early F650gs known faults?

[Colt]

HELLO CHAIN OILERS
thought i would come and say hello.

Now i have started to look at MAYBE getting a 650.
even started research and collecting bits
what have i done now!

Are there any particular faults to spot with the "early 650gs "

 

[Andy80F]

There was a problem with surging that was sorted by a software upgrade. The legacy of this remains however and there are often debates on the 650 sites about fuel/sparkplug choice.

Other than that the steering head bearings can wear out due, it's thought, to BMWs well known aversion to adequately greasing such parts. Mine were shot at 12,000 miles but replaced under waranty. Look carefully at the engine casing, especially on the Left side where the water hoses enter, for bubling in the finish and many report corrosion on the fork around the brace (a common complaint on many BMW models).

There is a UK based 650 site - www.f650.co.uk/ which is an excellent starting place though the US based Chain Gang has a much larger, if majoritively US based, membership. The Chain Gang technical section is alsoremarkably usefull.

Though I would swap my Dakar, along with wife, kids and even the dog, for the new 1200GS the 650GS is a remarkably good bike.

Regards
Andy80F

 

[barrykirkham]

Chain Oilers

Serious advice.
Get one!
see: http://www.chainoiler.co.uk/

 

[Colt]

thanks for the info.