GS650 - comments on this bike?

[coolcat]

Hiya ... i'm contemplating a GS650. Any GS650 rider can give an honest opinion about the bike? I'm thinking the 1150 rather daunting. Main idea is to use the bike for touring, not an everyday ride.

 

Main concerns are maintenance and ride-related issues.

 

Sorry if I can't be more specific, but i'm really in the deep end here.

 

Thanks for all advice.

 

Cheers

 

Cat

[Cyclop aka Sideways]

Originally posted by coolcat@Aug 18 2005, 12:36 AM

Hiya ... i'm contemplating a GS650. Any GS650 rider can give an honest opinion about the bike? I'm thinking the 1150 rather daunting. Main idea is to use the bike for touring, not an everyday ride.

 

Main concerns are maintenance and ride-related issues.

 

Sorry if I can't be more specific, but i'm really in the deep end here.

 

Thanks for all advice.

 

Cheers

 

Cat

Yo Coolcat,

 

check out this site, lotsa useful info. And the wrenching DVD for $5 is a steal!!

 

 

http://f650.com/website/Content/NewItems.a...d=10&NoSum=true

[hanwoon]

There's one on sale at Garage sale ...

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forum/index....showtopic=87017

 

Well.. F650 depends on the build of the rider. I rode it or a very short time about 2 weeks, found the bike not suitable for me. Maybe b'cos I' over 6ft tall and usually rde a 1100 GS. FOund the bike small and and made too much noise when I 'pused' it ...

 

But that's just my 2cent comments or 2 weeks ride ....

 

since your inten is to use the bike for tourng ... addition 2cent ..

 

Went up to KL with one F650 as well .. maybe he didn't want to push the bike but he couldn't (or maybe didn't want to ) keep up wth the rest of the bike. Rest of the bike being at least 1100r series..

[hanwoon]

Actually for tourng a R1100R might be better ...

quite a few on re-sale as well ... check Yahoo Auction.

[coolcat]

Thanks for the feedback .. 1.7 tall, it's the weight that's daunting. I'm sure that once on the road, the 1100 can be easy to handle. Any other downside to the F650 in terms of maintenance?

 

Cheers

 

Cat

[Suzu]

Originally posted by coolcat@Aug 18 2005, 10:52 PM

Thanks for the feedback .. 1.7 tall, it's the weight that's daunting. I'm sure that once on the road, the 1100 can be easy to handle. Any other downside to the F650 in terms of maintenance?

 

Cheers

 

Cat

There are a couple of 650s Dual Purpose bike models. Is there any reason y u choose the beemer

 

If its abt your height, I dont c any problems with most DP bikes. If its abt weight, its just a matter of getting used to. I am only 1.65m and I have ridden the GS1100 before for abt a year. May seem daunting initially but if u have a sure footing as well as being a little more careful, u shouldnt have much trouble handling it

 

Reason y i m asking is cos the $ u spent on buying a reasonable good condition F650, u can actually have other choices as well

 

Anyway, jus my.2 rupiahs

[SDR]

It's a BMW.

 

You can definitely get any 650 cheaper, faster and cheaper maintenance.

 

But any brands tt come so close to a BMW? No. Aprilia, Duck, KTM, Benelli, Bimota, Cagiva may be exclusive, expensive, fast and etc... but they just don't carry the BMW badge and most important of all - non bikers (like those pretty innocent Mei Mei can't be bothered how fast or how expensive you had paid) don't ever think that you are a sucker paying double or triple for a slower bike. Don't let your friends' remarks to discourage you from owning a spining propeller.

 

If your purpose is to tour at 280km/hr, then this bike is out, if you don't mind travelling at 140km/hr, then this bike is yrs.

 

Will I buy? If I don't mind a 650cc and if I like to show off to my friends and family tt I owns a BMW, I will. Some people may not have the guts/chance/$ to own a BMW in their life.

 

Go for it, have a taste of BMW. At least when you are old, you can tell your grandchildren that you ever own a Paris Dakar bike.

 

[coolcat]

Not so much the brand, but the fact that it's German tech and built, I suppose.

 

The other choice appears to be the Pegaso Strada; which at $15k new seems a better deal?

 

Anyway, aside from PML, who else can service the F650?

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

Cheers

 

Cat

[SDR]

Originally posted by coolcat@Aug 19 2005, 11:35 PM

Not so much the brand, but the fact that it's German tech and built, I suppose.

 

The other choice appears to be the Pegaso Strada; which at $15k new seems a better deal?

 

Anyway, aside from PML, who else can service the F650?

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

Cheers

 

Cat

Not bccos of brand. Then dont bother to buy e F650GS. Aprilia Pegaso Strada may be a better choice as it is using YAMAHA 660CC EFI 4 VALVE engine manufactured in Italy, claimed torque is 12 foot-pounds more than tt of Duck Multistrada 620.

 

DRZ400 is 12.8K OTR & 660cc asking for 15k, I think it's quite reasonable. Further, her design is just fantastic.

 

Good luck to your search.

[coolcat]

Ya .. noticed the styling of the Aprilia Strada is similar to that of the F650. Given a choice, I thought that F650 would be better? since German built?

 

Also the Rotax engine, now ... is it a good thing or bad thing? totally ignorant here. Read about it online, seems to be praises for it.

 

Cheers

 

Cat

[unknown]

U can also include aprilla pegaso in ur list, the price of a 2nd hand is bet 2k - 3k, a good buy if u r not sure if the bike will suit u in the long run, at least u don't suffer much $$$ losses, if u decided to sell it.

[Suzu]

Originally posted by coolcat+Aug 19 2005, 11:35 PM-->

QUOTE (coolcat @ Aug 19 2005, 11:35 PM)

Not so much the brand, but the fact that it's German tech and built, I suppose.   The other choice appears to be the Pegaso Strada; which at $15k new seems a better deal?   Anyway, aside from PML, who else can service the F650?   Thanks for the advice.   Cheers   Cat [/b]

[SDR]

Originally posted by coolcat@Aug 21 2005, 03:51 PM

Ya .. noticed the styling of the Aprilia Strada is similar to that of the F650. Given a choice, I thought that F650 would be better? since German built?

 

Also the Rotax engine, now ... is it a good thing or bad thing? totally ignorant here. Read about it online, seems to be praises for it.

 

Cheers

 

Cat

Wouldn't dare to say that the German built better things. All things falls apart if you don't bother to take good care of them.

 

I guess I hv to disagree that Strada & F650GS styling are similiar - 1 is SM & the later is off-road. Given a choice I will go for Strada, I never like off road bike as I will never go off road, if you think jumping on pavement, riding on field and some sandy road consider as off-road, then I think any bike can take that kind of stress. Further, to me, Strada is more superior on her design and built quality, it comes with SM tubeless tyres rims, nice finishing and styling.

 

As if the Rotax is good or bad, I think it should be good, an engine proven by Yamaha on their Paris Darkar race. Of cos, F650GS has proven theirs as well.

 

Hmm, hope no offense here, have you ever ask yrself, r u good enough for the engine?

 

RXK engine is good enough for me, I am not a SM racer, I am not a Paris Dakar racer, I don't even dare to go track, I ride from point A to B within speed limit, so any engine is good enough for me. With my kind of riding style, I dare to say all bikes are good bikes, my only consideration is that if my pocket is deep enough to own them and if I like the design of the bike.

 

You know what I mean?

 

http://www.ibike.com.hk/01_bike_report/local/aprilia/05_pegaso650/cover.jpg

http://autos.goo.ne.jp/autos/img/special/s/ms2005/data/img_l/aprilia/IMG_0126.jpg

http://cannon-bmw.co.uk/cannon/New_Bikes/F650GS/2004%20BMW%20F650%20GS%20%20Frontal.jpg

[Tut Tut]

Nice bike to tour off the beaten track somewhere in Borneo by this yankee...

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/bikermice/Thirtytwomilesin.jpg

[Tut Tut]

real 'sticky" situations......

ph yah, and it's running on low octane fuel most of the time while refuelling in small Iban/Dayak villages

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/bikermice/F650_mudpool.jpg

[GSGabes]

Originally posted by Tut Tut@Aug 27 2005, 11:13 AM

real 'sticky" situations......

ph yah, and it's running on low octane fuel most of the time while refuelling in small Iban/Dayak villages

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/bikermice/F650_mudpool.jpg

Wah lao. Great stuff.

[Tut Tut]

even more great stuff with the equipments he brought along.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/bikermice/Borneo.jpg

[Cyclop aka Sideways]

Originally posted by Tut Tut@Aug 27 2005, 02:05 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/bikermice/Borneo.jpg

His aux fuel tank looks cool

[Guest enHANZed]

are after market parts of this bike readily available in SG?

[Cyclop aka Sideways]

Originally posted by enHANZed@Aug 27 2005, 10:45 PM

are after market parts of this bike readily available in SG?

Depending on what you want, stuffs like those from Wunderlich or Touratech are already being brought in.

[coolcat]

Test rode a R1100R .. nice chunky machine. My buddies are warning me about the vibrations from a single cylinder as opposed to a boxer, concern is that the vibrations might be uncomfy for long distance.

 

I'm not really going off-road, juz distance and the fact that I'm not too well built for a heavier bike like the GS1100/1150/1200. speed by the way is not a concern, I don't think I'll be hitting more than 140 km/h. Then again, my frens says that speed is addictive.

 

The strada is nice, went down to take look, but at $15.5 without accessories and no indication of how much those will cost, difficult to assess my exposure.

 

Yes, I agree that most times, I'm not better than my bikes, hehe. Think most riders are.

 

 

Cheers

 

Cat

[Tut Tut]

the Roadster is a nice machine, but take note that being 1100R, the bike is quite old, has the gear box and rear drive been overhauled?

Vibrations wise I would think that it is up to individuals to decide what is thier tolerance level. There are noticeable vibes from a twin too, and also from bikes which are not maintained properly such as carb/Fi sync...

How many years old is the strada? I would think that the strada is much easier to maintain than the Roadster.

[SDR]

Originally posted by coolcat@Aug 28 2005, 12:15 PM

I don't think I'll be hitting more than 140 km/h. Then again, my frens says that speed is addictive.

 

he is right, very addictive, it's like $ & woman, you just want more.

 

[Cyclop aka Sideways]

Originally posted by coolcat@Aug 28 2005, 12:15 PM

Test rode a R1100R .. nice chunky machine. My buddies are warning me about the vibrations from a single cylinder as opposed to a boxer, concern is that the vibrations might be uncomfy for long distance.

 

I'm not really going off-road, juz distance and the fact that I'm not too well built for a heavier bike like the GS1100/1150/1200. speed by the way is not a concern, I don't think I'll be hitting more than 140 km/h. Then again, my frens says that speed is addictive.

 

The strada is nice, went down to take look, but at $15.5 without accessories and no indication of how much those will cost, difficult to assess my exposure.

 

Yes, I agree that most times, I'm not better than my bikes, hehe. Think most riders are.

 

 

Cheers

 

Cat

Hey Coolcat,

Thumpers like the 650 though viby are excellent rides on twisties. Only on highways and at speed do they really gets annoying... IMHO..... off course....

 

As for size, do get something thats managable, you'll enjoy the ride more. I'm 1.68m, 63.5 kg and my GS12 suits me just fine........

 

Happy hunting.........

 

By the way, do you like Kway Teow Mee ??

[coolcat]

haha ... Kway Teow Mee .... cute. actually not really; no solid basis for it, juz never got acquainted with the brand.

 

The Strada I looked at was brand new at Mah, I'm told that there's an earlier one with the same Rotex engine shared by F650Gs.

 

Wah ... GS12 ... dream bike formost people. True that only 4 in S'pore?

 

Cheers

 

Cat