X range performance.

[ARMA]

I have the Country and am slightly concerned about the power so was wondering about some other peoples opinions. Up against an XT660 some time ago the XT had an edge on me, not much but it could pull just a bit better. Now the XT has 5bhp less and weighs more so I was a little unsure how that happened (riders weight evenly matched). The Country has always felt a little sluggish to me ever since I've had it but I've ignored it up until now. I've added sports exhaust, airbox mod, new standard chain and sprockets, etc, etc.
Now today I test drove the new G650gs which is again, heavy and less powerful than my bike and again, it was quicker than mine, not a little bit either but noticeable more freely revving with a higher capable top speed and better acceleration.
I've not had a service yet and I hear there is a newer map which I will do when I can afford to. Until then, what are the thoughts from other owners?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

When you say 'sluggish' what sort of speeds, can you achieve?

My XChallenge (18" wheel) will show 110mph on a straight road and on Sunday I had it up to a constant 90mph+ on a long slight hill of about 2 miles, on the clocks

I was prone and I weigh 17st

It has been geared down, by decreasing the front sprocket by 1 tooth

Standard stock bike (albeit with a TT foam airfilter & new latest mapping)

 

[ARMA]

The G650gs wrapped up to 100 easily today in reasonabe wind with no problems. I can't do a ton on mine, can't get it over 60 without trouble. It gets there but there is no enthusiasm to it. I have standard gearing so it should be longer in the leg than a Challenge but I don't even have good acceleration. I wasn 't overly concerned about it before but after that GS with 5bhp less and more weight I'm a bit more interested now.

 

[Micky]

My Xcountry is very nippy and whistles straight up to 85 - 90 no problems. The update to the computer makes a big difference. Far far quicker than my old twin spark F650GS-D But then it should be with 4 more ponies and 40kg less weight!

Wunderlich re-oilable air filter with air box mod, standard exhaust, at the mo
but with the cat removed, latest updated download by dealer ... but the biggest difference came from having the bike down to Hilltop Motorcycles for a total remap of the fuelling, which gave me 15% more power and 13% more torque at the rear wheel.

A great bike indeed

 

[powroll]

Stomping bike

Cant say I would want any more performance from a 650 to keep it reliable and long lived, interesting what you say Micky about the electronics upgrade, how did they do it?

 

[Micky]

Cant say I would want any more performance from a 650 to keep it reliable and long lived, interesting what you say Micky about the electronics upgrade, how did they do it?

The dealer just plugs it in at the service and updates the software on the Motronic

Hilltop Motorcycles put it on the rolling road, sniffer up the exhaust, runs it through the gears, top gear roll ons ... hooked up to a computer he re adjusts the fuelling. It'll be set really lean as standard for the emission laws etc.
Check out Hilltop Motorcycles

 

[ARMA]

I don't think this is my problem. She feels sluggish like I'm riding with the brakes on all the time. I'm thinking along the lines of a blocked injector or something. The throttle body is coming off tomorrow for this reason. The G650gs felt alive by comparison and it should be the other way around.

 

[argee]

get the first service done, it transformed my x-ch

 

[shugie]

Mine has no problem getting to 60 quickly, not inclined to go much faster than without a screen though.

Compared to my sluggard old F650 it's decidedly quick.

I think yours is poorly and in need of some TLC. Has some stuck 33hp restrictors in and not disclosed this?

 

[Micky]

Arma ... have you had it from new? Is it restricted? (as per Shuggie above)

Let your dealer have a look, there is the update for the magic box that we're all harping on about ... you need that doing for sure. Plus a plug in at the dealers may well reveal a faulty sensor somewhere!

 

[ARMA]

Problem solved. Indeed I stripped it down and it is restricted. Well it was, I sawed the throttle stop off with a leatherman and extended the bracket with some waste metal so now it's not. I'll order a standard bracket at some point but for now it's functional with full throttle movement.
I always just assumed this was the power they had, I am just about to go out and try her out. I'm actually quite impressed, she has been keeping up with 2 stroke KTMs offroad 2 up and toeing along with a tuned XT660 which only had an edge on me. I'm looking forward to seeing what this bike can actually do.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Let us know, how you get on

 

[ARMA]

Well that made a noticeable jump in power. She now behaves like a decent modern 650. The throttle action is heavy and a bit notchy as I had to bodge a modified bracket to remove the restriction but it will do while I make a proper one. I can't believe I never realised it was restricted but up to now it's always been fine, kept up with tuned XT660s with no problem and was definitely quicker than my old XT powered Pegaso.
Loving the bike even more now.

 

[Losttheplot]

If you plan to use it offroad, keep an eye on the tank breather hose.

Mine blocked up, which also bought the performance down-you'll know because the petrol tank will implode slightly, and the filler cap will be a bugger to get off due to the vaccuum at fill up time.

 

[shugie]

Well that made a noticeable jump in power. She now behaves like a decent modern 650. The throttle action is heavy and a bit notchy as I had to bodge a modified bracket to remove the restriction but it will do while I make a proper one. I can't believe I never realised it was restricted but up to now it's always been fine, kept up with tuned XT660s with no problem and was definitely quicker than my old XT powered Pegaso.
Loving the bike even more now.

That's the cheapest way anyone will ever add 20hp to the power of their bike I reckon. Sounded a lot simpler than removing the restricting manifold on my F650.

 

[ARMA]

Yeah, I know. Honestly it's embarrassing. My brother had an XT660 with full akros, power commander, K&N filter and some other stuff and he had an edge on me so I figured this was all about right. I guess the weight was making her a lot quicker than the podgy XT. Considering it cost me an hour of my time then yeah this is the quickest, cheapest and easiest 40% power gain I've ever had.
still . . . embarrassing...