F650 GS Twin v F800 GS

[UK GuesSer]

OK, so lets get down to brass tacks.

Where do the comparative strengths and weaknesses lie with these two bikes? Is the F650 GS Twin just a pale imitation of the F800 GS or does it provide the same bang for fewer bucks? Is the F650 GS Twin a better road bike with the F800 GS the better off-roader, or do the differences lie elsewhere?

The specs on the BMW website suggest that the differences are not that major. The F650 Twin seems to lack 14 horsepowers, 12 torques and approximately 15km/h from the top speed (can the F650 Twin engine be "chipped" to give F800 levels of power and torque...?); 2 inches on the front wheel diameter, 1 front brake disc, a couple of inches or so suspension travel and 8kg unladen weight. But how does all this translate on the road?

In terms of looks and road appeal the F800 GS probably has it, but is this bike's dowdy little sister hiding her light under a bushel?

UK GuesSer

 

[everywherevirtually]

Tim Cullis has the F650GS and has taken it to Morocco. he's had no end of problems with his. I have the F800GS, have taken it to all the Balkan states and ridden over 30,000 miles on it without a problem. It had a few minor recalls that were done when the services were done.

For me the looks of the 800GS won me over. I don't believe the 650GS can be chipped as the cams are a different shape. The 800GS is a lot of money but it was a gut feeling choice.

 

[Tim Cullis]

The above post makes it sound as if it's the F650 that unreliable and the F800 reliable, whereas sadly both versions have had reliability problems (as did the F800S and ST). Some of the F-GS problems are now sorted--better chain, longer top radiator hose, improved fuel map--and hopefully there will be less incidents in the future.

Both bikes have ample power. BHP is an extremely poor way of measuring ridability. You'll only see the max rating on the F800 by reving it over 7000 revs; personally I tend to change up around 4000-5000 normally. Torque is a better comparison and the dyno test report I saw show the two bikes roughly equal.

For a more indepth comparison read posts #1 and #10 on this thread. See also the comments on post #24 re performance.

Offroading by the Ouarzazate river

Despite the 'enduro' tag, the GS range is intended by BMW for gravel roads rather than full on offroading and both bikes are fine doing that. They are also fine for motorway cruising. Fuel consumption is good on the F800 and very good on the F650.

 

[beemerboy9]

OK, so lets get down to brass tacks.

Where do the comparative strengths and weaknesses lie with these two bikes? Is the F650 GS Twin just a pale imitation of the F800 GS or does it provide the same bang for fewer bucks? Is the F650 GS Twin a better road bike with the F800 GS the better off-roader, or do the differences lie elsewhere?

The specs on the BMW website suggest that the differences are not that major. The F650 Twin seems to lack 14 horsepowers, 12 torques and approximately 15km/h from the top speed (can the F650 Twin engine be "chipped" to give F800 levels of power and torque...?); 2 inches on the front wheel diameter, 1 front brake disc, a couple of inches or so suspension travel and 8kg unladen weight. But how does all this translate on the road?

In terms of looks and road appeal the F800 GS probably has it, but is this bike's dowdy little sister hiding her light under a bushel?

UK GuesSer

OK, so let's get down to brass tacks.

Over the next 18 months what percentage of off-road riding do you expect to do?

This might help us to guide you.

 

[everywherevirtually]

I will of course defer to Tim's greater experience. A lot of it can be luck. I bought a Skoda Octavia because my brother bought a Fabia. I was swayed by the stories of reliability.

True to form my Octavia was very reliable whereas his Fabia turned out to be headache after headache.

It is true what Tim says. Both the 650 (read almost the same as an 800) and 800 have had their issues.

That said I've been a lucky one as has Micky and a few others

 

[Micky]

F650GS V F800GS

First choice has to be go for the one that fits you best

Second choice has to which ever one you like the look of best

Both bikes ride differently, feel different ... but not by that much

Ride 'em both, back to back ... and then if still not sure go ride 'em again

Go for which ever one want ... simple eh

36,000 miles on my F800GS and love it to bits

 

[Blind Lemon Ade]

Minor point - as an ex-sportbike rider, I'd be so much happier if there were two discs on the front of the F650GS.

Having said that, the only time I might have needed it was half-a-mile from the dealer when I picked it up from new, and a muppet stopped in front of me on a mini-roundabout: Panic!

The bike stopped anyway, so it's just in my mind...

 

[Richie3264]

Both bikes are great bikes, and i really think it boils down to personal preferance or available "spondoolies"

Both bikes do the job well and both bikes have had...err...updates shall we say. BMW back up is pretty good although as yet I havent needed them on my 09 f800GS.

What swung it for me was looks and nothing to do with performance, etc. Im not to sure if that is the right way to make that kind of decision or not but hey ho its my money, well the the banks money

I think I had already made my mind up but this youtube video made my mind up for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HsP32uel68

you may already have seen them but if you havent then there are 8 parts to it, get a beer and sit back and enjoy as they say.

Richie

get past the first bit where they are talking about the the bike and then it really gets going

 

[Richie3264]

Have you seen these links on the Adv site

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=415604

kinda reflects wots said on here really

 

[BM_donator]

800 v 650 = Head v Heart

18 months and 10,000 miles on my F800GS now - as Tim & Jon have said, both 800 & 650 have suffered the same issues reported all over this forum - I've had the remap, hose, etc. done under "recall" at services, but suffered no breakdowns.

I've had the 650 twin on service loan 3 times now and around town and normal riding there is little difference in real terms for performance - both bikes have plenty.

However the 800 has the extra top end shove when you get on the open road - even fully loaded at 90mph plus all day across France. That wouldn't make me opt for the 800 though as 95% of my riding is commuting and they are on a par for this.

What made me go for the 800 was that it feels and looks a bigger bike - it simply has more "presence". If your heart is like mine you'll pay more to go for the 800.
If your head is ruling you'll save a few quid and go for the 650 - it's still a damn good bike.

 

[Jontacular]

Aware this doesn't really add much to what's been said already, but it might help to hear from a very happy F650 owner. I got mine in August and haven't had any problems at all - it's a fantastic bike.

It's my first proper bike (after 20k+ miles on scooters), so I admit having both feet firmly planted on the road was a plus for me when I first got it.

Now I'm a more confident rider though, I don't harbour any regrets for not going up to the F800 (though I appreciate the looks of it as much as the next man). As someone that's realistically going to be riding 90% road and just the odd dirt road or trail, I don't feel I'm really missing out ride-wise.

 

[everywherevirtually]

The 800 can be hard work in traffic. Even with an adjustable clutch lever (after I snapped the original ) it is hard on the fingers feathering the clutch and crawling along.

The 800 is good on gravel trails and crossing continents. That suits my riding style so on that basis it is the bike for me

 

[Micky]

The 800 can be hard work in traffic. Even with an adjustable clutch lever (after I snapped the original ) it is hard on the fingers feathering the clutch and crawling along.

The 800 is good on gravel trails and crossing continents. That suits my riding style so on that basis it is the bike for me

The Wunderlich 'bling' levers, although pricey, sort that problem out Jon

Otherwise bang on

 

[everywherevirtually]

The Wunderlich 'bling' levers, although pricey, sort that problem out Jon

Otherwise bang on

I've got the wunderlich bling lever. I think it's my small weedy hands that need upgrading

 

[Dean]

Once Voice personal opinion

OK, so lets get down to brass tacks.

Where do the comparative strengths and weaknesses lie with these two bikes? Is the F650 GS Twin just a pale imitation of the F800 GS or does it provide the same bang for fewer bucks? Is the F650 GS Twin a better road bike with the F800 GS the better off-roader, or do the differences lie elsewhere?

The specs on the BMW website suggest that the differences are not that major. The F650 Twin seems to lack 14 horsepowers, 12 torques and approximately 15km/h from the top speed (can the F650 Twin engine be "chipped" to give F800 levels of power and torque...?); 2 inches on the front wheel diameter, 1 front brake disc, a couple of inches or so suspension travel and 8kg unladen weight. But how does all this translate on the road?

In terms of looks and road appeal the F800 GS probably has it, but is this bike's dowdy little sister hiding her light under a bushel?

UK GuesSer

It’s got to be a personal thing. A person’s bike choice has to be what suits their personal needs
Each bike has its strengths and weaknesses the trick is buying the one whose strengths match your biking needs the best. Financial circumstances must play a part its what hold most of us back from getting the more or I want.

F800GS - F650GS twins

They share many of the same components so surely they are as reliable as each other.

The f800 is the off road biased bike where the 650 is the road biased the suspension travel is very obvious. It has been written that the f650 is the better road bike (tarmac) the f800 is the off roader beyond gravel tracks!
A few of the f800 guys travel very far too off-road far distant deserts. But how much tarmac do they use getting there? (or do they send their bike ahead of them)

F650 is more fuel efficient more MPG

the single break disc does not phase me plenty of adventure bikes only have one.

the tyre size mine has same tyres as the 1150GSA I think thats a proven enough bike.

As for height some f800gs have the lower seat fitted whilst I had the TT high touring seat does that place my bike higher

I have personalised my bike to what i like screen, exhaust, seat, lights.

I have ridden a F800GS in standard form did not like the sound from it also did not feel any wow this is better

I do like the off road look of all adventure bikes its like the 1200GSA looks better than the 1200GS but its just my opinion

the F650GS is the BMW entry level bike replacing the F650GS single having 20bhp another cylinder and 150cc more

I dont see it as a little sister but more BMW F650GS: Lovable little brother

just as a this ride review does :

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/carreviews/2752794/BMW-F650GS-Lovable-little-brother.html

I'm more happy with my bike, it suits my needs and requirements, compared to the F800Gs its just a different bike

South of france and scotland last year hoping for much of the same this year


forum Mouse,



pass the cheese!

 

[Malcolm Leick]

I went for the 650 because I read it had better handling on road than the 800, which is where most of my riding takes place.

Having said that I do take it into the dirt and the money I saved by going for the 650 has gone into good quality crash bars, a much better screen, folding levers, radiator guard, HID 50 head lamps, and today a 16T front sprocket to give better low end grunt and smoothness when off road. It came with a good bash plate. Also running on TKC80 tyres. I feel like I have a bike now which I have made my own.

At 5'7" I can get both feet flat on the ground (with a low saddle).

I does pretty much all I need from a bike. I think the new 800 in white looks fab but tall. I'm happy with what I have for the mo, and she has been pretty reliable for the last 21K miles. The dealers have always sorted out any little niggles under warranty.

Like the Morocco pic Tim. I'll be in the Todra Gorge in six weeks for climbing with my girlfriend. Sadly my bike will be sulking at home. Might try and skive off for a day with Peter at Bikers Home if he's around.

Malc

 

[Bullwinkle]

Advantages of the 650 (IMHO)

In my case, I opted for the 650 for a few reasons...
1. It was available at my dealer's, a good 6 months before the 800 was.
2. It was a lot cheaper (i.e. <$9000 CAD).
3. It has better fuel mileage.
4. It has cast wheels, allowing the use of tubeless rubber. Also easier to clean.

Not had any reason to change my mind on any of these advantages. YMMV

 

[Somejuan]

Hi Team

IMHO the conundrum of 650 vs 800 will no doubt go on for as long as the bikes exist.

I ride an '09 650(twin) and whilst I have tried the 800 and periodically thought about moving from the 650 to the 800 frankly there's not much point in it for me - most of my travel is commuting (about 1000 km per month) and the occasional weekend away with a bit of off seal work. The 650 has sufficient luggage capacity; is certainly fast enough; and, easy enough to get around on. To me both bikes have essentially the same power plant, functionality, damn seat and range.

I think the only reason I would move from the 650 to the 800 would be if BMW managed to find room on the 800 for another four or five litres of fuel and gave it a decent range

Mike