Some pics of the F650 which I reckon will be quite popular

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/P0040099.JPG

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/P0040100.JPG

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/P0040101.JPG

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/P0040105.JPG

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/P0040117.JPG

Thanks Tim,
That last pic implies that the 650 model is for the female riders!
Strange actually - the 650 version has not been mentioned much, if at all, here or anywhere else!

The 650 is in fact an 800, strange...

F800GS Offroad: YouTube - bmw f800gs - offroad
F800GS design: YouTube - bmw f800gs - design

Yes, that's always been a strange idea and there has been some speculation that this bike would be sleeved down to 650cc; now it has turned out to be a 800cc, I can only imagine that BMW hope to keep the connection with the recent F650GS which we hear has been selling well, especially in the States.

Right, now that all the razzamatazz is out of the way (there cannot be any more publicity material to come surely?) I think I will wait and see what the Adv/Dakar versions of the 650 and 800 look like!!! :rofl:

That's what BMW get for bringing out 6 "new" models of bikes in one go - raised my expectations above and beyond what they are currently offering.

More videos including F650 offroad and onroad. The rider was obviously told to take it easy and don't stand on the pegs, but the F650GS seems a very capable bike for gravel roads and the like (i.e where ground clearance is not an issue).

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

Tim

I would think so, this opinion based on the current F650GS with lowered suspension - taking it easy, as the rider in this video, I have subjected it to worse roads than that quarry (somewhere in Germany?). There again, I have ridden a Yamaha Fazer over worse going than that quarry!

For the 100,000 1200GS owners out there, somewhere
 

Thanks for that Tim,
I've waded through the bumph in here and there is no avoiding the BMW CANbus technology with these new bikes.

So, 1200GS riders, what is it all about? Any problems/what problems are there with this?

Thanks

Watching the video , I gainied the impression that the rider was feathering the clutch a lot .So the bike doesn't have a nice low first gear for "plonking" along on really rough going .
Just like the 1200 - what a shame .

I've been riding CANbus bikes for the last three and a bit years and it's a non-issue. The technology has been used in cars for years and it's a way of simplifying the wiring loom which makes it cheaper to manufacture and less likely to go wrong.

I believe the 'quarry' is the German offroad school. I'm getting more and more interested in the 800cc F650 (or F658 as I've seen it referred to). I was looking for something lower and lighter and had discounted the G650 range due to tank size. The Ténéré looked interesting but everyone speaks of vibrations at higher speeds. The new 700cc TransAlp seems very heavy.

http://www.infar.co.uk/tim/gs/P0040100-boxes.JPG

With a lower weight, slightly reduced fuel consumption, and the ability to run on lower grade fuel than the F800, the F658 should hit all the sweet spots. And if the rumoured price of £5500 is accurate it will be the deal of the century.

The current F650 seems to be well regarded by long range HUBBers so with 20 extra BHP and the same weight, the F658 should be a great replacement.

now that i have had some time to examine the specs of both the new bikes ,as well as look at them, i have to agree with you Tim . yes the F800GS is very cool looking and no doubt it,s better off road than new 800/650 . but with a slightly lower state of tune engine, which may give slightly better fuel economy , ( and from what current F800S/ST owners say it,s already delivering frugal fuel consumption figures ) switchable ABS brakes , and a much lower seat height ,and what could be a bargain price tag , the NEW F650 , does tick all the boxes as a truly practical ,do it all solo bike . the only thing i do not like is the single front brake disc , every bike i have ever ridden with a single disc up front, always pull,s to the side when you are hard on the brakes .

I had not been looking at the new BMs but Tim tweaked me with an email about the new 800GS which made me curious.

I found this report which covers almost everything.
Rubber Magazine - EICMA: BMW F 800 GS and F 650 GS

it says this about the 800GS,
====================
F 800 GS can also be equipped for use with normal petrol, which, however, reduces the peak performance by 1.5 kW/2 HP and slightly increases fuel consumption. This modification is carried out by selecting a characteristic map in the control software, and can be cancelled again at any time.
====================

It also states the electrics have waterproof connectors which will overcome some problems experienced with the 1200 CanBus system.

I think they missed a trick with the small fuel tank, lets hope it is as economical as they claim.

Impressive on paper and looks like a winner lets hope they have a trouble free launch, not something BMW have a good history achieving.

Steve

Good, thoughtful posts are flowing thick and fast!

"Impressive on paper and looks like a winner lets hope they have a trouble free launch, not something BMW have a good history achieving."

But this time, the bike is using a rotax engine that has been in the road versions for quite some time (and is getting good reports) and it is not shaft drive!

"F 800 GS can also be equipped for use with normal petrol, which, however, reduces the peak performance by 1.5 kW/2 HP and slightly increases fuel consumption. This modification is carried out by selecting a characteristic map in the control software, and can be cancelled again at any time."

I believe this refers to running the bike on poorer octane fuel (according to one story elsewhere, in the USA!). Here it is supposed to get high octane stuff - the super unleaded.

F800GS information
 

a lot of interesting information (even an oficial document with all the specs, including power-torque vs revs diagrams) about the F800GS and F650G/S at this page

http://www.bmwmoa.org/features/new_milan07.htm?pg=F800GS

cheers

Jules