
18 Feb 2009
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 738
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis
Some of the issues are down to it being a new model. There have been problems with the top radiator hose blowing off (it's taken BMW ten months to announce a fix), crappy chains, faulty fuel sensor, etc. My bike has been recovered on a truck twice, and would have been three times if I hadn't sorted a side stand switch problem myself.
These are things that 'early adopters' maybe should expect, but it would have been soooo much better had BMW not had them.
Longer term issues that could be fixed
- poor design of the side stand (the bike leans over far too much and when loaded can topple),
- centre stand (difficult to deploy),
- side stand foot is minute (falls over in soft ground),
- far too high gearing in 1st and 2nd (why have a close ratio box when there 6 ratios)
- lack of trail readyiness (brake and gear levers don't swivel)
- exhaust sticks out unnecessarily far and cuts into luggage space
Then there's things that can't be easily fixed, such as the underseat tank making the bike wide at the luggage point. This effectively loses you 14 litres of storage space compared to the 1200GS.
Nevertheless it's a fine bike in many other ways and though I have a 1200GSA in the garage, the F650GS is the one I ride most.
Tim
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Hey Tim,
Bummer to hear about the issues with your bike. There were a few minor things on mine, didn't seem to be too much problem but I was probably used to fixing little things at that point in my trip. I had a small weld tacked to the side stand in Columbia. Carried a block of wood for the small base plate but wished I had the $0.10 stand pad that a HU member bought for me in Damascus. The rear pipe is indeed hilariously large. Had the leak from the head cover gasket, apparently very common even on last years 800, fixed but not many spare gaskets on this continent last year is that is any indication. Didn't you throw a set of TKCs on it initially?
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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.
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