650GS "Tips"...

[GoWander]

Hi , everyone...I'm about to look at a few second hand F65OGS's to buy as my first bike...Some are '97 & '98 models the other an '04...Can anyone give me advise as to what to look for , apart from the obvious (such as service history , general upkeep , straightness , cracks , scrapes etc) ...even stuff that may be Model Specific? Also , any comments as to availability of spares would be good. Help appreciated. Cheers.

[Walkabout]

If you look back through this BMW tech section you will find some earlier posts about the F650GS.

Some folk would tend to prefer the later model with the "twin spark" engine (that logo is written on the engine case if it is a twin spark).
Others might prefer the earlier "funduro" model which has an earlier version of the engine manufactured by Rotax.

They have a reputation for failure of the water pump - I feel sure there are posts in here which explain the mechanics of that; so look for that.

I rode a twin spark one for about 12000 miles and had no issues with it other than the usual consumables which will have been changed on second hand ones in any case.

Spares won't be a problem: the G650GS is virtually identical and is still for sale new.

[*Touring Ted*]

From my experience as a BMW Tech.

They're all a nightmare to work on.

The general build quality is quite poor. The paint falls off them in a breeze, all the fittings are generally corroded solid and most the plastic will fall off on a bumpy road.

The water pumps are a big weakness. Some never fail (lucky) and some never stop.

Reg/Rects like to fail randomly

The suspension is pretty poor

Avoid the ABS model as it's difficult to change/bleed and the sensors often fail

Forks have been known to snap.

The fasteners are very poor quality. When you work on them, they drive you nuts unless they've been cared for. Disc bolts always snap in the wheel, callipers seize a lot etc. They corrode A LOT.



They do have their saving graces.

Apart from the water pump the engine is VERY VERY strong. It's a solid Rotax and very well engineered.

For a 650 single its surprisingly quick. Cruises at 80mph without issue

MPG is EXCELLENT.. 70-80

It's very comfortable and has a low seat

There are endless accessories about.



In a nutshell, they're a decent bike but only if it's been cared for. I prefer the Dakar Model. Twin spark is better.

For the same money you can have an XT660R. Worth considering.

[GoWander]

Touring Ted and Dave - Thanks to you both for your advise. Rob.

[Threewheelbonnie]

My waterpump went in Morocco. The shaft, mounted on a lip seal with no bearing chewed itself to bits. The resulting oil/water/heat combo warped the head with the result the engine made about 5 HP and emptied the coolant bottle every 20 miles/2 hours. I had a little walk across a bit of scrub. About 5 miles each way, in MX boots, in July, carrying litres of water. When I got the bike into Spain BMW Malaga lied to me but did nothing else until I convinced the RAC to ship the bike back to the UK. The warped head was going to cost so much I scrapped the bike.

If I ever meet the Rotax employee who designed the waterpump shaft and load supporting lipseal he better have decent medical insurance as although it has been a good ten years and I’ve mellowed a bit, my only concession might be to follow their instructions and lightly grease the shaft before inserting it.

IMHO buy the XT.

Andy

[Walkabout]

Certainly not the best design detail .
Come to think of it, I hear that there is a weep hole built into the underside of the water pump to show when it is starting to fail (?) - I don't know personally having never looked "down there".

I don't know about the XT, but the TTR600 that I owned had the OHC shaft running in the same kind of machined surface in the head with no bearings in place.

There are a lot of rotax engines fitted in microlight aircraft (makes a difference for breaking down) but I guess they are air cooled.

[Walkabout]

A few thoughts are prompted:
The current G650GS sells, new, for not much more than the price paid for a new F650GS 11 years ago.
I don't think depreciation is a "worry" for them.

Some more are below.

Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*

From my experience as a BMW Tech.

They're all a nightmare to work on.

The general build quality is quite poor. The paint falls off them in a breeze, all the fittings are generally corroded solid and most the plastic will fall off on a bumpy road.

............................. Yamahas over some years have had similar issues for the fixings; a sniff of winter salt is all it takes for the fasteners to corrode.


Reg/Rects like to fail randomly
.............................. Again, not unique to the wee Beemers as some Honda owners know.

The suspension is pretty poor
....................................... Not too bad to my mind; they have a remote pre-load adjuster on the twin spark, at least.
But for sure, all budget bikes have budget suspension fitted as OEM.


Forks have been known to snap.
............................................ This was a specific case that occurred with a particular batch of forks fitted in the early 2000s?

Apart from the water pump the engine is VERY VERY strong. It's a solid Rotax and very well engineered.
................................................ Yes, later ones are made by Kymco in Taiwan and still no problems other than that pump.

For a 650 single its surprisingly quick. Cruises at 80mph without issue

MPG is EXCELLENT.. 70-80
.............................................. I did both of these, over and over and it is the smoothest single cyl by a country mile.

I prefer the Dakar Model. Twin spark is better.
.................................................. Dakar owners are asking silly money now. Some Sertaos may come into the same price range if you look around.

[GoWander]

Thanks , Folks...ALL comments appreciated. This is one of the beauties of H/U...sharing of experience/knowledge/opinion...Rob.

[Ian The Pain]

Try these for some more detailed info:

BMW F650 Forums

F650 Community

The BMW F650 Technical FAQs