New 2008 BMW F650GS

[AJ..]

i think the GS800 price range should be about the same as the KTM ADV990....which if i were to choose one...well...i would choose the GS...Its a BMW.....bike got character...so they say...

[Demon]

 

unless the tenere comes in...

 

You have been spoilt by V-twin, you will never like a thumper

[Al-Simmons]

You have been spoilt by V-twin, you will never like a thumper

 

 

 

heard ur thumper also not been on the road and offroad that often...

need a spare rider..?

[kish_garfield]

from wat i read??? F650 is using the F800 engine but tuned down?

[Demon]

 

heard ur thumper also not been on the road and offroad that often...

need a spare rider..?

 

If you are in need of one, mine is always available.

 

I'm preparing her for a long trip later this year, like my house to sengkang

 

You won't like a thumper

[AJ..]

If you are in need of one, mine is always available.

 

I'm preparing her for a long trip later this year, like my house to sengkang

 

You won't like a thumper

 

hmm....so who is this sengkang fellow you're meeting?can i join the ride?Sengkang seems to be happening....

'

[silverstx]

Guys is the f800gs come with pannier as standard or hv to buy separately.

[hit.man]

Guys is the f800gs come with pannier as standard or hv to buy separately.

 

i think the side panniers must buy separately...

[metal.rooster]

i have 1 yr ++ left to my current bike now. itching to buy a new toy.

and i have to say 650gs is like a dream bike.

but dream is a dream. reality is, i still have to do some research.

 

so....is there any current Beemer riders who is willing to share experiences, tips and cautions/alerts before buying a BMW?

 

my some questions wud be:

1) is 650 a wet or dry clutch bike? does it use synthetic oil or mineral? cos wat i learnt recently is that if it requires mineral oil, it has to be topped up regularly....

2) what comprise a usual maintenance? maybe a rough guide to wat is essential in keepin up a 650...

[LollyPoP]

wonder how the FC is like?

[Nicholai]

wonder how the FC is like?

 

The FC for the 800 is about 26.2km/l at a constant speed of 90km/h and 19.2km/l at 120km/h.

 

For the 650: 27km/l at 90km/h and 19.2km/l at 120km/h.

 

Overall, savings on the fuel and must I add that its a Beemer .

[LollyPoP]

The FC for the 800 is about 26.2km/l at a constant speed of 90km/h and 19.2km/l at 120km/h.

 

For the 650: 27km/l at 90km/h and 19.2km/l at 120km/h.

 

Overall, savings on the fuel and must I add that its a Beemer .

 

 

is the FC based on actual riding or from the calcuations from the specs?

i'm still saving up for the GSA, but the 800 seems to caught my eyes.

i dun koe if i'm ready for a Beemer, as in $$.

in fact, i'm a student, holding a part-time with a monthly income of 1.5 to 3k (depending on sales figures)

[Nicholai]

is the FC based on actual riding or from the calcuations from the specs?

i'm still saving up for the GSA, but the 800 seems to caught my eyes.

i dun koe if i'm ready for a Beemer, as in $$.

in fact, i'm a student, holding a part-time with a monthly income of 1.5 to 3k (depending on sales figures)

 

They're based from specs. The FC maybe a tad higher (about 22-24km/l) if you maintain at a speed lower then 90km/h especially during a traffic congestion. This is common on local roads during the peak hours.

 

You can do a check at Performance Motor on the maintenance wise. I believe the 800 model is one of the more affordable ones. Still, I suggest you do your own calculations based on the minimum you earn every month before getting one. Petrol ain't cheap these days.

[Commando X]

This bike is soo ugly seriously the front fairing look like some cartoon birdy...one eye big one eye small LOL this bike is a no NO for me...

[I_Ride_A_Bike]

This bike is soo ugly seriously the front fairing look like some cartoon birdy...one eye big one eye small LOL this bike is a no NO for me...

 

your taste is so different. wonder what kinda bikes interest you. changed to a metallic colour and the 'cartoon birdy' is gone yea..

[dinosaur]

I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to take the new F650GS for a test ride to Kuantan and back. The route of choice was E3, the coastal road on the east side of west malaysia.A road with hundreds of curves,steep upslopes and downslopes, and a few good straights. Here is my honest opinion of the bike.

 

The road was rather bumpy near Mersing, and bumpy sandy curving roads are usually a receipe for accidents, but not for the 650gs. I could take 130kph corners with ease. Even my friend with a much larger faster hypersports bike had to take more caution when cornering at such speeds here. The 650gs's suspension is a lifesaver, absorbing all bumps, potholes etc during cornering.

 

On the straights i must say the 650gs may not be powerful enough to satisfy the speed demon in us. Certainly not me. 0-160kph no problem at all. But from 160-180++ it took forever. Wind protection was good at 150kph and comfortable cruising will be 140kph at exactly 5000rpm on 6th gear.

 

The road above Mersing to Kuantan was curvy, long sweeper bends, perfect for high speed cornering. The 650gs was doing 140-150kph in the corners which kinda stumped me. Before making this trip I'll never imagine an enduro bike with 2 huge boxes doing 150kph corners but the F650GS did just that.

 

Next we arrived at this stretch of road which was just beside the sea. Beautiful road, beautiful scenery. I had this 'brilliant' idea of riding along the beach to test the F650GS's offroad capabilities. NEVER NEVER NEVER ride a bike on the beach without knobby tyres. My bike started to sink in the fine sand and I was stuck. Good thing my friend was a body builder. With much effort, we managed to haul the bike outta e sand back to the road.

 

Fuel consumption of the F650GS is incredible. I was getting above 20km to a litre. All in all we travelled almost 800km. (2nd link to gelang patah to Kuantan and back down to singapore) Piece of cake with the beemer, although i must admit the seat is a little hard. Usually when i tour, I'll end up feeling quite fatigued however this time I felt fine. Still had energy to go church in the evening. Lastly don't be alarmed if ur new 650GS's signal goes off by itself. BMW has equipped this bike with self cancelling signals. This bike, although not the fastest, is easily the most comfortable bike i've toured with.

 

Good: comfortable, agile, good suspension, fuel efficient, light

Not so good: hard seat

[deckard]

one man meat is another man's poison

 

it is really really ugly.

[Demon]

I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to take the new F650GS for a test ride to Kuantan and back. The route of choice was E3, the coastal road on the east side of west malaysia.A road with hundreds of curves,steep upslopes and downslopes, and a few good straights. Here is my honest opinion of the bike.

 

The road was rather bumpy near Mersing, and bumpy sandy curving roads are usually a receipe for accidents, but not for the 650gs. I could take 130kph corners with ease. Even my friend with a much larger faster hypersports bike had to take more caution when cornering at such speeds here. The 650gs's suspension is a lifesaver, absorbing all bumps, potholes etc during cornering.

 

On the straights i must say the 650gs may not be powerful enough to satisfy the speed demon in us. Certainly not me. 0-160kph no problem at all. But from 160-180++ it took forever. Wind protection was good at 150kph and comfortable cruising will be 140kph at exactly 5000rpm on 6th gear.

 

The road above Mersing to Kuantan was curvy, long sweeper bends, perfect for high speed cornering. The 650gs was doing 140-150kph in the corners which kinda stumped me. Before making this trip I'll never imagine an enduro bike with 2 huge boxes doing 150kph corners but the F650GS did just that.

 

Next we arrived at this stretch of road which was just beside the sea. Beautiful road, beautiful scenery. I had this 'brilliant' idea of riding along the beach to test the F650GS's offroad capabilities. NEVER NEVER NEVER ride a bike on the beach without knobby tyres. My bike started to sink in the fine sand and I was stuck. Good thing my friend was a body builder. With much effort, we managed to haul the bike outta e sand back to the road.

 

Fuel consumption of the F650GS is incredible. I was getting above 20km to a litre. All in all we travelled almost 800km. (2nd link to gelang patah to Kuantan and back down to singapore) Piece of cake with the beemer, although i must admit the seat is a little hard. Usually when i tour, I'll end up feeling quite fatigued however this time I felt fine. Still had energy to go church in the evening. Lastly don't be alarmed if ur new 650GS's signal goes off by itself. BMW has equipped this bike with self cancelling signals. This bike, although not the fastest, is easily the most comfortable bike i've toured with.

 

Good: comfortable, agile, good suspension, fuel efficient, light

Not so good: hard seat

 

Your review of the GS650 on tarmac alone didn't seem to do justice to the bike. I'm sure it is designed to do more than that.

 

There are many bikes with all the traits mentioned in your review but at half the price.

 

[dinosaur]

yup definitely. okok next time i'll do an offrd review of it. Maybe at Nusajaya or sth. haha

 

 

Your review of the GS650 on tarmac alone didn't seem to do justice to the bike. I'm sure it is designed to do more than that.

 

There are many bikes with all the traits mentioned in your review but at half the price.

 

[AJ..]

yup definitely. okok next time i'll do an offrd review of it. Maybe at Nusajaya or sth. haha

 

can i come too?i will ride my "dinosaur" AT...14yrs old bike...cost fraction of it...maybe just 100cc more than your ride,but weighs a ton more...i will volunteer to video your review...with no extra cost...

 

deal?

[SNapEl]

I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to take the new F650GS for a test ride to Kuantan and back. The route of choice was E3, the coastal road on the east side of west malaysia.A road with hundreds of curves,steep upslopes and downslopes, and a few good straights. Here is my honest opinion of the bike.

 

The road was rather bumpy near Mersing, and bumpy sandy curving roads are usually a receipe for accidents, but not for the 650gs. I could take 130kph corners with ease. Even my friend with a much larger faster hypersports bike had to take more caution when cornering at such speeds here. The 650gs's suspension is a lifesaver, absorbing all bumps, potholes etc during cornering.

 

On the straights i must say the 650gs may not be powerful enough to satisfy the speed demon in us. Certainly not me. 0-160kph no problem at all. But from 160-180++ it took forever. Wind protection was good at 150kph and comfortable cruising will be 140kph at exactly 5000rpm on 6th gear.

 

The road above Mersing to Kuantan was curvy, long sweeper bends, perfect for high speed cornering. The 650gs was doing 140-150kph in the corners which kinda stumped me. Before making this trip I'll never imagine an enduro bike with 2 huge boxes doing 150kph corners but the F650GS did just that.

 

Next we arrived at this stretch of road which was just beside the sea. Beautiful road, beautiful scenery. I had this 'brilliant' idea of riding along the beach to test the F650GS's offroad capabilities. NEVER NEVER NEVER ride a bike on the beach without knobby tyres. My bike started to sink in the fine sand and I was stuck. Good thing my friend was a body builder. With much effort, we managed to haul the bike outta e sand back to the road.

 

Fuel consumption of the F650GS is incredible. I was getting above 20km to a litre. All in all we travelled almost 800km. (2nd link to gelang patah to Kuantan and back down to singapore) Piece of cake with the beemer, although i must admit the seat is a little hard. Usually when i tour, I'll end up feeling quite fatigued however this time I felt fine. Still had energy to go church in the evening. Lastly don't be alarmed if ur new 650GS's signal goes off by itself. BMW has equipped this bike with self cancelling signals. This bike, although not the fastest, is easily the most comfortable bike i've toured with.

 

Good: comfortable, agile, good suspension, fuel efficient, light

Not so good: hard seat

 

Good stuff.. Your next test on off road rem to fit the knob tyres lol

Next time if got spare cash may get the 650 or 800 as a second bike

[dinosaur]

Yesterday 28/6/2009 a trip was organised by the 1DTO team to a Durian Plantation. What an excellent opportunity to put the all new F800GS to test.

 

Every nook and cranny of the 800GS was designed for the offroad, starting with its large 21" spoked rims(vs 19" on the 650gs and 1200gs), high ground clearance (Higher than the R1200GS!), underseat fuel tank (lower centre of gravity), high exhaust (to cross rivers), upside down telescopic forks and a torquey parallel twin engine to conquer all obstacles. I suspect the 800GS was also designed with shorter gear ratios than the 650GS for offroad purposes. It generally revvs higher at all gears for similar speeds. For example at 140kph 6th gear the 650GS is doing 5000rpm, while the 800GS is doing 5500rpm.

 

The ride on the NS highway was good up till 150kph. Handling was light and the bike felt nimble, even with 2 huge aluminium sideboxes. However above 150kph i felt slight vibrations throughout the bike and my helmet would start shaking a little if i dont hide behind the tiny windscreen. I reckon a larger windscreen would help improve comfort for those intending to purchase this bike. When fitted with the aluminium panniers, one should not exceed 160kph according to the user's manual, and it is not difficult to understand why. At 160kph the bike vibrates quite a bit due to air resistance. I think the plastic vario sideboxes might solve the problem as they dont stick out as much(hence trapping less wind). Due to the dangers of speeding in such a large group (about 30+ bikes), I did not have the opportunity to find out the top speed.

 

Once we reach the trunk roads leading into the plantation, it was a different story. The F800GS dominates. Whilst others were avoiding potholes, sand patches, gravel, I purposely sought them out and rode over them with glee. It was almost too easy to handle this bike in such conditions. We encountered some twisties on the way out of the plantation. These roads were kinda sandy/rocky/holey. I must say the 800GS took them very well, much better than the italian/japanese bikes i own/owned, but not as good as the 650GS. This is my personal opinion.

 

How does it compare to the F650GS? Well power wise it is definately up! However when it comes to handling, the 650GS gives me much more confidence. So it all boils down to what kind of roads you use more often. City riding,winding trunk roads, i'd use the 650GS. Where road conditions are a little more harsh i.e steep rocky slopes, rivers, sand etc I'll use the 800GS.

In the looks department, the F800GS definately wins hands down. This is very subjective. However when u get more compliments from strangers about the looks of the 800GS than the 650GS, I tink it is fair to conclude that the F800GS is a handsomer bike. When we arrived at the plantation, the owner's family were all so excited to see the bike and they all wanted photos. The F800GS is definately a headturner.

 

A few minor complains about the 800GS though. Firstly, the seat is quite hard so theres no way I could ride 3hrs straight unlike the 1200GS. This is easily resolved by getting an aftermkt seat or changing the cushion. Secondly, I'll put a taller windscreen so that highspeed blasts through the NS highway will be more comfortable. With this two changes, the F800GS can be a serious rival to the R1200GS for the King of Tourers crown!

[nineh]

Yesterday 28/6/2009 a trip was organised by the 1DTO team to a Durian Plantation. What an excellent opportunity to put the all new F800GS to test.

 

Every nook and cranny of the 800GS was designed for the offroad, starting with its large 21" spoked rims(vs 19" on the 650gs and 1200gs), high ground clearance (Higher than the R1200GS!), underseat fuel tank (lower centre of gravity), high exhaust (to cross rivers), upside down telescopic forks and a torquey parallel twin engine to conquer all obstacles. I suspect the 800GS was also designed with shorter gear ratios than the 650GS for offroad purposes. It generally revvs higher at all gears for similar speeds. For example at 140kph 6th gear the 650GS is doing 5000rpm, while the 800GS is doing 5500rpm.

 

The ride on the NS highway was good up till 150kph. Handling was light and the bike felt nimble, even with 2 huge aluminium sideboxes. However above 150kph i felt slight vibrations throughout the bike and my helmet would start shaking a little if i dont hide behind the tiny windscreen. I reckon a larger windscreen would help improve comfort for those intending to purchase this bike. When fitted with the aluminium panniers, one should not exceed 160kph according to the user's manual, and it is not difficult to understand why. At 160kph the bike vibrates quite a bit due to air resistance. I think the plastic vario sideboxes might solve the problem as they dont stick out as much(hence trapping less wind). Due to the dangers of speeding in such a large group (about 30+ bikes), I did not have the opportunity to find out the top speed.

 

Once we reach the trunk roads leading into the plantation, it was a different story. The F800GS dominates. Whilst others were avoiding potholes, sand patches, gravel, I purposely sought them out and rode over them with glee. It was almost too easy to handle this bike in such conditions. We encountered some twisties on the way out of the plantation. These roads were kinda sandy/rocky/holey. I must say the 800GS took them very well, much better than the italian/japanese bikes i own/owned, but not as good as the 650GS. This is my personal opinion.

 

How does it compare to the F650GS? Well power wise it is definately up! However when it comes to handling, the 650GS gives me much more confidence. So it all boils down to what kind of roads you use more often. City riding,winding trunk roads, i'd use the 650GS. Where road conditions are a little more harsh i.e steep rocky slopes, rivers, sand etc I'll use the 800GS.

In the looks department, the F800GS definately wins hands down. This is very subjective. However when u get more compliments from strangers about the looks of the 800GS than the 650GS, I tink it is fair to conclude that the F800GS is a handsomer bike. When we arrived at the plantation, the owner's family were all so excited to see the bike and they all wanted photos. The F800GS is definately a headturner.

 

A few minor complains about the 800GS though. Firstly, the seat is quite hard so theres no way I could ride 3hrs straight unlike the 1200GS. This is easily resolved by getting an aftermkt seat or changing the cushion. Secondly, I'll put a taller windscreen so that highspeed blasts through the NS highway will be more comfortable. With this two changes, the F800GS can be a serious rival to the R1200GS for the King of Tourers crown!

 

Interesting review. How does the Fc of the 800GS compared to the 650GS u reviewed before ?

 

Im sure Demon and AJ would be more than willing to help you video a test ride review of the 800GS on the LeMarko Trail in Endau Rompin - test the 800GS's off road capabilities to the limit.

 

Beware. The trail is not for the faint hearted. Even KTM Ta_Boleh.

[BioMoDiFIed]

one man meat is another man's poison

 

it is really really ugly.

 

Indeed it mite look a lil strange but it seems like most beemers nowadays seems to look a lil off...but as u say, a man's meat is another man's poison, i really luved the looks of these bikes...but i'm more interested in the looks of BMW's K1300R..very industrial look...to me its a montrous moving piece of art....

[kawasakivoyager1700]

generally, F650GS for city roads, F800GS for semi off-road tours...

 

they were saying that the seats for these 2 models are rather thin and hard, like riding on a scrambler...not suitable for long distance comfort riding...

 

having sat on the R1200GS, feels damn shiok, but an aftermarket larger windscreen should be bought for more comfort riding in Malaysia...

 

how can you go at 140kph on the coastal roads of malaysia? i thought have lots of trucks and tractors? sometimes cows, and goats?

 

i still think the R1200GS is still the daddy and the real deal...

 

if you only have Class 2B license, consider the Derbi Terra /Terra Adventure 125cc...went to see it too...really looks like the GS series from BMW!!!