BMW F650GS Twin Riders

ARDirt · 11-16-2008, 03:12 PM

What are your likes and dislikes about the F650GS Twin?

Thanks!!

* SHAG * · 11-16-2008, 06:24 PM

I test rode both bikes. The only complaint I had was the sidestand didn't go down positively like on the 1200. I'm sure it would be easy to get used to though.

KROWBAR · 11-17-2008, 08:32 AM

Likes: Everything except the seat

Dislike: The seat.

RobTheRigger · 11-17-2008, 01:30 PM

There isn't too much I don't like, but to be critical, the bars are a tad wide for my liking (only 2-3 inches). Eventually, I'll move everything inboard and take a pipe cutter to them. I can't stand the way the sidestand and left peg get in the way of each other when you try to put the stand down. I think that's about it. I really don't mind the seat at all.

-Rob

alonzo · 11-17-2008, 03:56 PM

I'm real happy with mine. Well,,, the seat *is* a bit uncomfortable... but a sheepskin did help. I traded an `08 F800ST on it and really, other than the 'cornering like a cat on shag carpet' feel of the ST, I just love my F650GS. BTW,.. it corners pretty nice, even on TKC80's. I thought about getting the F800GS but, since I never used most of the engine power or the brake power of my ST I figured I didn't need the extra power, extra brakes, extra weight and extra $$$$ of the 800.

Some photos of my GS are here: http://hawkeye.ualr.edu/~ltjones/f650gs/

-- alonzo

Navaho · 11-17-2008, 06:22 PM

The seat is horrible. I thought that spending $10K might buy me a decent seat. Corbin to the rescue.......................again!

Other than the seat, the bikes other shortcomings were expected. I didn't expect it to be very capable offroad, and it's not. I didn't expect it to be very quick or powerful, and it's not.

My DR650 is a far better offroad machine, and the DR is an under-achiever compared to other modern offroad bikes in the same class. And my previous '04 SV650 was much quicker, and it was one of the slowest midsized sport bikes in production.

BUT none of that matters to me because I was looking for something unique. I LOVE the F650 twin because I absolutely love the DR650 and the SV650, and it feels like a cross between the two.

11-16-2008, 03:12 PM	#1
ARDirt ^OP Adventurer Joined: Oct 2008 Oddometer: 45	BMW F650GS Twin Riders What are your likes and dislikes about the F650GS Twin? Thanks!!

11-16-2008, 06:24 PM	#2
* SHAG * Unstable Joined: Nov 2001 Location: Bradford, Pa Oddometer: 3,920	I test rode both bikes. The only complaint I had was the sidestand didn't go down positively like on the 1200. I'm sure it would be easy to get used to though. __________________ Go like hell, You'll get there quicker! 99-RT- Graphite 50k Gone 01-GS- Mandarin 42k Gone 05-GS- Rock Red 83k 06-GS- Dakar-40k Sold

11-17-2008, 01:30 PM	#4
RobTheRigger Studly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2008 Location: VA Beach Oddometer: 581	There isn't too much I don't like, but to be critical, the bars are a tad wide for my liking (only 2-3 inches). Eventually, I'll move everything inboard and take a pipe cutter to them. I can't stand the way the sidestand and left peg get in the way of each other when you try to put the stand down. I think that's about it. I really don't mind the seat at all. -Rob __________________ I can imagine a no more rewarding career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: "I served in the United States Navy." JFK "I rode a lot of dirt bikes when I was younger, so I trust the chain and sprockets more than that newfangled voodoo shaft stuff!" DolphinJohn

11-17-2008, 03:56 PM	#5
alonzo Misadventurer Joined: May 2007 Location: South end of the Ozarks Oddometer: 341	I'm real happy with mine. Well,,, the seat is a bit uncomfortable... but a sheepskin did help. I traded an `08 F800ST on it and really, other than the 'cornering like a cat on shag carpet' feel of the ST, I just love my F650GS. BTW,.. it corners pretty nice, even on TKC80's. I thought about getting the F800GS but, since I never used most of the engine power or the brake power of my ST I figured I didn't need the extra power, extra brakes, extra weight and extra $$$$ of the 800. Some photos of my GS are here: http://hawkeye.ualr.edu/~ltjones/f650gs/ -- alonzo __________________ 2006 Suzuki DR650SE 1978 BMW R80/7 2009 BMW F650GS (do you think a new BMW every 30 years is too much?) 2006 Yamaha XT225 1970 Triumph Bonneville T120R "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." ¡sǝʞıq ʇɹıp ɟo ɟɟo ʎɐʇs pןnoɥs noʎ ǝqʎɐɯ uǝɥʇ sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ uɐɔ noʎ ɟı

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11-17-2008, 08:32 AM	#3
KROWBAR KROWBAR Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Orange County, NC, CSA Oddometer: 15	Likes: Everything except the seat Dislike: The seat.

11-17-2008, 06:22 PM	#6
Navaho Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Oddometer: 976	The seat is horrible. I thought that spending $10K might buy me a decent seat. Corbin to the rescue.......................again! Other than the seat, the bikes other shortcomings were expected. I didn't expect it to be very capable offroad, and it's not. I didn't expect it to be very quick or powerful, and it's not. My DR650 is a far better offroad machine, and the DR is an under-achiever compared to other modern offroad bikes in the same class. And my previous '04 SV650 was much quicker, and it was one of the slowest midsized sport bikes in production. BUT none of that matters to me because I was looking for something unique. I LOVE the F650 twin because I absolutely love the DR650 and the SV650, and it feels like a cross between the two.