the F/G650GS!

80mpg and costs around a third of a new 1200GSA with a few bits and bobs on it but it's not a third of the bike!

They're good enough on gravel roads and good on B/C roads where they are in their element but not the best on motorways but if like me you ride at 60-75mph they're fine........Did I say they can do over 80mpg?

Less is more........!

FP.