F800/F650. Overall opinion...?

[craigs]

I'm looking into trading the Funduro for a new F twin but is it going to be worth my while. Reading through all the faults that are occuring with them. The funduro has been very good to me on several long trips but it's sat at 6500/7000 revs for long periods with nothing more for overtaking. I've just completed 4400 miles to Southern Spain and back and I'm still buzzing (from the bike not the excitement!).

The big GS's are too big, or I'm too small and I like the look of the F twins immensley but that amount of cash is a lot to me and will probably be the only new machine I buy. There seems to be a lot for sale after only a couple of thousand miles. What are owners overall opinion please?

 

[sijohnston]

What are owners over all opinion please?

800; BRILLIANT bike, even with the new model teething problems. 20k on it now (purely recreational riding too) and wouldn't swap it for anything else.

 

[mechcanico lee]

Buy one ..great bike, light weight enough power to have good fun, great handling around the twistys, good off road capabilitys, very economical, very little reliability issues, the seats a bit wedgey but overall good package

 

[everywherevirtually]

Its an amazing bike. I personally dont feel that the minor niggles that are highlighted on the forum would ever put me off. I've also done over 20K and use it everyday for riding to work and recreation.

It seems to relish being loaded up for a long trip with a passenger on board and yet is like an aggressive wasp waiting to break loose when you are on your own. Ive ridden it in rain, snow, searing heat, ice. This is one amazing machine. So much so that I am not even interested in looking elsewhere for another bike anytime soon.

Get one

 

[Fazza]

Traded in my F650GS single for the 800GS, brilliant bike...lightweight but still a big bike with great road presence, economical and no reliability issues at all with mine. Ideal allrounder.

 

[MG57]

Ditto all of the above. Had mine for just 4 months (not able to ride for 1 of them) done 3.5 k so far with 1300 over last weekend to Euro land and 4 countries. Handling V good, stood up well against the 1L sports bikes on all roads that I went with and met there. Loading was no problem with Ortlibe bag and 46L Givi Box. + 50 MPG and even got more than 16L in the tank (Its A Small TARDIS)

 

[Klanky]

Most of the 'probs' are now history, either via recalls or service upgrades and the new ones coming off certainly don't appear to have the problems of old...otherwise we'd be hearing about it on here.

Said it before and I'll say it again, best bike I've ever owned. I'd be hard pushed to think of a (sensible) replacement for it.

 

[ZZ10]

F800 is a rocket

 

[Dave Ett]

Think mine is brilliant too, and can't wait to get some proper off roading done soon.

It's going in next week for 5 'dealer enhancements' (recalls), but on mine none actually NEED doing.

 

[ide508]

Two months ago I sold my old F650 (1996) and had the chance to find an "used" June 2008 F800Gs 1200km on the clock and with all the options, just perfect!
I have done some 2500 km with it so far, pure pleasure

This bike is everything I dreamed for though I would not call it a lite bike...
Can't wait to kill the stock BattleWing tires (useless off road) and replace them by a set of Anakee whom gave me complete satisfaction on the F650

If you can, do it. You will not regret it !
Cheers

 

[Wookie]

Absolutely crap aweful bike, im just about to go and torch mine in the garage with frustration...

Welll someone had to be negative with all the obvious positives on this forum

Truthfully, Love the bike to bits, just about to go to spain/morocco for 3 weeks and couldnt think of a better bike to go on. Yes it has a few issues but all bikes/vehicles do and as long as you aware of these (via forums) and ready to recitfy them (usually via BMW help) then youll be a happy owner.

Steve

 

[Sooty09]

Its a shame this forum cannot make a fresh start, with all the past (We hope) problems relegated to a history section. I was put off for months after its initial launch due to stories of very serious design and quality issues. Similar problems with the early F800S & ST models have made that model almost extinct. Have a test ride and Im sure you will never want to ride a single again.

 

[Somejuan]

I replaced my '04 F650 Thumper (70K on the clock) about two months ago with the '09 F650 Twin (manufactured 02/09) and I have done about 2500 km on the Twin since - all on tarmac. To be frank in the first couple of days I wondered if I had done the right thing as the Thumper had so much character and the Twin seemed almost bland in comparison - then it kicked in why - it is just that the Twin is so smooth; effortless to ride; and the power is always there.
Any reservations I have remain are around the Twin's resistance to damage - I dropped the Thumper a couple of times on the back roads without too many problems - so we'll see what happens later in the year when I get the time to "go bush" again.
The OBC is addictive. One amusing thing I did note (for me anyway) is the flashing ambient temperature light below 2deg - I always knew it was cold when there is frost on the ground - but now I know that it is really "blinking cold".
I have had none of the issues that a number of contributors to the forum have flagged although I am closely watching for indicators of these issues.
Really consider upgrading your bike mate - if you liked the 650 Thumper you'll love the 650 Twin.
Regards
Mike

 

[Blind Lemon Ade]

Ive probably said this elsewhere, but I've been further in 2-3 months on the F650GS twin, than in a whole year on a 600 Fazer... including 2-up trips up the motorway with luggage, no problem.

Thing is, you forget the 650 is REALLY an 800 in disguise, with excellent torque. The only real problem is the hard seat, which I've just had "softened" to considerable effect.

It's a good 'un!

 

[craigs]

Thanks for the replies. I will book a test ride this weekend and take it from there.