F650
I travelled with a BMW F650 (Funduro) for 8 month through the Middle East (2001) and did a RTW in 2004/05. In total about 150.000 km. See Welcome to Wonderful Travels. I had some problems but no major ones. This are the advantages of the F650 Funduro:
- easy to handle.
- very reliable Rotax engine.
- carburators which can be maintained and repaired everywhere by people without computers.
- chain and sprockets which are easy to replace; much better than cardan.
- exhaust passes above engine instead of under the engine (better protected against stones).
The main disadvantage for lang distance trips is the small fueltank. I replaced the tank for an Acerbis 25 liter. This fuel tank is not produced anymore.
For my next trip (Capetown, 2009) I bought second hand a similar F650. Because I know and understand this bike. Not because it is "the best". What is "the best"? Each motorbike has its own problems. Comparing BMW with Japanese bikes (Honda, Yamaha), the BMW is a bit more reliable but spare parts are much more difficult to find than for Japanese bikes. Moreover, BMW is not a very responsive company. Don't expect much from them in help. Honda and Yamaha are much more helpful. So, if you don't have a "BMW"-history, think about Japanese.
Good luck, Mart Heijnens
|