horses for courses
I was once told this:
F650GS for sheer enjoyment
F800GS for the boys trying to be men
Fixed it for you
this is interesting from another post !
658 has 14 less HP but only above 7,000 rpm. With 70+HP for the 658 I think that would be fine for me. I have a feeling that the detuned engine is a way better engine unless you like living at very high RPM. I don't, so I'll take the improved powerband ath the lower rpm any day.
Since it is an 800cc engine that is "detuned" one might expect better reliability?
658 seat height is ~1.2” lower, has less ground clearance, and less suspension travel, and a less “sophisticated” suspension, but I don't see myself in "bottoming" situations; my off-roading will be more "casual" ... fire trails. gravel / dirt roads / etc...
658 tubeless tires w/ cast rims vs. 800 tubed tires w/ spoked rims
Tubeless tires easier to fix on the side of the road; the cast rims appear to have very heavy duty cross-section so should be pretty durable.
658 does have smaller front wheel which is better for traffic/commute more "flickable", but not as good for balance at low speed off-road (as I understand it) and also not as good for climbing taller obstacles; but I'm thinking that the smaller front wheel being better for my "prime" activity (on the road like you) is OK and since I will not be doing "really serious" off-roading I should optimize to the road riding. Stock tires are the same series for both bikes.
658 has shorter windscreen - I don't know if that is good or bad, I'm thinking I'll maybe want taller screen from either 800 or after-market, or maybe just the "flip" thing like TT sells to stick on the top of the 658 screen.
658 is geared slightly higher (lower numerical ratio) but if this is an issue a simple change of front sprocket to drop one tooth (like the 800) should provide rough parity there and improve low speed tractability.
800 has larger radiator
800 has a (too small if you’re really serious about off-roading) plastic bashplate as standard equipment.
658 weighs 15 lbs less (faring, larger radiator/forks, sump guard ….)
Different color choices and different “look”.
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MCN Review 658 vs 800 April 2009
The April 2009 issue of Motorcycle Consumer News tested the new F650GS. Before I get to their impressions I will provide the hard numbers, as they take less thinking on my part. The engine, which is rated at 71 hp by BMW, tested as 63.4 hp @ 7600 rpm and 50.8 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5850 rpm at the rear wheel (on the same dyno, the F800GS tested 73.7 hp @ 8250 and 51.45 lb.-ft. @ 5750 rpm) and the rev limiter kicks in on both bikes at 9000 rpm. The F650GS ran the quarter mile in 12.53 seconds @ 103.75 mph, with a 0-60 time of 4.24 seconds (the 800GS accelerated through the quarter mile in 12.20 sec @ 107.78 mph and 0-60 in 3.95 sec.) The top speed of the 650 was 121.4 mph @ 8100 rpm in fifth gear and 121.5 mph @ 7400 rpm in sixth gear. (The 800 had a top speed of 125.7 mph in sixth gear.) The actual speed at an indicated 65 mph is 63.1 mph and the engine is turning 3700 rpm @ 65 mph.
The F650GS weighs 473.5 pounds with a full tank of gas. The 800 weighed 490.5 pounds. Both bikes had ABS, the computer and a centerstand. The MSRP is $8995 and the price as tested was $10,575. The bike they tested was flame red. They mentioned that the 650 can run on regular fuel, but the 800 needs premium fuel, unless the FI has been reprogrammed by a dealer. Again, it was mentioned that the 650 uses a different FI spool that results in a slower and less abrupt throttle opening. Seat height is 32.4” or 31.2” with a seat change, or 30.1” with the factory lowering kit. Maximum permitted load is 522 pounds for the standard bike, but is reduced to only 331 pounds with the factory-lowered bike. Wheelbase is 62” and ground clearance is 7.5”. Their fuel mileage (ridden briskly) was a high of 54.4, a low of 42.3 and an average of 50.9 miles per gallon. Routine service interval is 6000 miles and valve adjustment interval is 12,400 miles (?).
Now this is interesting: Braking performance from 60 to 0 was 131.2 feet with the ABS activated and 120.6 feet with the ABS turned off. The F800GS had a best stop of 127.5 feet with ABS. The dynamometer comments were as follows: "Detuned with milder camshafts (7.2 mm lift vs. 9.64 mm on the F800GS and reduced valve timing), the F650GS’s 798cc motor gives the same strong power below 5300 rpm, yet runs on regular gas, its smoother delivery off the bottom end is another plus. It is an excellent motor." The total cost for a 12K major service is estimated as $416 for 5.2 hours (@ $80 an hour) of labor and $120.42 for parts (my dealer charges more for labor).
Now don’t shoot the messenger , but the magazine seems to like the 650 better than the 800 (especially considering the $2265 price difference). They liked the 650 for its: "superior engine drivability to its big brother, the F800GS; excellent handling from street-based tires and geometry; lower seat and center of gravity aid handling." What they didn’t like was: "lower footpegs can cause ground clearance issues; either seat (high or low) is not long-term comfortable; F800GS windshield (3" higher) should be standard”"
The two testers preferred the 650’s lower suspension and stated that they rode the two bikes back-to-back and the 800’s "longer travel suspension proved to be a disadvantage when compared to the cornering prowess of the shorter and less expensive F650GS." They also prefer the bike’s wider 19" front wheel and state that the single disc brake makes for lighter steering and affords noticeably more on-road cornering grip. In their opinion, both bikes have the best transmission that BMW has ever featured on a bike, with smooth shifting up or down. The worse features of the 650 are its hard seat and poor wind protection. (That should be no surprise!) The magazine really liked the 650GS and is hoping to be able to keep one for a long-term test.
But have others have said i think they should have made the F800GS the A with spots , slightly bigger tank about 19 litres . of course it would have turned maybe more heads of the jewel in BMW's crown the 1200 buyers, which has got to be the money spinning world best seller. (how much
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