what is the difference

[Keith Chapman]

why is the F650 GS called a 650 when the spec shows it is an 800?

Engine
Type Water-cooled, 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, four valves per cylinder, two overhead camshafts, dry sump lubrication
Bore x stroke 82 mm x 75.6 mm
Capacity 798 cc
Rated output 52 kW (71 hp) at 7,000 rpm (output reduction to 25 kW (34 hp) at 5,000 rpm possible)
Max. torque 75 Nm at 4,500 rpm (with output reduction: 57 Nm at 3,000 rpm)

the spec for the F800GS is

Engine
Type Water-cooled, 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, four valves per cylinder, two overhead camshafts, dry sump lubrication
Bore x stroke 82 mm x 75.6 mm
Capacity 798 cc
Rated output 63 kW (85 hp) at 7,500 rpm (optional 91 RON version: 61 kW (83 hp) at 7,500 rpm)
Max. torque 83 Nm at 5,750 rpm (optional 91 RON version: 81 Nm at 5,750 rpm

Apart from a couple of ponies what is the difference. Seems odd to call an 800cc bike a 650, I thought the spec sheets were wrong, but in the Daily Telegraph motoring section on saturday they tested a F650GS and mentioned the 800 cc too.

I have not had time to visit my local dealer to have a look at the 650/800 yet, so I thought I would ask here.

 

[Tim Cullis]

Read first post here

Tim

 

[Keith Chapman]

Read first post here

Tim

Fine that explains the exterior differencess, but if the F650 is an 800cc bike why call it a 650??

 

[Tim Cullis]

Marketing reasons. Maybe to protect the F650GS name (it's an extremely popular marque in Europe), maybe to show that it's a natural upgrade path, whatever. Playing with non-matchng model numbers and engine capacities is something BMW, Mercedes and other car manufactures do all the time.

There was a theory that the bikes were originally going to be called the 800GS and 800GS Dakar, and that's the true positioning of the bikes.

I've now given up explaining that it's really an 800cc engine. Life is too short.

 

[Keith Chapman]

Thanks Tim,

naming them 800GS & 800GS Dakar would have made more sense.

 

[BM_donator]

Marketing reasons. ...... Playing with non-matchng model numbers and engine capacities is something BMW, Mercedes and other car manufactures do all the time.

I have a BMW car called a 535 than is actually only a 3 litre. Same car as the 530 but with 2 turbos instead of 1.
Did I need the extra 49bhp??

Did I need the extra 14bhp on the bike??

Do I need the extra cash now there's a credit crunch on???

 

[John Armstrong]

I have a BMW car called a 535 than is actually only a 3 litre. Same car as the 530 but with 2 turbos instead of 1.

First 5 = 5 series
3 = 3 litre engine
Second 5 = 5 doors

AFAIK, YMMV.

Anyway is the 1100 / 1150 / 1200 engines exactly those CC's

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

BMW play badge engineering with their cars too

i think the 318 is a 2 litre

the 320 is a 2 litre

the 323 is a 2 litre

but they all have different tune levels - making them similar to the badged capacity - and hence different price structures.

i think this is right - or used to be.


I'd be very interested to know how the '650' was tuned differently

is it a cam ? - is it a black box ? - is it pistons ?

i want to see a list of parts differences

 

[Shep]

First 5 = 5 series
3 = 3 litre engine
Second 5 = 5 doors

AFAIK, YMMV.

Anyway is the 1100 / 1150 / 1200 engines exactly those CC's

How do you get into a 530 then?

 

[John Armstrong]

How do you get into a 530 then?

Convertible and no doors

 

[BM_donator]

How do you get into a 530 then?

Beam me in Scotty

 

[Roy Barnes]

Just call it a F658gs.

 

[Bryn]

Just call it a F658gs.

Blimey... a 6 year old thread resurrected

 

[IOM]

There is absolutely no logical reason to call the 800 cc engined F650 but what about the 700 lol !