I've read many recommendations on this site for the F650GSPD. But no one has mentioned what appears to me to be obvious and significant drawbacks with using the bike off the beaten track e.g. in Africa, Asia, Middle East, etc.

These drawbacks are that the bike has a catalytic converter so must run on low/unleaded fuel, and it's fuel injected.

Give the bike a good dose of Malawi Super and its hasta la vista.

Comment?

Notwithstanding what the guy says above, dont forget people have ridden all RTW including thru Africa on the injected 1150 BMs and never reported FI problems. Just make sure the fuel (& filter) are clean.
And as for the cat, all that happens it that the innards/chemicals/coating ?? of the expensive cat get ruined on leaded fuel and it stops saving the planet - but the bike still runs and silences just the same (unless I am very much mistaken...)
So it will only be a problem for your next emission test/MoT.

Chris S

------------------
Author of the Adventure
Motorcycling Handbook. New edition January 2001 ($19.95/GBP12.99)
http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com

It seems Touratech now supply a load of rallye bits and pieces for this bike, including a competition silencer and extra fuel tanks. There's a picture of their complete machine at http://www.touratech.de/english/estoryf650.htm

As for fuel injection, see the 'Fuel Injection' topic in the 'Technical' forum.

I agree with Chris, the main issue with the fuel injection system is that the tick over is a little to high and makes engine breaking a pain. Lets not forget what this bike is about, it is not an out and out off road bike.

Its a compramise, advantages over other models are comfort factor and reliablity, it stood up well to the battering on the off road course in Wales. (Except handlebar I'm just about to change to renthals)

There are bound to be teething problems but it is still a great allround bike. Oh yeah 60 Mpg can't be bad in my book. (Fuel tanks could definately do with being larger for overlanding though.

The schalber gear sold by Touratech although good quality is very expensive. You would need to purchase additional parts to add the extra fuel tank e.g seat,exhaust side panels etc. It's still new and no doubt someone like Acerbis will bring out a better value option.

Will let you know how it performs in darkest Africa next year.

J

Just to let you know Touratech have now released details on the larger front fuel tanks for the F650. Looks most wicked and estimated to hold over 39 litres with existing tank.

Price is likely to be around £700.

They also have a new exhaust system but not got any details on this yet so keep checking the web page.

It's looking like the new serious overlanding bike now!!!

Julio

>And as for the cat, all that happens it
>that the innards/chemicals/coating ?? of
>the expensive cat get ruined on leaded fuel

What he said. There's no reason why you can't burn leaded in an unleaded engine, unlike the reverse.

I too used to be a bit of a skeptic about electronic fuel injection in the backblocks, but not anymore.

Apart from my own happy experience with two injected bikes, I have an interest in a tour company that runs more than 20 BMWs with injection.

850R/1100R/1100/1150GS. And several K bikes.

Each does probably around 40 to 50000 Kms per season. Problems with the injection system's reliabilty have been almost zero. The few problems that have occurred have been due to amateur interference, or accidental unplugging etc. Reliabilty even in the hands of rental customers has been excellent.

Now if you asked me about speedo cables, the answer would be different.....

cheers
Peter