As far as I know the newer Rotax engine parts are made in Europe and then shipped to China for assembly along with the rest of the bike.

I'm not sure if that's a bad thing or not.... The Chinese seem capable of making everything and anything.

As you know Maria, the German built older F650's we're out of a kinder Egg.


The Sertao really temps me. It does look like a real contender and these engines seem to have shaken off the past problems of the older models.. As far as I know.

Maybe a great Mongolia/Siberia bike.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

There's a link to a thread thats just started (think its Ted too !)
here http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...reliable-68284

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,

__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

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.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Design below!!! & I wouldn't swop her for any new 650 on the market today
Go on Ted- give in- Rotax is an awesome engine and the so called 'water pump' issue is just an impeller shaft and 2 seals down to be replaced when you service the bike. Just changed mine for the first time at 38,000 miles.

You're dead right.. I can't argue. The Rotax is a fabulous engine. It really is. Very economical, smooth, good power etc. It's the only saving grace of the F650.

The waterpump seal thing isn't the end of the world either. It's just a pain in the ass and it should of been fixed YEARS ago. The fact they didn't and won't even admit is was a fault shows how much they don't expect anyone to actually really travel on their travel bikes let alone do enough miles before it failed.

My main gripe is the finish.... I just don't like all the fisher price gubbins on the F650's. They all rattle and fall off. Stupid Torx bolts with heads made of cheese make servicing and on the road repairs a pain. Poor design meaning you have to strip half the bike down to check the plugs and valves. The really poor reg/rect that's positioned so it doesn't get any air. The stupid early design which dried up and seized headstock bearings from bad frame/oil circulation design. The ABS that works for the first 15 minutes when you roll it out of the showroom door before all the electrics fail. That's even if your dashboard hasn't rattled off and fallen off down a bumpy track..

I won't even go into the snapped forks on some models

I've travelled with LOADS of F650's. I've not seen one reach it's destination looking like it hasn't been in the garbage compactor on the death Star.

It's not a bike that you think the designers had any intention of it ever really going anywhere. I bet BMW were surprised when it really took off.

It's not a BAD bike. It's just worth about £2000 less than BMW charged for it.



Anyway, some people are going to think I've got a thing agaist F650's at this rate

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

It does need the whole suspension revised though but a Wilbers on the back, 20 point oil in the forks with the uprated TT spring and the job's a good one.
Go on...admit, you really want one and if the badge offends you- a screw driver pops it off!

And with enough upgrading, ferreting and money you could get a reliant robin to fly to the moon.


Or you could just buy a space ship...

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Nah! Not powered by Rotax!

Dy'a dare me to buy a bmw dakat and ride it to magadan?


How aboutt some sponsership too

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I do ...

I'll buy you a if when you make it.

__________________

Hmmmmmmmm this is an interesting idea...

Maybe I can raise some charity sponsorship for it too..


HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM I'm tempted.

The only thing that might stop me doing this is that for some rediculous reason, the dakar's are expensive.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

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.

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

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 ?