How is the 650 if you're tall(er)

[dmsum]

Hi,

First post here! Quite fancy a 650GS, but a bit concerned that they're a bit compact for the taller rider (6ft3). Any advice? I know there's the Dakar but it's a bit harder to come by 2nd hand and the paint schemes are a bit vigorous for me - personal opinion only! Any experience gladly received...

 

[komatias]

Go to a dealer and sit on one is what I would suggest. But...if you are taller then you will find the Dakar more comfy. Still even then you might benefit from bar risers and lower pegs.

 

[LivNorway]

I'm 172 cm, and I have long legs.
My legs reach ground (heels too!) on my boyfriend's K100RS.
But I ride the Scarver!
If I had more money I would buy the high seat for it, but it is not a problem for me to ride the CS as it is.
I rode 10 000 kilometres with it last summer, and the same distance the year before. (Note I ride ca.5 months a year - I live in Norway.)

I rode the F650GS twice, and it felt wery much like the CS. And we were two up on the bikes - it was my rider instructor / teacher (that is how we practice to get licence for bikes in Norway!) and me, most of the time in the city.

I know some tall men are riding F650's in USA.

But I must say it is no fun for the pillon to sit at the CS for many miles.
An hour or so is OK, but not a weekend. But I better add I'm a spoiled pillon;
I was a pillon on a Corbin seat on a K100RS before... that was comfy!

If you buy an F650;
note the engine has a dry sump, so you have to drain oil from TWO places when you change the oil on the engine! That is no problem if the mechanic or you know!

Liv.

 

[Micky]

Hi there dmsum...welcome to the Madhouse

Forget the colour, go find and try a 650 Dakar

It'll do everything.... and more

www.adventure.gs

 

[LivNorway]

...and this is how they wash the Dakars!

Liv.

 

[Micky]

Great piccie Liv... and here's how we dry 'em

 

[Dave Hall]

I`m 6`1" and I found I have more room on the 650 than I did on the 1150GS. The height from foot peg to saddle is greater hence more comfy for me. I had a verholen footpeg lowering kit on the 1150 and the 650 was still longer.

 

[dmsum]

Thanks for the welcome and the replies. I'm going to try one in the next few days - I'll let you know how I get on.

If it's not a massive slur on this forum - anyone have any experience of the F650 versus the Honda transalp - that's one of the others I thought might do the job for me, but I like the looks of the BMW more...

 

[Taff]

At 6'3'' I think you'll probably find the standard 650 too small. I'm 6' and tried the vanilla version, but was disappointed to find that the grooves where your knees rest againt the tank were just uncomfortable. The groove was against the knee rathere than above the knee - if that makes sense. Rydales, suggested I tried the Dakar which was fine, and didn't let me down once. The height was a bit intimidating at first (I have a 32" inside leg) but I suppose I could have changed to a lower seat. Overall good bike - if I used my bike for a lot of off road use, I would probably have kept it.

 

[talltony]

The differences between the GS and the Dakar are the seat height and the suspension height.The seat/bars/footpegs triangle is the same.If you want more legroom,you can put a Dakar seat on a GS.The suspension height doesn't come into it,you're just sitting further away from the road!
I'm 6'5'' and am reasonably comfy on my Dakar with bar risers and an Airhawk,although I'll probably lower the pegs someday.The highway pegs help on long journeys but I think there is some doubt about their legality.
Tony

 

[dmsum]

Tried the standard 650 today. Sweet engine with a lot more torque than I had imagined - bit 'buzzy' at higher revs, but very smooth for a single. Great in town and a commuter, hard to beat I think. As predicted by some though, my knees don't fit under the 'grooves' in the side of the tank, and I did feel a bit cramped. I think it might be better to try the Dakar when one comes in to see if it's a better 'fit' if you know what I mean...Shame about the size, otherwise a great bike!

 

[Timolgra]

I have an 1150 and a Dakar 650 and have ridden both today.

The 1150 has a Corbin seat, lower pegs and bars risers so it will feel bigger, I can ride this bike all day and more in comfort.
The Dakar is standard apart from renthal bars and feels cramped and uncomfortable by comparison and would dread a long ride on it. For me I need bar risers, Fastway pegs and a decent seat.
I'm a bit over 6 foot.