Folks; I've been doing a spot of reading tonight after finding a couple of rather nice local-ish deals on BMW F650 Xcountries. We'd originally planned on getting a F700GS for my other half but they are awful expensive, she's new to riding and they're heavy compared to the single cylinder versions.

So, a few things come to mind. I've read various nuggets of wisdom around the net but sometimes it's worth asking the questions as well.

• I've no experience with single cylinder bikes, I was always under the impression there were a bit vibey. Any truth in this? Are they very much worse than the newer two cylinder versions for munching up on-road miles?
• The single is markedly lighter. For a new, fairly short rider with less strength to throw around than us blokes that's got to be a great thing, right?
• To me the X-Country looks markedly better as a travel bike than the standard 650 single; spokes and a slightly bigger front wheel. Thoughts?
• I understand that the later (2009) models were a bit crap compared to the earlier ones, any truth in this?
• How long could one reasonably expect the engine to last? I understand the Rotax ones are pretty bulletproof.
• If anyone happens to have had one and a newer F700 - how do they compare in seat height? On paper the X is 2cm taller. I ask because the F700 has, so far, been the only bike my good lady has got on with in terms of height.
• The X-Challenge looks rather more expensive. Worth the pennies?

Any other comments/feedback or suggestions would be appreciated!

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[ Tim | History - NW Italy/French Rivera, Swiss Alps, Morocco | 2016 - Greece > Albania > Macedonia > Kosovo > Montenegro > Bosnia > Slovenia > Austria ]

The X-Country is, IMO, the best of the X models for a travel bike ... and best for a novice female rider. It's lower than the X and lower than some other dual sport bikes as well.

Engines are ALL Rotax designed units and ALL made by Loncin in China, none in Germany. But no worries, they are GOOD, made to a high spec. Research Loncin's history and evolution of F650, X bike BMW's and BMW's relationship with Loncin.

The biggest problem with this bike is that BMW did not stay with it long. Did not upgrade it or improve it in it's very short 3 year production run. (sold only 2 years in USA). Eventually factory parts may run out. ???

There are a few weak areas on the bike you need to be aware of. They are expensive here in USA, maybe less in Germany?

Bring a X Country back to the UK and you won't lose much money on it, if any.
They are rarely available nowadays in the UK: folks seem to be keeping them so they don't come up for sale too often here.

The engine is the same as that in the current G650GS so spares will be around for some time yet.
The engine is the smoothest of single cylinders - I've done 580 miles in one ride, keeping up with 1200GS etc (via smoke/refuelling stops) on the earlier F650GS single cyl.
With "proper" maintenance e.g. the water pump "issue" then high mileages should be achieved.

There are stories about the later ones being "worse" but I have seen no justification for this view other than the pillion foot pegs were removable on the earlier versions (bolt ons) compared with welded attachments for the 2009 model.

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Dave

They do come up for sale on the Gsuser site there's one on now for £3300 with about 11000 miles on it,
I do think you could do a lot worse then this bike for touring, nice bike I would have another but I'm into xt600 at the moment.
I've seen one for about £2600 that was snapped up but I would say about £3000 is the going rate.

Well, what I am seeing at the moment are two of interest.

One is 3900 Euros, 2009 model with 13,000Km on the clock - which seems to be an excellent price. Private seller and according to the seller it's barely been used since 2010 and not had any service since 2010 either. I'd be wanting to check the service paperwork to confirm that and I must admit to being a little concerned about a bike which has, apparently, done 200Km in the past 5 and a half years. I accept that servicing is more about distance than it is time but that is a long time to be virtually idle. I'm thinking an oil and filter change on collection and another 500Km down the line to catch any crap that's built up in the engine and been worked loose with the increased use. Also - it was originally yellow and has been plastic-coated to white for aesthetic reasons. I can't decide if this is bike a great deal or if the alarm bells should be ringing.

The second one I am looking at is 4200 Euros, 2007 with 23,000Km. Full main dealer service history. Being sold by a BMW dealership with generally good reviews. Comes with a year's warranty. It looks like it's got good tyres - where the other one needs new; so that almost covers the price difference. The first one will need a service; no doubt about that - this one I would be trying to make sure the dealer does whatever it's next service is before collection.

I lean somewhat towards the second; despite the age and mileage. Who knows what's wrong with en engine that has sat for so long?

Thoughts from the weathered and the wise?

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[ Tim | History - NW Italy/French Rivera, Swiss Alps, Morocco | 2016 - Greece > Albania > Macedonia > Kosovo > Montenegro > Bosnia > Slovenia > Austria ]

That is a very tough call. You've got it right about doing two oil changes ... bikes don't like to sit that long. But with luck and a careful full service, it could be a good deal. Such low km can't be bad.

The other bike sounds good too and the warranty makes it tempting.

I would go test ride both bikes and give them a careful look. Follow your instincts ... from what I can tell ... yours are very good.
Good luck!

Whats the range of the x Country?

I like to have a range of at a minimum of 150 miles.

I prefer 250.

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Charles CCM450, BMW R90/6, BMW R50
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...a/027_27-1.jpg

From what I read it'll do over 200km to a tank, which is adequate, I can't see her riding longer distances without wanting to stretch her legs anyway. Plus we've got my Tiger, can decant fuel from it if needed - plus I'll have a bottle or two for cooking.

If we decide to take the bikes to deepest darkest Whereveristan there is a very neat auxiliary fuel tank available which fits in behind the pannier frames I'm looking at.

I'm hoping she likes this bike, I'm a bit excited at having one in the stable!

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[ Tim | History - NW Italy/French Rivera, Swiss Alps, Morocco | 2016 - Greece > Albania > Macedonia > Kosovo > Montenegro > Bosnia > Slovenia > Austria ]

One on gumtree £1800 with about 23000 miles

It's an X Challenge; very different from the X Country, apart from the engine which is the common factor to all of those single cylinder models from BMW.

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Dave

Arma the BMW X Country is a fun bike in the right place, mile munching on big roads is not the right place. When touring with your Tiger the X Country will go way further off tarmac up tiny tracks and tricky terrain reaching remote mountain tops with ease.
I am 5ft 3ins. I have a 2007 X Country which was greatly lowered by a previous owner. I have done about 17,000 miles mostly touring in continental Europe on mine.
Wind resistance is awful on motorways in headwinds (I don't go there on this bike). Very twisty tiny roads are a delight with the added ability to get well off the beaten track. I have done a few hundred miles off tarmac and never dropped it despite some interesting places. The power to weight ratio is impressive. When I get back on it after a fly ride trip aboard a heavier bike it feels like a 250 dirt bike. Very different from the other single cylinder BMW's. When I get back on it after a sportier ride it feels terribly sluggish.
Seat is less comfortable than most BMW's.
Luggage carrying is not great. I use a top box plus tail pack with added anchor points for the bungees, plus lightweight bits (map or tablet) elastic strapped & tied to "not the fuel tank"
Fuel tank capacity about 130 miles. I carry a plastic siphon tube taped to the underside of the seat. The fuel tank is low so a siphon might work. Fuel warning light packed up on mine and the costly replacement of sensor unit was soon done after I ran out of fuel.
Before I bought mine I rode an original X Country for an hour or so on tiny roads on a Greek Island. It was great fun but pretty tall for me, I would not have been capable of stopping on steeply sloping ground.
My X Country has probably been my least reliable bike, with poor, slow service from my local BMW dealership. I think they put their least able mechanics on the simple bikes and after several disappointments will not be using them again. Problems include upper chain guide falling off (known model issue subject to a later recall) and low battery (but still functioning) causing failure of engine management system. Having said this the build quality is good, but when something goes wrong it is a pain to work on with access to everything awkward. The 53 horsepower 650cc engine is Austrian Rotax, not German or Chinese. Antilock brake can be switched off.
My advice is buy one, go off and have some wonderful adventures together then sell it before it becomes too troublesome.
Perhaps you would like mine!

HA! Well, there's a vote of confidence!
Electra's review is kind of all over the map. I wonder how much actual work Electra has done on the bike?

53 HP? Really? On what Dyno was that? True rear wheel HP is typically measured at around 42 to 45 HP at best on several tests I've read.

It's well known that the Rotax engine was designed by ... Austrian ROTAX of course. Early on Rotax supplied motors for BMW and other companies like Aprilia. Rotax also designed the F800 twin for BMW, ALL 800's are built in Berlin, NOT Austria.

Early F650's were built in Berlin at the Spandau factory. Sometime in early 2000's BMW transferred F650 production to Loncin in China. The Rotax design is unchanged and BMW's machine tools are in China. Engines and bikes have been built there ever since.

BMW and Loncin have had a successful partnership for over a decade. Basic engines are very good but like many Euro designs (KTM) the owner needs to be more proactive regards maintenance and best do some service work himself if possible. Learn the bike, know it's foibles and deal with them before they cause problems. These bikes ARE a bit awkward to work on, simple things not so easy to access. Not very home mechanic friendly, IMO.

Well, taking one out for a test today, will see what we think of it. I appreciate all the input folks!

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[ Tim | History - NW Italy/French Rivera, Swiss Alps, Morocco | 2016 - Greece > Albania > Macedonia > Kosovo > Montenegro > Bosnia > Slovenia > Austria ]

You are probably aware that the UK dealerships have clearly defined areas, in many cases corresponding to the boundaries of the counties.
Independant servicing mechanics have established themselves in fairly recent years; often these are time-served BMW technicians who were fully trained back in the days when such apprenticeships were organised properly - they saw a business opportunity and formed their own business.

Right enough, garages nowadays will put the "car valeting trainee" onto the task of servicing your bike and charge you the same hourly labour rate as a fully trained mechanic.

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Dave

That teach me to read the post correctly,,,lol,,