Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > BMW Tech
BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 26 Feb 2007
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
1998 F650 Funduro - Opinions ?

1998 F650 Funduro with 25000 miles for £1600...

What do you think ? Good enough for an Alaska-Argentina ??

I know nothing about this bike so all comments would be appreciated. Especially on reliability, economy and simplicity..

thanks
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26 Feb 2007
ozhanu's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Izmir, Turkiye
Posts: 794
hi

i did uk to turkiye last april with a f650st and the engine has been broken (and couldnt fixed) in istanbul after app. 3000 miles. usually the f650's are reliable bikes i think i had a bad luck with it.

try to compare with honda transalp
__________________
ozhan u.
website under construction
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 26 Feb 2007
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
Iv done quite a bit of research and posted on many forums...

The main reply i get is "pile of unreliable cheap crap"

Ill be sticking with my XT
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 4 Mar 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
Posts: 147
Smile BMW F650 F: very reliable

I have a BMW F650 Funduro 1999. With that bike I traveled for 8 month through the Middle East in 2001 and 2 years (2004, 2005) around the world. Total: 150.000 km without serious problems. To my experience the F650F is a very reliable motorbike, can carry a lot of weight and is easy to handle even if fully loaded. A top bike.

However there some disadvantages.
1. The engine needs first class fuel (95) which is not everywhere available. I lowered the compression a bit so the bike can run on 85 now.
2. Spare parts are not easy to find outside Europe and USA and BMW uses a lot of ownmade parts. I carried a lot of spare parts but didn't need to use them. This is the main point of decision: do you want a very reliable BMW but no spare parts or do you want a less reliable (but also very good) Japanese bike for which you can buy spare parts everywhere?
__________________
Voorbij de horizon / beyond the horizon: www.wonderfultravels.nl
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 8 Mar 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 303
Weak points are the rear shocks and steering head bearings. My Funduros lacked all damping in the rear shocks after 40000 to 50000km.
Handling on technical tracks is way inferior to bikes like KLR650 or DR650SE. I did not like the handling of the F650F on tarmac either but you can buy a lot of agility by dropping the forks in the triple clamps by some 15 to 20mm if you are willing to sacrifice some high speed stability.
The Funduro suffers quite badly when dropped. (Front indicators on the second series Funduro, handlebars and footbrake lever, also plastics & headlight)

If you plan to do mainly tarmac and some good gravel the BMW will probably cope well.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Lowering a F650 Funduro Bossies BMW Tech 7 28 Oct 2007 11:08
F650 Dakar - two-up - opinions? davidmc BMW Tech 18 9 Jul 2007 00:07
F650 st vs funduro Renato Braz BMW Tech 2 21 Nov 2002 18:33
Acerbis tank for F650 Funduro indu BMW Tech 1 21 Oct 2001 21:33

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:06.