I am not a hard core cross country type anymore but like to get off the tarmac
So! i am in the market of purchasing a used bike and Bmw g650gs or sertao comes to mind
Heres the deal 2014 gs650g bare stock less than 3000 k as close as new can be.
Or 2014 sertao 28000 all decked out Pannies expandable & Top Box skid plate crash bars and just about every thing you can put on this bike all original BMW

I have looked into buying aftermarket stuff for the bare 650 side saddles top box and brackets all original BMW, they are pricey about 2 grand Canadian and probably way more if you can get it in Colombia
Our dollar is simple to convert 1 buck = roughly 2000 cop
these two bikes are the same price
buy stock bike and buy aftermarket stuff in Colombia if i can find it
buy Sertao and go buy gas let the adventure begin
would the difference in milage be a factor
Your advise is appreciated
R

The Sertao is a better base bike. More front travel and a 21" front wheel. Important if you're thinking of taking the trails.

They're both low quality though. But good enough to travel solo on as long as you're not expecting quality off-road performance. They're very much a very budget bike. The motor is good though as long as the recalls have been done. They can suffer from hot start issues due to the de-compressor.

Getting a bike covered in accessories is generally always cheaper than buying it all new yourself.

The biggest depreciation on a bike is accessories. And they're always the most expensive things to bolt on.

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

Canada? Colombia? WTF! Where are you ... and why?
(fill in your profile!)

Unless you are made of money, I would not buy either BMW. I imagine they both would be very expensive in Colombia ... in Canada as well.

Lots of travelers used bikes for sale in Colombia cheap and lots of bike shops selling good used bikes of all kinds but mostly smaller ones.

Some really good travelers bikes if you can get it registered locally. (apparently not too hard to do)

I see many KLR's, DR650's and Honda XR650L's for sale here in HUBB classifieds ... (as well as Suzuki DRZ400's,
BMW X Challenge and many more)

Also, in Colombia they sell some pretty good Chinese 250's, low cost, much better now than years past.

My advice would be to buy a nice DR650 Suzuki or Kawasaki KLR650. So many around for sale, decent prices, very reliable, easy and low cost maintenance.

Mollydog no i am not made of money but i make money in Colombia I work for a Canadian aerial survey outfit and am currently in Neiva
I have been all over Colombia in the past seven mo. and at 14000 its is beautiful
so on my days off i want to hit the road and reaquaint with the many locals i have met and worked with in Yopal, Bucaramanga, Riohacha,Barranquilla, Bogota, Chia, Medejjin, Quibdo, Cali

I am going to flip a coin tomorrow Heads 2014 g650gs bare2550kms
tails 2014sertao 28000 kms loaded
these are beginner bikes so ill get the feel and see if i like, i have nothing in experience to compare I have a cedula and a Colombian bike car DL

TTed what year was the recall on g650 gs and what was the issue?

Wow! some fantastic times down there!

I flew a lot in Argentina with Argentine Air Force ... and in Antarctica with BAS
ages ago. (Twin Otter's) Two years down there.

Sounds like you haven't a clue about BMW singles. There's LOTS to know if you really want to check out one bike vs. the other.

I would put word out to the HUBB community, ask for help, find someone that knows these two bikes who can give unbiased opinion.

Have them check them both out (pay them if you must ...worth it). I guarantee there will be OBVIOUS differences ... and most likely some problems you will never see as you don't know what to look (or feel, or listen) for.

A good bike mechanic would be able to see obvious stuff but someone familiar with the F650 family of bikes would be ideal, if possible. But a really good mechanic would be OK too.

Also, riding them both would be the REAL test and the one I would do if shopping. NEVER, EVER buy a bike before taking a nice, leisurely test ride on BOTH. Stay calm, be objective. Park emotion at curb!

Ted's right, the basic (chinese made) engines are good on both bikes . Problem I have are the OTHER THINGS Ted said ... "not reliable bikes". You should pay attention to Ted, he was a BMW mechanic at BMW dealership.

Also, the Suzuki DR650 is 60 lbs. lighter weight than both BMW's. Best thing about those bikes is fuel economy. It's very good. (over 60 MPG!!) Both DR650 or KLR get just 40 to 50 MPG, very simple to work on yourself. BMW? not so much.

Think also about spare parts for BMW vs. Japan made bikes. :help smilie:
Parts from Germany typically can take a couple months to arrive. Even simple stuff.

But it sounds like your DEAD SET on BMW. With luck, all will be well ...
or not!

thanks mollydag Maintenance no problem give me a manual 25 years maintaining aircraft and yes my Favorite is the DHC-6 My profile is filled out
Did you meet Captain Steve king a Aviator of the BAS he is a friend of mine from the good old days at Ken Borek Air we had a blast

No, did not know Steve King. I flew with Giles Kershaw. Pretty much an Antarctic
legend. Died too young ... but we had some good times too in the 70's.

You are very lucky to have that sort of job! Enjoy! Hope you get a good bike With your mechanical back ground you'll do fine no matter what bike you end up with.

Safe riding.

I only spent two months in Colombia during my 7 years in mex, Cent. and S. America. (living, working, traveling)

hell molly GK RIP I too have a aircrew that i worked with and are still on Mt Elizabeth Antarctic
Bob Heath 55 from Inuvik, Perry Anderson 36 and Mike Denton 26 crashed on MT Elizabeth Antartica:2013 jan RIP
Bob at KBAL AIR is the greatest aviator i have ever had the privilege to known and to work with
i know this is way off the subject but adventures are all the same the quest for the unknown is common

I do still work for BMW in the summers. There were a couple of recalls. ECU software for stalling problems and a campaign on the decompressor if the bike was affected. We don't see many in these days though. Not in a main dealer anyway.

The motor is its strongest feature. Well made and economical. Just as reliable than any old Jap trail bike. But giving more power and better mpg.

That BMW badge does mean you're paying for the honour of it though. The rest of the bike is quite cheaply made.

Id happily ride one and not worry about it. But as suggested, id look around to what else is about.

A new, low mileage bike will generally give less grief than a twenty year old ex travellers trail bike with questionable history !!

Its all a question of what you're prepared to invest for that privilege.

Ted



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

I would go with the Sertao, as per earlier posts for the same reasons.
All budget bikes have budget suspension as standard; BMW suspension is no worse, or better, than say Honda budget bikes.

The engine is the smoothest of singles, powerful, reliable enough if you keep an eye on the maintenance of the water pump and that engine delivers about 75 miles per UK gallon.

__________________
Dave

thanks ted i bought the g650gs down in Neiva Columbia from a licenced car dealer I am happy it is a2014 new 2550km the reason was, i am in Neiva working and all the other bikes i looked at on the internet are in Bogota Cali and Medejjin
like i said earlier the hard core stuff is not my gig anymore i had a lots that shit making a living maintaining aircraft in the Canadian arctic and doing other crazy things like canoeing 2000 miles from Panama to lima in the early 80s
Mostly all the stuff i see on HU is about adventure and places that are remote
Well i have lived the dream and i always wondered when i saw Abikes in Inuvik for a day then turn around and leave
Man i wished i could do that not bike but leave i spent 3 years in Inuvik maintaining a Super DC 3 yup thats right A 3 above the Arctic Circle winter /summer Hauling what ever all over the Arctic
that was a adventure to go where few have gone before and what could possible go wrong with a DC 3above the Arctic Circle well i will have a book some day So i think ill just stick to roads well travelled in comfort but versatile