Single vs Twin

[thedarkeside]

Hi all, I am currently looking for a commuter bike for a 50 mile round trip to work.

I have the following contenders; Xmoto (love the look), F650GS twin and GS650 single.

Only twin I have previously ridden was a TZR 250, never ridden a single.

Any advice for which to go for? What's the differences between the twin and the singles?

Thanks

 

[MikeS]

They are all fine so buy the one you like best.

For me it would be a single, probably the older F650GS.

 

[rce]

We have the F650GS & the G650GS both great bikes, both great fun. If your commute is mainly motorways then F650GS probably just takes otherwise either.

G650GS will get about 10mpg more (80mpg ish compared to just under 70mpg).

F650GS has a factory immobiliser, G650GS relies on steering lock.

Road tax same for both.

Dealer servicing costs probably similar.

G650GS a lot cheaper than F650GS.

Really needs to be down to personnel preference.

 

[Blind Lemon Ade]

Have a look here:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195475

 

[Pip_UK]

Hi Darkeside,

Big singles have loads of torque, so they feel satisfyingly responsive when you open the throttle. They don't rev very high though, because of the inertia of the huge piston, so they run out of puff quite quickly past the midrange and feel a bit weedy for overtaking on fast roads. They tend to be slim, light, agile and characterful - you can feel every power pulse from the engine, which also means they're a bit vibey, and can be a bit lumpy at low engine revs.

Twins rev much more freely, rev higher, and deliver more power, and over a wider rev range than singles. The BMW F650GS twin is very modern design with a peach of an engine and agile handling. Personally I think it has all the grunty character of a single, with the refinement and top-end oomph of a twin. It's very efficient, but personally I think it's lacking in charisma and the ride-me! factor which was something my old F650GS had plenty of.

Just my 5c...HTH

 

[thedarkeside]

Thanks for the replies, very helpful.

 

[earwig]

Hi all, I am currently looking for a commuter bike for a 50 mile round trip to work.
I have the following contenders; Xmoto (love the look), F650GS twin and GS650 single.

Got a 70 mile round trip across the dales and plumped for the 650GS twin. First ride out tonight (due to weather).

Cant say I made a wrong choice... Its great

 

[earwig]

Got a 70 mile round trip across the dales and plumped for the 650GS twin. First ride out tonight (due to weather).

Cant say I made a wrong choice... Its great

YEAH

So great if fact, that even though it was raining this morning, I was out for a ride Well, did have to try the heated grips, didn't I?