cruising speed / range

[porker]

Can you please let me know what you consider to be a comfortable cruising speed on the 650gs and what sort of tank range do you get?

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

Took my Dakar up north a few weekas ago. Cruised om MWays at about 75/80 and slightly less on the rest . bike averaged about 63 mpg so about 180ish miles to the light comming on. wouldnt worry doing 200 between fills.

 

[porker]

Are there any vibes at 75/80mph which are noticeable

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

Are there any vibes at 75/80mph which are noticeable

Well it is a single after all but I did not find it intrusive. I did about 100 miles that weekend and was very impressed. I did not suffer any deadening of my fingers or other bits. The seat was a bit of a pain at first as has been discussed in these pages before but it did get better and the one nice thig is that it is very easy to simply stand up when the speed allowed it. I know there are people who claim that they get almost 80mpg at higher speeds than I have quoted but I never got near. Mine is the single spark bike.

 

[porker]

Thanks for your comments the reason I am asking Is I am considering a 650gs for my better half. She has a transalp at the mo and I dont like it, she isnt to sure either so we are looking and getting advice

 

[hovis]

speed/range

Hi there
I cruise my 650 at 80/85 on motorways etc , at that speed it still has enough left to accelerate if need be and returns 65mpg, and still has 40ish miles left when the low fuel light comes on
Hovis

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

Well it is a single after all but I did not find it intrusive. I did about 100 miles that weekend and was very impressed. I did not suffer any deadening of my fingers or other bits. The seat was a bit of a pain at first as has been discussed in these pages before but it did get better and the one nice thig is that it is very easy to simply stand up when the speed allowed it. I know there are people who claim that they get almost 80mpg at higher speeds than I have quoted but I never got near. Mine is the single spark bike.

That should have read 1000 miles, (I do a 100 going to the shops, take the long way round.

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

Thanks for your comments the reason I am asking Is I am considering a 650gs for my better half. She has a transalp at the mo and I dont like it, she isnt to sure either so we are looking and getting advice

As far as I know there is nothing wrong with transalp. My lads wife has one. I think the GS?Dakar is physically a bit smaller but the only way is to try one. Most BM dealers will have a demo so give them a visit.

 

[650gssandra]

my 650gs

hi,
i agree with all said,
ive had mine 8 weeks now, and was worried that the performance wouldnt be up to much after having a 1000 v-twin, but as long as you keep it in the right gears and the right revs i have to say its the best bike i have ever riden, we went to llangollen a couple of weeks ago, and i had no prob keeping up with the big boys,
a very enjoyable and easy to ride bike, nice not having to stop for fuel every 90 miles, and comfy too. doing bmw off-road course in august...help!!!!!

 

[Mav]

I think another point to consider is getting the Dakar fairing fitted - I found thre regular 650 not so much fun at motorway speeds but the with the Dakar fairing cruising at 75/80 is okay. Personally, if there is a more direct route on a-roads - I prefer that and I think it suits the bike better.

 

[dotcaf]

Cruise at around 80-85 and light comes on at 165 miles generally with 40 miles left. Bring the speed down to 60mph and you should be able to get 260 miles from a tank. Don't be afraid to ride well into the reserve as you get another 4 litres out of 17 (i.e. 30% more).

Happy riding

UK to Australia 2007
www.planitearth.co.uk

 

[richc]

I ride about 65/70 MPH - I've gotten 190 from a tank. It's still new, maybe it'll go up when it's broken in.

 

[HullTraily]

It should do, last time I went down to Wales from Yorkshire I was doing 70 to 80 on motorways and hustling on the A and B roads and my fuel light didn't come on until 240 miles. I was starting to worry as I thought the light might be broken and I could run out at any moment. I've got an '04 GS, best bike I've ever had by miles.

 

[billy56]

155 miles to light comes on every time

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

I wonder if the newer twin spark makes them even more economical. Mine is a 2001 and I have never got near the 70mpg. I do ride it a bit hard and the light usually comes on around the 160 mile mark so about 57 mpg. I have a friend that had a twin spark and he is adamant that he regularly got well over 70 and when he took his angel pills could get 80. Maybe the twin spark is better!

 

[(RIP) The Wilbur]

Yes, Twin Spark is set to be Lean Burn, so more economic.

My best was set last Summer. Left Edinburgh with full tank, A68 to A1, then 80mphish to London. Fuel light on at 190 miles, fill up with 252 miles showing, 15.5 litres.

My 'rithmetic makes it 82mpg & that's with full luggage & a Fat B*st*rd on board!

 

[Keethy]

floggin the well-laden little donkey (2up + luggage) down 120 miles A road then motorway at 2 figure speeds containing 8s & 9s saw light on at 160 miles..then ran out at 215... 100yards before a petrol station! Worst consumption I've ever had - usually does 67 to gallon.

 

[dazzer]

3 of us went to the North Cape in 2004 on 650Gs.
one day we rode 263.5 mile's on a tank with just less than a liter left when we found a petrol station open

They should be a write up on the f650 site.

 

[Sue Larrington]

cruising speed and ecconomy

My 650 is a 2004 twin spark GS, I have done 2000 miles this spring. It is fitted with a K&N filter and a Remus exhaust. My normal Sunday ride out would be about 300miles of mixed driving between 60 and 85 mph and it copes fine averaging 84mpg, I find the wind blast over this speed too much to hang on to as I have Spondylitis, but how I ride it, its the comfiest bike that I have ridden, even better than the back of Grahams Varadero. Sue.