Differences (there might be more):
-Forks, 800 has sturdy USD forks with longer travel
-Suspension rear, 800 has WAD
-Suspension travel is 45-50 mm longer on the 800
-Wheels, 650 has cast alu, 800 has spokes
-Wheels front, 650 has 19" front wheel, 800 has 21
-Brake front, 650 single 300 mm disc, 800 double 300 mm disk

IMHO rims and suspension are among the most important thing for a travel bike.

Who knows the objective facts?
 

"Fuel pump and reg/rec" sounds just like an Africa Twin or a VFR to me. Definitely a Honda thing.

Head bearings: could be a Suzuki, straight out of the factory?

Fork seals: what have the bikes been doing, where have they been, who was riding them and how hard?

I am not saying that Beemers are faultless, far from it, but there is no "well-based" study I know of that gets clear statistics on this subject.
(A survey of bikes in the manner that is done for cars).

The best equivalent that I have seen on here is the thread in the KTM forum which tells it, warts and all.

Edde, when I spoke of BMW dealers I meant the info I've gotten first hand from very long term BMW dealer owners and mechanics that I've ridden with for 20 years.

What happened to the shock? I'm actually thinking about getting Ohlins. Or would you say something else (like Wilbers maybe) would be better? Ohlins are very popular over at F650.com, but here they seems to have issues mostly.

As for the fork seals. I think (unsupported) that most of that is due to not using fork gaiters. That is from looking again at F650.com. Other than that, it should probably be considered a weak point like the water pump and just a case of taking some spares. Beats other issues though like frame weak points, etc.
Ted. Did you see any subframe bolts broken, or crash in the subframe? I'm thinking about strengthening this

but few ever see the abuse offered on a RTW ride.

Patrick

What is the opinion of brands like Technoflex and Penske, etc

A lot of BMWs comes with the Showa (incl the old 650) and as you can see in other post they tend to fail.

Good suspension-units are expensive and I think that most bikes come with crappy suspension. “The average rider doesn’t notice the difference anyway so why spend the extra money?”
WP has slowly decreased the quality on many setups during the years and maybe others have done the same.

I would say that a good shock needs an overhaul at 30-50kkm. Not necessarily because it leaks or is broken but because it wears out. An overhaul is typically around 200€ and the difference it makes its worth even more.

Often compression-damping is increased a lot to compensate for extra weight, this (combined with the weight) increases the temperature of the shock which again decreases its lifespan.

My stock Beemer shock failed, and considering that shocks have to get rebuilt anyways between 30-50k, when mixing off -road riding, I went with a lower priced unit that was supported by a shock specialist who sold Wilbers, YSS, HyperPro and WP. I chose the YSS and have been happy.

The YSS is half the price, so the cost of the rebuild later on is paid for when you don't choose the more expensive ones. The quality of Ohlin's is remarkable but has gone downhill recently. In fact, i looked at picking up an old Ohlins and having it rebuilt, because the price point and durability were extremely attractive.

Anyways...the YSS is a solid shock and for the price, definintely worth a look, IF coming from a shop that knows how to set it up for you.

I came across YSS on a google run for suppliers in Australia but never heard of them before. What's their story and who run them stock? Also, say if we were to consider a top 10, where would these lesser known brands fit in? Thing is that I don't know how to guage where the quality is distinguished between all the brands. I assume component qualitiy.

Set up by an experienced shock shop is a huge part of the shock performance...i.e. choosing the right spring that should be coupled with the shock unit(based on rider variables...)

Is YSS as good as an Ohlins/WP? Tough to say and based on what criteria?

For me considering I was paying for the shock AND future rebuild, the YSS offered a compelling price argument.

I don't believe we all need the best ALL the time from a practical point of view, except for bragging right perhaps.

In this case, second best is an improvement from stock...any aftermarket shock will be compared to your stock F650.

There not that bad
 

Like a lot of forums on many diffferent subjects people have a tenancy to 'only' post 'problems' about various subjects. This might be to have a winge about an item or seek advice to make something better.

I personally think there are few people who go about how good something is as they are generally they are getting on with doing what they like useing it. There's lots of bikes out there with owners who don't use forums at all.

I have had a few different types of bikes over the years and most recently a BMW F650gs which I have just completed riding from the UK to Oz having covered 45000km. The bikes has in total done 75000km, 25000km when I bought it and 5Km I did running around London on it.

Generally speaking the bike has performed brilliantly. Whilst it has been in my ownership it has has suffered from a rear shock failure (which I understand they are prone to) and a stuffed fuel pump. Aside from this the remainder of the items have been rear and tear. They have been items like brake pads, bearings, chain & sprockets etc etc. It is not the most exiting bike to ride but it has been a exteremely reliable bike to own and even more so on my overlanding adventure. I also believe you to take into account for people who overland around the world 'are to asking the bike to do too much' Simple thing like it is overloaded, is it packed propertly, is the weight even etc etc.

Realibility not only comes from how well a bike is looked after but also how it it ridden. On this trip it was ridden over some hard terrain and alot of shitty very rough roads with potholes the size of the bike and in for some of the time 2 up. Again it soaked them without too much fuss and simply proved to be a good all round bike for my trip. From a personal point of view I would have liked a 6th gear and some more top end power for cruising.

What I will agree with is the comments about the dealer networks. I don't think they are brilliant but more they point most of them seem to hold very little in the way of parts even basis parts. I visited two massive brand new dealers in Malaysia and Singapore with lots of new bikes on offer however in both instances there service/parts area was not great unless you rode a brand new 1200gs. In contrast the little workshop a few miles down the road was able to supply tyres, brake pads, sprockets, chain tensioner, oil & air filter and a few other parts all in a efficient manner and probably cheaper.

I have to say I have had a happy ownership with mine. Would I take one again probably, no reason not to. It still starts everyday without hesitation

Now mention Touratech and I will get started!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers

What shock did you replace yours with?

I agree with everyone and in no way have any doubt about our bikes. The only thing that is on my mind is the shock for the simple fact of the cost outlay of it. If I would get a new shock it'll be set up for the weight and riding that we're intending. The mistake we made on our last trip on old XT Tenere's was to ride with a stock setup which proved unhappy with the additional weight. Most stocks are setup for about a rider of 80-90kg I hear. Add about 50kg of luggage and it's a whole different experience.

Very happy with our Bikes!
 

We travelled around Australia in 2004 and then through Southern Asia on a F650GS and a Dakar. We did 20000+km without any hiccups. The bikes weren't brand new, demo models, so may have had all the problems sorted out. I have to agree with the attitude of dealers, in Australia anyway. However, when my seals went in Malaysia we went to the dealer in Shah Alam who did both bikes for a fraction of the cost in Oz. After that he arranged to take us out to KL for food. He took us to a seafood market which was outstanding and we had to force him to share the bill even though it was probably a days wage for him.

The bikes are coming to Thailand again and I hope they perform as well as they did last time we used them more than just around the block

Andrew

My F650GS (2003) has done 110.000km so far.... and still going. Never had any major problems although I take the maintenance very serious ( this doesn't include cleaning). I replaced the front fork with a 48mm WP (Technoflex inside) and the rearshock with a Technoflex. The exhaust is a Laser, no petrol problems at all exept the powerloss with bad fuel and high altitudes. I've done the Central stans and Mongolia with the bike. Believe me Mongolia is tough for every bike. So if you want a reliable bike, the F650GS is the one.................ehhhhhhh this seems to be done with a K75 aswell...
Hi Edde, nice to hear from you again.

GRTZ,
Sjeng

Sjeng,
Good to hear from you! Yea an old F650, pre 2002, like yours is quite the workhorse...but the newer Bimmer stuff is still a ? in my mind...

I think if you chose from any of the bikes in the pic below...you'd be all right to go overland anywhere...save Antarctica!

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