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1998 F650 reliable? 1998 F650 reliable?
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  #1  
Old 27 Oct 2013
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1998 F650 reliable?
Hi guys,

Still shopping for a bike.

I have come across a 1998 F650 in Ireland with 30,000 kilometres.

motorbike for sale For Sale in Dublin : €1,250 - DoneDeal.ie

Asking 1250 euro.

I am planning to do around 13-14,000 k's on the bike over about 10 weeks starting in May next year from UK to Mongolia.

Chasing a bit of honest feedback.

Thanks, Tom.
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  #2  
Old 27 Oct 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daze55556 View Post
honest feedback.
IMO, no one can make a call about a particular bike from an advertisement (so I haven't even read your link).
Getting objective views about the F650, or any BMW, in here can be difficult at times, but you could try reading back through this forum, via a search within here - the search function works pretty well.
FWIW, I put about 12000 miles of road riding on a 2005 F650 with no issues.

These couple of websites have information from a range of owners:-
::::.UKGSer.::::

BMW F650 Forums
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  #3  
Old 27 Oct 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
IMO, no one can make a call about a particular bike from an advertisement (so I haven't even read your link).
Getting objective views about the F650, or any BMW, in here can be difficult at times, but you could try reading back through this forum, via a search within here - the search function works pretty well.
FWIW, I put about 12000 miles of road riding on a 2005 F650 with no issues.

These couple of websites have information from a range of owners:-
::::.UKGSer.::::

BMW F650 Forums
Thanks
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  #4  
Old 28 Oct 2013
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I fully agree with Walkabout on the inability to comment on a particular bike (and your link doesn't work for me). But, again, FWIW, I own an early '98 F650ST, and rode it this summer from St.Petersburg (RU) to Enniskillen and back, almost 11,000 km in total, with zero problems. Granted, I prepared the bike quite well during the previous winter.

It will all depend on the state of the bike and your preparation of it for the trip. Mind you, it is probably not the most lightweight bike to ride in Mongolia and generally on seriously offroad terrain.

Forums and FAQs at f650.com are extremely helpful.


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Old 28 Oct 2013
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Search on F650.com for reg-rec and water pump problems. Not insurmountable but may influence you if you have other choices or at least give you an idea of what prep and spares you'll want. The chains were also undersized (same as a 250 Honda) but I never had the sort of life issues some reported.

I had two F650's from '95 to '03. Perfectly good bikes when working, easy to use and nice and efficient. My last one had water pump blight in Morocco and destroyed itself. Personally, for that sort of cash and trip I'd be looking for XT's and DR's but that's me.

If you are thinking the badge means anything you will be disappointed. The Funduro is an Aprillia subjected to BMW cost cutting measures when they could be bothered (they had little interest, a real not-made-here, should have been a sleeved down R1100, why don't you trade it for an R1100 attitude was obvious in anyone at BMW you spoke to back in the '90's). The result was things like torque values in the manual that caused BMW dealers to strip drain bolt threads.

Enjoy your trip

Andy
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Old 28 Oct 2013
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Thanks all for your replies, I appreciate what you guys said about commenting on a particular bike. Fair enough.

I think as threewheelbonnie says I will look at xt600/660 or dr650s. Simple air cooled, easy to fix, super reliable...very boring though.
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Old 28 Oct 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daze55556 View Post
starting in May next year from UK to Mongolia.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daze55556 View Post
I will look at xt600/660 or dr650s. Simple air cooled, easy to fix, super reliable...very boring though.
There are not many of the XT600 for sale in the UK nowadays, and even less of the DR650. Take a look at the Yamaha tech forum in here for the preparation of the XT and the issues that riders have with them.

The 660 is water cooled of course; funnily enough, that reminds me that the twin spark single cylinder 650 does come brand new nowadays, as fitted in the G650 and the Sertao.

In due course, someone will be along to comment on engines made in China or some such outlandish place where the manufacturing process cannot possibly compare with that conducted in some other parts of the world.
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