Isn't the F650GS so much fun?

[Dave78]

Went out for a ride on SWMBO'd F650GS this evening (long story, but she had an op on her knee, so can't ride at the moment - hence I took the bike out for a spin).

Was just going to go for a quick 10 min run, 2 hours later I got home.. It's just so much fun riding it. Such an underrated bike in my opinion.

 

[tosh23]

Great bike, love mine

 

[DJ GSA]

I had one for 11 years, loved it to bits.

 

[Adeeelnv]

I hope so. I get to pick up my 650 next weekend.

I only got to take one for a test ride for about 15 minutes, but I loved it.

 

[Blind Lemon Ade]

It'd be more fun if it had more brakes...

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

It'd be more fun if it had more brakes...

Who needs brakes?

Plan ahead and you can corner harder and not bother with the brakes

Best way to ride a small bike - high corner speeds and wazzing it down the straights without slowing down

Only way on a small bike, because you don't have the HP to throttle on and off

 

[curiousexplorer]

off topic, but:

to get good brakes, just put versrah pads in. have them in now for 3 months, they are all I want from front brakes, 2-finger braking, and awesome when you really need a stoppie...

 

[Micky]

I had one for 11 years, loved it to bits.

Has the F650GS twin been out eleven years?



Quite agree JB .... 73,500 miles on my F800GS and still on the original pads

Dozens of rear tyres though

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Has the F650GS twin been out eleven years?



Quite agree JB .... 73,500 miles on my F800GS and still on the original pads

Dozens of rear tyres though

Spot in Micky, hope you you have had a good trip

 

[Sooty09]

Having swapped my F800GS for a 1200GS I now occasionally ride my wifes F650. Its a great bike and the engine is so smooth compared to the 1200 and 800GS. The engine is also sounds healthier despite 36000 miles. It has none of the top end rattles. I dont understand the long pad life of other F650s, her bike eats front pads despite gentle use of the brakes, I often have to check the brake light switch to see if is working. They brakes are not sticking and she usually gets 75 mpg and 12000 miles from a front tyre.

 

[rce]

My pads seem to be lasting well, just use the engine braking even on steep hills.

At 10,200 miles service note say front 30% worn rear 40%

 

[Gonzo]

Totally agree, my F650GS single was a hoot. Many excellent Euro road trips including most of Italy and France with a pillion who had binned his Ducati. Coped brilliantly.

Braking was fine, was glad to get rid of the diving.

 

[Taff]

I did like my 650 Dakar, but I must admit I don't miss adjusting chains.

 

[MEB]

great biek

i love my 'little' 650. all the power i need and light enough to pick up and move (one end at a time)

 

[Blind Lemon Ade]

Who needs brakes?

Plan ahead and you can corner harder and not bother with the brakes

Best way to ride a small bike - high corner speeds and wazzing it down the straights without slowing down

Only way on a small bike, because you don't have the HP to throttle on and off

But... when Mrs Myopic Car-Driver pulls out, you need serious brakes. I have never had the front ABS come into play, despite some hard stops; I suspect the single disc can't supply enough "stopping power", or - my pads are glazed or greasy? P'raps those Vesrahs are the way to go?

Back in the day, I used to enter Gerard's at Mallory by just knocking off the throttle on the Pantah 600, no braking; but, tracks are tracks, and roads aren't...

 

[Blind Lemon Ade]

to get good brakes, just put versrah pads in. have them in now for 3 months, they are all I want from front brakes, 2-finger braking, and awesome when you really need a stoppie...

Which compound pads did you put in? VD or SD?

 

[Blind Lemon Ade]

A quick search revealed all:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=302210&highlight=brake+pads

VD-958JL

I shall try them!

 

[JWFr]

So much fun ?- Yes, but dammit thing is costing me a fortune now I've got the saddle sorted. For example, today I rode the 7 kms into town to get a copy of the Radio Times ( it's always a bit late in rural France!) with the intention of coming home to cut the grass. Well it's 5.00pm now and I've just got in after putting 320kms on the clock following a run down through the Dordogne and back. ( Good job I'm a single bloke or I'd be in trouble!)

I can't stay off it! and today was super fun because it's 14th July ( Bastille day) so everyone is 'en famille' for feasting, and there is NO traffic.

Time for a Gui........

 

[Blind Lemon Ade]

A quick search revealed all:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=302210&highlight=brake+pads

VD-958JL

I shall try them!

Okey-doke! The Vesrah sintered pads are in... after a struggle to shift the pad retaining pin from the caliper. Well, the Haynes book says "drive it out with a suitable punch" but it doesn't tell you which end to punch.... (For the record, drive the front caliper pin from the outside of the caliper, through the little hole in the circular boss moulded on the caliper.)

The feel of the front brake is much improved - there's some real "bite" to the first pressure on the lever, and with a bit more of a handful, you can get the front to really dig in. I do like a responsive brake - I blame cast-iron Brembo discs spoiling me.

It was one of the issues when 2-up with luggage, the amount of lever pressure necessary to pull up a bit sharpish; I nearly always brake two-fingered, leaving the other two for the throttle, so this should help a bit.