F650GS: yea/nay for a second bike?

[cbsnbiker]

I'm toying with selling my /6 and replacing it with something new (or almost new).
 
I'm still debating what I want out of a second bike, but I know that I want it to be lighter and more nimble than my K. It'll be my backup and local bike.
 
One possible "something" is an F650GS.
 
I've been on a couple test rides, but I have no long term experience on it. What's your input?
 
TIA.
 
(I'm already active on f650.com. I'm looking for more input.)

[plumber]

I brought my RT in for a service and I had a 650GS as a loaner. I went out for a few hundred mile jaunt thru the foothills. I liked the heated grips and power outlet for my Gerbing. It made the 49 degree ride a hoot.
 
It was a fun LITTLE bike. I'm 6ft and the bike was very low. I could almost flat foot it up near the front wheel. I didn't notice excessive leg cramp from high pegs. The Dakar 650 is quite a bit taller and would be my choice.

[bluepoof]

I'm in goofy silly giddy love with my GS, but I haven't had it nearly long enough to be useful in terms of long term experience.  Since I want to be helpful, though, I'll go out right now and do a ride.  Just for you.  See how helpful I am?

[cbsnbiker]

Thanks for the input thus far. Plumber, I wonder if that was a lowered one. I didn't find the demo I rode that low--although I'm not quite as tall as you.
 
Bluepoof, that's taking one for the team. Let me know your ride goes today.

[jsanford]

Might be good. Perhaps the X-series G650s might make sense as a 'round-town bike that could handle highway speeds.

[Boxerdawg]

I'm toying with selling my /6 and replacing it with something new (or almost new...... One possible "something" is an F650GS.

Funny.  My first BMW in the 80's was an old /5.  When I got a F650 Funduro I kept thinking, "this is way better than the old boxer and it's a THUMPER!".  [had some 4s in between, including a K100]  IMHO the F650 doesn't suffer from lack of power and it rides really nice on the highway& Freeway too.  Sure, it doesn't have the instantaneous hit of power and acceleration of the K's or other fours, but if you've been riding old boxers -and loving them?-, you obviously don't need the power.  You'll love the 650..... you'll learn to love chain maintainence.

[dnepr1036]

My first BMW was a 2004 model F 650 CS "Scarver"  Last year I felt the urge for the 1200ST.  Love them both!  Lots of touring, even two-up on the thumper and a perfect match to the ST.  You cant go wrong with an 650!:)
 
Rolf in Vilnius

[Grith]

I put ~55,000 miles on my '97 F650 before trading up last year.  Bounced around a fair bit, got 6 provinces/21 states covered on it.
 
Eventually wanted something bigger, more luggage capacity/top end for highway riding, but for a second bike would be perfect.
 
 
Grith

[wiseguy]

I bought a 2000 F650 Funduro back in February as a second bike when my Sprint ST was giving me entirely too much trouble. Traded the Sprint for a Duc but kept the F650. This riding position of the bike is perfect for me 5'8"; better than the Multistrada. The 48hp is more than enough for me; commuting. This morning it was 25F the bike fired up at the touch of the starter switch and with the heated grips and the socket powering my widder vest, arm chaps and gloves, I was nice and toasty on my way to work. I do have the BMW cases on it as well as the Aeroflow screen. I will probably in the future trade the Duc for a 1200GS or RT but keep the F650 . It also has a good support community at http://www.F650.com and easy to work on.

[cbsnbiker]

Again, thanks for the input, everyone.
 
A G650 is a possibility, but its small gas tank (unless it gets 90 MPG) and alternator put me off.

[Stickman]

Rumour has it there will be a GS version of the f800 series next year....

[Grith]

Mine had a max range of around 200 miles, I usually stopped for fuel every 150 or so though.  Milage dropped off pretty fast past 80 MPH, the 200 was with saddlebags, running at 80.
 
Not sure why the alternator is a concern?  Or is that a new issue?
 
 
Grith

[GRN]

I looked at/rode the F650GS early in the season, and found I liked what the DL650 VStrom had to offer a lot more... and for a lot less. Can't hurt to look.

[cbsnbiker]

In my message about range and alternator, I was replying to jsanford's comment about the to-be-released G line of BMWs. It's a new critter, based on a retuning of the F650 engine.
 
Here's one of them:
 
http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/bike.jsp?b=g650xchallenge
 
You can search for the other two on the BMW website. Grrr, I wish that it would allow me to group the three bikes in one window, rather than forcing me to go to three separate windows to look up the three versions of the same bike.
 
The new G bikes have about two gallons of gas capacity and a 280 watt alternator.
 
 

Mine had a max range of around 200 miles, I usually stopped for fuel every 150 or so though. Milage dropped off pretty fast past 80 MPH, the 200 was with saddlebags, running at 80.
 
Not sure why the alternator is a concern? Or is that a new issue?
 
 
Grith

[cbsnbiker]

I looked at/rode the F650GS early in the season, and found I liked what the DL650 VStrom had to offer a lot more... and for a lot less. Can't hurt to look.

I rode a friend's Wee Strom last month. I liked it, especially the engine. I haven't yet written off the idea of buying one.
 
If I were looking to own only one bike, the Wee Strom would be higher on my list. However, I think I'd like something smaller and lighter than it, to contrast more with my K.
 
The other factor: the nearest dealer. I'd have to travel a bit to get to a Kawi dealer with which I will do business. That's not impossible, but, considering that Max is almost walking distance away and is a class act, that's an incentive to stay in the BMW fold.

[GRN]

I really liked the Wee a lot, really hated to sell it... but, found that what I really wanted to compliment the ST13 was going to have to have more specific function than the Wee... hence the Sprint and a true enduro at some point in the near future. I agree that the Wee is a great "allarounder", and would be a top pick as an only bike (with some mild suspension mods...).

[Budda]

Rode a friend's Funduro for a couple of weeks...loved the bike.  For me it was the ultimate backroad explorer.  Next year I'll be looking to pick up a used one, can't wait!

[Lon]

Met a guy at ESTN'05 who wasn't with STN.  He just happened to ride from Chicago to the same park we were staying in - on the same weekend - on his F650GS.

He LOVED his F650GS.

And... what's not to love?  They last forever, you can get them with switchable ABS, hard bags, good gas mileage, stone reliable...

The only problem I have is the price of entry.  For the same money, you can get a much newer KLR.

[cbsnbiker]

All good input, thanks again.

Lon, good point about a KLR. However, I'm a fan of smooth bikes. I dislike vibration. The KLR is too rough for me. Even the F650GS is on the rough side of what I'd prefer, and everyone says it's the smoothest thumper around.