2-up F650GS or R1200GS ?

[flyerblade]

Just a quick poll:

Trip: 2-up (average size adults), tarmac + importantly dirt/gravel roads but no off-road (S America), luggage + camping stuff.

Which bike R1200GS or F650GS ?

[Walkabout]

Hi,
I don't know about the S Amer aspect, but the F650GS is too cramped in the amount of seating available for these two average sized adults when lots of luggage is to be put on the back - it's too cramped without the luggage and, maybe (matter of opinion and personal preference), a tad under-powered to haul 2 adults around.

There has been a similar comment from me in the past, in another thread, if you want more discussion about the F650, one-up Vs two up.

This all refers to the "old" single cyl; the new 2008 twin with 71 HP will be a different case.

[MikeS]

For a trip of a decent length of time 2-up, I'd say go for a larger bike like a 1150/1200 or whatever. Sure, you can do it on a 650 but it will be more cramped and it won't have the same power as a bigger bike.

[juddadredd]

Hi,

I did a month with the GF on the back of my little f650gs Dakar fully loaded for camping before she had to fly home, still cruised at 90MPH and not many cars past us, well until we got to Italy.

I'm medium build 5 7" 60kg, she's 4 11" and about 40kg, no problems whatsoever had lots of acceleration plenty of room and could dodge through traffic with no problems even with my 41lt panniers. It all depends on how you ride your bike, I like to be under control and ride within my limits, I also like to be able to lift my fully loaded bike for when I drop it.

Why not test ride both with the misses on the back and see what you think, but there’s not much difference in seat size from what I can see.

[travelHK]

I have the 1200 gs and for me the 650 is just way to small , the 1200 gs is more powerfull but also have better brake and suspension than the 650 . you will enjoy a more roomy bike and the pillon will love it even more.If she suffer you will not be happy at all, a back rest is a big plus for very long ride.Mine has 25000 miles and my wife can do 300 to 500 miles a day on a stock seat without complaining .

good luck

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by HendiKaf

Ithe 1200 gs is more powerfull but also have better brake and suspension than the 650 .

I didn't bother to mention the suspension, but the F650 is on it's limit IMO with two up and lots of extra kit - for us "average" weight/bulk of people anyway.
I weigh 90 Kg without bike riding armour (been in the gym quite a lot!!); I dare not ask about my wifes' weight.

I don't know what the spring rating is (most staff in the BMW shops don't know either) but it feels undersprung to me when loaded like that and, anyway, the bike must be getting close to it's recommended all-up weight limit. I don't need figures to prove this to my satisfaction - I have ridden the F650 with various weights of passenger and with luggage with the pre-load wound right up to it's maximum. In summary, it feels lardy with such weight on board.
I certainly would not like to go off smooth tarmac with it, other than lightly loaded & one up - done that no problems.

Might as well mention it: with two-up, I found that the pillions' helmet front was nearly always banging against the back of my helmet on braking; that's how close the seating positions are. + with the 1200GS, the pillion can look over the top of the rider - no chance of that with a 650, unless the passenger is enormously tall.

I quite agree that the passenger has to be comfortable or the rider will get "grief", sooner than anticipated.

[juddadredd]

Hi,

My suspension seemed to be ok with 2 up fully loaded not much difference then when it’s just me and the bike to be honest, I had preload set to hard and the adjuster set to Std, when it’s just me I have the preload set to soft and the adjuster set to Std, and have never had any problems at all. (9,000 miles so far since Aug)

The only thing I did notice was I had to break harder then normal which on the single front disk wasn't much fun, and the bike did dive alot more then I would have liked, so I changed the fork oil and added steel lines.
We did about 500+ odd miles of twisties and the bike handled fine, smooth and solid and sure. Plus all of the hours on the motorways, and some green laneing to get to campsites with nothing to complain about.

I had both of our sleeping bags on top of my panniers which my GF used as arm rests, and I also had the top box on which she used as a back rest, so it was like being in the car for her. The only times when I bumped heads with Michelle was when she had fallen asleep, yup you heard correctly asleep on a little vibrating cramped Dakar so she must have been very comfortable. Oh did I mention that I tend to ride with my b*lls right up on the Faux tank because I’m short arse, so that might give me an extra inch or two.

When I’ve gained some more experience (new rider) and get some more strength in my bum leg, then I might consider getting one of the new F800s haven’t seen one in the flesh because I’ve been away from home, but they do look nice. I just won’t let myself ride a bike that I can’t pick up all day long, and the bigger GS are way too heavy for my frail little body to lift single handed.

But I’m More than happy with my small bike.