Mileage vs Farkles

[FlooFoo]

If looking to buy a 2nd hand F650GS and you found a few at a similar price what would be most attractive to you - one that lots of goodies but higher mileage or low mileage but with not many goodies.

I'd always tended to go with the idea that the lower mileage (less wear and tear) was always best if the bike is a keeper but aren't these rufty tufty bikes supposed to be able to do high mileages?

I'm not sure what represents best value for money in BMW terms.

 

[Bury_Dave]

That's a good question.

I recently went for a lower mileage rather than farkles. Let's see if the consensus agrees with that ......

I suppose nowadays, with more reliable and durable bikes, that there is a balance.

Depends on how many miles you plan to do yourself and how much emphasis you want to place on the bling (I'm not a fan of it myself).

Dave

 

[Greggers]

You'll probably get what you want in the end, lowish mileage (but then that could be subject to definition too eh?) plus a few toys cos everyone likes the gadgets ..!

Unless I'm missing something, you're still looking at £5.5k for a tidy 08 model, but in today's market, the bells and whistles and shiny shiny things will probably be left on as a deal maker ...

Not that I'm selling mine, but mine has BiTubo fork internals, could I really be arsed to strip it all out and reinstall the OE bits for the £150.00 or so I'd get for the parts? TBH I'd probably give an option on the fitted accessories but leave them on as a tempter...

G

 

[Dean]

I go for low milage usualy but mine had zero on (new) then spent cough coughshed loads on it. Which has personalised and transformed the bike but its a keeper so it works for me.

Its a personal preference thing I'm at 18200 miles but If I sold I would restore to factory standard and sell the bitts as nearly all, most fit F800GS also

 

[Sooty09]

If you are not riding off road or through jungles I think the bling by Touratech and other looks as daft as giant bull bars on a pick up truck. They serve very little purpose in normal use.
Crash bars perhaps, Hand guards and a fender extender are a must.
You missed a third option, buy a cheaper high mileage bike with no accessories and add only those you require from a manufacturer you choose.

 

[Dean]

BLINGIST

If you are not riding off road or through jungles I think the bling by Touratech and other looks as daft as giant bull bars on a pick up truck. They serve very little purpose in normal use.
Crash bars perhaps, Hand guards and a fender extender are a must.
You missed a third option, buy a cheaper high mileage bike with no accessories and add only those you require from a manufacturer you choose.

Hey I like the bling and the bitts I added all serve a purpose and I like the look

All you bling vendors Thank you .

I also respect and understand for what ever reason and what ever you ride If you want to travel where ever with just a pair of pants and some duct tape and keep your ride original, zero bling

I,m not sure about the giant bull bars on pick up truck, unless its got the big roll bar with lotts of bunny lights,

 

[FlooFoo]

Thanks guys, Interesting.

In truth I can do without the bashplate, engine bars etc as I plan to keep the old single for off road riding though I think they do add to 'the look'.

Panniers would be nice for practical everyday use but if starting from scratch I'd look at other makes before going for the black plastic box style BMW ones and the blingy ali ones would be a little over the top to carry a small handbag and a little lunchtime salad . But, if there were already on for 'free'.....

And looking at mileage another way.... even if it had a higher than average for the year, as I don't plan to commute on it day in day out then in a year or so the average will drop and fall in line with the norm. Provided that the engines/suspension/running gear etc are all up to it in the first place.

Also, even if a bike has only done 3k miles there is no guarantee that the bike wasn't wheelied down the road and thrashed to the limit each time it was taken out (as a dealers loan bike may have been done).

Mmmmm, I seem to have talked myself round everything so in the end, the decision to spend £xxxx amount will probably come down to ........... colour

 

[Bury_Dave]

If you are not riding off road or through jungles I think the bling by Touratech and other looks as daft as giant bull bars on a pick up truck. They serve very little purpose in normal use.
Crash bars perhaps, Hand guards and a fender extender are a must.
You missed a third option, buy a cheaper high mileage bike with no accessories and add only those you require from a manufacturer you choose.

I have already said I agree with you on this bit it just so happens that this morning I had my first bird strike (at 70mph). Without the front brake fluid resevoir protector (which took most of the impact and retained some big bits of a big pigeon), I would have lost the resevoir.

The two brake resevoir and the oil cooler protectors are the only farkles I have. Although I deem them as essentials. To me farkles are the things you add to improve your comfort or practicality of the bike. Bling is stuff that only has a visual impact and no real practical use. So if you have lots of farkles that make your bike look like you're on a big tour, but only only go to the supermarket, it's bling. If you actually go touring, then it is all probably necessary. Just my personal definitions and not a criticism of those who like bling. To each their own.

Incidentally, I have the Touratech touring screen and it is ok. Not as protected as the Wunderlich screen I had on my 1150 GSA and if you are taller than 5'9" or are on the normal seat (I'm on a low seat), then you might get a bit more buffeting.

Wind noise is the biggest thing for me on the 800. Custom earplugs only make matters worse

 

[g.s.john]

If you can buy a bike with practical farkles maybe bigger screen,better seat, they are all down to personal preference if the bike has a good service history the mileage does not matter that much

 

[steve hughes]

for my two penneth I would say screen first I bought a givi off this site £40 best money decision. Whilst not going off road the gs800 and 650 have very expensive sticky out plastics disguised as fuel tanks. Metal mule or adventure spec bars go right up to protect these in a 2 mph turning type spill.

Lastly i bought handlebar protectors (BM one ) off here they certainly reduce wind and rain and make for a nicer ride.

Good luck with your choice

 

[FlooFoo]

Well.... in the end.... I went for.......






the orange one