carburettored F650 v fuel injected F650?

**Neva Ierace** · #1 23 Feb 2003

For an overland ride from India to italy the question is. Is it better to go with a pre 2000 model which has a "carburettored" fuel system or a post 2000 which is fuel injected, with a change of "chip" for not so good quality fuel. I have been told that the early model F650's, 1996 up to 2000, are just as good as the later models, so would probably be better choosing one of the earlier models as it would be less complicated to work on if fuel problems developed. I would like to hear from anyone who has already done this trip on either one or both versions.

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neva williams

**JohnZ** · #2 24 Feb 2003

A properly serviced BMW of both sorts should easily cope with the trip. However, as you point out, the carb version is much easier to work on yourself - and the same for mechanics. The fuel injected bike has to be serviced by BMW computers. If you know there are BMW service shops along your route, and you were not intending to service the bike yourself, then it doesn't really matter which one you buy... although the principle of keeping things simple does point towards the carb version.

**Sojourner** · #3 25 Feb 2003

The fuel injected F650 isn't that different from the carbureted model. The only component that I can see requiring BMW assistance is the injection system (basically the computer, which is a black box, the injector and sensors). They should be fine for such a trip. All other parts of the bike can be easily serviced by yourself or any other good mechanic. Even the injector is just a Bosch component, so only the black box is problematic. And I don't think you need a different chip. The most you'd want to do is change the software mapping of the injection, but I doubt you'll need to do that, as it should compensate for lower octane gas (unless way below the recommended gas).

**Neva Ierace** · #4 4 Mar 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Sojourner:
The fuel injected F650 isn't that different from the carbureted model. The only component that I can see requiring BMW assistance is the injection system (basically the computer, which is a black box, the injector and sensors). They should be fine for such a trip. All other parts of the bike can be easily serviced by yourself or any other good mechanic. Even the injector is just a Bosch component, so only the black box is problematic. And I don't think you need a different chip. The most you'd want to do is change the software mapping of the injection, but I doubt you'll need to do that, as it should compensate for lower octane gas (unless way below the recommended gas).

Thank you for your reply. Ive thought about what youve said but will still have to give it some thought. I guess Im not going to find a cut and dry answer for this one. I would really like to talk to someone who has actually done this trip on one of these bikes.
Thanks again.

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neva williams

**Neva Ierace** · #5 4 Mar 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by JohnZ:
A properly serviced BMW of both sorts should easily cope with the trip. However, as you point out, the carb version is much easier to work on yourself - and the same for mechanics. The fuel injected bike has to be serviced by BMW computers. If you know there are BMW service shops along your route, and you were not intending to service the bike yourself, then it doesn't really matter which one you buy... although the principle of keeping things simple does point towards the carb version.

Thanks John Ive taken it all in and hopefully a decision is in the making.
thank you

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neva williams