RTW alternative to my F650GS
 

I currently own a f650gs I bought it with a RTW trip in mind but am now
realising that while I enjoy the comfort, I would like something more lighter.

I am 5"6 with around a "30 inseam, so my options are somewhat limitied.

I would also like something that Is 'easy' to maintain - sourcable parts blah blah.. and needless to say reliable. I recently tortured an XR 250 around
Cambodia - that thing was like a tank and If the XR650 wasent so tall I
think This could be my choice, then again its pretty heavy..

I'm currently thinking the DR650 or DRZ400?
Is there anywhere that sells these bikes overland prepared?
Is there another bike I might be over-looking?
Or should I just keep the BMW..

I'm not buying on a budget so don't mind spending the money for the
right bike.

Bit of a dilemma.........
 

........ and I am not sure why, having read your post. Every bike is something of a compromise and "you can go RTW on anything" is often quoted.

There are loads of postings in these forums that compare various models of bikes so you may get some inspiration from there. You have ridden some other bikes and continuing to do this is probably the best way of getting more information - borrow bikes from friends, take test rides from dealers, hire if necessary, whatever.

As for the GS650: my wife has the 2005 model which is as low as they can go, the lowest seat that BMW provide as stock and with factory lowered suspension - the former is not bad but I am not too keen on the susp modification; the bike has very little ground clearance between the wheels for off-road while I can easily ground the sidestand on left-handers. So, you might consider getting the lower seat fitted.
Otherwise, I quite like the bike, it is very comfortable (surely important for long distance riding), reliable (so far) and OK, not the lightest, but the Centre of Gravity is low and that is just as important - I think the GS650 has good balance overall - manufacturer's dry weight figures are not everything, not when you are going to be putting luggage on the bike anyway.

Finally, nor do you say what sort of riding you expect to do; gravel, asphalt etc etc. That expectation of travel conditions would influence what I would choose to ride; in fact it does when I take a particular bike out for just a one day journey!!

Hope this helps,

Cheers Dave. While I enjoy the f650 the only bad points 'for me' were suspension (I later fitted an ohlins shock and progressive springs)
which were a huge improvement but as mentioned I was still stuck with the
issue of the the weight..no good (for me) for single track
It's bad enough picking the thing up un-loaded -- I Imagine picking it
up fully loaded would bring on a bout of hemoroids

I realise there is no perfect bike to take/different
horses for courses..etc but I am looking for the most lightweight
realiable (relativley) bike for someone of my height. which is easy
to maintain, I felt like the BMW was too closed off from me
and this barrier made it hard to develop a bond with my bike
and know her intimatly ;)

the two I mentioned were wittled down from researching these pages
I was curious to see if I might have overlooked a suitable alternative.

As for what roads preferably...

30% single track
40% fireroads/gravel
30% Tar

1% of single track can stop your trip...or bring the greatest smiles. :)

Suzuki designed the DR650 so that it could be lowered at the dealerships.

My gf has a F650 and the weight difference (no matter squat about cog) is substantial when compared to my DR. The DR valves are post/nut, not requiring shims. Remove the faux tank tupperware from the F650 a 1/2 dozen times and see if you don't get pissed off......

It hasn't happened on my wife's GS (yet) but I gather the shock can be a weakness.

Have you looked at the Dakar GS650 with the lowered seat? (+ ohlins etc). I have, on occasion, wondered about taking off all the plastics stuff that is not doing very much, other than looking pretty and keeping some of the wind blast at bay - that would lose some weight and from where it matters - high up.

Other than that, I still think that you are looking at a heavy bike when it is loaded up no matter what you are riding - would take the luggage off before picking it up!! At least you don't "intend" to ride in sand or mud.

Just a thought!

yeah the plastics dont add a huge amount of weight unfortunatly...
a fair amount of weight can be lost through getting rid of the cat
and just having one exhaust can.
If I were to buy an f650 again, I would go the dakar route if only
for the 21" front wheel.. another con of the standard model.
(choice of tires etc..)


With all this being said it is a great little bike for certain intentions.
and seems to be a prominent choice of most long distance tour companys.
I just want something that is a little more off road friendly I suppose.

Choices, so many choices
 

I know the feeling!! - currently riding a Yam TT600R myself, when it works!!
Of course, off-road bikes tend to be tall in the saddle, by design.

Suggest you keep digging into the tech/what bike threads - Yam XT660R? DRZ400S? and who knows what is coming along for 2008.

I am not clear what country you are located, but DR650s are few and far between here in the UK.

I like my XT600E as a 'do anything' bike, but I wouldn't nessecarily reccomend it as an option over your F650 just because it's not going to be significantly different to warrant the expense of buying another bike and kitting it out. And I'd suggest if you are thinking about another 'big traillie' in the 600-650 range I wouldn't bother.

For high percentage 'off' road touring I'd personally go for a DRZ400. You can get big tanks (Safari Tanks) at 17 and 28 litres (or thereabouts) and racks for them I believe. The only thing I'd be a bit wary of is that seat, which I'd have to replace with an aftermarket one like an Airhawk. Apparently Suzuki do a gel seat alternative though.

Ah, I love these discussions. Look forward to seeing what you go for!

Matt :)

last 6 or 7 years ...and is NOT scientific in any way)

Like mollydog says - why not take the XR250? You know and like the bike. It is a matter of seting it up with luggage etc. Do it.

As far as reliablity, parts etc .. the chances are it will eitehr brake or not. It will eitehr brak in fornt of a dealer of not. What ever choice you make. So simply chose something you like .. then find a good dealer who is prepared to send you parts anywhere in the world FAST .. the key is fast .. you don't want to be waiting on teh manufacture to send a part to the distributor to send the part to the dealer to send the part to you .. you want the part on its way from the dealer to you ASAP.

Thanks for the help everyone,

Mollydog cheers for that comprehensive post, it really helped me alot.
Thank you.

I think I have sold myself into the idea of the dr650 and doing some
modification work - So I'm currently watching Lukas' thread with
huge interest...

scrubs,
That link of yours is a sidecar thread!! You thinking of putting one on a DR650??

Cheers

Luka? that link went to a thread about a side car. ????

LOL that was weird I've never even seen that thread before -- so god knows how I managed to copy and paste that link.. lets try again

Hmmm, xr250'd it around SE Asia...xr650 too heavy...dr650's thin on the uk ground (oh, yes!)...how about the (ta da!) xr400? Plenty about, super-reliable, cheapish. May be a bit tall mind, but that's a fine excuse to get the spanners out, eh...:thumbup1: