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17 Jul 2011
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Join Date: Dec 2010
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the new g650gs for RTW?
Hey well ive been looking and it is a really cheap gs and was wondering would it handle a round the world from uk to africa to south america and russia and ozzie ect. does anyone have any expirience doing adventure travel on this bike and whats it like off road?
let us know 
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17 Jul 2011
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Join Date: Nov 2004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by emptythetank
Hey well ive been looking and it is a really cheap gs and was wondering would it handle a round the world from uk to africa to south america and russia and ozzie ect. does anyone have any expirience doing adventure travel on this bike and whats it like off road?
let us know |
It is basically the same bike as the 2000 - 2006 F650GS ... with a smaller fuel tank.
Like all BMWs, it has crap suspension and crap wheels. But the rotax designed engine is solid and reliable, and the BMW fuel injection on it makes it extremely fuel efficient.
In their old guise, the 2000-2006 F650GS has been one of the more popular bikes to go around the world on. Many of them have circumnavigated the globe - Usually encountering wheel or suspension problems along the way.
There is no reason that engine and frame would not go around the world, as they have been doing it for a decade. Your weak links are going to be the wheels, the suspension and the small 14 litre fuel tank.
So how much do you want to spend to make it work?
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17 Jul 2011
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My daughter just rode her 650gs across Australia .....which is absolutely nothing like going RTW but we had a great trip and no problems! (BMW roadside assist always available here which is a little different than the sort of places Colebatch goes to .... so take his advice not mine ok!)
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17 Jul 2011
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Hi,
I would get a much older bike like Honda Transalp, Yamaha Tenere or Suzuki DRZ 400 to go RTW. They are not onely cheaper but also more easy to repair even with no roadside assistance 
Travel save, Tobi
Transafrika - Riding on a motorbike through africa part 1
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17 Jul 2011
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Join Date: Aug 2005
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650
The 650 is a great bike but loaded off road it will be a difficult bike , anyway most bike will be handeling bad when loaded and off road . The parts are not cheap but if the bike is well maintain you can expect to do a lot of miles in confort. I myself will be more interested by a DR650 or XR650L as they are cheap easy to repair and bullet proof , accessories are half the price of BMW. The DR400 is a great contender but if you are a bit heavy the bike will be busing at high speed.
Hope this help.
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10 Aug 2011
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The new G650gs is a good choice. I think some people harp on about the suspension issues far too much when most of us will be absolutely fine. Remember this isn't just a BMW with a proven excellent Rotax engine, this is a 650 bike cheaper than any Jap equivalent. Also this is not a hardcore enduro machine by any means so the people moaning about suspension are preaching to the wrong choir. My only comment would be to get on friendly terms with your dealer. BMW are bringing out a new Dakar version, they're just not publicizing it yet. If it holds true to the old version it will have suspension upgrades and only be a little more money.
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10 Aug 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jtw000
The new G650gs is a good choice. I think some people harp on about the suspension issues far too much when most of us will be absolutely fine. Remember this isn't just a BMW with a proven excellent Rotax engine, this is a 650 bike cheaper than any Jap equivalent. Also this is not a hardcore enduro machine by any means so the people moaning about suspension are preaching to the wrong choir. My only comment would be to get on friendly terms with your dealer. BMW are bringing out a new Dakar version, they're just not publicizing it yet. If it holds true to the old version it will have suspension upgrades and only be a little more money.
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Good point the new Dakar coming out. And actually you already address the mentioned suspension issue...
I think everyone agreed on it being a good/reliable bike. However, pointing out weaker points seems to me useful and HUBB the right place to share that info. In any case, each one may know his own limits/interests to decide how much his trip will require those upgrades.
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10 Aug 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jtw000
... the people moaning about suspension are preaching to the wrong choir.
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I dont think its a matter of moaning ... if the guy asked for opinions about the bike, surely a decent, balanced set of comments on it should say what is good with it and what is bad with it. If the OP or other readers dont care about suspension then he / they / you are free to make whatever call he / they like on that information. But to blindly blow smoke up a bikes tailpipe simply because of its brand is not very useful or constructive to people trying to make decisions. Its not very objective.
Especially as part of the original question specifically referred to the ability of the bike " off road", to not comment objectively on its suspension would be to ignore the question, since the biggest part "what a bike is like off road" is its suspension.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jtw000
BMW are bringing out a new Dakar version, they're just not publicizing it yet. If it holds true to the old version it will have suspension upgrades and only be a little more money.
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I hadnt heard that information. When is that bike out? Whats the source of that info? (please dont say "a dealer")
On the old Dakar version the suspension was longer, but wasnt any better. It wasnt upgraded, just longer.
Perhaps you think I harp on about suspension too much, but I dont know how often you are reading the actual regional travel forums. ... Maybe I harp on about it because its the single most common failure that adventure moto travellers seem to need outside mechanical help with - and almost always due to having inappropriate gear.
Last edited by colebatch; 13 Aug 2011 at 10:28.
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
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What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Every book a diary
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Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books
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