DR650, F650GS, or G5 Classic

[Chukar]

Wow, what an awesome forum. I've been spending a lot of time reading old threads but I still can't make up my mind as to what would be best for me to buy. I have a 45 minute commute each way for work on primarily highway. Speed limit is 55 but traffic is usually 65-70. I've gone off-road in my land cruiser but I don't have any dirt bike experience. I haven't ridden in 15 years. Back then it was on a Katana 600. I want to get off-road on a bike sounds like fun. In the next couple of years I want to ride down to Costa Rica to visit a friend. So here are the three bikes I'm looking at -

1. 2009 Suzuki DR650 - Simple design is appealing. I should probably get this bike but I don't like the looks of it. But looks shouldn't be the deciding factor. Will parts be available ten years from now?

2. 2006 BMW F650GS - It has a computer. Can I work on it myself, do I have to take it to a dealer, what happens if it stops working in the middle of nowhere? 70mpg is nice.

3. 2009 Royal Enfield G5 Classic - I am looking at the Enfield because it has the parts support longevity similar to BMW but the parts are dramatically cheaper than a BMW. There is a local Royal Enfield dealer I talked with for a while and what he said made sense. Unfortunately the G5 is currently on order and I didn't get a chance to ride one. 85mpg is very tempting. I like the looks. Looks shouldn't matter and in the end they don't so much. I'm mainly looking for durability and longevity. I don't care too much about if it is slow. My land cruiser is slow, has 250,00 miles on it and I hope to take it to the 500,000 mile mark. I also don't mind working on my own bike. But I want to ride it more than work on it. The new UTE construction is supposed to be pretty low maintenance.

Anyways. I am going around in circles as to which bike I should get. Any help or insight would be much appreciated.

Chad

[Butters]

Welcome 'Mudder! (Had an '87, have a '95)

I'm a relatively new rider myself, but the main thing I'll tell you is get the bike you really like. I think the DR650 would be great and uber-reliable, but it seems you aren't crazy about it - so you may want to cross it off your list because you'll always be longing for another bike.

The F650 is also a great choice and very reliable. It has FI instead of a carb (but so does an FJ62!).

The other thing to consider is this bike may not be your last. Obviously you want to buy the "right" bike, but your idea of "right" may change dramatically once you get a bike. Maybe buy an older DR650 or KLR on the cheap and ride it for a few months and reassess after that. You may find you want a more street worthy or dirt worthy bike after that. Or maybe something more exotic.

[Kommando]

If you don't plan to ride technical dirt, you could also consider something like the DL650.

I'm a DR fan though, and a few mods can really make the bike look different, if the only thing you don't like is the aesthetic aspect. Have you seen it with an SM front fender, the Buell headlight, DR250/350 tail, and some LED flushmount signals? A plastic tank, Renazco seat, and some DOT knobbies?

[Durangoman]

F650GS hands down winner. ABS, heated grips, fuelie... My last tank= 75mpg.

[markjenn]

If reliability and a no-hassle, gas-and-go bike is most important to you, buy Japanese. They're generally more reliable, have more dealers, have better parts availability, and cost less.

The DR650 is a good/simple bike, but not a great highway bike. The DL650 is a great highway bike, larger, fits luggage more easily, is much more comfortable and has a bit of weather protection so it makes a much better 90-min-per-day commuter, especially if you're in a cold and/or wet climate. Gas mileage will be close to the DR. And ABS is cheap on the bike and for a rusty-skills rider on an all-weather bike riding in commuting traffic, ABS is HIGHLY desirable. No, it's not a good dirt bike; the best it can do is to explore fire roads and the like, but if you're truly going to ride dirt, I'd get a 2nd bike. The DR650 is not a great dirt bike either, but off tarmac, it's quite a bit better than the DL. The KLR should be on your short list too.

BMW's are nice bikes with better dealers and very nice fit/finish. They also often have the best touring options. But they're expensive to start with and somewhat more difficult/expensive to service. And katie bar the door if you get a lemon. As I said before, for this application, I'd go Japanese for an all-together lower-hassle experience.

The Enfield has a funky appeal and I'd love to have one as a second or third bike to take on lazy Sunday rides, but until the dealer network gets flushed out and the new engine/FI proves itself, I view it more as a retro bike to supplement a stable, not as the everyday workhorse. You say you don't care about power, but the Enfield will be more or less tapped out at 70 - do you want to have to run your bike at full throttle just to keep up with traffic in your commute? Riding to Costa Rica on the thing would certainly be an adventure, but its the wrong tool for the job unless you're really into the retro thing and challenges.

The parts longevity thing is somewhat true of bikes like the BMW and Enfield, but I wouldn't listen very much to anyone trying to sell you something. Who knows how Enfield is going to fare in the next ten years? By any standards, its a tiny boutique mfg in the USA today. I'm sure a Bultaco salesperson said the same thing back in the 70's and try getting a 35-year old Bultaco part today. And I'll take a bike that doesn't need parts very often versus a bike that needs lots of them, even if they're slightly cheaper.

Final comment: You're just coming back to motorcycling after 15 years and how you will ride the bike and use it will likely change a lot in the next few years. The chances that you'll buy this bike and use it beyond 25K miles and a few years is very small. So while longevity is something to consider, don't let it dominate your thinking. Buy for the next couple years and go from there. You're not getting married, you're dating.

If you just want a simple recommendation: DL650 ABS.

- Mark

[Chukar]

Thanks for the responses. I guess I'll check out the DL650 ABS, too.

[MYBLUETTCA]

Suprising that with all the F650 compliments none have come out and said that the F is a good choice...

I have 2 F bikes, both 2006, both easy to wrench on, both have been nicely reliable in daily commute mode, long distance slab (Mex-Can on PCH), and easy off road. The only rub is the price of parts, and with a little effort you can find some disounts on most everything. A used but not abused GS is a great choice for your described use and you may not grow out of the bike as you can (with $$) make it good at anything (but great at nothing).

[Chukar]

So what is the difference between a 2006 BMW F650GS and a 2009 BMW G650GS?

[jafar]

Originally Posted by Chukar

So what is the difference between a 2006 BMW F650GS and a 2009 BMW G650GS?

The F650GS was built in Italy (by Aprilia) & has a ROTAX engine.
The G650GS is built in china to BMW spec's.

[GSBS]

...to ride each of the bikes you're considering before deciding. I doesn't really matter how much I or anyone else likes a particular bike... what matters is how YOU like riding it!

Myself, I've been very happy with the 03 F650 Dakar I purchased 2.5 years ago with 4K miles on the clock. Today the bike has 66K miles and I have had zero issues with the engine. Valves haven't even been out of spec!

And though I'm not a wrench, I've been able to do all the maintenance on my Dakar without it ever visiting a BMW dealer shop (or any shop for that matter). This has been the best motorcycle I've ever owned. It just does everything I want to do well.

All that said, I have also owned a new KLR and it was a nice bike as well, but not as well made as my Dakar nor as economical or comfortable.

[rewilfert]

Originally Posted by Chukar

So what is the difference between a 2006 BMW F650GS and a 2009 BMW G650GS?

I have a 2009 G650GS. From the outside, they are the same except that the G650GS has "G650GS" badging and a black engine. On the inside, the engine (or some part of it) is now made in Asia vs. Austria. Both bikes were/are assembled in Berlin, Germany.

I've looked all over the engine to see if there were any "made in" stamps or decals, but the only one I find is on the starter and it's a Denso, made in Japan. I don't know how much of the engine is made in Asia. I've had no issues with mine and haven't heard of anyone else having issues with the G650GS to date. The quality is excellent.

[Stegerman]

Originally Posted by GSBS

...to ride each of the bikes you're considering before deciding. I doesn't really matter how much I or anyone else likes a particular bike... what matters is how YOU like riding it!

Myself, I've been very happy with the 03 F650 Dakar I purchased 2.5 years ago with 4K miles on the clock. Today the bike has 66K miles and I have had zero issues with the engine. Valves haven't even been out of spec!

And though I'm not a wrench, I've been able to do all the maintenance on my Dakar without it ever visiting a BMW dealer shop (or any shop for that matter). This has been the best motorcycle I've ever owned. It just does everything I want to do well.

All that said, I have also owned a new KLR and it was a nice bike as well, but not as well made as my Dakar nor as economical or comfortable.

+1

I have an 03 F650GS not Dakar. It's my daily rider and in the last 6 months has seen 95% commute including some highway time. I am going to put a 17 tooth front c/s on to lower my highway rpms, but couldn't be happier. It's comfortable, powerful enough for me and you can find most parts at a pretty good rate.


I am NOT a moto mechanic. So far I have: replaced chain and sprockets, flushed the coolant, changed the oil, cleaned the air filter, and replaced brake pads front and back. All very easy and with The Chain Gang website and owning a (free) service guide you can hardly screw it up.

I had a shop replace the fork seals because they needed to be done and I didn't have time.

Two Thumbs uip for the Beemer.

[Railbender]

Originally Posted by jafar

The F650GS was built in Italy (by Aprilia) & has a ROTAX engine.
The G650GS is built in china to BMW spec's.

The F650 Funduro and ST were built by Aprilia, the F650GS & CS were built by BMW.

The computer doesn't present any real problems with owner service. You can always get a GS-911 tool to read and re-set service codes. The Chain Gang FAQs are an excellent source of information.
http://faq.f650.com/main.html



They

[Pedaler]

The DR is a little more dirt worthy, but if your riding is mostly on

F650 GS all the way

[XPADREX]

Originally Posted by Durangoman

F650GS hands down winner. ABS, heated grips, fuelie... My last tank= 75mpg.

What is the average speed you ride?

I ask only because I've not gotten better than about 50 mpg- not really trying to achieve high mileage, though- typically riding mostly at freeway speeds of about 65-70 mph+ indicated.