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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 24 Jan 2005
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Location: Minnesota, Florida
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2005 F 650GS
My local BMW dealer has offered to bargain with me on this bike. I would appreciate comments on known problems or weak spots, for instance, were these bikes subject to surging?
Are there mods or changes I would want to bring up during the bargaining process?
With the ABS and heated grips this bike lists at over 9,000 USD; what would be a good price for this bike in Minnesota? Sounds like she wants to charge for shipping and setup, too.
Appreciate any replies.
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  #2  
Old 25 Feb 2005
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Hi having owned a GS650 here in the UK I would stay clear if you are going to do some heavy mileage. I did 42,000 miles on mine in 2002/3. I had problems with the rear brake, rear wheel bearings, shock lingage etc. I did use the bike all year round and it was serviced by a BMW Dealer. After spending so much money on the bike it was'nt worth to much when I came to sell it. I now look back and wish I had got myself a jap bike and saved myself some money.
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  #3  
Old 25 Feb 2005
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Location: Gloucester, England
Posts: 419
Bobo

Chapter and verse here [URL=http://faq.f650.com/MainIndex/Purchasing.htm]

Mick

p.s. Also www.F650.com & www.F650.co.uk

[This message has been edited by Squidbrain (edited 25 February 2005).]
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  #4  
Old 25 Feb 2005
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Location: guildford, surrey, UK
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I bought a 2003 Dakar version, which I then rode all through the US and South America last year. in total I have now put on over 40K miles. I find it to be an excellent bike and have had no serious isssues with it. All I really had to get done was steering head bearings at around 30K. I experienced none of the surging that people on older versions seem to have had. Some also talk about the need to replace the rear shock for a long trip. I still have the stock one, despite carrying round about 60kg of luggage for most of those miles..
Its a very comfortable bike to ride - more than many big singles, and handles very well on road and respectably off it. In all conditions I found that I was more a limiting factor on the terrain than the bike. Great fuel economy, even better in this new model, is also a big plus.
Overall its an excellent bike. My only gripe is that getting the fake tank on and off to access the battery, oil reservior etc is a bit fiddly. You may also find parts to be a bit more expensive than with jap bikes. But I still think it is the best new bike on the market right now for one up adventure travel.

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http://www.postmaster.co.uk/~richardbeaumont/60684/
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  #5  
Old 26 Feb 2005
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Check www.benkapulko.com , there you can have a good idea of what the bike is capable to do.
Good Luck

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Life is the process of making known the unknown. MOROcycler
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