RTW - 2-up on a F650GS
 

My wife and I have started to plan to do this, we are committed to our plan as the house was sold last month. It's going to be another year or so till we actually get going & here comes the dilemma - I have a F650GS & we are comfortable on it on camping trips. I know Grant & Susan have done it together on almost a similar bike - but is there any one else with expereince doing this 2-up. I am planning on upgrading the suspension & shock; but I really don't want to change bikes, not after getting it almost tour ready for previous solo trips.
Any thoughts from the expereinced ones.

you need to replace the subframe bolts. Have the holes drilled out for 10mm bolts (the 8mm ones WILL BREAK).

I'm a believer in Gross Vehicle Weight limits - as in, you exceed them, shit happens, stuff breaks, and it isn't because BMW makes a lousy bike!

You two, with full riding gear on (boots, gloves and all), should ride down to a weighing station and check out your GVW, sans "stuff". May give you something to reflect on.

I found this online

BMW F650GS

Unladen Weight with Full Tank
193Kg / 425 lb

Dry Weight
175.4 Kg / 386 lb

Permitted Total Weight
380 Kg / 837 lb

Payload (with standard equipment)
187 Kg / 412 lb

Seat Height (Unladen)
780 mm (30.70 inches)

Fuel Consumption over 100 Km @ constant 90Kph
3.4 litres / 83 mpg / 69 mpg US

Fuel Consumption over 100 Km @ constant 120Kph
5.0 litres / 56 mpg / 47 mpg US

Useable Tank Volume
17.3 litres / 3.8 UK gal / 4.57 US gal

Reserve
Approx. 4.5 litres / .99 UK gal / 1.19 US gal

Two up Vs One up
 

Blackbeast,
I find it hard to imagine doing a long/RTW trip two up on the 650GS: my wife has one - OK it has lowered suspension and a lower seat for her - but it is the same bike basically, a 2005 model.
We have ridden it with her as pillion (she does not want to ride it herself with a passenger) but, IMO, two people on this bike and seat combination are too close together for long term comfort; we were thinking of doing a couple of weeks touring in Europe in this way. Her head was constantly banging against the back of my helmet for instance (maybe it is the way that I ride!!).
In summary, we do day trips two up but no more than that.
But, you say that you have done some camping trips but you don't say for how long.

I have used the bike, solo, doing a few hundred miles in a days riding on tarmac with no problems at all; fully loaded with luggage for camping over a few days or more (always returns 70 mpg - that's the UK gallon!).

Hope this helps in the thought process! - why not take two 650GSs?? :rolleyes2:

I have seen websites of people traveling 2-up on all the 650cc bikes: F650GS along with the KLR and V-Strom. Here is a couple of Kiwis on a 650gs: BV Home If you search, you will find more stories.

It doesn’t mean they were comfortable, just that it has been done….

When I (we) travel to central-south America in the future, it will be 2-up on ones of these bikes, so I’m very interested to read about people’s experiences on the medium cc bikes.

Thanks guys for "weighing" in. Lots to think about. Our costs will literally double by having a second bike both prepp'ing the bike, gas, shipping and carnet. The thought did cross my mind about the bigger BMW, again, cost of carnet with the more expensive bike turned me off. So, I guess I should start looking for an older 1150GS or 1200GS for going 2-up.

Have fun
 

I see from another thread that you are looking at other than BMW bikes; lots to consider for sure!
You don't say what type of riding conditions you expect to "enjoy" on your routes - mix of tarmac, dirt etc or how far you plan to ride per day, but there is a load of discussion of these, and a whole lot more, factors in deciding on a bike.
I guess the saving grace facet is that the planning of the journey is just (well almost) as satisfying and enjoyable as the travel itself!

Good luck,

Since you have a year to decide, why not load up and do some short rides and see how comfortable you are?

Blackbeast, my, now wife and I did 26,000 miles from london to australia on a
on a 1978 R65 bm back in 1994 two up, shit thats getting a while ago now....We mainly did tar roads. Though in Iran ,Pakistan and India we did a fare share of dirt.We had very little dramas .did put a set of Konis on before leaving . only cracked a pannier frame .rebuilt the gearbox in Iran , the only thing I didn't really look at before going btw the bike was a basket case 12 months before heading off .. So It can be done

steve

Two Up
 

Hey BB,

I see you are from Van as well. How's the rest of the summer been? Currently ridıng two up in Turkey after quickly coming across Europe. Ridıng a Vstrom. I too debated about bikes as will only be two up for part of the trip.

There are some couples doing well on theır 650s out there, but from my perspective you will be thankful for a larger bike. Hard to explain but it performs like you are riding well within the bikes limits with the extra weight and passenger. Biggest downside is the extra cost for fuel consumption with the bigger motor. I am biased of course, but İ would buy a low mileage Vstrom from the US (I got mine for less than 6K - a 2006 with less than 3000 miles on it) and spend all the money you save on a longer trip. If you are going to be around, İ'll be back in BC briefly in September if you want to get together for a beer.

Cheers.

If you're open to other bikes, I'd suggest the Zuki DL1000 for 2-up travel. That bike will sht-n-get...and carry the load, too. :)

Hi Blackbeast,

I did a two up tour of Ireland on my F650GS last year and, whilst it was a lot of fun, it was a bit of a tight fit once we'd fully loaded up with both of us and all the luggage.

A bigger bike might cost a bit more to run, ship, etc, but I think you'd appreciate the extra space it would give you.

Ben

I guess part of the fun is the research & planning, let alone actually doing the trip.

Told you so!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:thumbup1: :funmeteryes:

We did about 3000km two-up (over about 5 days) and it was fine. It was all good highway riding though, and not much pressure on the suspension. The wife leaned back against the topbox and used our tent/sleeping bag rolls, which were strapped to soft panniers, as armrests. She often dozed off. She had a leather padded cloth thingy which she sat on to stop sliding forward, and was protected from the wind as I sat up on an airhawk. Sometimes she even crossed her legs (but she is small and flexible). The main issue was the loss of power which, while not totally debilitating, did mean the bike was revving in low gear to get up the steeper hills. I found the petrol consumption was quite high, perhaps 50% higher when fully loaded with an extra person. I might be exaggerating this figure but I remember being struck by how much more petrol I was using. In my view, a bigger bike would be better for the extra power, but on all other fronts the F650 is fine.

I am having exactly the same debate, is he F650 big enough for a trip to India 2 - up. Just from reading the HUBB I am slowly coming to the conclusion that it is not quite enough.
I know its not much bigger but am looking at the Africa Twin as an alternative? Anybody any opinions on that?
Good luck!!!

Let the pillion decide!!
 

It has been said elsewhere: let the passenger have a big say in what bike to ride two up! That's if you want to save the potential trouble and strife!
If the passenger is not happy at the start, it can only get worse later on.

As for the AT, others who own one will comment no doubt, but a V twin has to be a better option for two up riding than any single no matter how smooth it is (and the 650GS is smooth).

BTW, do a search for the bike in the HUBB using key words and you will find lots already written about it.

At
 

sorry cant comment on the 650gs. i'm on my second AT at the moment and get on great with it. most of my travels are solo but when i'm 2'd up it's not bad at all but always remained on tarmac. make sure you have top box/case as far back as poss for more room and bob's your mother's brother! even using standard seat it's fine. carrying lots of weight 2'd up i find it plods on nicely. carries everything on mine! once rode south wales-south france with 4 campervan tyres on the back! for me it's a super bike but it does'nt mean it's good for everyone!
good luck..

Is a 650 single big enough for a big trip 2-up... I guess theres no direct answer, as it depends on your personal preferences & the way you like to travel.

Ive had many AfricaTwins over the years, and I really do love that bike. In my opinion it would beat any 1-cylinder dualsport/allround bike, if theres a need to load the bike up heavily, like when you go 2-up.

But then its also much heavier than, say, a 650GS or KLR, and if you do not have to be able to cover long distances on highways day in, day out, but would rather go smaller roads, then lighter bike could be better. Of course you wont be able to really ride "off-road" with such a heavy load, and as someone pointed out, your pillion will have to be comfortable on the back, too, otherwise there will be a problem. Africa Twins stock seat is quite far from perfect, Id try to find something made for 2 people, if I were to go really far away with it.

I´ve a friend whos ridden some 20 years with a XL250, to nearly all places imaginable.. but he likes to go slowly, take the smallest roads he can find, never the motorways, and admire the views. For his needs any 650 would probably be overkill, and way too heavy. Then again, fully loaded, any 650 single will probably feel underpowered, if you do go on the motorway.

I have experienced long distance 2up on the Aprilia Pegaso which is essentially the same bike as the earlier F650 (built by Aprilia), and to be honest i would not recommend it!

Although its a great bike the suspension is not comfortable with the weight when the road get rough and generally I found the bike too cramped for long distance as the passenger sits so tight up against you and helmet bashing is common, which is fine for a short ride but its the small things that can slowly get to you on a long trip, especially as you are tired and hungry on occassions which makes you irritable. I am 6'3" so that didnt help but my pillion was small :-)

Yes it has been done.....but I just found myself saying: "I wish I had chosen a bigger bike", or "I wish I had come alone" :mchappy: .

Trav

I dont know
 

Id look at other big twins like the DL. I have a frend that traded his 1200gs for the DL 1000. He looks at the long term price of things more a biker should. Said that in 5 years he will be able to buy 3 DLs for the price of the 1 GS. He gets all the goodies add to his bikes and has the shop do all the work so thats where money go.

Still he may have a point.

I like the idea of 2 bikes but not at the price of the trip. If you can stay out for 2 years instead of gust 1 Go with 1 bike.

I dont know how you people go 2 up It drives me nuts. A few days and was ready to drop that complaining ex girlfriend off the tail.

1 F650Dakar to go please!
 

Hi,
Having wondered off track with my RTW trip. I'm fired up again:D
Was intially planning to do it with a 1150, but as it will be a solo trip now the F650 is perfect.

I occassionally have a pillion on it in the city (without luggage) and it struggles, but mostly it becomes unstable and tricky especially at slow speeds and thats just on tarmac. The fuel consumption will also go up.
There are a lot of good bikes out there, but if your pockets are deep a 1150 GS is good enough for 2up.

Let the fun begin!!

JP

I'm contemplating picking up a pillion for at least part of my RTW on my '03 f650GS. I'd LIKE the suspension upgraded, but if we can stick to decent tarmac OR slow speeds, the bike will do just fine. Her and I have done some long days in the saddle, complete with gear and camping gear, and it's fine. I'm a welterwight, though, and she's featherweight. So there's not a lot of us crammed up against the drybag, but it works just fine. Sheepskin buttpads and heated vests for both!

It's hard to figure out a "good" RTW bike for two: lightweight, powerful, handles too much load with ease, etc. Stick more to the tarmac and pick a bigger bike; choose the less traveled paths and perhaps sacrifice a bit of comfort on Saddlesore Days with a smaller bike. Test ride and see what you both like.

Mitch

I am currently riding my F650GS from the Uk to Oz. So far I have had 2 friends come out and meet me for 3 week periods. On both occasions they have packed light but I think you will find the bike is to cramped for 2 up riding, I also found it was underpowered but that might just be me.

Whilst I have no issues in the times we were 2 up its not a bike I would use for 2 up touring on a permanent basis.

My 2 cents worth if it helps.

Jim