New BMW G 650 GS Sertão

[NLC]

I did the Off road school on a G650 and I thought it was pretty good. The F650 and 800 were a bit too spirited in 1st gear especially going down muck hill. I beat the crap out of this poor machine and it kept going (not to mention all the other who beat the crap out of it before me). It's not the best off roader and I suspect a 250 would have been a bit better. We got to try other bikes and the biggest surprise was how solid the 1200 was. I didn't feel like picking it up all day and hence opted for the lighter bike but next time I would do it on a 1200.

 

[alistairl]

The 900mm high seat height option has a certain appeal - almost perfect height for me

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Anyone getting their 'big BM' serviced and being given a G650GS as a loan bike will be a wee bit disappointed

I wasn't.

Had it as loan bike whilst the GSA was serviced and thought it was a great bike. Fun, much nippier than I expected, relatively cheap to buy and run and I am sort of hankering after one.

 

[dieselpower]

The 900mm high seat height option has a certain appeal - almost perfect height for me

Is this you changing your mind again Alistair? What happened to the 1150? Or is that too low for you?

To the rest of you, don't slag it off unless you've given one a thorough ride. The missus and I bought one for a run around and to keep the miles off my S1000RR. After a month with the G, I sold the RR. It is a brilliant bike. Yes, it's cheap, yes the starter switch is nasty, yes it isn't that quick but it is a total hoot especially if you ride it properly. It doesn't weigh as much as car so it handles brilliantly and is very flickable in the twisties.

For the money, you just can't go wrong. It might be made out of bits from the parts bin but it's all time proven components so it should be reliable. I rode ours from Fife to York and back to run it in and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Just need to get a higher seat as I'm a bit long in the leg (eh Alistair!).

PS: they vibrate like a dumper truck for the first 200 miles and the gearbox is awful but it wears in and ours is now smooth.

If you've £5000 burning a hole in your pocket and you want a fun bike that you can thrash day in day out and still get 80+ MPG buy one!

 

[alistairl]

Is this you changing your mind again Alistair? What happened to the 1150? Or is that too low for you?

Not at all, but as you know there is a lot to be said for a lighter bike - they are a hoot to ride on or off road, but as I can only justify one bike I'm more inclined towards the 1150 - adventure with the proper seat of course

And when I'm on the road I find I stick my leg out on small roundabouts with these smaller bikes.

Cheers

Alistair.

 

[Farmer Palmer]

G650GS Sertao!

very nice may upgrade my dakar ...i never liked the dakar front end 'headlight area' this is a lot better i will watch out for the price. cheers

Great range of Touratech accessories aswell that suit the new G650GS many of which fit the 'older' F650GS/Dakar and will swap straight over(apart from the headlight/upper fairing parts).....Luggage racks, panniers and topbox aswell as engine bars and sump guards all fit both bikes.

I had a good look at the G650GS Touratech 'protortype' bike at their headquaters in the Black Forest in may which was nice.

FP.

 

[Packer]

just read the thread on starting issues ...

What about the fork failure issues?

 

[Farmer Palmer]

There was an unfortunate and very unlucky lady in the States who had a forkleg wheel mount break in 'unclear' circumstances......Again lots of information to be had on www.F650.co.uk:thumb

FP.

 

[(RIP) DitchWater]

I fancy one myself but would prefer a larger tank capacity and its dry weight to be lighter.

 

[Goose]

Compared to my 2005 Dakar - this feels so much smaller.......... however it suited swmbo and she's keen on honing her riding skills

 

[muzvmc]

Shame they have fitted the same 50p fork, the BM salesman on the stand didn't seem too impressed when I mentioned it. Still I 'spose it's a budget bike!

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Can anyone say if this IS the old Dakar with different plastics--talking to BMW garage it is. If its not what are the differences. I had the old Dakar it was brilliant.Why would the new one sound like a lawnmower--is it different in sound to the Dakar.

I've had 1150ADV, 1200'sADV 800GS and the old Dakar, and for one up fun and touring with trails, it was the best. Woulnt contenplate 2 up or chasing 1200's but a really good machine. Does made in China have to change it? Main thing, are the specs as the old Dakar? Anyone up on this?

Bill

It's just 'like' the old Dakar but with a slightly different engine, plastics, instruments, slightly smaller fuel tank and some other bits and pieces.

I wouldn't get too hung up on this 'Chinee' lawnmower thing either.......Just stick a Scorpion on it and it'll sound awesome! It's not like the Chinese components are put together by Monkey and Tripitaka these days anyway

If it costs around £6k I don't see what's not to like

Check out www.F650.co.uk for more information

I've had two F650 Funduro's, two F650GS's and the G650GS is by far the best bike to ride

FP.

 

[Tim Cullis]

G650GS Sertao pricing

I had a long look at the forthcoming G650GS Sertao yesterday at the MCN bike show. It seems that ABS, aluminium bash plate, handguards, heated grips, high windshield and spoke wheels are all standard, hence the price of the 'standard specification' bike of £6735 OTR.

The price of the standard G650GS has increased slightly since its launch and is now £5295, or £6190 if you include the 'comfort package' of ABS and heated grips. So with calculator to hand you can see there's a £545 premium for the bash plate, handguards, higher windscreen and spoke wheels.

There's not much out there to compare the Sertao to, other than the Tenere XT660Z and Husqvarna's Baja concept. The Baja uses the same BMW 650cc single engine and is apparently based on a previous Moab concept, so could be just months away from reality.

.

 

[doyle]

Are the forks different too? Or do they just look like it

 

[Ross]

Are the forks different too? Or do they just look like it

Extra 40mm travel and larger front wheel 21". So longer, making bike taller. This is actually the Dakar model renamed, made since 2000, with a bit of fiddling with the plastics and a slightly smaller tank.
XT660Z does not appear to come with ABS at all and would be about £7100 to get handguards priced in, can't see any heated grip option.

 

[Flipfly]

The original dakar was probably the best bike I ever owned. Toured well, 70mpg and super handling. A true dual pupose machine. Shame they have put a smaller tank on it though. Used to get 220 miles easily out of mine before needing fuel.

 

[Ross]

The original dakar was probably the best bike I ever owned. Toured well, 70mpg and super handling. A true dual pupose machine. Shame they have put a smaller tank on it though. Used to get 220 miles easily out of mine before needing fuel.

224 miles I found, just a mile short of the petrol station I was aiming for On a long ride at 70 on motorway I got 200 miles before low fuel light came on, which is about 11.5 litres gone.

 

[Roberto]

Strange.

I think the standard G650GS looks better than the Sertao.

Whereas the 'old' F650GS Single- I thought the Dakar looked miles better than the standard bike.

Hmmm

 

[Ross]

Strange.

I think the standard G650GS looks better than the Sertao.

Whereas the 'old' F650GS Single- I thought the Dakar looked miles better than the standard bike.

Hmmm

Must admit the Sertao did not look as good when I first saw it, have to see one in the flesh. Personally I like the look of the original black and white Dakar the best.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The Dakar had more bhp too