650 question

[threeflys]

I've posted this at the chain gang, but thought I'd post it here to. I really want a 650GS but I was reminded today of why I want to get rid of my current ride (Ninja 500), the wind beat the heck outta my helmet! Can a 650GS be made to tour comfortably?
Thanks,
Chris

[retro]

Too bad no one answered this originally, but yes, the F650GS and Dakar can be made to tour very competently. Nothing other than some bags to put stuff in is needed.

[Honu]

I stopped by my local dealership today and took a look at the 650 GS. It looks and feels like a reasonable size, weight for a female. I have been riding an old heavy Yamaha Virago 750, for the past two years. It's an old slow beast, but it works. One of the things I really want is a nice road bike that hugs the corners and is comfortable for touring. Before today my preferences had been R1100RS, R1150RS, and R1100S. My questions are...

1) Does the F650 GS perform well for both on road and off road, or would it be better to Just have 2 bikes (one on one off road) and keep them seperated.

2) Does the 650 have enough umpf. (I know the 750 that I'm riding does not). 650 sounds so whimpy. It makes me think, oh look at that sweet little girl on her little bike, isnt that cute... and gives me the heaby geebies. Is it as bad as I think it is? Or is my problem Oedipal?


Thanks in advance,
Ky

[retro]

I stopped by my local dealership today and took a look at the 650 GS. It looks and feels like a reasonable size, weight for a female. I have been riding an old heavy Yamaha Virago 750, for the past two years. It's an old slow beast, but it works. One of the things I really want is a nice road bike that hugs the corners and is comfortable for touring. Before today my preferences had been R1100RS, R1150RS, and R1100S. My questions are...

1) Does the F650 GS perform well for both on road and off road, or would it be better to Just have 2 bikes (one on one off road) and keep them seperated.

2) Does the 650 have enough umpf. (I know the 750 that I'm riding does not). 650 sounds so whimpy. It makes me think, oh look at that sweet little girl on her little bike, isnt that cute... and gives me the heaby geebies. Is it as bad as I think it is? Or is my problem Oedipal?


Thanks in advance,
Ky

What type of performance do you expect? What does off road mean to you? If you are looking for a bike to ride with people who are busting trails on 2 strokes, you are not going to be happy. If you are looking for a bike that will handle any fire road, decent trail, gravel, rough roads..... and you want a bike that will carry you over the highways at touring speeds then you'll like the 650.

Again, what is enough? If you are looking for a bike that will keep up with a Hayabusa in the straights, keep looking. But if you are looking for a bike that will keep up with everything through the twisties and then leave them behind when you encounter pot holes, rough pavement, and other nasty road bits, then it's got plenty.

This is not a "woman's" bike. There are those of us who prefer to take a 425 pound narrow bike through the woods rather than a 600 pound wide bike through the woods. It is also a good bike for those new to motorcycling. People should keep a check on the testosterone and refrain from getting bikes that are simply too big and powerful for a new rider.

[Honu]

stuflinn,

Thanks for the very detailed reply. That's just what I was wondering. I do think that I will have to invest in my own 2 stroke, at some point. I've been borrowing friends' bikes for that purpose.

My current street bike, I feel uncomfortable taking even on a gentle gravel road at speeds of any more than 5 miles per hour. It's so heavy that I can't back it out of a parking space that has any slope to it. I always have to turn it around and back in or get off of it and turn red in the face while pushing it from the side. After riding that for two years, the thought of something a little lighter sounds wonderful. Your reply clears the path for at least looking into the 650GS as a viable option. I believe in function over form, but ego aside, form adds so much pleasure to life.

It sure would be nice to ride right up to the hot spring, rather than park the bike and walk for a mile or two. I would be able to actually relax, knowing that my vehicle is safe by my side, not a sitting duck up on a narrow turnout of a windy mountain road.

Thanks again,
Ky

[retro]

I've run graded gravel roads at speeds of 65+/- and have never left myself in trouble by leaving the road less travelled to try out the trail less travelled.

[Honu]

Wow, thanks for the instruction. With audiovisual demonstration too. I am very impressed with the magnificent response to my naive quieries. The 650 forum is quite helpful, being new to this format, I had not found that area on my own. I realize now that my question was a little distasteful. That was not my intention at all. My apologies.

1000 miles in South Africa in one day, Wow. I remember just driving a little bukkai from Tokai to Lundudno was enough to make me want to lie on the beach for a while. Of course it was after visiting Groot Constantia, which can make one sleepy ;) . Were you near Johannesburg?

[Honu]

Very nice photo album. Thanks for sharing. What a great trip.

I spent a month down around Cape Town in 1998. It was hard enough for me to get used to driving on the left side and dealing with the Cape doctor (the wind that would whip the little bakkai from side to side). I can only imagine how that would be on an F650GS. Of course you were furthur inland, but there are plenty of other hazards to encounter. How did you deal with the baboons? Did they cause you any trouble?

South Africa is a great place and I have always planned on heading back down there, but before now I had never conceived of traveling cross country via motorcycle there. Once again, I'm impressed. :D Thank you for the mind opener.

I'd share pictures, but I have none on disk, all hard copy. Not nearly as much adventure. Climbed table rock, wine tasting, dancing, sundowners, Robbin island, Harpoor elephant park, Cape Point, visiting friends and lot's of time on the beach. :)

[Honu]

"I've done several thousand-mile days on my F650. ONE day in South Africa, I rode over a thousand miles off road." -Flash

Were the pictures of a seperate trip than one you referred to here, or are the similarities between the bikes enought to warrant this reference?
Thanks,
Honu