F650 newby 2B or not 2B?

[bjm]

Good day. I'm considering getting a '98 F650. The bike appears to be in excellent shape and has all the farkles I need (maybe a new seat is needed). I'm a loyal Beemer rider with most of my riding done on K's. I Currently have an R11R and strongly dislike the neediness of the boxer which is the main reason I'm trying to get away from her. The majority of my riding is commuting but I usually take at least two longer (1500 miles) trips per season. Anyways, I'm looking for any input and/or advise you guys have to offer. Is its lightweight a legitimate concern when touring? Is it even a competent touring machine? Any maintenance issues? What kind of mileage should I expect? Any and all comments welcome. Thanks.

[Newstar]

I've done a fair amount of touring (several 1500-2000 mile per week trips) on my 650 GS. I've found it to be comfortable and reliable and I've had no issues keeping up with my husband's 1150Rt. I have a 16" Cee Bailey windscreen and a Rick Mayer seat. The seat made a world of difference at the end of a long day.

I have 28K miles on this bike and have had only one serious repair. Last summer, I had to replace the water pump. I think a contributing factor was that I took the ERC course the week before (in July) and it was HOT. There was alot of idling and slow speed riding throughout the day.

I think it's a great bike and I won't part with it. If you need further convincing, check out the Chain Gang at f650.com (http://www.f650.com/)

[rtdirks]

I own a F650 1998 and rode over 10000 miles last year doing both long distance and daily commutes to work. No major issues, just general maintenance. My wife has a F650ST and has had no major issues either. Do check out the F650 website!

[PAULBACH]

Also take a look at the F650GS twin. It has an 800cc engine and is a pocket rocket.

[AKBeemer]

Also take a look at the F650GS twin.

Blasphemer!!

[MAD DOG]

Most of us can remember when 650ccs was a HUGE bike.
My wife rode her 2002 F650GS 13,000 miles from Ct to Alaska and back in 9.5 weeks. Yes, it most assurdedly can "tour", and at highway speeds plus, also.
We changed oil/filter etc 3 times, tires twice, and maintained the chain religiously.
{ Had heavy duty chain and sprockets installed for the trip.} Not one thing went wrong, and that with over 2000 miles of dirt/gravel.
Best regards,
Jim Faucher

[r11rs94]

Good day. I'm considering getting a '98 F650. The bike appears to be in excellent shape and has all the farkles I need (maybe a new seat is needed). I'm a loyal Beemer rider with most of my riding done on K's. I Currently have an R11R and strongly dislike the neediness of the boxer which is the main reason I'm trying to get away from her. The majority of my riding is commuting but I usually take at least two longer (1500 miles) trips per season. Anyways, I'm looking for any input and/or advise you guys have to offer. Is its lightweight a legitimate concern when touring? Is it even a competent touring machine? Any maintenance issues? What kind of mileage should I expect? Any and all comments welcome. Thanks.

:fight Loyal Uh!!! Boxes are BMW, the rest are like the DH rule in the American League, an experiment at best. Boxes rule... :laugh Only kidding. enjoy the new bike. :thumb

[nytrashman]

rode my F650GS from NY to Gillette WY for the national last summer without any trouble what so ever. once out west i rode the big roads where the speed limit was 75 mph and i can tell you that little F650 will run 90mph all day every day without even a hiccup. you do get tossed around a little when passing trucks on the slab or in high winds but you get used to it and it is really no big deal. i average 65 mpg as long as i run at the legal limit. my bike has been very reliable with only a fuel pump being replaced under warranty at approx. 10,000. the stock seat is not very comfortable for touring so i replaced mine with a custom seat from Mr. Ed's Moto. Don and his wife both own F650's so he knows first hand whats wrong with the stock seat and how to fix it. as others have said check out www.f650.com for any and all info on the BMW F650.

[awagnon]

I've only had my F650GS less than a year, but I rode it straight through from Phoenix to Ogden, Utah, when I bought it over the internet. No problems. Just a stock seat with a dead sheep and Cee-Bailey windshield.

I ride with a couple of ladies who did the four corners of the US on their 650's with detours to Newfoundland, Alsaka, and the Arctic Circle (25,000 miles over three months) without a problem. They did have custom seats. They passed many full sized GS's on the Haul Road and the Dempster that were down, but they didn't drop their bikes a single time.

[BradMotor$%]

I have an 06 F650 and had an 03 F650. Great bikes! I took a 5,000 mile trip last summer to the National as well as the Black Hills and Paonia Rally. The bike is perfect and can carry a lot. I am 200 pounds and took lots of camping gear. Lightweight is good for those Colorado mountain passes and campgrounds where the grass might be slippery. I rode 70 but I prefer 60. See more that way.
I ordered a Kildala luggage rack and it is perfect to widen the platform over the rear light. Can't say enough about the reliability. The new ones get over 60 MPG with the dual plug. Unless the old one has low mileage, get a dual plug 05 or better.
Have fun!

Bradgs