 11Likes
  maria41 G650gs 9 Feb 2012, 20:18
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15 Jan 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maria41
Hi Ted! YOU? Buying a BMW??????????????? :confused1:
What has the world come to! 
Seriously, the Sertao looks like a good bike (if you want a thumper). Similar to the Dakar. Well identical with a new name imho!
Alistair wants a F800GS....
For me I am going to get a Versys as soon as I get my container (From Brazil!).
Next trip is to Mongolia? I am still set on that for next year.
Must catch up at the HU meet.
Btw did you finish your welding job? Still toying with the idea of a pannier of sort for the dog in the Versys.... I just need an idea of built that would fit, as the stuff I saw in US sites is for sunny weather!
See you soon, |
I know... I think I'm having a midlife crisis. Luckily, I did some more research and came to the same conclusion that BMW are still peddling over-priced, over-marketed, mediocre bikes.
Yup, I'm still on the welding and fab stuff...
If you draw me up a design or a model in cardboard we can work something out from there.
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21 Aug 2013
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In Anchorage now after 22000 miles from Argentina, waiting for parts again. 2 x 2011 G650's, same issues, water pumps x 2 Fans X 2 overheating issues, steering head bearings, wiring issues (caused by Motoadventura in Chile)
Almost 6 weeks off the road in 8 months so far, not impressed just now. Still got 8000 miles to do this trip
www.ginoontour.blogspot.com read the blog and you'll get a flavour for it. Pretty fed up as they could have been brilliant, cost cutting is the main issue IMHO
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21 Aug 2013
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I think the fan died because it was on to much because of the rad guard. They do have a lifespan. The cooling system is designed without much margin so better not block it off. Better to ditch those guards and use chicken fencing. This should solve your cooling/ overheating issues.
If the steering bearings were never lubed while you owned it you've done pretty good out of them.
The water pump is common. They last less long than other bikes, but with the weep hole you get warned. Other bikes don't.
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21 Aug 2013
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Forewarned is forearmed
Quote:
Originally Posted by tmotten
The water pump is common. They last less long than other bikes, but with the weep hole you get warned. Other bikes don't.
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I'm not familiar with this weep hole design; please elaborate on how this works.
Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rondelli
In Anchorage now after 22000 miles from Argentina, waiting for parts again. 2 x 2011 G650's, same issues, water pumps x 2 Fans X 2 overheating issues, steering head bearings, wiring issues (caused by Motoadventura in Chile)
Almost 6 weeks off the road in 8 months so far, not impressed just now. Still got 8000 miles to do this trip
www.ginoontour.blogspot.com read the blog and you'll get a flavour for it. Pretty fed up as they could have been brilliant, cost cutting is the main issue IMHO |
As tmotten indicates, at least some of these factors have been identified for a long while with the F650GS and that technology very much carried over into the G650; therefore, prepping the bike for riding long distances is not exactly rocket science.
As for cost cutting; every manufacturer does that, some more than others, but they all do it - so do we of course, in every aspect of life.
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Last edited by Walkabout; 21 Aug 2013 at 12:55.
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25 Sep 2013
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first 20,000 miles
Quote:
Originally Posted by QINAO
I just bought a 2012 Sertao G650GS it is a nice bike, easily maintains 75 mph on the Freeway, took it out in the dirt today did ok for a 450 pound bike. I bought it because I wanted Fuel injection, BMW reliability, GS tourtech add-ons. The bike will be doing the continental divide dirt ride next summer, 2700 miles of dirt roads, then either Alaska or South America. I shopped around for over a year deciding what to buy, this bike won. I have a KTM 520 EXC when I want to ride ruff stuff. I traded in my Harley Road King for the BMW. After I ride this a year, I will be able to tell you if it was a good deal or not. We will see, so far it does exactly what I wanted it to do.
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I have now had the bike about 1.5 years and put 20,000 miles on it. About 1/4 real dirt riding loaded. Is a good bike for one person loaded. Is also a very good bike to do dual sport event rides with my 13 year old daugther riding two up. Sucks on the interstates. If I had it to do again I would buy a GS800 or more likely a KTM990.
But after you invest 5000 in touratech add-ons your are stuck the bike for life. Look for posts in the future with 50,000 miles maybe even 100,000 miles on the bike, who knows I ride alot, for someone with 5 kids and a full time job as a Thoracic Surgeon. 
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31 Mar 2013
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G650gs tires
Can anyone suggest a good alternative to the OEM Tourance tires that come with the G650GS? I was surprised that after 1700 miles I was able to get the rear tires to spin out as I was accelerating out of a deep corner. I was at about 5000 RPMs. Did not think a 48 HP bike could do that on a dry surface.
I have since dropped the pressure to 29 lbs fornt, and 34 rear. Have to see how that works. would like to put a sticky set of 80/20s or 70/30s on the bike.
BTW, this may be old news, but since 2011 the engine for the G650GS has been made in Germany.
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22 Apr 2013
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Bought the Sertao last year and rod it to the Arctic Ocean. Bike was flawless, I used the Heidenau K60 tires which lasted the entire trip loaded up on gravel over 11,000 km
Here is a link to the ride report Tuktoyaktuk Ride Report
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24 Apr 2013
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Re the engines, someone told me they have built in Germany since 2011 and not in Korea by Kymco ? Anyone know if this is true ?
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25 Apr 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iainnic
Re the engines, someone told me they have built in Germany since 2011 and not in Korea by Kymco ? Anyone know if this is true ?
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It doesn't really matter where they built. It's HOW they're built and to what budget.
A factory in Germany or Korea would use the same tooling and probably have the same project manager and go through the same testing. It's not like BMW just wash their hands of it and pass it over to some random factory in the jungle.
The G650 in general is built to a tight budget. It's a cheap bike. That's the bottom line to it.. The paint is thin and the fasteners are poor quality. Like any budget bike.
The overland favorite, XT600E is also a cheap bike. It too has cheap bolts that rust in front of your eyes and exhausts that look like they were recovered from the Titanic.
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25 Apr 2013
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Yes - I must admit you can see where the corners have been cut on my Sertao - and the paint / chassis is definitely one of them ! To date I have been quite impressed with the critter though, but compared with the build on the GSA or 800 there is a noticeable difference in many areas. I do like the 650 simplicity though
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26 Jul 2013
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Mefo tyres for Sertao
Try MEFO tyres - German - from Zen Overland - Gabe stocks them and I really like these tyres!
Tyres & Tubes
Explorer - MFE99. REAR. 13/80-17
Explorer - MFE99. FRONT. 90/90-21
Cheers
Col
Quote:
Originally Posted by SMR
Can anyone suggest a good alternative to the OEM Tourance tires that come with the G650GS? I was surprised that after 1700 miles I was able to get the rear tires to spin out as I was accelerating out of a deep corner. I was at about 5000 RPMs. Did not think a 48 HP bike could do that on a dry surface.
I have since dropped the pressure to 29 lbs fornt, and 34 rear. Have to see how that works. would like to put a sticky set of 80/20s or 70/30s on the bike.
BTW, this may be old news, but since 2011 the engine for the G650GS has been made in Germany.
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21 Aug 2013
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The weep hole is on the water pump cover. It prevents cross contamination as well as warns you.
Well documented, and I think in the manual as well.
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21 Aug 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmotten
The weep hole is on the water pump cover. It prevents cross contamination as well as warns you.
Well documented, and I think in the manual as well.
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Thanks - I don't recall that detail on the 2005 F650GS so maybe Rotax/BMW modded the water pump cover design.
I guess the weep hole relieves any excess water pressure from contaminating the oil and, as you say, tells the rider that the seal is leaking.
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21 Aug 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout
Thanks - I don't recall that detail on the 2005 F650GS so maybe Rotax/BMW modded the water pump cover design.
I guess the weep hole relieves any excess water pressure from contaminating the oil and, as you say, tells the rider that the seal is leaking.
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the 2005 F 650GS does have the telltale hole, As far as im aware all bmws that have water cooling have this. In the left engine casing where the waterpump shaft goes through there is 2 identical seals, one for oil and one for the collant and there is about 1mm inbetween with this telltale hole so that if one of them fails the liquid will flow out of the hole so you know it has failed
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21 Aug 2013
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And on the rotax 650s its always the coolant seal. There is a kit to repair it..
I've not seen a g650 in our place with a failed seal ... The early f650s were terrible for it.
Tony will be able to advise you better.. I've only been with BMW specifically for 6 months and we don't get many 650s through the workshop.
www.touringted.com
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G650gs tires
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