G650 X-Country - Information please

[Barfly]

A friend of mine in his late sixties wants to return to biking after a long absence. He is rather taken with the G650 X-Country. I've tried most BM models but none of the 'G's so can't advise. His dream is to go to Europe next year - possibly with his wife if he can persuade her! I've suggested the new F650GS might be a better bet but he likes the look of the G650 and he is an old single cylinder fan. Anybody tried the G X-Country with a pillion? Most importantly, anyone know of any luggage options for this model?

He's not worried about the small tank (which I pointed out to him) as he reckons 100 miles or so is quite long enough without a break at his age.

Cheers chaps - I'll pass on your collective wisdom!

 

[Stumpy]

A friend of mine in his late sixties wants to return to biking after a long absence. He is rather taken with the G650 X-Country. I've tried most BM models but none of the 'G's so can't advise. His dream is to go to Europe next year - possibly with his wife if he can persuade her! I've suggested the new F650GS might be a better bet but he likes the look of the G650 and he is an old single cylinder fan. Anybody tried the G X-Country with a pillion? Most importantly, anyone know of any luggage options for this model?

He's not worried about the small tank (which I pointed out to him) as he reckons 100 miles or so is quite long enough without a break at his age.

Cheers chaps - I'll pass on your collective wisdom!

My partner rides an X Country and loves it. Its a stunning wee bike, light nimble quick enough etc etc.

Two up touring well people go around the world on C90s so anything is possible. But I can't help feeling the F650GS would do it all so much easier.

Stumpy

 

[Flipfly]

F650GS would be a better bet. Far better choice of panniers and top boxes. Similar 650 single....70mpg. Also a good range of screens available making them a very useable tourer. Wouldn't like to go too far on mine 2 up, but if they are both fairly light and he wants to pootle rather than 80-90mph it, then the little GS is bang on the money IMHO.

Just done a solo 3500 miles on mine to the alps and surrounding area. Always starting, great handling, non tyre chewing, ducati chasing, footpeg and pannier grinding, fuel sipping, mile munching beaut of a bike. Highly recommended.

Came home on the Wednesday, knobblies fitted Friday, covered in Shite on the Saturday. Gotta be one of the only bikes that you could do that on. A true allrounder (don't listen to Snoopy, he's ).

 

[ovenpaa]

I have put a few miles on both back to back over the last 3 months. The XC is lovely, it is light, poised and very capable and would make a great single person tourer however the F650GS has a 'proper' bike feel is more comfortable, seems longer legged and as Flipfly says will cope with anything apart from Snoopy. If I was to go touring with a pillion I would not hesitate to choose it over the XC.

Equipped with Tourance tyres the F650GS is one of the most capable bikes I have ever ridden in the wet (That would be most days over the last few weeks)

 

[Dansin]

I had an XC a while ago when my 650 dak was in for service. As others have said, I think it's a great bike one up but would struggle 2 up with luggage. We're off to South of France tomorrow on the dak 2 up with luggage. As last year, it's a 2,500 mile round trip, and although it's not as comfy as a big GS on the motorways at 80mph+, it's more than capable on the A and B roads.

HTH

Daniel

PS - regularly get 80mpg 2 up too. I understand the single spark model is a little less frugal but not much.

 

[Barfly]

Thank you all very much. The new F650GS would certainly be my choice and I very nearly got one instead of the 2nd hand 1200 I bought in May. I thought the new 650 was a cracking bike after two road tests. In the end I decided I would give a boxer one more go (having mostly owned boxers over 30 years) before I finally collapse from old age under the weight.. On that point, I note that jesters here are found of describing the F650 as "girly" and/or a good "entry level bike". I reckon it's much more than that (in any event, based on my wonderful wife and daughter anything described as "girly" implies to me a terrifying prospect...). I liked the remark of one of our colleagues here who described it as an "exit level" bike and I'm sure it will be that for me one day.

The point about my friend is that he just wants to try bikes again - they are not (yet) a passion (as they are for me and us). And he simply can't afford a new F650GS and the X-Country appears to be remarkably cheap - £3,500 for ones with a few hundred miles on. On the other hand a second hand F650 (single) could be an answer but I had one once and got fed up with replacing steering head bearings and fork seals so I think I put him off a bit.

But thanks for the thoughts!

 

[Dansin]

I think most of the above posts are referring to the single cylinder F650GS - to 2006(07?) - I certainly was.

It shares the same engine as the XC but is a bit more of an all round bike and has far greater range of accessories than the XC.

£3,500 would buy a twin spark 04/05 bike, probably with all the kit he's likely to need (panniers, rails, big screen etc.)

 

[Flipfly]

mines been off roaded and ridden enthusiastically on the road.17k miles, never changed the steering bearings yet, or the fork seals.

As for a girly bike, let him come out with me, we'll soon put that theory to bed

 

[rml]

I had a quick ride on my mates XCountry, who traded in his F650 GS for it, it's a cracking bike and very willing, also lighter then the GS. He loves it, but his only comment is that sitting at motorway speeds is/can be hard work/tiring with the lack of a screen. He is in his early forties and previously owned XT's and GS's. He's also having difficulty sourcing an adapter for his BMW top box. As others have said perhaps a F650 GS (single) would be a better fit, although there is something in liking the look of your bike!

Cheers
rml

 

[st247]

Theres a huge long thread over on ADVrider. If you have a look through you'll find some info on screens and panniers etc.

Hepco and Becker for instance.