Im seriously considering getting a new F650, but I have a few questions.

[Adeeelnv]

I took one for a test ride a few days ago and I really liked it. Im probably going to get one at the end of the year.

I wanted to know about common problems, so I have looked around this forum and read about chain problems and radiator hoses leaking and a few other things, but all the posts are really old.

So my question is, how are the new ones (from this year)? Have they fixed the problems? I dont really want to get a new bike and then have all sorts of trouble with it when I have a mostly good bike already.

About two or so years ago I got a Can-Am Spyder, I didnt look into its problems before I got it. Since then I found out a lot can go wrong with it, but thankfully I never had a whole lot of trouble with it.

Im sorry if this gets asked a lot, but Im sure you guys can understand my concern.

 

[chas820]

I have the 800 version on a 2009 plate and apart from a chain recall I have had no problems.Only slight annoyance to me is the side stand wont stay down even after replacing the bushings.I think most of the problems you highlighted have now been sorted.There will always be problems aired on forums but the vast majority just get on and ride.Never buy a brand new model unless you like being a test rider,wait a year or so for all the niggles to get ironed out.Most of the GS range with problems were the 08 year bikes.Some people have experienced some steering head bearing problems but it seems to be a fairly cheap fix.Good luck with your when you get it.

 

[Adeeelnv]

Most of the GS range with problems were the 08 year bikes.

Thats good to know then.

I know what you mean about only hearing problems on forums. People only use them to say they have problems, not usually to say they dont have problems.

 

[Micky]

I have a 2008 F800GS now at 67,250+ miles

Go for it

 

[curiousexplorer]

won't regret it

Hi, Adeel, my wife and me both ride F650GS's, on to 20k kms now, living in Holland, been to Pyrenees, did Scotland, Germany with them. Lovely bike. This is my #14th bike and I think I'm not going to trade this one in.
It just ticks all the boxes for us, we love to do touring and camping on the way, and the way it is designed and performs slots into everything we want out of it.
Even my wife, who wanted to stop biking after her last bike -honda CB500- packed up, is again really wild about biking again. I silently bought her the bike as a surprise, and she loves it.
BUT, while basically this is an excellent design, BMW scrimped and saved on many parts. I knew that when I bough them, and was prepared to deal with, and solve the issues. What I did was this:
- with EVERY new bike head bearings (front fork) and rear fork bearings are very sparsely greased from the factory. So take apart (or have it done) and grease properly with a good (waterproof, maybe even with molykote) grease.
- Replace rear chain with good one (DID) as long as your sprockets are still new
- the moment you need new tyres and the wheels are out, have the wheel bearings replaced at the same time for quality (watertight) ones. is cheap, and you won't be surprised by failing bearings anymore.
- and, if you choose a tyre we can recommend you highly the Dunlop TR91, 30/35psi, reliable, stable, and excellent in the wet.

Well, that's about it. I did some alterations to improve ride quality even more, but I think that's outside this box here.

Go buy yourself one, and enjoy!!

btw we have family in Byron Bay!

 

[Adeeelnv]

Thanks for the tips. I will probably get a new chain and bearings when I have to change the tyre for the first time.

As for the actual tyre, my dad and brother use the Michelin Pilot Road 3 on their bikes (Triumph Tiger 1050 and Kawasaki 1000 GTR). Im not sure if that would be the greatest for a GS, but I dont plan on going off road very often.

Its also good to know that the F650 good for touring, because I will definitely be using it for that eventually. Last year I went on a 4 week trip and in october I will be going on another 4 week trip.

I have a travel blog if anyone wants to have a look
http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/forum/blog.php/793-Lvaneede-s-Motorcycle-Adventures

 

[Fanum]

About two or so years ago I got a Can-Am Spyder, I didnt look into its problems before I got it. Since then I found out a lot can go wrong with it, but thankfully I never had a whole lot of trouble with it.

Did you learn anything from that ?

 

[Adeeelnv]

i learned not to buy a bike without doing some research first, so thats what Im doing now

 

[Fanum]

i learned not to buy a bike without doing some research first, so thats what Im doing now

I'd suggest that was the wrong lesson to take from it then.

Asking if there are any problems with a bike on the internet will get a lot of people telling you their tales of woe...some will tell you that everything's lovely and all sorted, but still, the view will be skewed.

As you say yourself, you bought a Can-Am Spyder, didn't have many issues with it, but then found out 'A lot can go wrong with them'.

If you had found that out before you'd bought it, would you still have got it?

 

[Dave Ett]

There are many threads grumbling about the F/GS failures, but very very few are for anything major.

We've seen 1 suffer a broken piston, and I can't think of any other MAJOR problems.

The common are the chain, wheel and head bearings, coolant hose and a few cases of clutch-nut coming loose.

All fixed very cheaply and easily for the home mechanic.

Certainly no horrors like the 1200 has suffered!

 

[Adeeelnv]

would you still have got it?

Well, it was really my dad who bought it, but I paid for half of it. It might be worth mentioning Im 22.
You have a good point, but I would rather know what Im in for when Im spending a lot of money.

None of this is as bad as the problems my brother had with his tiger, but I wont talk about that.

 

[Fanum]

None of this is as bad as the problems my brother had with his tiger, but I wont talk about that.

Awwww Gowan gowan.....we even have a specific Triumph forum now , just for slagging them off

 

[MikeMike]

Why change the chain? The suspect ones were changed and the newer models won't need you to change them. I have now got 37,500kms on my stock 2009 chain. Most of the major issues have been resolved, though the stalling issue has never been properly addressed. Keep the oil fresh and spend your money on suspension and comfort mods. The stock windshield is crap and you can give it to a kid to use to dig for clams at the beach, it is useless. If you do any riding off road, think about at least getting an oil filter and cooler box protector.
Save some money now for either an Airhawk or a new seat. The new seat is as bad as the windshield, or maybe worse as far as being useless goes.

 

[Adeeelnv]

Well, if you say the chain is ok, maybe the newer ones are better than the older ones.
Im not sure if I would do anything anything with the suspension. My brother got the suspension done on his tiger and it was pretty expensive.
A bigger wind screen is probably the first thing I would get. I noticed it was really small. I got a bigger one on my spyder as well.
I dont plan on going off road very much, and even if I did, it would only be on gravel.
I already have an airhawk, so thats all good. I noticed in the "Post pics of your F650/800GS" topic, many of you have touratech seats.

I dont know if any of you have seen it, but this guy on youtube said a lot of good stuff about the bike in his test videos
http://www.youtube.com/user/mvrtvcom/videos?query=BMW+F650GS+Test

 

[airhead300]

F650GS issues

I have a 2010 model got s/h but still under warranty. Issue is the engine paint job on the underside, it flakes due to a. not being a very good paint job, b. the lack of protection from there being no ‘bash-plate’ fitted AND c. the front mudguard being too bloody short – basically the grit off the road acts as a ‘sandblaster’.

Approached BMW about a resolve (no laughing now!) and was told BMW don’t do paint-jobs and the Germans think we are mad putting salt on the roads (chips ist alles gute). So having first rubbed down the flaky paint cleaned it up and ‘hammerited’ the base of the engine I fitted an extension to the mudguard and a bash-plate - so far so good.

Colin

 

[Silversurfer]

F650GS

I have a 2010 F800GS with 18k miles/29k kilometres on it and have had no problems at all despite some hard use. Like a lot of new bikes from all the manufacturers the early models tend to develop faults that only regular use by consumers will show up. Most are then sorted by re-call and any further production bikes are duly modified so if you are buying new I wouldn't be worried by any old posts you may have read as those faults will have been long sorted particularly the early chain and sprocket problems.
I am still on the original chain and sprockets and they look good enough for another 18k miles. Wheel and head bearings I have also checked and again no problem. This is actually my first BMW and I intend to keep it for a good while yet.

 

[Adeeelnv]

Thats interesting, I didnt notice the short front mud guard before. I might get some sort of extender for it.
I just looked on ebay for them, so that will be easy to get.

if you are buying new I wouldn't be worried by any old posts you may have read as those faults will have been long sorted particularly the early chain and sprocket problems.

I think I would prefer a new one, but it just depends on how much money I have by the end of the year.
If I get a second hand one, I will make sure it is at least from 2010.

I was just looking at some second hand ones on Bike Point for $13-14000. New ones are $16620, so maybe getting a used one is a better idea. It would be much better for my bank account, anyway. The only problem is getting it transported back to me somehow.

 

[v8legend]

The only problem is getting it transported back to me somehow.

I assume they are on the east coast? Sounds like a great first ride.

 

[JWFr]

I have a 2010 F 650 GS I bought used from a dealer in Limoges France. The only issue I had was a front tyre which they replaced. I have had no problems with it whatsoever mechanically/electrically. I fitted a Scottoiler ( highly recommended for chain and sprocket longevity). The Metzler Tourance (NOT exp) tyres are brilliant for all road conditions and I have had no reason to consider any others. I've done just under 10,000kms since last Sept ( not used Dec and Jan), and not even a splutter!

Other bits I 've fitted to keep things from getting tatty, are a rear hugger; front fender extender; and a Wunderlich oil filter guard.

One thing which definitely needs changing IMHO is the saddle, which will try to disect you after half and hour. Either get a replacement gell saddle or buy yourself a good quality sheepskin seat pad. I've gone for the sheep, it's both comfortable and warm and won't give you monkey butt!

 

[Adeeelnv]

Yep, they are just about all over east. I was thinking I could just ride it back, but I dont think I would really want to do that by myself.

I just got a looked at a quick quote on at transport website and it was going to be about $900. It would probably be about the same cost or maybe cheaper to fly over and ride it back.

Its good to hear you have had a good experience with a used bike, JWFr. Near the end of the year when I am having a more serious look into buying one, I will see if there are any good second hand ones because they are a fair bit cheaper.

I have never heard of those scottoiler things before. It seems like a good idea, but is it really worth it? it would be cheaper just to carry a can of chain lube. Wouldnt it make a mess with oil dripping on the chain all the time? Normal chain lube already makes enough of a mess.