F 650 GS pro's and con's

[raygun]

I'm in search of a lowered F650 for my wife. I've had no experience with them and would like your thoughts on common problems, things to look for when buying, and best marketplace for pre-owned.
Thanks Ray

[Newstar]

As the owner of a F650GS, I can think of a thousand pros and not one single con.

This was my first bike and I had no real riding experience when I bought it aside from the MSF class. It is light, nimble, and durable. I've had a few "learning experiences" with little to no damage. I've put over 20K mikes on it in 2 years and I've been on all kinds of roads in all kinds of weather.

Now that I've moved up to a bigger bike, I have something with which to make a comparison. I'm learning even more about the capabilities of my GS and ride it just as much as the new Norge which has all the bells and whistles.

[boxerr]

www.f650.com is the 650 bible. Heaps of info.

I own one as well, and it is a great bike. You wont be sorry.

[Burnszilla]

My wife loves her F650 GS. It's a very forgiving bike.

[raygun]

Thanks for the info and link.

What is the difference between the different models (GS,CS, funduro etc.)? Other than the style. Is the drive train and longevity the same?

[TheRoss]

Go here:

http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/F650HistoryDifferences.htm

I have an F650GS Dakar and love it. The engine is very good.

[FredRydr]

There is a used or leftover black low F650GS at the BMW dealer in Mechanicsburg, PA. 717-766-2523 At least it felt awfully low for a dual-sport.

Fred

[Polarbear]

CS has a belt, street use only. The GS line is chain driven for dirt and street and fuel injected,'01's on and the Funduro is the carbed models of early days, dirt and street with chains, '94 to '00 years. All are great mileage makers:). I had the '99 Funduro and a fine bike. MPG's! 45-50+ on the carbed bikes and 65-70+ on the injected newer ones. Quite a difference in mileage, but the '01's and on are much higher tech bikes, with computer driven systems, fuel management, etcetc..:thumb Randy

[tomrinbellingham]

I'm an old man with short legs and a bit top heavy myself. I just returned from a 7000 mile ride to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska and lots of places without pavement in between. I have a factory lowered (great for short weak old legs) bike and it was great in the worst conditions (the Haul Road to Deadhorse in the rain is the worst I've found). Runs on pavement at 70 - 75 mph all day long with a heavy load and gets 50+ mpg doing it.:usa

[MrB]

I'm in search of a lowered F650 for my wife. I've had no experience with them and would like your thoughts on common problems, things to look for when buying, and best marketplace for pre-owned.
Thanks Ray

A common problem is a leaking water pump. The steering head bearings are also known to wear quickly. I have three bikes. If I could keep only one, it would be the F650.

[rmarkr]

.......The steering head bearings are also known to wear quickly.

Mine are shot - a severe notch in the straight ahead position. I have replacements from Napa (bearing #320/28XJ (SKF), Napa PN # BR32, $21)
What is the best grease to use? - I thought I would apply wheeel bearing grease.
The chain gang doesn't seem to have much on it.
:dunno

[ROAMRIDER]

I'm in search of a lowered F650 for my wife. I've had no experience with them and would like your thoughts on common problems, things to look for when buying, and best marketplace for pre-owned.
Thanks Ray

Ray,

My wife had a lowered '97 ST. We just upgraded her to a lowered '05 F650GS. She commutes 100 miles a day on an interstate, mostly in a fast moving HOV lane here in VA. She loves the bike.

Market? Watch everywhere. MOA Fleamarket, IBMWR, Ebay, Craigs List. Good ones go fast lately and at above NADA numbers, at least in this area.

Our ownership time is too soon to tell problem areas. I'll leave that to others. I was following my wife with the pick up the other day and realized just how wimpy the tail light alone is on that bike. We're definitely going to add some rear units, like the new-ish P-3. She already has some nice PIAA's on the front so that's well covered. The bike also has a tallish Cee Baileys shield on it. A must in her opinion for riding any distance. I've got some GIVI bags from a previous bike and have a new mount rack on order for the '05. Also, I'll add a Scott Oiler as soon as time and budget permits given she's riding 500 miles a week just commuting. But those aren't problem areas.....just sharing our accessorizing to date.

Nimble, enough power, light, low enough for many riders, ABS, great mileage. What's not to like?

JD

Bottom line....

[ajoleF650]

As my '97 F650 starts making funny noises when I shift up (it sounds like something in the tranny is being thrown against the inside of the case, or it squeaks) I am seeing a few things on the net about the older F series having some pretty bad forks in the tranny, and it being $1000 job to replace the $20 part, unless you wrench your own.
But then, my bike is a salvage job, so I have no clue what was done to it, or how it was abused/maintained; but it only has 14K miles, and the engine runs strong.
If I was going to get another, I'd get a belt drive model, simply because it is quieter, takes less maintenance, and the trannies in the later models are supposedly more BMW solid. The bike is great, plenty strong, plenty fast, easy to throw into the twisties, and my 29 inch inseam lets me get most of both feet on the ground even without a lowering job.

Go for it, they are fine...but the 800 could be even better...

[flgoff]

I have a 2007 lowered f650GS, bought new in mid May of '07. In the ensuing 14 months I have have clocked nearly 32,000 miles, toured all over the eastern half of the states and part of Canada, loaded to the gunwales with everything I could carry out of the house. It will cruise all day at 75-80 if asked to, gets excellent fuel mileage, has spent the last 2800 miles dragging a side car around with it, can still cruise comfortably at 70 mph, getting 50 mpg in the process. I'm quite short, 73 years old, and have owned a large number of motocycles of varying makes. This one is hands down my all time favorite, and I:gerg intend to try and wear it out.

Floyd