Borrowed a G650GS single for a few days!

metal_mule

metal_mule

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My local beamer dealer asked if I could run in there new G650GS for a few days! Being the kind guy i am I said yes! :)

I was very impressed! I Still prefer my 650gs twin but every time I got off I had a huge grin! A very capable bike. Its a shame that when I was looking for my first bike I couldn't find a decent 650 single at the time! I have a feeling I would have had a ball on it!

DSC00254.jpg
 
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Its a very basic bike - no canbus, no fuel gauge, no self cancelling indicators, no centre stand.
 
bumpy said:
Its a very basic bike - no canbus, no fuel gauge, no self cancelling indicators, no centre stand.
Click to expand...

I wasn't aware that anybike had self cancelling indicators! Cheers for finding out about the canbus, I asked at my local BMW dealer and they didn't know!
 
SERVDAVE said:
I wasn't aware that anybike had self cancelling indicators! Cheers for finding out about the canbus, I asked at my local BMW dealer and they didn't know!
Click to expand...

The 1200GS is just one that does. You can cancel manually, but if you forget, the indicators cancel after a period of time. And, it is clever enough to ignore the time you are stationery at a junction.
 
bumpy said:
The 1200GS is just one that does. You can cancel manually, but if you forget, the indicators cancel after a period of time. And, it is clever enough to ignore the time you are stationery at a junction.
Click to expand...

Interesting, I wonder how that works? I shall have to find out! :)
 
Took the G650GS out for a test ride today and was well impressed, it's a cracking bike. I'm used to a thumper (owning a Tenere) but it seemed more thumping than other F650GS bikes I've ridden. Five speed box has well spaced ratios and you can pull in top gear from under 35mph (the Tenere can't pull in top below 50 mph).

I'd taken an F800GS out half a hour earlier and for hooning around town I actually preferred the G650GS. At a base price of just £5000 OTR it's great value for money.

I was concerned about the placement of the oil filler on top of the faux tank. This is asking to be interfered with, so I'd be looking for a lockable top. The speedo is a big analog dial and the rev counter is a small part of a digital screen. What would have made much more sense is to have an analog rev counter and a digital speedo (which could be switched to KPH).
 
I am confused ..

Isn't the "new" G650GS really the old F650GS but now built in China rather than Europe somewhere.

So it would be exactly the same as the old F650GS?

:nenau
 
G for FFFFFF's sake!

We're all confused with all those G's and new F's that are 650's but aren't!

2011 BMW G650GS Single

German built restyled 2007 BMW F//G 650 single with a Chinese manufactured engine but assembled in Germany.

The G650GS was sold in the U.S. for three years same as the old F650GS but with with a 'China' engine and sold here and in europe as a 'Special' for the Police etc.

2011 G650GS spec..........includes

New alloy wheels with larger profile tyres 110/140
Slightly smaller 14 litre fuel tank
New headlight, instruments and speedo
New side panels
Restyled beak and rear side panels
Black painted frame and swing arm
New handlebars and controls
Slightly less hp but you wouldn't really notice

All in all even with the alloys it's a slighly 'sharper' more enduro looking F650GS/ single but with proven components that have been around for ages.

Most of the previous Touratech accessories and panniers including BMW varios and topbox, engine bars, sumpguard and handguards bolt straight onto the 'new' bike. Even the seats are a straight swap. My 'high' Dakar seat fits Mrs P's G650GS/FL.

Koubalink suspension lowering links will even fit from the F650GS onto the new bike.

BMW options include ABS, heated grips, mainstand and lowered suspension.

It's a'crackin' wee bike and would be my choice for any 'long' RTW type trip.

It's reliable, very simple for a BMW, very cheap and tough as old boots.

FP.:thumb
 
Tim Cullis said:
Took the G650GS out for a test ride today and was well impressed, it's a cracking bike. I'm used to a thumper (owning a Tenere) but it seemed more thumping than other F650GS bikes I've ridden. Five speed box has well spaced ratios and you can pull in top gear from under 35mph (the Tenere can't pull in top below 50 mph).

I'd taken an F800GS out half a hour earlier and for hooning around town I actually preferred the G650GS. At a base price of just £5000 OTR it's great value for money.

I was concerned about the placement of the oil filler on top of the faux tank. This is asking to be interfered with, so I'd be looking for a lockable top. The speedo is a big analog dial and the rev counter is a small part of a digital screen. What would have made much more sense is to have an analog rev counter and a digital speedo (which could be switched to KPH).
Click to expand...

The oil filler is in the same place as the old F650GS single, it's the same oil tank aswell. The cap is very tight to remove and I couldn't undo mine with my 'roughty tough' Farmer Palmer hands and had to use the tool out the tool kit.

I agree about the rev counter as it's almost useless, very hard to see. The rev limiter light is waisted on me as it would have been better telling me to change up at say 5500rpm.

Speedo is good, big and very easy to read.

Fully loaded the new G650GS costs around £6200 but not includind luggage so it's cheap as chips for a BMW.

You could buy 3 G650GS's in basic spec for one £15000 'reasonably' specced 1200GSA.........!

FP.:thumb
 
Tim Cullis said:
I was concerned about the placement of the oil filler on top of the faux tank. This is asking to be interfered with, so I'd be looking for a lockable top.
Click to expand...


A lockable oil filler..... preventing what?:nenau
I think the water in your camelback is worth more than the oil in the lube tank......:rolleyes:
Only on BMWs have I ever seen oil caps locked...... and non of my bikes have ever had oil fillers tampered with, where does this myth come from..... touratwat tat sellers or nippymoron nowt vendors?:P
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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