Miileage on a 650GS.

[Chewbert]

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy my first bike, an F650Gs and I'm curious about the mileage that these bikes can handle.
I know they're built tough, but is over 30,000 likely to get me into the wonderful(!) world of repairs & additional maintenance very quickly after I buy ?

Also, what kind of machine could I get for around £1500-2000 ? Non-Dakar please...
Thanks.
Chewie..

 

[oblertone]

Like any mechanical ...

... contraption, it depends on how it's been looked after. We recently sold Jaq's F650 with 35K on it; it's still going strong a year later

 

[Annette]

Never had a moment's problem with mine. High mileage is not an issue. They have been, for many years, the bike of choice for round the world riders - as you'll see from many of the threads here.

You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a good one in the price range you have stipulated.

They are also extremely economical. I averaged 90mpg on mine, loaded or not and no matter what my riding style.

However, if you've not ridden one before they do take a bit of getting used to. They are distinctly "agricultural" in sound and gear changes can be a bit clunky. But they're fantastic bikes. I also found the lower centre of gravity brilliant for low speed maneuvering.

 

[(RIP) The Wilbur]

Have a look on www.f650.co.uk where they specialise in the 650 singles.

I liked them so much, I bought a second one.

 

[VAL. H.]

Never had a moment's problem with mine. High mileage is not an issue. They have been, for many years, the bike of choice for round the world riders - as you'll see from many of the threads here.

You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a good one in the price range you have stipulated.

They are also extremely economical.

I averaged 90mpg on mine,


loaded or not and no matter what my riding style.

However, if you've not ridden one before they do take a bit of getting used to. They are distinctly "agricultural" in sound and gear changes can be a bit clunky. But they're fantastic bikes. I also found the lower centre of gravity brilliant for low speed maneuvering.

Bloody hell I need to learn your riding style

Maybe a typo?

I'd say more like 60-80mpg if ridden steadily.

We've had three 650GS's one a Dakar. A 2000, 01 and an 04, all very nice bikes.
The 04 was bought as 'just in-case bike' when the 01 had developed a running problem which we were unable to identity, and were due to leave for a trip to the alps a week or so later. The problem turned out to be the Lamda sensor.

My other half ended up taking the 04 on the trip. This bike had 38'000+ mls on it and had been used in Bolivia and then as a daily commuter by it's original owner. It ran perfectly for the whole trip returning upwards of 70mpg fully loaded with gear for two weeks in the saddle, covering 2700 miles.

After returning home SWMBO decided to sell it on because she 1, didn't need two and 2, because it had renthal bars fitted which were too wide and forward for her comfort.
The new owner uses it for his daily commute carrying his wife on the back and tells me he's now covered over 6000 mls on it, and loves it

I wouldn't hesitate to consider a well looked after (proven home maintenance is fine) 650 with anything upto about 80'000 mls before I started to worry.

Your right on the money with your budget. You should be able find quite a nice bike with some service history on it, possibly even upto a 2005 model.

If you're considering doing your own servicing, it's worth noting that the older single spark bikes will cost a little less by virtue of only having one spark plug.
They're also better if your planning to off road the bike, as it's easier (Though not that easy) to get at the spark plug should you drown it in a river

Good luck, and don't forget to post a picture of your new steed for us all to see.


Val.

 

[Chewbert]

I wouldn't hesitate to consider a well looked after (proven home maintenance is fine) 650 with anything upto about 80'000 mls before I started to worry.

Jebus....80,000 miles on a 650cc engine ? Bloom 'eck, I really need to get my head around the longevity of bike engines.

On the plus side however....

Your right on the money with your budget. You should be able find quite a nice bike with some service history on it, possibly even up to a 2005 model.

Exactly what I wanted to hear, and if I see a 2002-3 black GS with luggage, heated grips and abs for that price, I'll be on it like a fly on shit

If you're considering doing your own servicing, it's worth noting that the older single spark bikes will cost a little less by virtue of only having one spark plug.
They're also better if your planning to off road the bike, as it's easier (Though not that easy) to get at the spark plug should you drown it in a river

Well I'm quite handy and service most things on my own car at the moment, (plugs, oil, sensors, Throttle body etc.) so I'd definitely be getting greasy on the bike.

Good luck, and don't forget to post a picture of your new steed for us all to see.

Count on it....thanks for all the info everyone !!! You never know, the next trip to Ireland may have a noob tagging along for the craic

 

[Annette]

Definitely 90mpg. Up hill and down dale. On and off road. Up the Stella Alpina. Loaded and unloaded. On motorway and ordinary roads.

I had just passed my test though, and my riding style was definitely somewhat more cautious than it is now I have an R1150GS

 

[VAL. H.]

Definitely 90mpg. Up hill and down dale. On and off road. Up the Stella Alpina. Loaded and unloaded. On motorway and ordinary roads.

I had just passed my test though, and my riding style was definitely somewhat more cautious than it is now I have an R1150GS

WOW! thats 509.76 miles to the tank


I think I saw your thread about the trip. A pail blue 650? couple of years ago??


Val.

 

[Flipfly]

WOW! thats 509.76 miles to the tank

Val.

650 has a 17ltr tank............how the feck do you get to 509.76 miles

I've never got any more than 70 MPG out of mine (but I never really see much less than that either unless I am off roading, then I get around a measly 50mpg

 

[Hustler]

...........I've never got any more than 70 MPG out of mine (but I never really see much less than that either unless I am off roading, then I get around a measly 50mpg

I haven't worked it out lately but my figures show it varies somewhere between 62 - 70 mpg.

 

[VAL. H.]

650 has a 17ltr tank............how the feck do you get to 509.76 miles

I've never got any more than 70 MPG out of mine (but I never really see much less than that either unless I am off roading, then I get around a measly 50mpg

I thought it was a 16ltr tank 'thats what it worked out on anyway'.

Jill consistently gets around 220 miles to a tank Which gives 62mpg. Though I think she might be measuring it to the fuel light only which still leaves the liter or so extra to account for. So maybe her mpg is more like 70ish too.

Still, it all comes down to riding style and we all ride differently to the next man don't we.

Val.

 

[Flipfly]

I thought it was a 16ltr tank 'thats what it worked out on anyway'.

Jill consistently gets around 220 miles to a tank Which gives 62mpg. Though I think she might be measuring it to the fuel light only which still leaves the liter or so extra to account for. So maybe her mpg is more like 70ish too.

Still, it all comes down to riding style and we all ride differently to the next man don't we.

Val.

Tank volume (useable) is 17.3L

I get 220 miles ish on 15 litres which is 66 mpg (I always go off the refill quantity), although I had put as little as 13.5 litres in at 220 which is 73mpg.

My point is 506 miles to a tank would equate to 131.6Mpg

 

[Timolgra]

My bike would hold 53 litres fully fuelled.....700 miles+

 

[Hustler]

Tank volume (useable) is 17.3L

I get 220 miles ish on 15 litres which is 66 mpg (I always go off the refill quantity), although I had put as little as 13.5 litres in at 220 which is 73mpg.

My point is 506 miles to a tank would equate to 131.6Mpg

17.3 litre tank volume is what I base my 62 - 70 mpg figures on, 2002 model.

 

[dakarjim]

i normally get 68-ish mpg on mine.

i've had up to 74mpg (but that was quite slow!) and as low as 62 if i really thrash it

high 60's is normal though, with luggage and 13(ish)stone of me onboard

 

[Flipfly]

My bike would hold 53 litres fully fuelled.....700 miles+

Feck me Timmy, that's some camelback

 

[komatias]

My bike would hold 53 litres fully fuelled.....700 miles+

Yeah and with you on the bars and that 1/8th turn throttle you would get what mpg?

I have a bike that has 40k on the original engine, and another 10k on a newer one that I swapped out. Original engine would have been good if I had been more careful but I was learning second gear clutch dump wheelies

 

[VAL. H.]

WOW! thats 509.76 miles (oops, so should read KM ) to the tank


I think I saw your thread about the trip. A pail blue 650? couple of years ago??


Val.

Tank volume (useable) is 17.3L

I get 220 miles ish on 15 litres which is 66 mpg (I always go off the refill quantity), although I had put as little as 13.5 litres in at 220 which is 73mpg.

My point is 506 miles to a tank would equate to 131.6Mpg

Fek I'm stupid sometimes

Just worked it out again and realized I didn't account for the figure being KM instead of miles.

S/B 316.8 miles


Val.

 

[rc mad]

I must be doing something wrong., I'm consistently getting 140 miles to the light

Nearly at 20000 miles tho

 

[Annette]

I think I saw your thread about the trip. A pail blue 650? couple of years ago??

Yep that was me