For those of you that have changed Boxer to 650

[richie]

A few people say they have made the change with no regrets. I would think about the 650 but to be honest would worry about it not being powerfull enough... Comments please...

Plus would you happily ride from dover to fishgaurd on a 650....(comfort and power)

I am also thinking of getting back into bikes by buying a VFR or Sprint as they are such good value for money.... I know totaly different type of bike. The 1100 was really the best bike I ever had and as much as I would like another, I don't think I can justify the price. I will mainly just be dobbing around the west coast here...

 

[Whele]

A few people say they have made the change with no regrets. I would think about the 650 but to be honest would worry about it not being powerfull enough... Comments please...

Plus would you happily ride from Dover to Fishgaurd on a 650....(comfort and power)

I'm not sure I understand, not being powerfull enough for what?

Rider with a pillion and luggage touring, then yes I agree 1150/1200 much better suited.

Trackdays, yes I definitely also agree 650 very underpowered, an R1/Suzuki 600/1000 would be much better

IMO for real life road biking, touring 'one-up' with panniers, riding for a full tank of fuel (200+ miles) without stopping, off-raoding and for traveling on anything other than motorways then I doubt that the 650 would demonstrate any signs of being underpower. Fit a 17tooth front sprocket and even motorways become enjoyable with 85/90mph effortless cruising.

 

[Mav]

I have 650 Dakar and I have to agree with Whele that it is great on everything but motorways/dual carriageways where it can get tiring. Although this is my first bike so my frame of reference isn't that good. Although I think Micky on here uses his 650 for everything including long distance touring!

Surely the thing to do is go try one! BMW are really pushing this test for day approach - try one of the 650s for a day and see how you get on.

 

[gazza007]

i`d say 650 is ok on motorways as well, as long as you are ok at 70ish but then again you cant beat having a few more cubes for motorway work.my mate went from 1100r to f650 and he cant wait to get another 1100

 

[Sportsbike Shamer]

A few people say they have made the change with no regrets. I would think about the 650 but to be honest would worry about it not being powerfull enough... Comments please...

Plus would you happily ride from dover to fishgaurd on a 650....(comfort and power)

I am also thinking of getting back into bikes by buying a VFR or Sprint as they are such good value for money.... I know totaly different type of bike. The 1100 was really the best bike I ever had and as much as I would like another, I don't think I can justify the price. I will mainly just be dobbing around the west coast here...

Got a feeling we met in Allihies in mid August, you told me bout a great road/track through the coppermines.
Haven't ridden a 650gs but I made the change from F650 to 1150 got to say its miles better but the 650 was very agile and well capable of up to 400 non m-way miles in a day,without a sore ass. (1150 is more economical mind) much over 85 on m-ways was a chore, but who wants to ride on them!

 

[richie]

Yeh, I remember stopped you top side of the village. How did you find the mine buildings. Interesting?

I was walking with my young son.

 

[Sportsbike Shamer]

Yeh, I remember stopped you top side of the village. How did you find the mine buildings. Interesting?

I was walking with my young son.

Yes, very interesting, veiw from the top was excellent!, time was pressing a bit but I'll go back and have a proper explore, maybe next year. Got to say the southwest of Ireland was magic, it was better than I'd ever imagined.
Get another gs there made for Irish roads!!

 

[Micky]

Oooooooh

Richie... Dover to Fishguard Our 650's took us (girlfriend Sue and misen)through Russia, Siberia, Mongolia, the Gobi Desert, China (arrested!) and back through all the 'Stans'

Just been for a jaunt down through the Eifels to the Black Forest, cruising at 90mph on the speedo (85 on the GPS) and she purrrrred along, for the few motorway miles that we did. Two good laps of der Nürburgring and a 1200 couldn't keep up... it's not what you ride, but how you ride!
Rode with the 1200 for over a week, as one, and consistantly took 3 to 4 litres less petrol at the end of the days riding

Sold my 1200 GS-A but got mi mind on the F800GS

Did 83,000 miles on my 1150 GS, 60,000 miles on my 1150GS-A and 14,500 miles on the 1200GS-A (in four months)... also now done 40,000 miles on the Dakar. Sue did 80,000 miles on her 650 before being written off

Not everyone's cup of tea of course. Don't expect to do long motorway miles two up with loads of luggage... can be done but wouldn't want to. Sue and misen went for a days canoeing... to the Ardeche. Back roads through France, took time to smell the flowers, took four days to get there, another four to get back

Hope this helps....



www.adventure.gs

 

[BLUEJAY]

Not sure what you need your bike for....

Apart from motorway riding, which I always try to avoid anyway - no matter what bike I ride, 650 is a great little bike
As nimble as a damn small scoot in traffic, yet enjoyable enough on hilly twisty roads, excellent running costs, 65 to 70 Mpg average and suitable for light off road.
It has its limits, of course...at the end...it's a 650 !!!

I own mine since Dec.2003 and did not regret buying it.

If you are after the "do-everything" bike, it's a close call.

Me? If I change, I'd rather go for a lighter bike than a heavier one!

Go try one!