Should I buy a F650 GS?

[Skyy223]

Hey

I am looking for a good used bike for my needs (travelling ofc. mainly roads but the option to swith to offroad or atleast very bad roads) and somehow ended up at BMWs F650 GS, the pre twin ones before 2008.

Currently i am looking at an offer for 2950€ for a F650 GS from 2002, ~35.000km done, new chainset and tires.

Since my budget is only 2500 I would need to raise it a bit but IF I do I sure don't have much money left for many fixes etc., so I need a bike that doesn't let me down within the next 5000 to 10.000km atleast (is that possible? )

Would you in general recommend me buying a F650 GS (I heard about major problems with the fork and some oil stuff, i'm not very experienced with bikes and the parts).

This is the BMW I am looking for https://suchen.mobile.de/motorrad-in...ction=parkItem

It's in german, but maybe the pictures tell you something? I don't know

Is a RTW-Trip (Germany -> Turkey -> Kazahkstan -> Mongolia -> China) possible on this bike or should i get a japanese one for this purpose?
Thanks for the advice

[Homers GSA]

My choice would be the KLR650 over the F650. The KLR is such a tried and proven reliable long lived product its hard to go by IMO.

Have fun.

[mollydog]

I think many here already chimed in on your other thread Sky, including me and
Homer.

I would go to the Chain Gang, a BIG F650 forum. There are probably Germany only F650 forums as well. Of course, on those forums they will all tell you to buy it, that it's the best bike in the world ... Yada Yada Yada!

I've given my opinion on the bike already, so won't repeat. Also, check threads over on ADV Rider ... and be prepared to spend weeks reading. LOTS of info there. (too much maybe!)

All I will say ... again ... is ... if you are lucky you will have a trouble free bike.
If not, it may cost you some money if things go wrong. Hopefully nothing too
serious. Good luck and good shopping!

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by Homers GSA

My choice would be the KLR650 over the F650. The KLR is such a tried and proven reliable long lived product its hard to go by IMO.
Have fun.

Great idea! But where in Germany would the OP find a KLR? I'm sure there are a few around but pretty rare, not cheap and used ones can be old beaters. Same with DR650. Hard to find.

You may find newer ... and better condition Honda XR650L or XT600E for sale.
Both better than KLR IMHO. (I owned KLR and Honda)

The KLR and DR650 have not been imported to Germany for over 10 years, IIRC. Same for all or most of EU, AFAIK.

Do you remember this guy from his other thread? He wanted a bike to ride 2 years around Germany, then wants to buy a 250 or so to go RTW. ... and as I said in above thread, all has been covered in his earlier thread.

[Skyy223]

Yeah sorry to open another one but since its a bike specific question I thought it might be better.

The problem with the KLR 650 AND DR650RSE is that both are rare and the ones i find are damn old or with 90.000+ km on it.

And also both bikes are too high for me, sat on a KLR650 and it was too high (870mm), the DR650 got even 890mm

[mark manley]

From the photos it looks like a good example and with the panniers should need little or nothing done to prepare it for your trip. I know several people who own and have done long trips on F650s without much in the way of problems, it usually comes down to how previous and the current owners have treated it which from the photos looks promising.

Originally Posted by Skyy223

Since my budget is only 2500 I would need to raise it a bit but IF I do I sure don't have much money left for many fixes etc., so I need a bike that doesn't let me down within the next 5000 to 10.000km atleast (is that possible? )

It is entirely possible although there can be unforseen problems with any mechanical device but with regular maintainance should do ten of thousands of trouble free kilometers.

[Skyy223]

I will testride this one tonight!
One question...is it possible to fix smaller issues on my own similar to the Versys 650 or V-Strom 650?

Or too much electronics etc.?

[mark manley]

Originally Posted by Skyy223

I will testride this one tonight!
One question...is it possible to fix smaller issues on my own similar to the Versys 650 or V-Strom 650?

Or too much electronics etc.?

Not much electronics on this one compared to more modern bikes.

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by Skyy223

I will testride this one tonight!
One question...is it possible to fix smaller issues on my own similar to the Versys 650 or V-Strom 650?

Or too much electronics etc.?

More likely the electronics will not be your problems. More likely you will have failed water pumps, failed wheel bearings and suspension linkage bearing failing. if bike has been well maintained, then probably NO issues with bearings. On the F650, these bearings DO wear out.

If the basic engine is good (probably IS) then once you sort out these maintenance items, you should be OK. DO not overload your bike, do not put a lot of weight on rear rack. (limit at 10 kg. max )

I don't remember if the F650 you're looking at ABS or not. If so, then there are some electronics there. You also have electronics for F.I. and your main
ECU (ECM) which controls entire bikes electronics, timing, fueling, everything.

Good luck!

[Skyy223]

Drove it today,

i must say this motorcycle feels like a bicycle, in both good and bad ways.
The good thing is it feels VERY light. It's not really light compared to other ADV-Bikes that are mentioned here but damn it feels SO light compared to the Versys 650 and the Honda CBF600f (the other 2 bikes i drove already).

But also it feels like it doesn't have power at all... well to be fair, i probably rode it wrong, the owner asked me to be very gentle because the bike is in very good shape and they usually don't drive it full power when still cold. The first owner and he himself never did that (he said). So i did only drive it around 3000rounds, and not faster then 50km/h because it wasn't possible (after work traffic etc.).

But nonetheless my first impression of the F650 GS is very positive. My feed touch the ground at the same time (first time i had this with a "travel" bike) and it feels light and driving is pretty smooth (especially for a single).

Tomorrow i have to opportunity to drive a Transalp and on the Weekend i will try to get a Africa Twin (old one) to compare, those 3 bikes are what I ended up with on my list of 17 bikes. :/

[mollydog]

The F650 will not match pure power of Versys or CB. But will feel "strong" compared to a Transalp (very weak power but good travel bike)

Old Africa Twin is now a "Classic" bike, so you pay a lot MORE $$$$. For me, not worth it. Also, quite a HEAVY bike. I rode one in UK, was not a big fan of this bike, even though many here on HUBB LOVE the original Africa Twin.

I think the light handling F650 BMW will suit you better. Test ride it on the Autobahn, ride it on a good mountain road with SHARP turns. It does well in both.

You need to REV (RPM) the F650 engine more to get the real power it has. Not a lot of power, but plenty for Autobahn and Alps at moderate speeds. I find to be a very FUN bike to ride ... even though more maintenance than my DR650. And a much NICER motorcycle overall ... if you get a good one! Sounds like the one you are looking at is a VIRGIN. (unless seller is lying? )

Do not be afraid to REV that engine UP TO near the RED LINE. It can take it.

[Skyy223]

In case I don't like the Transalp and Africa Twin...do you think it might be a good idea to try out the newer 800ccm F650GS Twin(2008 - ...)? More Power and nearly the same weight.
I would need to save some money for another 2-3 Months tho. and then winter is coming :P

[mollydog]

Both the 800GS and 700GS are good bikes IMO. Heavy but very fun and easy to ride ... very low seat height for shorter riders.

Much more complex and also has had reliability problems.

Go ride the bike and see. I'm sure you will like it. Smooth, good power, good handling ... good brakes. FUN! (yes, more money but you can re-sell before your big trip for good money return)

[Skyy223]

Nono i mean the F650GS Twin pre 2008. It's 800ccm with 71hp, only 4KG heavier then the single F650GS.

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by Skyy223

Nono i mean the F650GS Twin pre 2008. It's 800ccm with 71hp, only 4KG heavier then the single F650GS.

I know exactly the bike you're talking about.

BMW totally screwed up the naming on this bike and confused everyone. Most non BMW people don't understand that it is an 800cc Twin.
So ... basically 4 versions IIRC, all very much the same bike.

F800GS and ADV version (full power, most options, most off road capable)
F800 (non GS) see pic below
F700GS (less power, lower seat height, more road biased set up, very mild power)
F650GS twin- Not sure on details on this one, but I know it sits pretty low and has less PS than F800GS.

I've spent time on F800GS, F800 and F700, not ridden F650GS twin.

The F650 version is the real low budget one. Least expensive. Has fewer extras, is lower, and less HP (PS in Germany)


Testing the F800 for City Bike