There is a section in the index related specifically to the F650; it's titled The "658". Always on the lookout for decent threads to link there.
Not a replacement, I'm very happy with my Wee Strom and until I start hearing of BMW 650's with over 150K on them, I know of the Strom's reliability issues. This isn't a BMW/Wee Strom bashing thread. This would be a second bike to toss in the truck so we can take it when we haul our trailer (lighter & not top heavy like the Strom) as a bike for (trusted) friends to borrow when they come visit sans motorcycle & as a bike to get better accustomed to riding on gravel roads. I can get something like a KLR cheaper as a second bike, but I can't get it with ABS and it wouldn't be as good at highway travel with my lady on back.
I noticed that after I took a second look at the thread P.S. I can nuke my responses to ChiTown if you wish
Sorry , no bashing of anyone.... I wrongfully assumed you'd be replacing the strom, which is a great bike ( at least the friends I rode was). Granted I think a GS is slightly more refined though. Good luck.
I thought the F800GS, the F650GS (twin), and the F800ST all had the same compression ratio of 12:1. I have the spec. sheets from BMW for the F800GS, the F650GS (twin) and they both list 12:1 .....
The f800 and the f650 twin are the same motor the only 3 different are 1. cam 2. air box 3. computer mapping and then is the wheels, front forks, single brake disk front, handle bar, body plastic side cover front I think I got at all
I've got a F800GS and want to use my Navigon GPS on it, however its power supply is of some smaller kind which I'm not too familiar with. I found the plug on the net: ...but I can't actually find a specific name for it, neither can I find a power cable with that plug on it that fits my Navigon. Any ideas or clues on where I can find one or how to solve this? And I do not want to start cutting my other power supply cable as I need that for my car.
Do a search for one of (in no particular order): - DIN plug motorcycle - Hella plug - Powerlet plug If you're constructing your own plug, the centre is generally positive and outside negative (I believe this is always the case but always best to double check). It might be a good idea to get some shrink tubing as well to seal where the wires come out of the plug. George
Maybe this thread helps? http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=112949 or Powerlet has a cable for darn near everything: http://www.powerlet.com/
Won't be constructing my own plug as the are fairly easy to find, and I don't want to have to buy another power cable to my gps to attach it to. And yeah I eventually realised that they were called "hella plug", found a few on ebay, even in sweden so I guess I'm safe. I think I'll rather buy an adapter than start ripping out the socket on the bike and changing it, however I will give it a peek, it might be easily changed to a "normal" cigarette lighter socket.
I am an avid mountain biker, and have had a life-long dream to ride to Alaska on a BMW .... long story. Well, I have the opportunity, time and money to do it next fall so I'm getting ready. My only experience on motorcycles have been rides on small dirt bikes and some short road rides on a Honda Rebel 450. Both felt comfortable, but I certainly was not challenging those bikes either. I'm 6'2" and about 215lbs, and am strong and in good shape. I am signing up for some local riding courses as well as BMW's own off road riding course. I am looking for advice on my first bike purchase. What I would like to do is to buy a new F800GS, put on all the crash bars and get to learning, as this would be the bike I take to Alaska and I feel I am big and strong enough to "handle" this bike when I eventually drop it. BUT, in my research, I see a lot of people suggesting starting out on something small and cheap, and moving up once you are comfortable. Is this truly needed? I am worried about picking up something small and cheap and then not being able to unload it before my Alaska trip ..... On to my other question specific to the BMW models. My assumption is that the F650gs would be good to learn on, but probably too small for me for an Alaskan adventure. The F800GS looks like a good fit for my size, and my intended trip .... I am confused by the F700GS, same as the 800 but with a lower seat height and slightly less HP? Is that it? With regard to the Alaska ride, we are looking at pavement and lots of dirt roads, but no desire for anything off-road or too extreme. Beyond the Alaska trip, I see lots of rural dirt road riding in Montana, Idaho and Washington. Would love to hear any constructive opinions! I am just getting the researching rolling!
Nate I just wanted to assure you that your choice on the BMW 800 GS is exactly what I have chosen for the other (relatively novice) riders for the same Alaska trip. I'm a 1150 GS rider 200,000+ miles (several BMW motorcycles) and have taken my 800 lb (loaded) GSA through most of Central America, USA, Canada etc and even my die hard loyalty to the Boxer twins (Oh I forgot to mention I'm also a BMW motorcycle technician) is swayed to the new parallel twins that are also chain drive. I hope to buy one (800 GS Adventure) before the trip as it's ideal for the bread loaf sized rocky road in the more remote roads in Alaska. I spent a lot of time in Alaska, all the way to Point Barrel but was in 4WD trucks. I had an F 650 Dakar, and it could do the trip but it's too 'buzzy' for weeks and weeks of Hwy / rough roads.
Menace, I would post up in one of the head light threads or maybe the main thread if you can take some flack. Also is this is a new, used, or nicely aged F8GS? I'm not too experienced with this problem. Some items I would check: 1. Batt voltage. I think I've heard that the Canbus will cut out the headlights if the voltage isn't high enough to keep the batt charged. Not sure but is easy to check the batt voltage. 2. Fuses. Fuse location should be in op manual. 3. PO wiring or and aftermarket add ons that could be causing shorts or breaks in power. 4. Connectors - take of panels and then un-plug and plug in connectors. Maybe the PO drove across the Uyuni Salar in Bolivia. 5. Trace wiring and look for breaks or problems with insulation.