F700 GS - BMW customer services make me weep

[katyotter]

No you haven't, it won't let me - not sure why. I'm in the Otter Valley so a good guess, I have a shop in Honiton. Did you get any info on the sort of discount you might expect on a 700? I'm pretty keen I have to say. How do you know this area by the way?

 

[JKW]

No you haven't, it won't let me - not sure why. I'm in the Otter Valley so a good guess, I have a shop in Honiton. Did you get any info on the sort of discount you might expect on a 700? I'm pretty keen I have to say. How do you know this area by the way?

Katy - you can't pm him 'coz he hasn't stumped up his subs!

 

[katyotter]

Aha JKW! That explains it. Personally it's the best £12 I've ever spent - I found a great F800 GS for my husband and I sold my classic Yam to give me money and space for an F700. How much better can it get?

That was in the first fortnight btw.

 

[Mad_Accountant]

Yes Limetree, that was part of the reasoning as I'd recently paid more than £600 for pair of discs for my R100r and that's without pads or labour. So, yes, running costs are a significant part of my change.

But it was a mistake, the braking is only adequate on the SE and twin discs would be safer.

BTW on Friday I test rode an R1100 GS (Rally) to see if going down from an Adventure had been the correct thing to do. I'm pleased to report the 1200 Rally, fine bike though it is, is not the bike for me. It's lumpier, doesn't handle as well, is noisier and a nightmare to move around.

For a lot less money (I received £12,800 back on the GSA and paid around £9,000 for a fully spec'd SE) I have a bike that is far nicer to live with.

As I said to Vines when I bought it, if it turns out the 700 is a better bike ( and I strongly suspect it is) I'll change over sooner rather later.

I'm actually amazed that people seem to regard the 658 ( as the Americans call it) as a poor relation of the 800gs ( itself a superb bike)I actually prefer the 658

There is no perfect motorcycle, only one that is perfect for you.

 

[Dean]

But it was a mistake, the braking is only adequate on the SE and twin discs would be safer.

.

Don't blame the bike, it's the rider

Maybe its the way your riding it For me I have only known a single Disc and I do not have a problem at all.

But I also realise It's a fact that many are put of by just looking at the single disc, BMW have done their home work the F7 will pick up these doubting people with good sales

Look at the weight of Harleys with there torque and single disc

And talking about Rally bikes the guys that ride these make a good job of it http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/bmw/bmw_r900gs_rally 99.htm


Mind you stoppies must be better with a twin. Ride Safe

 

[Mad_Accountant]

How rude! but you are quite correct

Under normal riding conditions I find it no problem at all, however I have my reservations about the braking distances in a full on emergency stop (something that happens very rarely to me but must, nevertheless, be considered)

After riding the 1200 rally on Friday I realise how sensitive their braking is but, of course, they are linked brakes - so a touch of front brake brings in three discs versus the f658's one. I suppose it's the change from the GSA that I notice, but a 120 mile ride on friday on varying roads demonstrated f658 at it's best and no problems with the brakes.

I guess the technical stats, when they are available for 658 and the 700 will answer me definitively.

 

[Dean]

How rude! but you are quite correct

Under normal riding conditions I find it no problem at all, however I have my reservations about the braking distances in a full on emergency stop

Sorry If I came across as rude it was not my intention

Just wanted to point out that the F650 Twin is safe enough
but as said I know nothing but single disc, I have ridden 11,s, 12.s and 8's for short periods but I dont feel I know a bike until I have put a fair few miles in in varying conditions, you know bonding Like a comfy shoe (not borrowed and unsure and cautious)

Fortunately I Have not had to do an emergency stop since my test (touch wood )

The F7 is :cool I like it

 

[Mad_Accountant]

I didn't take offence, yours was a valid point. It's partly an off road bike so overbraking would not be good.

I'm bowled over with the bike , it's great for what I need now, only the seat comfort needs sorting and I may well go for the BMW comfort seat , but it would be way cheaper to get used to the standard seat (or take shorter runs).

 

[LimeTree.]

Hey , the single disc is plenty powerful to lock the wheel (abs permitting )

I meant twin front disk. The abs is only functional on the back. Also its easier to lock your back wheel than it is your front... Ive never locked my front and im sure most people havnt. Or maybe I have without realising... though I would imagine that if you locked your front wheel you would know about it haha.


I had a 650 2003 model and found that its breaking was only just ample for any speeds near 60.
Caught me out on a few occasions.
But on most occasions it probably isn't unnecessary.
I just like the reassurance.
Plus i've got the f800 so I figured with the bit extra power it has over my previous bikes I wanted to make sure my breaks were top notch. Safe riding n 'all!



But.. this could just be personal preference and our riding styles will be different so it might not be a problem at all.

Happy riding!

 

[v8legend]

The abs is only functional on the back.

? No it's not. ABS front and back.

 

[LimeTree.]

? No it's not. ABS front and back.

Really?
I was only going off the fact that on my 650 i only ever felt the back wheel pulse through the back break.

I guess I didnt feel it on the front because i never locked it.

Well, Ignore some of my previous comment haha

 

[Dean]

I had a 650 2003 model and found that its breaking was only just ample for any speeds near 60.
Caught me out on a few occasions.

So that would be the F650 Single not the twin!

 

[Dean]

only the seat comfort needs sorting and I may well go for the BMW comfort seat , but it would be way cheaper to get used to the standard seat (or take shorter runs).

I wanted a tad more height so went for the TT High touring seat, It is better than it was, as it has given so more comfort now

But 2 hours on it and thats plenty, when away and longer I fit the air hawk (my best Purchase for value/comfort) and the Lamb skin to top that, riding all day no aches

It works for me

 

[LimeTree.]

So that would be the F650 Single not the twin!

Yes

 

[Reggie P]

JKW , + others . Apologies ! I had a mooch around the forum , registered and posted. I didn't realise that you had to subscribe! It'll be the first forum I have seen where subscriptions exist !

Anyway , I'll pay the fee ! I love the info here .

 

[LimeTree.]

JKW , + others . Apologies ! I had a mooch around the forum , registered and posted. I didn't realise that you had to subscribe! It'll be the first forum I have seen where subscriptions exist !

Anyway , I'll pay the fee ! I love the info here .

I agree. And in most forums I wouldn't pay the subscriptions.
But, the information here is invaluable really.

And there seems to be a friendly bunch of people on here!

 

[Cobweb]

stuartw's question answered (sorry mate been away)
No discounts offered. I was quoted full price as listed on the BMW Motorrad website but I have been given a top trade in price on my 650GS so that sweetened the blow a bit. Delivery is expected 2nd or 3rd week in September and test rides on their demo bike from the 1st September.

To be honest I'm not expecting a lot of change from the current model. A couple of extra BHP is not really going to be noticed although I am expecting a bit of a beef up of the front suspension to compensate for the extra disc. The rest is mainly cosmetic changes to the bodywork, new shape screen and single indicator switch instead of paddles.

 

[Ash]

JKW , + others . Apologies ! I had a mooch around the forum , registered and posted. I didn't realise that you had to subscribe! It'll be the first forum I have seen where subscriptions exist !

Anyway , I'll pay the fee ! I love the info here .

I agree. And in most forums I wouldn't pay the subscriptions.
But, the information here is invaluable really.

And there seems to be a friendly bunch of people on here!

This forum is way more than the tiny sum that amounts to the subs,get yourselves daan to a UKGSER event,then the fun really starts

 

[Cobweb]

Hey Mad Accountant. Go for the BMW comfort seat, it's the best money I've ever spent and if you bitch about the price hard enough the £260 price tag gets reduced by 30 quid.

 

[LimeTree.]

This forum is way more than the tiny sum that amounts to the subs,get yourselves daan to a UKGSER event,then the fun really starts

I will sometime! Let me know the next one youre going on!
I'll see if im free! (at uni.. so.. yeah ha)