Hello all i am a potential new owner with my sights set on the F650gs. locally there is a lowered one with a low seat. i have ridden it and it feels good to me but will i regret it . Any advice appreciated i am 5 ft 10 with inside leg 32 inch
Lowered F650GS
- Thread starter redhand
- Start date
SERVDAVE
Registered user
I have a inside leg of 29 and I am fine on the standard bike! Allot of it is confidence. give a standard bike a go and see what you think,
I have the standard F650GS with lowered seat only. Am a short ar$e at 5 foot 5, 30 inch inside leg.
I did try a lowered bike but it felt wrong. Now that a used to it it sometimes feels small from coming off the pegs.
Am glad I didn't go for the lowers one.
Try the standard one with low seat.
sent via sneaker net.
I did try a lowered bike but it felt wrong. Now that a used to it it sometimes feels small from coming off the pegs.
Am glad I didn't go for the lowers one.
Try the standard one with low seat.
sent via sneaker net.
5'9" with 29" inside leg, am on tiptoes with both feet down and am quite happy but could imagine with your relative inexperience and coming from Cruiser that you would be happier with more feet on the ground. try standard with low seat then you might be able to swap later on for standard.
I'm about the same, but on an 800GS with a comfort seat. I think you'll find it too low. It might feel right at first (given you've come from a cruiser), but why buy an adventure bike if you don't want the lofty stance.
Try a standard bike first.
thanks for that i guess its the answers i was expecting. My heart is telling me to give it a go as the bike is local, within my budget and in very good order but head is saying keep looking be patient and right one will come up
Hi
I can see this from 2 sides. I'm 5ft 6in 28" inside leg and ride a std 650. Its actually quite high for me but as I've ridden for several years and the bike is lighter than my previous bikes so I can manage it no problem , panniers , camping gear and all. On the other hand my wife who has just passed her test has a gladius which is lighter and lower. She thought it was huge and heavy. Compared to her 125cc I suppose it was. No need to lower it I thought. Several car park drops later and we lowered the bike. Its all about experience and confidence I suppose. She is way happier with the bike lowered and I'm sure in a year or so we will return it std height when she's ready.
If your inexperienced and not overly confident the lowered bike could be a good choice but be prepared to UP-grade in the future.
Personally I would check out the std bike with a lowered saddle.
HTH
Peter
I can see this from 2 sides. I'm 5ft 6in 28" inside leg and ride a std 650. Its actually quite high for me but as I've ridden for several years and the bike is lighter than my previous bikes so I can manage it no problem , panniers , camping gear and all. On the other hand my wife who has just passed her test has a gladius which is lighter and lower. She thought it was huge and heavy. Compared to her 125cc I suppose it was. No need to lower it I thought. Several car park drops later and we lowered the bike. Its all about experience and confidence I suppose. She is way happier with the bike lowered and I'm sure in a year or so we will return it std height when she's ready.
If your inexperienced and not overly confident the lowered bike could be a good choice but be prepared to UP-grade in the future.
Personally I would check out the std bike with a lowered saddle.
HTH
Peter
chas820
Registered user
I`m also 5`10" with a 29" inseam and I have the F800gs with the lowered seat.No problems.With a 32" leg and a lowered seat only, a standard bike should be fine.
Buz
Registered user
I'm 5'7" with about 29-30 leg length. Passed my test April 09.
I had the standard 650 twin, fitted me ok so you're extra 2-3" should make it even more comfortable. I had the suspension cranked down a bit just to help.
I was contemplating a lowered one but after a few months of riding I was glad I didn't.
My advice is to hold out for what you really want, don't settle for second best you will only regret it after time :beer jug:
I had mine wrote off for me last October and now have an 06 12GS with a low seat and this is better to manoeuvre than the 650 IMO
I had the standard 650 twin, fitted me ok so you're extra 2-3" should make it even more comfortable. I had the suspension cranked down a bit just to help.
I was contemplating a lowered one but after a few months of riding I was glad I didn't.
My advice is to hold out for what you really want, don't settle for second best you will only regret it after time :beer jug:
I had mine wrote off for me last October and now have an 06 12GS with a low seat and this is better to manoeuvre than the 650 IMO
Ptarmigan
Registered user
Lowered F650 GS
I'm 5ft 8ins with inside leg of 30". I have the lowered seat and lowered suspension and think it's marvelous. However since you are 2 inches taller I suspect you will find it too low.
I'm 5ft 8ins with inside leg of 30". I have the lowered seat and lowered suspension and think it's marvelous. However since you are 2 inches taller I suspect you will find it too low.
Thanks for feedback probably the wisest thing is to wait for standard model to come up, buying new is not an option for me. there are some decent bikes out there but if i want one soon i think i will have to travel, anyone know of one in the Leeds area?
Dean
Registered user
Im also 32 inside
and would agree wait for the standard to come along.I bought mine standard and went up with a touratech high touring seat and for me it is spot on
Keep looking they do come up i think there is one here for sale (which you can not see as yr not subscribed its in somerset)
a few on HERE
Good luck with yr search
Hi in amongst all the talk of seat height and inside leg, we have missed one key factor of a factory lowered F650 is the max load drops from 237 kg to 150 .
This could be reached two up with luggage.
This could be reached two up with luggage.
Dean
Registered user
Hi in amongst all the talk of seat height and inside leg, we have missed one key factor of a factory lowered F650 is the max load drops from 237 kg to 150 .
This could be reached two up with luggage.
This is a good point The payload on the F650 standard Is Huge enormous bigger than all the other BMW's for sale in the dealership
but lowered is cut drastically
Blind Lemon Ade
Registered user
I'll join in the chorus of shortarses (5' 8", 28" inside leg), who are on the standard 650 twin with lowered seat... albeit a lowered seat with memory foam insert!
It was the 'no centre stand / reduced payload' issues which persuaded me. Three years later (First MOT this year!) I'm still very happy with it. Mind you, the weight has increased with all the bolt-on goodies...
It was the 'no centre stand / reduced payload' issues which persuaded me. Three years later (First MOT this year!) I'm still very happy with it. Mind you, the weight has increased with all the bolt-on goodies...
Funny i have always assumed i am 32 inch leg cause my levis have been that length for the last thirty years only the waist increases. however taking a tape measure from nad to heel on ground gives me 30 inch.
the regerences to decreased weight are very pertinent thanks
the regerences to decreased weight are very pertinent thanks
At 5'4" with a 29" inside leg measurement I find the standard F650GS, with a lower seat, a perfect height. I can get both feet almost flat on the floor.
When I first started biking I got a lowered (single) F650GS and it was great to start with, but very soon I found the ground clearance to be an issue over speed humps and with full panniers.
If you can get a normal height with lower seat it would probably be better in the long run.
Good luck in finding the right bike.
When I first started biking I got a lowered (single) F650GS and it was great to start with, but very soon I found the ground clearance to be an issue over speed humps and with full panniers.
If you can get a normal height with lower seat it would probably be better in the long run.
Good luck in finding the right bike.
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