F650GS Twin - tell me

[JohnnyBoxer]

all about it.................looks a bike worth having

Do you like yours?

The size/weight of an old F650GS single, but with 20 more bhp and another cylinder, which has to be a good thing

Quite fance a red one

 

[oblertone]

Jaq ...

... has one, albeit factory lowered and previously had the F650GS Single. PM her any specific question by all means but she thinks it's brilliant and even at 5'00" it's manageable which is a definite plus. About the only thing she'd change is the width of the OEM panniers when expanded, but pending a lottery win the Jesses will have to wait.

It's probably worth you reading a few posts from Tim Cullis who has travelled extensively on his.

 

[rce]

Love my 30 year F650GS, had to change the seat to the comfort seat but other than that brilliant.

Plenty fast enough, good 2 up, get around 70mpg. In last year done over 7000 miles on her.

You will want a centre stand, SW-motech version is in my opinion better than the BMW option.

As mine is the 30 year it has the taller smoked screen from the F800GS and the hand guards as standard.

The computer is a worthy option to get too if you can.

 

[avmac7]

Quite fance a red one

Hi JB - hands off my red one! What don't you like about your XChallenge then...?

650 twin likes:
Fun, flickable, smooth linear power delivery, quick off the mark, good low down grunt, 220+ mile usable tank range (assuming you're not having too much fun )
Sensible seat height option for anyone under 5'8" (800gs taller than 1200 @ 880mm) - tho' not an issue for you?
Narrower stand-over profile than 650 single - more comfortable when standing on pegs

650 twin "improvements"
DID chain, adventure-spec engine bars & sump guard, wunderlich vario screen, wilbers, 1200GS hand guards, wunderlich vario levers (small hand excuse)

650 twin "wish list":
F800 s/st power /top end but with GS ergonomics
Twin front disk 19" wheel
More adjustable suspension (shock & forks) as standard

650 twin issues
Early issue with Czech chains on 650 & 800 GS
Head bearings failing (at 12K & 15K on mine)
I had a series of warped front disks (starting at 800 miles) but sorted with a new front wheel & excellent BMW service from Rainbow
ABS sensitive to bumpy roads- kicks in too early - especially when you want the brakes to work

BMW: stop marketing the 650 twin as a beginners/girls only bike - it isn't! Just like the 650 single wasn't. Despite issues and wish list - it's not a bike to grow out of - great for touring Europe or B road playing. I wouldn't swap.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Best features (in addition to what's been noted)?

Runs on regular gas, and has cast wheels (tubeless tyres).

JP

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

... has one, albeit factory lowered and previously had the F650GS Single. PM her any specific question by all means but she thinks it's brilliant and even at 5'00" it's manageable which is a definite plus. About the only thing she'd change is the width of the OEM panniers when expanded, but pending a lottery win the Jesses will have to wait.

It's probably worth you reading a few posts from Tim Cullis who has travelled extensively on his.

so in 'short' - its a girls bike ?

Love my 30 year F650GS, had to change the seat to the comfort seat but other than that brilliant.

You will want a centre stand, SW-motech version is in my opinion better than the BMW option.

The computer is a worthy option to get too if you can.

650 twin "improvements"
DID chain, adventure-spec engine bars & sump guard, wunderlich vario screen, wilbers, 1200GS hand guards, wunderlich vario levers (small hand excuse)

650 twin "wish list":
F800 s/st power /top end but with GS ergonomics
Twin front disk 19" wheel
More adjustable suspension (shock & forks) as standard

650 twin issues
Early issue with Czech chains on 650 & 800 GS
Head bearings failing (at 12K & 15K on mine)
I had a series of warped front disks (starting at 800 miles) but sorted with a new front wheel & excellent BMW service from Rainbow
ABS sensitive to bumpy roads- kicks in too early - especially when you want the brakes to work

BMW: stop marketing the 650 twin as a beginners/girls only bike - it isn't! Just like the 650 single wasn't. Despite issues and wish list - it's not a bike to grow out of - great for touring Europe or B road playing. I wouldn't swap.

So - it needs lots of options and could do with even more .
And it is seen as a girls bike ?


Go and test ride an XTZ - its got all the 'options' and 'wishlist' stuff and none of the issues ....and the finish is way better. - good used ones will be ideal

I think TC changed to an XTZ too after lots of 'issues' with his girls GS

 

[Dave78]

I had always dismissed the little F650GS (twin) as a starter/girls bike. After all I've got a R1100RS, so why would I want a smaller less powerful bike..

However, having riden MrsDave F650GS back from the dealership (even in its 33bhp restricted form) it was just so much fun. Much lighter than my bike, or the R1150/1200 GS(A) that I was thinking of changing up to in a year or so.. To the point that I am wondering about one for myself.. Although I've been told that to have matching bikes would be very sad am and not allowed one

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Hi JB - hands off my red one! What don't you like about your XChallenge then...?

650 twin likes:
Fun, flickable, smooth linear power delivery, quick off the mark, good low down grunt, 220+ mile usable tank range (assuming you're not having too much fun )
Sensible seat height option for anyone under 5'8" (800gs taller than 1200 @ 880mm) - tho' not an issue for you?
Narrower stand-over profile than 650 single - more comfortable when standing on pegs

650 twin "improvements"
DID chain, adventure-spec engine bars & sump guard, wunderlich vario screen, wilbers, 1200GS hand guards, wunderlich vario levers (small hand excuse)

650 twin "wish list":
F800 s/st power /top end but with GS ergonomics
Twin front disk 19" wheel
More adjustable suspension (shock & forks) as standard

650 twin issues
Early issue with Czech chains on 650 & 800 GS
Head bearings failing (at 12K & 15K on mine)
I had a series of warped front disks (starting at 800 miles) but sorted with a new front wheel & excellent BMW service from Rainbow
ABS sensitive to bumpy roads- kicks in too early - especially when you want the brakes to work

BMW: stop marketing the 650 twin as a beginners/girls only bike - it isn't! Just like the 650 single wasn't. Despite issues and wish list - it's not a bike to grow out of - great for touring Europe or B road playing. I wouldn't swap.

Cheers Avril

I may have another ride on one, nowt wrong with the XChallenge for the dirt......just wanted something road-orientated with similar dimensions to the 650GS single, but has more ooomph.......

Perfect van bike

 

[MikeMike]

Maybe by the 2011 model year they have taken care of all the possible faults.
Air cleaner collapse
steering head bearings
rad hose
valve cover leak
loose front disc bolts
bad chains
bad fuel senders
cracked gas tanks
bad rear wheel bearings
battery failures

My 2009 F650 twin had 3 of those and my friend's early model 2009 F650 twin has had 7 of those faults. Some unlucky people have had all 10 or 8 or so of those faults.

Local dealer is so bad it is now a 250 mile trip to Mexico City for service.
BMW refuses to owner warranty for finish on parts because the say "You live near the ocean".

BMW quality is a myth, their customer relations are from the stone age at the corporate level in some countries. They don't give a damn about the customer and simply want to promote high sales numbers through slick press releases. Last BMW I will own and mine is now for sale.

The thing handles well but is expensive to maintain, and when a corporate entity treats me like that, I shop somewhere else. 25,000kms on Mexican roads through all sorts of weather.

 

[Harleyquin]

Cheers Avril

I may have another ride on one, nowt wrong with the XChallenge for the dirt......just wanted something road-orientated with similar dimensions to the 650GS single, but has more ooomph.......

Perfect van bike

Silver ones go faster!

P

 

[Dean]

all about it.................looks a bike worth having

Do you like yours?

The size/weight of an old F650GS single, but with 20 more bhp and another cylinder, which has to be a good thing

Quite fance a red one

Do I like mine ? Yes ticks all the boxes for me

Just turned 21,048 miles after having a bimble in the pyrenees over the weekend (2363 smiles over 6 days)

Have not had much trouble (I know others have) one of the good things is being so similar to the F800GS (I find mine very close in all aspects ) most bitts fit and there is a wealth of add ons if required. engine is a smooth as a smooth thing (what vibes) on motorway cruising at 80 MPH at 4500 RPM (with plenty more when you want it)

only confusing thing is the model number f650GS some one said a couple of days ago it a bit rorty for a 650 it has the best fueling of a BMW 800 and above, with largest Payload, corners like its on rails, tubeless tyres to boot.

mine is far from standard but suits me yep its a keeper

Me thinks BMW were very clever in marketing this bike for many tastes and requirements down to the confusing decals.

But if you are! Or think you are a riding god, have a huge Ego and big balls its not for you

 

[Tim Cullis]

Go and test ride an XTZ - its got all the 'options' and 'wishlist' stuff and none of the issues ....and the finish is way better. - good used ones will be ideal.

I think TC changed to an XTZ too after lots of 'issues' with his girls GS

No, I sold the 1200 GS Adventure and kept the F650GS twin which I now use as my 'European' bike. The Tenere is normally kept in southern Spain for easy access to Morocco.

The F650GS is a good all rounder, I once did 960 miles plus a channel crossing in less than 24 hours, though that was with a massive screen and Airhawk seat.

 

[Jaq]

JB.....

I absolutely LUUUURVE my bike!!.............

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Sat on one today, I liked it

 

[Jaq]

Go for a blue one....that's the fastest colour...........

 

[Micky]

You're a tart JB ... you change your bikes more frequently than your underpants ... I'm reliably told

You know the F650GS (Twin) is a girls bike

I've ridden one a couple of times and it's actually a sweeter bike to ride than the F800GS that I have

If it wasn't for my macho alter-ego then I would probably have had one

Now go and find yourself a nice 2007 XCountry and get it all tricked up ... you know it makes sense

 

[Blind Lemon Ade]

Just had a little 2-up jaunt to la belle France... with a "memory foam" seat, with sheepskin cover - makes the plank easier to sit on for a few hours.



...and I'd like twin discs on the front too, please! Easier on the braking hand...

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

No, I sold the 1200 GS Adventure and kept the F650GS twin which I now use as my 'European' bike. The Tenere is normally kept in southern Spain for easy access to Morocco.

The F650GS is a good all rounder, I once did 960 miles plus a channel crossing in less than 24 hours, though that was with a massive screen and Airhawk seat.

which one do you prefer - given all the pro's and cons ?

i'm guessing the xtz is kept for more off road use and the GS is more road based ?

 

[Tim Cullis]

The XTZ is suprisingly good at motorway speeds and I came back on it through Spain comfortably cruising at an indicated 80-85mph (actually 73-78). It's a tad heavier that I would like--very difficult to pick up from the floor unless there's pannier rails fitted--but otherwise fine offroad. Some people say it feels top heavy, but I like that as it enables a quicker response when changing direction and the best answer to most difficult offroad scenarios seems to be 'open the throttle'. What lets the Tenere down is the engine which is intractable below 3200 revs and far inferior to the Rotax engine of the F650GS single.

I've also used the F650GS twin in Morocco and this is OKish offroad but obviously would benefit from the better ground clearance and narrower front tyre of the F800GS--there are times when it's difficult to get up to 'standing on pegs' speed before the front wheel is diverted by stones. Fuel range on both bikes is fine as the F650GS twin is more economical than the Tenere.

What would be brilliant would be a mix of the two bikes using the F650GS 'soft tune' (rather than the F800 tune) engine with a wider ratio version of its six speed gearbox, but with most of the other components and the rally styling from the Tenere.

I especially like having the digital speedo of the Tenere which is easily switched to km as 80% of my mileage is done outside of the UK. I would also like tubeless tyres--I've NEVER had a puncture on tubeless in over 150,000 miles, but have had five on the Tenere's tubed tyres in 20,000 miles.

 

[Dean]

so in 'short' - its a girls bike ?

So - it needs lots of options and could do with even more .
And it is seen as a girls bike ?

Go and test ride an XTZ - its got all the 'options' and 'wishlist' stuff and none of the issues ....and the finish is way better. - good used ones will be ideal

I think TC changed to an XTZ too after lots of 'issues' with his girls GS

Tut



Red Rebels lol