Consider this before buying an R1200GS

[DustCloud]

I ride a 2010 R1200GS. I went along to BMW Roadshow where you could test ride the whole range of bikes. I rode the following bikes:

1. G 650 GS - totally disappointed, expected a Yamaha XT600 thumper experience but only got a boring, unexciting ride. When I pulled on the throttle nothing happened.
2. F 650 GS - after the first disappointment I was totally shocked how good this bike is. It felt so light and alive. I rode it through the twisties and flung it round like a bicycle. I came back with a huge grin on my face (and lots of insects on my teeth).
3. F 800 GS - got off the F 650 GS and straight on the F 800. It was nice but it didn't have the same mad acceleration in the lower gears and it's centre of gravity seemed much higher and it didn't let itself be flung about so easily.
4. F 650 GS - straight back on it to see if I had been imagining things. No, I hadn't. The low end power was simply amazing. It was also good on the main roads zipping along at "high speeds". Got back with even more insects on my teeth.

This has to be the most underrated bike in BMW's range. I know BMW market this as a beginner's bike but I would seriously consider it for someone like me who commutes occasionally, rides in the city but still wants to go off road now and again. Lighter is better? Go and test ride one before buying an R 1200 GS. I wish I had.

 

[IJGser]

1. G 650 GS - totally disappointed, expected a Yamaha XT600 thumper experience but only got a boring, unexciting ride. When I pulled on the throttle nothing happened.

Did you try starting it first i don't have one but i do have something with the same engine its no 12gs in the power department but your sentiments on smaller lighter seemed sound to me until this contradiction. When i test road a g650gs the brakes disappointed me and it felt wrong when i stood up, also looked cheap...

but most the new BMWs do IMHO

 

[DustCloud]

Did you try starting it first i don't have one but i do have something with the same engine its no 12gs in the power department but your sentiments on smaller lighter seemed sound to me until this contradiction. When i test road a g650gs the brakes disappointed me and it felt wrong when i stood up, also looked cheap...

but most the new BMWs do IMHO

I agree completely. Everything about the G650GS didn't seem very BMW-like. The cockpit, the controls including the indicators are different to the rest of the models which are all identical with the R1200gs. And the brakes are simply rubbish.

The F650GS was a blast though and could be one of the best all round bikes I have ever ridden, includng the R1200GS. If you forget the R1200 hype I'm sure most people would be better off with F650.

 

[Mr K]

I've had an F650GS and now an R1200GS for 8 years.

Admirable though the 650 is for a four stroke single, that is all it is and struggles beyond 70mph and/or in the company of bigger bikes.

Glad you're happy with yours, but you're not kidding me.

 

[Rushy]

I've had an F650GS and now an R1200GS for 8 years.

Admirable though the 650 is for a four stroke single, that is all it is and struggles beyond 70mph and/or in the company of bigger bikes.

Glad you're happy with yours, but you're not kidding me.

I thought the F650GS was an 800 parallel twin.... i'm all confused

 

[walrus]

When I traded in my 1150RT I went in with the intention of buying the 650 because I had had one as a loaner and had the same reaction as you. I had the rest ride, thoroughly enjoyed it then took out a 1200GS on a whim. I didn't hesitate to buy the 1200. The 650 was fun; the 1200 was better. More powerful, more involving, more capable. Mind you I wish I had a 650 too.

 

[Mr K]

I thought the F650GS was an 800 parallel twin.... i'm all confused

Me too now: I had a F650GS and it was a single, but now the singles seem to be G bikes....

 

[Nutty]

Unless you want to load up with luggage and carry a pillion.

 

[IJGser]

Unless you want to load up with luggage and carry a pillion.

Indeed thats why i have a 1200 and a Xch all bases are covered

Now its been said the new G650gs looked like a piece of Chinese crap
Engine was lively enough for one man and a back road but i would say that 80 Mph on gravel anyone

 

[bumpmuncher]

I ride a 2010 R1200GS. I went along to BMW Roadshow where you could test ride the whole range of bikes. I rode the following bikes:

1. G 650 GS - totally disappointed, expected a Yamaha XT600 thumper experience but only got a boring, unexciting ride. When I pulled on the throttle nothing happened.
2. F 650 GS - after the first disappointment I was totally shocked how good this bike is. It felt so light and alive. I rode it through the twisties and flung it round like a bicycle. I came back with a huge grin on my face (and lots of insects on my teeth).
3. F 800 GS - got off the F 650 GS and straight on the F 800. It was nice but it didn't have the same mad acceleration in the lower gears and it's centre of gravity seemed much higher and it didn't let itself be flung about so easily.
4. F 650 GS - straight back on it to see if I had been imagining things. No, I hadn't. The low end power was simply amazing. It was also good on the main roads zipping along at "high speeds". Got back with even more insects on my teeth.

This has to be the most underrated bike in BMW's range. I know BMW market this as a beginner's bike but I would seriously consider it for someone like me who commutes occasionally, rides in the city but still wants to go off road now and again. Lighter is better? Go and test ride one before buying an R 1200 GS. I wish I had.

Prehaps its a peculiararity of them being swiss spec bikes. Are larger bikes not somewhat stifled because of the swiss emissions/ noise regulations. Or is your location a red herring and infact they were standard euro spec machines

 

[DustCloud]

Prehaps its a peculiararity of them being swiss spec bikes. Are larger bikes not somewhat stifled because of the swiss emissions/ noise regulations. Or is your location a red herring and infact they were standard euro spec machines

The Swiss spec bikes are identical as far as I know to the rest or Europe. I didn't test the F650GS with a pillion but it zipped along at 120 kmh with no effort at all. Sure, I could go across the border to Germany and go a lot faster with my R1200GS. I'm just making the point about how much power and weight do we really need? The new Triumph Explorer is part of this marketing madness - more bhp, more weight. Where is this going to? There are more and more people looking to buy simpler, modestly powered bikes. Just look at the Triumph Bonneville, Moto Guzzi V7 etc.

 

[richie]

The Swiss spec bikes are identical as far as I know to the rest or Europe. I didn't test the F650GS with a pillion but it zipped along at 120 kmh with no effort at all. Sure, I could go across the border to Germany and go a lot faster with my R1200GS. I'm just making the point about how much power and weight do we really need? The new Triumph Explorer is part of this marketing madness - more bhp, more weight. Where is this going to? There are more and more people looking to buy simpler, modestly powered bikes. Just look at the Triumph Bonneville, Moto Guzzi V7 etc.

Bedtime.

 

[Farmer Palmer]

The G650GS is what it is 'cheap as chips'.........We bought ours for Mrs P last year and it's not at all bad for a £4995 bike OTR.

I thought it was quick enough and handles well enough, the brakes are adequate(I lied about the £4995 OTR price as ours was factory lowered and has ABS) so was nearer £6k but it's a cheap bike so my expectations weren't that high to begin with.

Change the OE exhausts and replace them with a Scorpion can and you'll make your ears bleed........!

FP.

 

[Neil W]

It depends what you want the bike for , I was really tempted to buy an F800gs last year when I bought my 1200 gsa, I'd ridden one in the Alps ( two years before ) and loved it either solo or two up without luggage.

But on the way down to the Austria last year I saw a couple of 800's two up with full luggage and they were struggling a bit at Autobanhn speeds , having since spoken to a couple of people since then they all say it is where the smaller bike is a bit of a let down.

If the 650 is for solo or local work I would say yes, but for longer distances two up I would say you can't beat cubes !

 

[Magic Ayrton]

I am moving and to help fund that I have just listed my immaculate R1200 GS on ebay..

If anyone is interested the item number is 200776707253 please take a look it is truly mint with many extras. Located in Hampshire UK.

Thanks for looking

 

[Nutty]

I am moving and to help fund that I have just listed my immaculate R1200 GS on ebay..

If anyone is interested the item number is 200776707253 please take a look it is truly mint with many extras. Located in Hampshire UK.

Thanks for looking

Get in touch with Johnny Boxer, he's looking for one of these.

 

[David Nimrod]

The G650GS is what it is 'cheap as chips'.........We bought ours for Mrs P last year and it's not at all bad for a £4995 bike OTR.

I thought it was quick enough and handles well enough, the brakes are adequate(I lied about the £4995 OTR price as ours was factory lowered and has ABS) so was nearer £6k but it's a cheap bike so my expectations weren't that high to begin with.

We must live in different worlds... Or have a different definition of 'cheap'

My R100GS cost a quarter of that and has just done 4500 miles heavily loaded with no problems whatsoever.

Horses for courses I guess