Funduro: Worth spending on?

[trick202]

Hi all

I recently bought an F650 ('99) for commuting to work. After an initial feeling of disappointment from the wheezy performance and lack of grunt, I am starting to get used to the bike.

I stumbled across this forum a few days back, and was chuffed to see so many people local to me - and doing some green laning too!

My question: Is the F650 ever going to be any more than a cheap commuter bike? I am a fairly decent off-road rider (having competed in many Enduros and H&H a few years back) - but mainly on KTM 525's, 450's and the odd 'Berg.

By fitting nobblies, a zorst and crash bars, am I just chucking money away, or will these things cope with laning OK? Is there a big difference (ability-wise) from the F650 to the F650GS?

I know the biggest factor is my riding skill - but should I wait out winter in this as it is and chop it in, or should I get stuck in?
I'm told the Remus exhaust can add the missing 'snap' to the throttle response, which is really encouraging.

A toughie. Who has owned and upgraded? Worth it?
Who still rides a Funduro? I notice DazzerRTW has one, and seems to get everywhere the others do?

cheers all

cheers all

 

[High-Tower]

I had an Aprilia Pegaso 650 until very recently, which is all but the same bike as the early F650. With a set of Metzeler Karoos and a home made bash plate (bit of stainless sheet bent to fit and bolted on) it coped very handily on all the Peak district greenlanes I've tried. Lack of ground clearance made things like the step up on Royches or Chapel gate a challenge, but it always got me there in the end.

If it's as good as mine was it'll make a damn good winter bike and laner that'll cost you next to nowt to run.

 

[Ogmios]

<---- watching this as i appear to have no option but to get one or something similar.
I Have a R100GS / but health issues and the medics tell me (Grrr! ) i must get a lighter Bike for everyday use.
I'm unlikley to go further offroad than our delightful Irish back roads, but believe me, that's close enough!
No use to me if it wont keep up on the Boreens with other GS's

ho hum.

 

[High-Tower]

<---- watching this as i appear to have no option but to get one or something similar.
I Have a R100GS / but health issues and the medics tell me (Grrr! ) i must get a lighter Bike for everyday use.
I'm unlikley to go further offroad than our delightful Irish back roads, but believe me, that's close enough!
No use to me if it wont keep up on the Boreens with other GS's

ho hum.

From having tried a later F650GS compared to the carbed Funduro version there's a real improvement in performance and economy with the injected motor. The carbed one like mine was gutless IMHO and needed a good thraping to get anywhere near keeping up with an oilhead.

 

[Ogmios]

Thanks High-Tower

From having tried a later F650GS compared to the carbed Funduro version there's a real improvement in performance and economy with the injected motor. The carbed one like mine was gutless IMHO and needed a good thraping to get anywhere near keeping up with an oilhead.

Hmmm.
Thanks for the input.
my (relatively gutless carbed) Airhead does o.k. in company with Oilheads....
i wonder if that's a fair comparison?

keep 'em coming folks.

 

[trick202]

I had an Aprilia Pegaso 650 until very recently, which is all but the same bike as the early F650. With a set of Metzeler Karoos and a home made bash plate (bit of stainless sheet bent to fit and bolted on) it coped very handily on all the Peak district greenlanes I've tried. Lack of ground clearance made things like the step up on Royches or Chapel gate a challenge, but it always got me there in the end.

If it's as good as mine was it'll make a damn good winter bike and laner that'll cost you next to nowt to run.

Thanks for your input HighTower

I have spotted some pannier racks and engine bars - I'm interested to hear about the claimed improvement in throttle response with the Remus can.