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  #1  
Old 25 Feb 2008
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More input needed

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Originally Posted by DarrenM View Post

Where are all the F650GS riders ? We would value your opinions....

Exactly!

The recent information about prepping the F650 has been good, and is relevant enough to the original question - no other bike, or rider, sets off for a long trip without dealing with the known problems.

I am as bad as anyone for going but there have to be some more F650 riders out there right now who can tell us how their bike is performing.
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Old 26 Feb 2008
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Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
I am as bad as anyone for going but there have to be some more F650 riders out there right now who can tell us how their bike is performing.
opcorn: (crap, that doesn't work. Ah well, you're getting the message)

Meanwhile. Aren't torque wrenches really sensitive to abuse? Sitting in the pannier can't be good for it possibly giving false torques, etc. I'm still not sure about bringing one.
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  #3  
Old 26 Feb 2008
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I had the 1999 funduro f650 ran well. Liked lower octane more than high. I got any where from 35 MPG to 70 MPG. Burned exhaust gaskets more than I liked. Getting the air box off was less than fun. Last problem I had was an electrical box under the seat. Service did such a poor job I traded the bike in. Not a bad bike but for the money there are better bikes that will do the job I need done.

But if you want to know about the F650 go to The Chain Gang

The source of all things F650. ALL THINGS. Want to know how to field strip the motor some one there will know, have done it, and have notes. Want the specks on a 1996 piston they will have it. How much torque to put on the left top water pump bolt of a 2004 GS they go it. How a GS handiles in the snow or sand or 13,000 feet. known octane problems? What brakes on the bikes? Just ask them, use there search first its been asked and answers more than one probably.

Still think BMW needs to remake the R80GS loose all the silly stuff that sells R1200GS to people on the showroom. The F800 a nice bike will be near the price of a R1200gs when the USA get them. Just a strong framed no frills bike. And own RTW/Adventure bikes.
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Old 28 Feb 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmotten View Post
Meanwhile. Aren't torque wrenches really sensitive to abuse? Sitting in the pannier can't be good for it possibly giving false torques, etc. I'm still not sure about bringing one.
Your right they dont like abuse. Going to do some research, It may be the case that mechanical ones suffer more from vibrations. Electric types using transducers should hold up better. Will pack it between my tent and sleeping bags.

Looks like the best way to find out how reliable the F650GS is will be to take one RTW.

If I take a.....
..Honda I will be expecting reliability, if it fails I will be sad
..BMW I expect it to fail frequently, I may be pleasantly surprised

Chain Gang and F650.co.uk dont give much detail about RTW problems. Travellers website give a better indication. One site I am following is this
The Statistics the stats are a great idea.
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Old 28 Feb 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DarrenM View Post
If I take a.....
..Honda I will be expecting reliability, if it fails I will be sad
..BMW I expect it to fail frequently, I may be pleasantly surprised

I guess you haven't had the pleasure of owning a well maintained BMW K75...those are pretty solid bikes especially for RTWing.
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Old 28 Feb 2008
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If you need a detailed and years long documentation of a an F650 on the road you MUST read the very well done and entertaining Smelly Bike accounts. A true BMW devotee.....

Smellybiker's Wanderlust Worldmap • View forum - BMW F650GS Dakar
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Last edited by mollydog; 22 Mar 2009 at 00:35.
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Old 29 Feb 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
I am as bad as anyone for going but there have to be some more F650 riders out there right now who can tell us how their bike is performing.
We´re put off by the title of the thread - the presumption being they are crap in the first place and we have to change other's (closed) minds.

Seems to me, all bikes are crap for anything more than 2 weeks away from home - just that their owners' don't know it.
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Old 29 Feb 2008
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If the 650GS is crap then the owners has to be real heroes!
Loads of people drive them on hard trips all over the world and the strange thing is that they seem to like it. Weird people…


Sidenote:
If you check the latest e-zine you will find that the 650GS is the most common bike, airheads come as number two..
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Old 29 Feb 2008
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Wink We persevere nevertheless

Quote:
Originally Posted by quastdog View Post
We´re put off by the title of the thread - the presumption being they are crap in the first place and we have to change other's (closed) minds.

Yes, got to agree that is how it struck me when I first read it and I was not greatly inclined to bother reading it, never mind putting finger to key.

But, I am glad that it is still active, because any casual reader would get the overall impression that the F650 does not work well, if at all, in South America but it is fine in the rest of the world - can this, in fact, be true?
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