650 Gs

[Fletch66]

Greetings Everyone,
I'm thinking about purchasing an 03 650 GS to go alongside my 1150RT. I'm wanting something I can run to work on, a 6 mile run, and hit some trails when time permits. I'm just curious about the pros and cons of them. I have a larger frame body and spoke with the local dealer who suggested going with a higher seat. I'd really appreciate any input. Thanks
Brad Doyle
Fairview Heights, IL

[MCMXCIVRS]

The pros:

lots of fun to ride
light wieght and easy(er) to handle off road
cheaper than the big GS

Cons:

a bit less power, but more than adequate for highway speeds
chain drive requires regular attention
you'll ride your RT a lot less and your tires might flat spot

Skip the BMW high seat and go with an aftermarket one. I tried a high seat and soon replaced it with a Sargent tall model for much greater comfort.

[Kutcher]

Greetings Everyone,
I'm wanting something I can run to work on, a 6 mile run, and hit some trails when time permits.


I run ~60-80 miles per day commuting on a 05 650GS.
Hit trails here and there, when time permits.
67 MPG..I can't say that enough....

Over the last ~2.5 years and almost 20,000 miles of ownership, I have to admit its probably one of the best "bangs for your buck" out there.

Not great at anything...But good at everything.

Yes...Get an aftermarket seat. I did the same thing MCMXCIVRS did. Went with a tall seat. It helps, but it is not the cure I'm looking for.

www.f650.com


Kutch

[rmarkr]

Brad
The 650 will do just about everything the big GS will do. Its performance is sparkling, great torque all the way through the rev range, is happy to cruise at 80mph, tops out at about 100mph. The engine sounds a little noisy under load at lower revs, then at about 4000 rpm it all smooths out. Vibration is a non-issue - it has an effective balancer shaft. It comes with all the high-tech gear - electronic fuel injection, water cooling, exhaust monitor.
With ABS the brakes are wonderfull, the suspension is plush and adjustable, the bike feels lighter than it is (400lbs+). It will run rings around the RGS in the dirt, and has fine road manners as well. It will carry a good load without complaint.
I have no gripe with chain drive - its reliable, efficient and easy to service, if a little dirty.
Some nit-picking:
Too much body work, with attendant fasteners (The tail piece must have two dozen bolts in it!)
Getting to the spark plug is awkward, changing the oil is also a bit fussy (semi dry sump)

I have had no component failures in about 25K miles, reliability appears rock-solid.
My consumption is usually closer to 50 mpg (loaded, highway speeds)

Try one - I'm sure you'll like it, if you're not too tall for it. The stock seat sucks (like most BMW's) You'll need to find a seat that you can sit further to the back of.
Let us know

:blah

[corbtown]

I've only spent one summer on my 05 GS and this is my second year as a rider. I had a Suzuki Intruder Volusia before. The GS is light and extremely easy to ride. It will cruise at 70 mpg ok, and I consistently get 65 + mpg. Its light enough for off road terrain that's not too challenging. Downside: I feel cramped on the bike and I'm 5 ft 9 in. If you're much taller, you definitely will want a higher seat. The bike vibrates alot, and even with an aftermarket windscreen, there is not much protection. I think a multi-day trip will be a real challenge. Overall, I'm satisfied with the bike, even with shortcomings. The pipe position makes soft luggage a challenge.

[Rob Nye]

I had a f650 gs dakar that I still regret selling.

I just spent a few days blasting around South Africa on a rented F650GS and I forgot how much fun a "small" bike can be. FWIW my first "big" bike was a Suzuki 650. :laugh :scratch My friends and I joke that to have fun with the rotax single you need to ride it like you hate it, the fun doesn't start until 4,000rpm.

Now if you can wait and can spend a little more money hold out for the F800GS. Not too much heavier than the 650 Single but has something like 30 more horsepower. The power comes on at the bottom and stays on past 5krpm It handles twisties better than the F650 or the R12GS. Put on the right tires and it would be much better in the dirt too.

The F8GS will be here in October. Fully loaded with ABS, heated grips, bark busters, bash plate and luggage will probably in the 14k range. Base with none of the above (no abs) will be 10,520 + 475 dealer prep. If you have a good relationship with your dealer you could probably get the dealer prep waived.

[Visian]

i think that F800 GS is gonna be one of the most successful bike ever for BMW

[Rob Nye]

i think that F800 GS is gonna be one of the most successful bike ever for BMW

It has all the potential.

I want one to take to Alaska in 2010.

[flgoff]

I took delivery of my '07 650GS mid May. It now has 21000 miles on it. It has been to New England, Canada, Arkansas, Texas, the Carolina Coast. When travelling I load it like a truck (you can see that in the "post a pic of your thumper" thread) and I routinely cruise at 80mph. It's fairly competent on dirt roads and a skilled dirt rider would find it competent. I've owned 14 motorcycles over the years, and this is by far my all time favorite. I'm a runt, so my inseam issues would be the opposite of yours, but if you can solve that, I suspect your big bike may suffer from neglect.

[bigdelta]

get a CS.No need to deal with the chain(and associated cost)and weekly chain upkeep,ie. chain lube,WD40,chain replacement and sprocket replacement.
Having never owned a single prior to my 650GS,I hated it,compared to the twins I rode for so long.And the aforementioned racket between 2500-3200 rpm is shocking at first.Never got used to it.

[flash412]

Having never owned a single prior to my 650GS,I hated it,compared to the twins I rode for so long.And the aforementioned racket between 2500-3200 rpm is shocking at first.Never got used to it.Uh... you're not supposed to ride an F650 below 4000 rpm unless you are decelerating as you come to a stop, or as you accelerate when leaving a stop. You wouldn't try to lug your twin uphill at 1500 rpm, would you? Why would you complain when you lug a single at 3000 rpm? (Same number of power strokes per minute.) Wring the **** off the F650. It LOVES that. It's NOT a big twin, don't try to ride it like one. There is a REASON cowboys ride horses and not cows. They ain't the same.

The "problem" the original poster faces is that soon after purchasing the F650, the pig-bike will languish in the garage, unridden, unwanted.

Visit http://FAQ.F650.com

[Rob Nye]

Plus a ton.

Our motto with the single was "ride it like ya hate it".