F650 CS?

[yanto]

hi guys
Looking for some genral info re the belt driven CS version.
1. Will the bike cruise at 80 - 90mph ok? Or is this asking too much of it? It'll be used as a tourer mostly as thats what we do.
2. Ok for 90mph overtakes?
3. How reliable are they?
4. How long does the belt last?
5. Rough service costs?

ta

 

[EggChaser]

hi guys
Looking for some genral info re the belt driven CS version.
1. Will the bike cruise at 80 - 90mph ok? Or is this asking too much of it? It'll be used as a tourer mostly as thats what we do.
2. Ok for 90mph overtakes?
3. How reliable are they?
4. How long does the belt last?
5. Rough service costs?

ta

As I had one as a first bike - my comments are

1. Probably better 75-80, not usually used as a tourer as luggage options are more limited although the stuffbay is useful.
2. Never had too much problems with overtaking in the 18months that I owned one but can't remember what sort of speeds I was doing this at
3. Very reliable, however get the twin spark model with the black hand rails and rear rack - the iMac style ones suffered from plastic fatigue and cracked around the securing bolts. The one I owned did suffer this which I think I had fixed in Warranty. The only other non standard thing that happened to mine was that if you take the side panels off, then check that they are correctly secured in the rubber grommets as losing one on the motorway is a pain.
4. I took the belt through 16000 miles with no problem - I have seen stories of 60000 to 80000 on the web which is way over the BMW recommended. That said if a stone gets jammed between the belt and the rear pully they can snap on a lot less - have also heard of this happening, but not often.
5. I don't have my service details any longer but it was cheaper than my R1100S

Couple of further points,
- the low Centre of Gravity and slim design make it great around traffic - if I could afford 2 bikes I'd own a CS for commuting.
- if you do end up with a good single spark then put Iridium Spark plugs in as they smooth out the engine.

You can probably find out some more on
http://www.f650.co.uk
http://www.f650.com

 

[yanto]

thanks and....

good info ta. When you say the black hand guards (on the 2004 onwards version) do you mean on the tank? Ask as there are not many later models for sale?

Also, is the rider position different to the GS?

ta again

 

[EggChaser]

There are 3 components that on the early models were made of a cloudy coloured material that was translucent and some people described as iMac styling

The parts are:
1) The grab / side rails either side the stuff bay on top of the false tank
2) The rear carrier platform
3) A couple of small support points either side the screen

The grab rails have to be removed in order to get at the top of the engine so the four bolts that secure these are loosened and tightened a lot. Even though the bolt holes have metal inserts, the stresses of this and engine vibration slowly causes cracks to appear around the bolt holes in the plastic.

I never saw any issues with the screen supports and had a Givi rack in place of the standard rear carrier platform so never saw an issue with the carrier.

Solutions for the rails are:
1) Get some of the black components as replacement parts from the newer models and fit them to the older model (as second hand or new)
2) Get the 3rd party replacement bolts and covers to allow you to remove the stuff bay arms completely and change the look of the top of the false tank
3) Get one of the newer models with the black rails.

For into on the Givi rack on a CS:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/eggchaser/mbike/cs-givi.htm

 

[EggChaser]

Oops one comment if you remove the stuff bay rails you can't use the hard case etc.
3rd party companies used to do a false top for the stuff bay so that if you remove the rails you can hide the stuff bay to end up with a normal looking false tank

 

[EggChaser]

Just had a quick looksee round the f650.co.uk forums that I haven't been to in ages and was reminded of something else

You need a wacking great big socket to get the rear wheel off and I mean really really big :whatthefe

BMW do supply a plastic under seat version which is not really up to the job as any moderate torge applied through it turns it to mush

The only way I got mine off is a tad impractical for touring.

To give an idea of scale it is resting on a mug coaster and the plug next to it is the adaptor to bring the socket down to something I had available at home.

As it is sold as used with Ford Transit vans - I guess in an emergency you could look for a Ford commercial dealer.

More info: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/eggchaser/mbike/cs-rwheel.htm

 

[Colt]

hi yento, theres plenty of info on the great f650uk site
and in the blackbelt section of the USA Chaingang site.
belts are supposed to be changed every 24thou although some have left a lot later.
you say its for touring?
is that solo or two up?
obviously depends how many miles you are cruising for.
for comfort more like 70-80 mph.faster off the mark than a GS
usally reliable .

eggchaser is correct it is a transit hub size socket.
i got one of these and had it machined downthanks mate
but suppose depends where you are touring and who is going to take the wheel off.
service costs similar to the gs apart from the belt change.
90mph overtakeswhere you off to?
it will do it

 

[Colt]

OH and fine for touring, there is the bmw accessory rear bags as well as the stuff bay
or you can get some panniers and frames if you needed.
heres the rear luggage.

 

[Flipfly]

If the girl comes with the bike I think I may sell my Dakar

 

[DrFarkoff]

If I could afford one I'd get one They are a brilliant handling wee bike and the belt makes things so smooth

I fear these brilliant wee bikes were just too different and will end up going the same way as the C1

There's one on E bay in County L/derry Linky here

No connection

 

[squid]

A friend of mine has had one since new when they very fist arrived.

1. Belts around 30k
2. New rear pully wheel at 50+ the metal on his wore thin
3. Very good on fuel
4. very fast in the right hands, he take pleasure in taking on sports bikes through the twisties
5. Finish has suffered on the engine but uses it all year to commute
6. Headlights not much cop
7. Never a rusty slack chain again

He hasn't found a better bike yet for a mix of scratching, all year commuting and low running costs

 

[EggChaser]

3. Very good on fuel
4. very fast in the right hands, he take pleasure in taking on sports bikes through the twisties

+1

Forgot those points used to get 65-70mpg and used to take friends riding on Hornet and YZF 600s on the outside - did grind hero blobs on both sides doing it