Considering an F650GS

[rwat3003]

I may be asking the choir here, but I am looking for some feedback on the F650 GS. I am looking for something interesting that I can ride on the street and fire roads. I am 65 years old and I have been riding for about 60 of those years. I don't plan anything really challenging and the longest trip would be 250 or so miles on paved highways. I have a 93 K75S and a bunch of vintage british bikes that I ride on a regular basis. The F650 GS looks like a fun motorcycle, but I see quite a few for sale with very low miles. Why to so many folks sell them so early? Is there anything that I should look for or avoid in looking at these bikes on the used market? I wanted to go to a dealer and check out new versions, but BMW dealers seem to be on the endangered species list around here.

Thanks,

Rich

[F650624]

I have only 56,000 miles on my 2003 F650GS and it isn't for sale. In my opinion, points to look for in a used F650GS would be: skip an '01 through mid-year '03-they have a weaker axel mounting point on the lower leg of the forks, check the steering head bearings-once replaced and repacked they should last "forever," check the fork seals, check the waterpump seal-weep hole under the pump housing for anti-freeze stains, get a Corbin seat-the factory seat was not made for "older" short round humans. It will not be as smooth as a K75, but as a large bore single it will have sweet spots at different highway speeds. Mine is great at 60-65 mph (65-70 mpg) and at 72-74 mph (61-64 mpg), and that is loaded for the summer. You should have no problem with 500 mile days. I left South Dakota May 26th and went to Indy for the 500, to Portland, to Dawson City for D2D and am currently in Alaska for the summer. That's 7000 miles so far this summer. They are fun to ride and fit.

[rwat3003]

Thanks for the feedback. This is just what I was looking for. I am still curious as to why so many folks are selling bikes with under 10,000 miles. I wonder the same thing about 20 year old K75's with 25,00 miles, so I guess I just worry too much.

Doc

[stkmkt1]

Rich, I have a friend who is today completing a three-year ride on his F650. He has covered every country in North & South America. Approximately 70,000 miles. I'm sure he will tell you the virtues of that little thumper. He loves it. Check some of his videos on Youtube: Just search for "brainrotting"

[clowry]

I think some people may buy the 650 as a 'starter' bike, and either move up to something larger or decide that riding isn't for them. I have an F650CS and my son has the G650GS. We're really enjoying them. I wouldn't hesitate on your purchase, it's a great machine!

[awagnon]

Hi, Rich. I'm 64 years old and love riding my 2006 F650GS. I've put in 500 mile days on it with the stock seat and lots of rest stops. I met a guy a few years ago who was in his late 70's who had done the "four corners of the United States" ride three times on his F650GS and was planning on another. Next to the KLR, the F650GS or Dakar are two of the most popular bikes for around the world rides where lots of power and fast speed aren't necessary. My F650 will cruise at 75 mph and still get decent gas mileage. I've had many BMW's, but as I get older, I like my F-bike even more. On the other hand, a friend of mine (75+ years old who rides >30,000 miles a year) says his F650 just doesn't have a "soul". He likes to ride fast. Very fast.

Go visit www.F650.com (the Chain Gang) for everything you'll need to know about the bike.

[AKBeemer]

My wife has a 650GS Thumper and a 650GS Twin. She has about 16,000 miles on her single and likes the bike a great deal. She's riden the Alcan twice and been on just about every major dirt road in Alaska including the Dalton a few times. The bike is easy to ride and capable of handling some pretty rough conditions. It is a decent road bike, but not the best choice for high speed slab riding. It gets a bit buzzy at speeds around 65-70 MPH.

I live at the place people prep for heading up the haul road to Prudhoe Bay and see a fair number of these bikes pass through town. I just chatted with two Brazilians on thumpers who are touring all over North America. Their only issue so far was a dead battery that they let run dry on one bike.

The common problems with the bike are fork seals and water pump problems. These are not things that happen very often, but are not unusual to the bike.

Annie's bike has been pretty bullet proof. The fork seals went at around 10,000 miles and I replaced the chain and sprockets at 12,000. Maintenance procedures are... er, ah, unusual. On her 2007 changing the oil and filter begins with removing the front turn signals. It can be messy, but after doing it once it is an easy procedure. It is a great bike that can and does carry people around the world through all sorts of conditions.

[rwat3003]

Thanks for all of the good information. The bike sounds like what I am looking for. When I find a good one, I'm sure that I'll be back asking more questions.

Doc

[Acejones]

Rich,
I am 63 and just bought my second '03 F650GS. The first one I mistakenly sold after buying a '90 K75 to go with my '03 R1150R (which I still have). To me the R and the K were pretty similiar and I preferred the R. I just sold the K, so now I'm back to the R and te FGS. For my purposes the combination of these two bikes is perfect for my interests and riding opportunities. When I sold the first FGS it had about 36000 miles on it and there wasn't anything wrong with it. I had replaced the fork seals after hitting a very deep pothole on a dirt road in the mountains in NW Mexico. I don't know what kind of riding you like, but the FGS is a hard bike to beat.
I know a guy down in Mexico who used to lead tours on a F650 Dakar and that bike has literally covered all of Mexico.
The only reason I think people sell these bikes is to move up in size. As you know, in America bigger is better. To me, bigger bikes are less useful.
Find a nice FGS and enjoy the ride.
Personally I'm not concerned about the forks on my bike. Just look them over closely.

[AKBeemer]

Rich,

There is a website and organization devoted to these bikes known as the ChainGang (f650.com). No other bike I'm aware of has so much info available on line. Tech tips, maintenance procedures, problem areas and solutions, and reviews of accessories are all there for your use. Check it out before you buy.

EDIT: Just noticed Al gave the same advice, but that's okay..... it is such good advice it is worth repeating.

[sgborgstrom]

Rich,
Growing up in Isla Vista, I learned to ride in the early 80's by heading up San Marcos Pass and strafing the old Camino Cielo Road on my Vespa. Those were great days.

I have a 2001 650 Dakar. This or the GS variant would be great for your area.

[rwat3003]

Thanks again for the information. My intent was to find a fun motorcycle that was light enough to ride on back roads and still capable of some highway use. It sounds like the F650 is better than that. Now to find a good one. As for San Marcos pass, that is where we put most of the miles on the old british iron. They may not have the performance and reliability of a BMW, but they have way more oil leaks.

Doc

[KYRider]

Rich, log on to The Chain Gang www.f650.com and find out all you want especially with the FAQ's. If you pick up a F650GS joining The Chain Gang is a no-brainer. I love my F650GS after downsizing from heavier bikes (FJR 1300 & R 1200RT). If does everything i ask and more.

[ZekeZeller]

Hi Rich,
After 3 years of trying to decide which GS tp buy I decided on an 06 F650 and have been very happy. t 73 with a 30" inseam I wanted a lighter bike. I love my R1200RT for the road but find I use the 650 more unless I am going 2 up with my wife or long trips. The seat is my only problem, I will check on option in a couple weeks in Bloomsburg.

Mine had 1,850 miles on it this May when I got it. The owner really wanted a Vespa and loves that. I expect you will love the 650 single!

Bill Zeller

[AKBeemer]

I suggest you take a look at the F650GS twin as well. My wife has both a single and a twin and likes them both a great deal. The twin has much the same feel and handling as the thumper but is smoother at highway speeds and a better choice for long distance riding. I think the single is every bit as capable on dirt, maybe even better, and both are good short to mid range trip rides. People use the single for long distance riding for sure, but I'd give the edge to the twin when it comes to comfort.

[PGlaves]

I currently have four bikes that I ride rather regularly: a K75RTP, a K75, an F650GS Dakar and an R1150R. We generally spend the entire summer traveling around North America, traveling in the neighborhood of 20 to 25K each summer.

Last year I rode my R1150R. This year I am riding my F650. And I am not exactly a "beginner". But it is a good all around traveling bike.

[Dachary]

+1 on the Chain Gang (http://www.f650.com) - amazing resource for these fun and versatile bikes.

We rode two F650GSes from Boston to Ushuaia and just got home a few months ago, and these bikes held up to every challenge we could have asked of them. We did a lot of customs mods and had fun kitting them out just right for our adventure.

I think the main reason you see so many of these bikes with low mileage is that a lot of people daydream about taking big trips on them... and then never do. So they sit around in a garage or shed (or outside) and don't get ridden. The SO picked up a 2003 with around 7k miles on it last year for $3,800 - but that bike was older and not kept up as well, so it ended up costing us a lot more in repairs so far.

I picked up a 2007 with 2,700 miles last year for $5,200, which in my opinion was a steal, and I've put over 20,000 miles on it - only real problems have been a paper gasket developing a leak, and the rear shock went - but that is one real weak point on these bikes in the long term.

Can't recommend it highly enough, though, and if you're patient you can get a great deal. And don't be shy about the low-mileage bikes - those are the hidden treasures! Just try to find out if they're maintained properly. There are some great resources for buying an F650 on the Chain Gang forum, too, including the questions to ask, things to look at, etc.

Good luck, and have fun!

[gblawler]

I ride a 2003 F650GS Dakar and have taken many 4 to 5 hour trips and a few 11 to 12 hour trips. I have the stock seat and find it fine for trips if I stop every hour and half to stretch my legs. This bike will run all day at highway speeds. You can ride on the interstate at 70 mph and still have plenty left to pass trucks when you need to.

I have heard many who have multiple bikes say that if they could keep only one bike, the F650GS is the one they would keep.

When I started riding years ago, a 650 was considered a good sized bike (Triumph Bonneville 650, for example). Honda 350's, 450's, and 500's were popular bikes for highway riding. So, while some consider a 650 to be a small bike, from my historical point of view, I do not see it that way. It has all the power I need and is light enough to take on the trail.

As gas prices continue to increase, you will have a growing appreciation for a bike that gets 60 mpg in town. I also get 60 mpg at interstate speed (65-70 mph), but I have gotten as high as 69 mpg on US and state highways with a 55 mph limit without a lot of towns to go through. I read a magazine article about an adventure rider who claimed 80 mpg riding 45-50 mph without going through towns.

[rwat3003]

Thanks folks, this has been a great learning experience. Now for the hunt for that good deal.

Doc

[racer7]

I don't own either but have ridden them. I like the twin as fun all purpose bike- light with decent enough power for most uses and pretty smooth (but I like the GS800 version of the motr more and find it a more interesting bike if you can stand its height).

One thing I can't do is discount the danger of the axle placement on these bikes- though the fork failures are not huge in number, they are an unpreventable and potentially fatal accident if it happens to you. I can't even begin to understand what would cause any engineer to compromise front end strength by hanging all the front forces on what amounts to a tiny bracket cast on the thin wall of the fork lower- when the method of manufacturing that part cannot ensure total freedom from defects in that area.
The folks who convert these things to stronger forks with the axles on the fork end have a solid idea that BMW ought to use. BMW too often goes its own way and does what amounts to stupid stuff in trying to shave a little weight or cut a few pennies in mfg cost. All models I've worked on have some sort of issue in this category and the real problem is that even after it is identified, BMW rarely takes fully corrective action, settling instead for a cheaper band aid that will address part of the problem.

[nytrashman]

i owned a 2007 F650GS and although the bike is capable of taking you just about anyware, to me the one draw back is the windshield. no matter what windshield i tried there was so much wind noise wearing ear plugs was mandatory. even on my short 5 mile ride to work i needed them. i switched to a F650GS twin and an Aeroflow windshield and the difference is like night and day. had i been able to get the type of quiet air that i now experience on my twin with my '07 single i would not have sold it. i do miss the high MPG the single got compared to my twin. as stated by previous posts the water pump is know to fail as are the fork seals. overall the 650 single is a great bike, just remember like any bike it has it's own set of issues. like i said, my biggest complaint was wind noise.