Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > BMW Tech
G650gs G650gs
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Like Tree11Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lancashire, UK
Posts: 70
Re the engines, someone told me they have built in Germany since 2011 and not in Korea by Kymco ? Anyone know if this is true ?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Apr 2013
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,680
Quote:
Originally Posted by iainnic View Post
Re the engines, someone told me they have built in Germany since 2011 and not in Korea by Kymco ? Anyone know if this is true ?
It doesn't really matter where they built. It's HOW they're built and to what budget.

A factory in Germany or Korea would use the same tooling and probably have the same project manager and go through the same testing. It's not like BMW just wash their hands of it and pass it over to some random factory in the jungle.

The G650 in general is built to a tight budget. It's a cheap bike. That's the bottom line to it.. The paint is thin and the fasteners are poor quality. Like any budget bike.

The overland favorite, XT600E is also a cheap bike. It too has cheap bolts that rust in front of your eyes and exhausts that look like they were recovered from the Titanic.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lancashire, UK
Posts: 70
Yes - I must admit you can see where the corners have been cut on my Sertao - and the paint / chassis is definitely one of them ! To date I have been quite impressed with the critter though, but compared with the build on the GSA or 800 there is a noticeable difference in many areas. I do like the 650 simplicity though
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Apr 2013
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,680
Yup... It does seem to be a solid little engine though. Suspension and finish is cheap but if you keep it for any length of time you will end up upgrading bits and pieces, here and there anyway.

Does yours have the hot start problem ?? If it does, your dealer will fix it for free on warranty.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Apr 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Essex
Posts: 178
Done 33000 on my old (03) F650 GS this past year including 6000 miles in three weeks through Eastern europe and ukraine , I then rode it all winter , the salt has got to the engine lacquer but thats part down to me for not washing it off every day , no major issues with it, fork seals went and an oil pressure switch in Romania still got me home though great bike and that is from someone who said never a BMW . Biggest plus for me 79mpg means I can go a little further on my budget. Also i bought it for £1800 with 1800 miles on it , to me thats good value .
__________________
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Apr 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
Mine ate it's waterpump near Fez. Rotax remains unforgiven and their Bavarian overlords remain on my list of people I only buy from when the product is one of a kind and at least three trouble free years into it's production.

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25 Apr 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 9
im led to believe that after a certain build date the hot start is fixed already and in my case the larger beak of the sertao also.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

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

 
 

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

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

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.

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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

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!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



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

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 03:13.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top