new to the "single" F650 and commuting!

[JemandSi]

Hi Guys,

I thought I would post and say hi after a few months of lurking. We (me and the wife) recently purchased a F650GS as our first big bike after both of us passing our test in April! so far due to the fantastic way that the financial markets and fuel price has gone we have limited our selves to one bike for the time being , but will be looking for another in the (hopefully) short future!

We picked the F650GS as it was the perfect height in lowered form for my wife (5'0") and seemed to have a super reliable reputation. This has turned out to be a great decision as due to the aforementioned fuel price increase I was spending around £70 a week on just going to work adding this to the wife’s £50 diesel bill, things were getting a little expensive!

so along came my bright idea of commuting on the F650! 90 miles a day cross country. Well after doing it now for about a month my fuel bill has dropped to around £35 a week (averaging 70MPG) and I am at last starting to enjoy it.

I have been keeping a little log of mileage and fuel use and so far managed to rack up 2.5K in the first month of use!

all this commuting has unfortunately left Jemma on 4 wheels and I can tell she is getting a little envious of the riding time I am getting, hopefully it will work itself in to a business case for my own bike!!

si

 

[GS TRV]

a biking couple - cool



welcome

 

[Grizz]

Welcome from Zomerzet.....

The 650's are great bikes, and had I not met Nicola who is 5'11" and not a small lass, I would never have bought the 1200GS for us.

The 650's are reliable, tough and relative to some bikes out there keep values reasonably well.

Oh, and the fuel consumption is pretty attractive too.

Enjoy, hope you get to bike 2 soon.

 

[dakarjim]

they really are superb bikes, i do quite a lot of commuting/mid-distance stuff on mine

it might not do any one thing brilliantly, but it does handle everything you can thow at it fairly well

i love mine to bits and i'm not sure i would swap it for a fat GS

 

[JemandSi]

Thanks for the replies guys! I hope it will carry on being a reliable bike! but have a small list of mods and funnily enough that list is starting to grow!

My current project is to fit the scott oiler touring kit, and started that by fitting the number plate reinforcement and need to get around to drilling the air inlet to take a vacum.

must admit though, once funds area available I would probably consider a 1150GS or RT for myself. But I think some test riding maybe required first!

si

 

[Grizz]

Mine has a touring Scottoiler fitted, and having had shaft drive for many years now, they are great.

Centre stands are great aditions too if not fitted.

Thanks for the replies guys! I hope it will carry on being a reliable bike! but have a small list of mods and funnily enough that list is starting to grow!

My current project is to fit the scott oiler touring kit, and started that by fitting the number plate reinforcement and need to get around to drilling the air inlet to take a vacum.

must admit though, once funds area available I would probably consider a 1150GS or RT for myself. But I think some test riding maybe required first!

si

 

[JemandSi]

Grizz,

how have you mounted the touring kit? I am having problems trying to figure out how it mounts to the number plate bracket, as no holes seem to line up. Iam currently considering drilling some additional holes in the touratech mud falp extender and then mount that to the bracket?

si

 

[Grizz]

Grizz,

how have you mounted the touring kit? I am having problems trying to figure out how it mounts to the number plate bracket, as no holes seem to line up. Iam currently considering drilling some additional holes in the touratech mud falp extender and then mount that to the bracket?

si

Hi Si,

I was fortunate enough that it had been fitted when I got the bike, so no, not fitted one.

Maybe someone else has and can give you a better idea.
Also , start a thread asking the question in the title, or check the technical threads on here, and do a search.

 

[Dansin]

Grizz,

how have you mounted the touring kit? I am having problems trying to figure out how it mounts to the number plate bracket, as no holes seem to line up. Iam currently considering drilling some additional holes in the touratech mud falp extender and then mount that to the bracket?

si

Wilbur's your man to ask. I believe he's fitted plenty of these.

 

[teetree]

just hold the oiler unit up to the mudguard bracket and drill three new holes. simple as that. just make sure that the bottom bolt goes either above or below the bit on the mudguard whre it kinks at the back. you'll see what i mean.

its dead easy though. and don't worry about what scottoiler say about the bracket not being strong enough. i've had mine for a ggod few thousand miles now, and its fine.

 

[Pip]

Scottoiler's easy to fit. Well worth it...

Getting to the carb inlet manifold is the hardest bit. Do a service at the same time (oil change, air filter and spark plugs).

On the whole commuting thing, wonderful bike on A, B roads. Bit windy on Motorways (toughens up the neck muscles). And the single cylinder makes the bike a bit uncomfortable above 70 (of course I never do).

Have VFR 400 for the real sunny days, but always great to get back to the comfort of old thumper.

S