Just bought F650GS and would welcome some advice please

[Bill the Badger]

Hi,

First of all many thanks for all the posts in this site that really helped me in researching this model before purchasing one.

I've returned to biking after a 35 year break and now own a mint Honda VFR750 (for when i feel the need for speed) a restored MZ ETZ 125 (surprising how much fun you can get with 10bhp!) and after touring the Pecos de Europa in Spain last year in the VFR when my mates had adventure style bikes helped me figure out that an adventure style bike was needed for day-2-day use and touring, and so I bought a 08 F650GS with fsh and 25k on the clock last week.

I would welcome some advice on the following topics from the 'experts' in this site:-

Tyres: I need a new set for tarmac riding (i don't plan to go off road in the near future). After reading the posts on this site I think I will get Anakee 3's rather than Trail Attack 2's (not a lot between them i believe) but can only get a matching pair in 'H' rather than 'V' rating. The 'H' are rated to 130mpg and the bikes top speed in 120mph so i think they should be OK - comments please

Scottoiler: The bike has one fitted but the 'nib' presents at about 3 O'Clock in front of the rear sprockets. Is this the correct position for the GS? (normally on other bikes the 'nib' should just touch the rear sprocket in the 5-6 O'Clock position.

Vario Pannier problem: one of the panniers is really difficult to remove,the 'V' fork won't disengage the mushroom on the frame (i have to use a screwdriver to force it down) and then i have to use a lever to push the pannier off the mushroom. I used a reasonable amount of force in addition to what I have described. Is there any adjustment that can be done to fix this?

Spares/Accessories etc: I would like to get a radiator shield and replacement front ABS rotor (which is rusting) for the bike. I have seen 'Nippy Normans' mentioned on the site but would also welcome other recommendations of other suppliers of quality parts.

So, what do i think of the GS after only having done about 150 miles so far on Devon's wet and muddy winter roads? I'm very pleased so far, its extremely easy to handle, comfortable, 'chuckable', decent performance, excellent build quality, great at motorway speeds and very good brakes. Look forward to pushing it a bit more when I have new tyres fitted. Looking forward to touring with it in the future (the VFR was a bit of a handful in the twisties in the Pecos last year due to it's weight, but oh man when there was a straight it was wonderful).

Looking forward to a long relationship with the GS and this site.

Best regards - Bill

 

[tPIC]

Hi Bill,

Welcome!

I've recently fitted vario panniers to my 650. You can adjust the spacing between the mushroom base and the mounting head. To do this you need to loosen the mushroom off at the base and then the central stud should be able to be adjusted separately. By the sounds of it you need to increase the gap. I had the same issue with mine.

Hope that helps.

 

[Reggie P]

Besides being an aesthetic thing, rust really isn't a problem on brake rotors. Give it a rub with some emery cloth? They will all corrode over time.

I've covered a lot of miles on these twins and Anakee 3's will transform the grip and feel. Go for it !
Whatever you buy; avoid the Pirelli Scorpion unless you like slides. (imho)


These guys are in Devon I think... recommended!
https://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Home/index.php
Try them ? I had issues with Nippy Norman , but others find he is ok !

Correction , they are in Yorkshire , my mistake !

Enjoy your GS !

 

[oblertone]

Welcome Bill from another Devonian resident albeit not far from Cornwall, whereabouts are you ? My wife has a lowered F650GS almost identical to yours, has yours a low seat ? Best local BMW parts supplier is James Sherlock over Barnstaple way, but Motorworks do excellent postal service. Anakee 3's seem to be the way forward, but I can't even remember what's on Jaqs bike and it's too cold to look.
Rust on discs isn't generally a problem, the high iron content (for grip) makes it hard to avoid. They get measured as part of the MoT and they'll advise on replacements.
The vario mounting system is adjustable, just don't go too far and leave them loose.

 

[Bill the Badger]

Hi tPIC,

Looks like my fittings are different. The pannier has an inverted U bracket on its inner face that slots over a bottom mounting rail on the rack on the bike. Following your advice i see that the inverted U bracket seems to be adjustable and will adjust according to your recommendation over the weekend.

Best regards,

Bill

 

[Bryn]

Welcome Bill..the only question that's not yet been addressed is the position of your Scottoiler...sounds fine to me..as long as it is virtually touching the rear sprocket centerfugal force will put the oil on the chain no matter where it is positioned

 

[Bill the Badger]

Hi Stuartw,

Will try emery paper as recommended and see how it goes. Thanks for your comment on the Anakee's and the link to Motorworks )

Hope to enjoy the GS whn i get the new boots on and am now particularly enjoying the heated grips - pure luxury!

Best regards, Bill

 

[Bill the Badger]

Hi oblertone,

I'm baset in Ottery St Mary in East Devon. Don't know if bike has a lowered seat, the previous owner didmt know, but seems like 800-820 mm from my basic legover test- as a matter of interest how do you tell if its standard or either of the two lowering positions?

Thanks for recommendations on local parts suppliers and Anakee 3's.

On closer inspection the bottom fixing bracket on the panniers appear to be adjustable by loosening bolts inide the panniers, will try adjusting them over the weekend.

Best regards,
Bill

 

[Bill the Badger]

Hi Bryn,

Thanks for the comments on the scottoiler. The chain was quite dry when i picked the bike up. I've adjusted the scottoiler flow to 1 drop a minute, cleaned and lubricated the chain with scottoil and will see how that goes.

Best regards, Bill

 

[steve hughes]

Hi Bill welcome to the site from a fellow F650 owner. Two observations from your photograph. Yes you have a lowered seat and secondly you have a larger screen. The latter will great on your Picos type rides as it cuts the wind blast. The former less so. The F650 lowered seat gets a real PITA after about two hours riding. Solutions are
1 Airhawk cushion
2 get it recoverd and gell insert by the likes of Tony Archer ( just google)
3 fit a comfort seat (second hand off here) from either BMW, Touratech, Corbin etc.

Cant see if you have a headlight cover/ protection. When I bought mine previous owner had cracked the main beam with a road stone chip. Cost for the complete unit£200. So I have run a plastic guard ( Rugged roads in my case) from then.
HTH
Steve

 

[Bill the Badger]

Hi Steve, thanks for letting me know about the seat and options for avoiding 'numb b**b' and yes the larger Givi screen does cut down on wind blast and with the heated grips makes winter motoring much more comfortable than on my other bikes.

Thanks for the heads up about the cost of a headlamp replacement and i will be on the interweb this weekend getting a plastic guard.

Best regards, Bill

 

[Romany]

Your Scot Oiler will work fine where it is. Nevertheless I try to get mine as close to the chain as possible. You'd enjoy a pair of Wunderlich hand guards to keep the Devon sunshine at bay. Skip the BMW guards, too small. I fitted a Touratech rear shock and progressive springs in the front fork which really improved the suspension. Fit LED light bulbs in your turn indicators if you want brighter turn signals. Installing a Fender Extender will help cut the grime on your engine and a mud sling between the rear tire and the under seat helps as well. You've got a great bike; enjoy.

Mine with Pelican side cases and top box.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Romany]

Whoops! No side case

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Bem]

Hi Bill
I have an 09 658 (at least thats what our colonial cousins call them)
I think all questions answered, my only variation is tyres - I decided to go for the Michelin Pilot 4 (150 rear rather than140) after trying and wearing out the Road Attacks. Very happy with these tires.
Brian

 

[littleade]

Hi Bill, Welcome to the forum. Only thing I can help with is Nippy Normans. So far I've bought the following for my GS from them: Wunderlict rear hugger and Rad guards, ACF50, Silly T shirt (which they changed the size for me without any problems) and an Airman pump. Service was excellent and items all arrived very quickly and well packaged. I'll use them again without hesitation.

I've also used a few sites in Germany, FC moto, Biker land and bmw-motorrad-store.co.uk all of which were very good too and again I'd use them all again.

Cheers

Ade

 

[Bill the Badger]

Hi Romany, many thanks for the advice and recommendations ) Bill

 

[Bill the Badger]

Hi Bem, interesting thought about Road Pilots! I have them on my VFR and have been extermely happy with them. What aspect ratio did you buy instead of the 140/80?

Best regards, Bill

 

[Bill the Badger]

Hi Ade, thanks for the details about accessory suppliers, Bill

 

[outrunner]

I also have an 08 650gs and the best thing I ever got for it was Hyperpo springs front and rear, made it handle much better. As for tyres, I get on great with Conti Trail Attacks but as you know, it's each to his own. As others have said, get an Airhawk for the seat, I have tried a comfort seat and in my opinion it is not much better than the standard. Good luck with the bike, you will enjoy it.


Andy.

 

[Bill the Badger]

I also have an 08 650gs and the best thing I ever got for it was Hyperpo springs front and rear, made it handle much better. As for tyres, I get on great with Conti Trail Attacks but as you know, it's each to his own. As others have said, get an Airhawk for the seat, I have tried a comfort seat and in my opinion it is not much better than the standard. Good luck with the bike, you will enjoy it
Andy.

Hi Andy, many thanks for the recommendations. Bill