G650Gs or F700GS??

[SimonGS]

Hi All. Need some advice.
Narrowed down my choice for a 70 mile round trip commute 3-5 days a week and the odd trip into London and surrounding. Mostly for work, but will use for a bit of fun on the odd weekend.

Option1 - Ex-demo G650GS 700mile with a few extras.
Option 2 - New or ex-demo F700GS. £1200.00 more than the G650.

Salesman is suggesting G650GS, but not sure if this is based on whether it's the better bike for my needs ( higher fuel economy for example ), or he needs to get rid of it

Any thoughts or comments most welcome. It might be for work, but I still want to enjoy riding it.

thanks,

Simon.

 

[earwig]

If it was me ..... I'd go for the 700 as I prefer twins to thumpers I commute on my F650GS twin, about 70 miles a day across the hills of North Yorkshire, mainly on A roads (not dual carriage) and regularly get 68/70mpg The 700 has 4more horses. Bike is light and very manoeuvrable will cruise at motorway speeds when needed, so a great everyday bike with some back road fun at weekends

 

[Micky]

1) Welcome to the site SimonGS
Subscribe twelve quid and this place comes in to its own, you'll get your money's worth time over

2) You need to ride them both and make your own mind up ... simples

For pure commuting then the 650 ... for a little bit of fun after work then the 700
BUT both bikes will deliver the goods make no mistake

Best of luck with it ...

 

[oblertone]

Jaq ...

... has had both, albeit in lowered format, and I've ridden both. IMO the twin is much the better bike for the use as described, it may be a little heavier and is obviously more complex but neither of these are detrimental given the intended use. Don't be swayed by what the salesman wants, test ride both over your commute and YOU decide.

 

[JJH]

It's up to you but I'm courious to know how you arrived at those 2 bikes. Have you looked at any other bikes? JJH

 

[SimonGS]

Thanks for the advice all.
I will definitely try both following your advice.
JJH - I am trying a Honda NC750x this weekend. Just wanted high riding for view over cars, good economy, and quite like the looks and riding position. Tried a mates VFR800 recently and decided I'd probably loose my licence). Any suggestions?

 

[JJH]

I have a f800gs adv and rate it very highly I have had 1200 gs and GSA but the fuel ecomonony on the 800 is amazing slowly getting better and better last fill this am was 26ltrs for a mpg of 59.5 I have about 16,000km on it now. About 330 miles on a tank full. There are many other bikes triumph 800 which has a really beautiful engine but can't match the mpg and the weestrom 650 Suzuki which is said to be very frugal on juice. What about the new ccm I think it has a bmw engine in it. If a sales man was pushing me in a patulicar direction I would resist what's his angle? Good luck. JJH

 

[SimonGS]

F800gs was my first choice but was put off by official mpg. Don't particularly like the look of the v-strom. Like the Triumph but again mpg put me off. I have booked a test ride of F700gs on Friday. Might be the best compromise? I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Micky]

F800gs was my first choice but was put off by official mpg.

Put off by the 'official' mpg

Strewth ... I regularly get 60 to 65 mpg (ish) and it does get errr mmmm 'used'

Riding out with my buddies on their 1150 and 1200's, at the end of a good days riding, 180 mile day, I'll be putting 9 to 12 euros less petrol in than them

 

[JJH]

Put off by the 'official' mpg

Strewth ... I regularly get 60 to 65 mpg (ish) and it does get errr mmmm 'used'

Riding out with my buddies on their 1150 and 1200's, at the end of a good days riding, 180 mile day, I'll be putting 9 to 12 euros less petrol in than them

I was thinking along similar lines my self. Maybe it's not using enough? For mpg,real world ride ability and fun I don't think it can be beaten. JJH

 

[earwig]

Just got back from Scotland, fully loaded with panniers and camping kit on my 650 twin...... average mpg including 40% motorway use (550miles in total) 62