F 650 CS. Any good?

[Warthog]

Have been having a chat with my Dad about his bike options. Lower use recently means a change might be an idea rather than letting an 1150 oilhead sit around.

My initial thought was the lighter and almost as powerful F800 ST. Low maintenace belt drive, Strong motor, luggage options, and excellent economy.

Then thought about the F650 CS. Pig ugly and less powerful with perhaps fewer luggage options, but a heck of a lot cheaper (£2500 instead of the ST at £7000 for a used demoonstrator) and a heck of a lot cheaper to run (H rated tyres, even better fuel economy, lower insurance), etc.

So is the CS any good?

Worth considering?

What is the MPG like?

Is it worth paying over twice the money for the ST if town miles and the odd trip to Kent are on the cards?

Cheers.

 

[EggChaser]

I had an F650CS as a first bike - used to get over 60mpg. Note mine was a single spark version and I did upgrade the spark plug which smoothed out the engine a bit (not sure if twin spark models need this mod)

Power wise it was a little down however even though it has conventional suspension because of the fuel tank location and the low centre of gravity it did used to out handle things like Honda Hornet 600s on twisty roads. The hero blobs on the footpegs on both sides did see some action once or twice

I did not tour on it so only ever fitted a Givi Top case and the original stuff bay hard case. Although I have seen examples with pannier rails.

I never had any issues with the belt drive which is way better than chain bikes and has also been better the my R1100S which has had a couple of issues with FD seals.

The ones with clear/cloudy grab rails around the stuff bay tank used to suffer from plastic fatigue around the fitting bolts and fracture, the later black fittings apparently did not suffer from this (or just hid the cracks)

Great bike if you commute in traffic as relatively narrow and light making it easy to filter round cages - in fact if I could afford 2 bikes I'd probably have kept it just to go to work on.

The obvious comparison with any of the F800 range is the power and the thumper engine. Unfortunately I have only ridden an F800S on short test rides and my comparison was really with my R1100S not my F650CS - as such I'd say if you can live with a lower top speed and slightly less acceleration then try and find a good CS, otherwise go for one of the F800s

EggChaser F650CS Info

 

[Navy Boy]

Our 650GS (2003 single spark model) often managed 65-75 MPG with regular riding.

Strictly speaking the comparison isn't really fair - They are 2 very different machines. If you can afford the 800 is more modern, possibly just as good on fuel and is quicker. The 650 is very good at what it does and the belt drive has to be a good thing.

Have you thought about the new 650GS? Price-wise a little less than the 800 S/ST and - In my opinion - better looking than the new 800GS. They sound nice too!