F 650 GS

[beacon]

My Lad is thinking about buying a bike hes about to do his cbt and diresct access hes 30 year old 6ft and about 15 stone so not a small lad and hes looking at the 650 GS not too bad to insure and not to bad looking and I know nowt about em are they as oddball as there big bro (I ride the 1150) anything he needs to look into? any advise? Chris

 

[Simon Eassom]

Believe it or not they are rarer new or used than the 1150; hold their value as well if not better; and are in many ways a more "sensible" buy than the 1150.

Much lower insurance (Group 8)
Fantastic fuel economy (60mpg to 80mpg)
Cheaper servicing costs
Cheaper to buy (£4995 new)
Very good 2nd hand market for sellers but largely throught dealerships (buyers tend to buy from BMW).
Parts, spares, accessories are all cheaper than 1150 bits (e.g., engine bars £65).

The 650GS can be customised as much as the 1150: larger fuel tank, remus/laser exhaust, techlusion chip, bespoke luggage, bush guard, handguards, aftermarket screens, bar risers, blah blah blah.

I am 6'4" and 18 stone in my kit and I regularly ride my girlfriend's 650GS and love every minute of it. It is small, however, and if I was to have one myself I'd get the Dakar version with the raised ride height and larger front wheel.

Shod with Continental Twinduros the 650 is a much better off-road bike than the 1100/1150. It's much lighter and the gearing suits off-road better. On road, a 650 ridden hard will keep up with an 1150 up until about 80-90mph. It runs out of puff thereafter and your son will struggle to see much over a ton with his size and weight. The 650 will tour without any trouble providing you're not looking to eat meg-miles at 90+ on motorways - it's most at home on fast B-roads and twisty A-roads. It'll handle itself surprisingly well and surprise a few sportsbikes, yet it's a fantastic first bike - easy to ride and very forgiving.

The 650 doesn't benefit from paralever front suspension as does the 1100/1150 so I'd be more inclined to get ABS (it's a cheaper option for the 650 than the 1150). A hard pull on the front brake can lock the wheel more easily and unexpectedly than on the 1150.

The 650 needs a screen (it comes without one) but the BMW clear touring screen is crap. Buy the black opaque Dakar screen or an aftermarket jobbie such as the Wunderlich touring screen. Get heated grips and handguards. BMW luggage for the GS is pukka, much better than that for the 1150, and costs less.

Although your son is on the big side for the 650, if he can find a Dakar version (I know where there's a nice Black & White one) he'll be quite comfortable and it'll handle his weight. It's the perfect start for somebody looking for GS fun at a cheaper price than the 1150 - although you can get 1100GSs for the same money the insurance and running costs would be much higher.

 

[Greg Masters]

Just to add to what Simon says ...

... there are a few 'low seat' bikes around on the second-hand market (very popular with the ladies). In fact, the seat is the standard item - it's the whole bike that's been lowered. A taller seat and a single seat option are also available (they are a change of the seat squab).

Find one with a Scottoiler already fitted - I say that because it's a right bar-steward of a job!

The bike can be had with a power-restrictor - it's no more than a throttle-stop. Might be useful if he ends up on the 125cc test route.

GFI!

Greg

 

[Roge]

I totally agree with what Simon is saying I have an 1150 and my wife bought her self a F650GS Tour just before Christmas. I did the 600 mile run in on a trip to Scotland, my only gripe would be that the seat to peg distance for me would need to be longer (higher seat or lower pegs), the BMW curved screen thing is just that a thing. MPG is excelent the light coming on at about 180-200 miles and the dammed thing still has 5ltr left she went from Spalding to Preston in one hit. Jan has the expanding ali luggage which is top kit and the std top box which looks small but swallows a helmet and loads of kit. The power delivery is suprising with a real surge around 5000rpm it V smooth on the motorway for a single and with a better screen would be spot on. I am 6'2" and 17 stone, She loves it ( the bike not me, I am just the mechanical support). Have a look at the modified ons in the Touratec catologue.

Roger

 

[Andy80F]

For more information about the 650 try the Chain Gang site. The FAQ's are extensive and the forum lively, if not up to GSer standard. The site is predominantly US centred and for a UK based forum Trevor George's 650 (UK) site is usefull.

Don't think I've met a 650 owner yet who regrets thier purchase, including myself.

 

[PegLeg]

I've just traded up from a 650 GS (now on sale at Balderston's) and everything that Simon has said is true. Great bike, particularly around town. Its very easy to ride and is as ideal a first bike you can get. Seat to peg height can be a problem for those with longer legs but there are ways round that, normally a higher seat should do ( I have one (new) for sale as I put the standard seat back when I PX'd it) Also a tank bag should be going cheap. If anyone is interested look in Sales & Wants from early April.

 

[Fatbloke]

I bought a F650 GS new 3 years ago when I passed my test - purely and simply because I liked the look of it. Over 6 foot and 18 stone in just my socks we covered 32K miles in our first two years. It's a great bike for all the reasons given. I must say that the panniers are essential for us 'newbies' - they've saved my leg twice since I've developed a poor habit of falling off and sliding down roads to avoid trucks that 'didn't see me, mate'.

I bought an 1150 last year, but kept the 650 as a 'winter hack' - it's a little cosmetically challenged. I'd suggest a clean second hand model is ideal as a learner bike and if the bug bites and upgrades are necessary then depreciation won't be as much. If he crashes as often as I did then a second hand one won't bring as many tears to the eye!

Mine's for sale if he's interested!?!, Fatbloke.

 

[beacon]

Thanks for all the replys as always realy usefull info. he wont be realistically looking for a couple of months maybe 6 weeks, He is really keen on the GS but his wife fancies the 600 Bandit prefers the look etc Greg regarding the scotoiler they are fantastic I,v fitted 3 over the last few years, is the 650 a difficult bike to fit it to? as it has always been an easy job thus far, I,ll pass these comments on to him I,m sure hell enjoy the comeback. Chris

 

[Greg Masters]

beacon

The F650GS is fuel-injected and a huge amount of gubbins has to be removed from the bike to enable access to the inlet manifold (you start with the front indicators - seriously!). It took me over 4 hours on Sunday morning just to fit the vacuum connector.

I used the Scottoiler High Capicity Reservoir (HCR) mounted behind the numberplate. This benefits from the Touratech number-plate-stiffner-do-hickey (thanks Jon!) which, if the bike has the BMW Touring luggage is also a bastard to fit!

So far, I've spent about 8 hours fitting this but still haven't done the actual oil feed!

As a product, they are fine. However a constant oil viscosity over a wide temperature range would be useful!



Greg

 

[beacon]

Thanks that really is good to know as I would have just gone right in there and really spit the dummy my VFR took about 2 hours max for the job and you are right about having to keep ajusting the oil feed for different temps but it is a small price to pay for not having to ajust the chain in the middle of spain! what is the pillion seat like?

 

[Simon Eassom]

Why not use one of the simple gravity-feed oilers available that are much cheaper and easier to fit? Not the same as a Scottoiler, I know, but better than lubing the chain half-way across France.