The new twin-engine GS seems to be pretty much a straight competitor to the Honda Transalp 700 and Suzuki Vstrom 650. Not much difference in price in my country either, so be interesting to get to test that bike soon.

16 liters fuel tank, thats 6 liters less than a DL, would mean almost 150 kms less range, if their consumption is about the same.

Call me dumb, but I still dont quite get it, why on earth they are making things more complicated by calling an 800cc bike "650"........ then again, I've never understood the BMW indicators that you need all your hands to operate, either (yeah I know, you'll get used to them - kind of!!) So guess Im just not thinking 100% like the Germans.

Anyway, it seems like a very interesting new model.

Yes, squarely in that area of the market with these 2 Beemer twins competing with the V twins, on price as well.
Yep, the 650 name is confusing; especially the full title, F650GS, which has exactly the same "designation" as the earlier single cyl bike - lots of potential for confusion in ordering spares in the future!!

F650GS:
Tim mentions the good fuel economy; this has not changed, it has always been outstanding with the single and it seems that the twin continues to produce similar MPG figures - early days for reports of fuel economy, but it makes sense with fuel injection technology and the other BMW bikes that have used this engine for at least two years, in a different state of tune and "with the full 800cc unleashed", have returned good figures.
So, 16 litres may be enough for many people and purposes - the single cyl can do 200 miles between fill-ups with some reserve remaining.


There is an amount of rumour that the latest boxer 1200cc/105 HP is the last of them: "no way can that engine meet the next generation of Euro emission regulations" (euro 4/5/6???). With the 800GS we may be looking at the new future for the BMW GS monikor.
How about an 800 Adventure or 650 (that will be an 800, sir) Dakar????!!


Even more
Suzuki now well overdue to update the DL bikes? (1000 and 650).

__________________
Dave

"Suzuki now well overdue to update the DL bikes? (1000 and 650)."

Yes, the 1000, to meet the new Euro3-emission standards.

The 650 isnt outdated in my opinion, and though I havent yet ridden the new Transalp, it looks much more like a copycat of the DL, than its beater.

We will see how the new "GS650", which is really 800, will compare to the DL. Probably a bit more torque, yes, but the DL certainly aint bad for a 650! And its got a real sturdy frame to carry any amount of luggage as far as you want to go, yet its a very nice bike to ride in the twisties as well. Be interesting to see if BMW can achieve such balance on their bike.

And Im hoping BMW get the reliability side of things right this time (unlike the 1200GS). Surprisingly, this has lately seemed to be the area theyre behind the Japanese. I believe if properly maintained, both the DL and the Transalp will go on forever (relatively speaking!)

This is my first post on any forum but thought I would throw my views into the mix
I am currently the owner of a 2005 gs1200. My wife and I are planning to broaden our horizons over the next few years and have started the process of deciding which bikes to use. We have now decided on two bikes rather than one and following the advice on horizons have decided that two bikes the same is the answer. I recently took both the 800 and the 650 for test runs - extending to some 60 miles each on fast A roads (side of Loch Ness), some dual carriageway and single track roads. - My original plan had been to part ex the 1200 towards the possible purchase of one of each spec.
I had the 650 for the morning and was surprised and impressed with its alround performance as I was primarily testing this with my wife in mind I felt it was a bike that a relative novice could take to very quickly - it was confidence inspiring and felt stuck to the road - It also has the advantage of the option of lower seat and lowering kit.
I have to say that whilst the 800 certainly looks the part I struggled to see that it was worth the extra money over the 650- perhaps as I thought this may be the replacemnt for my 1200 my expectations were too high. I returned to the showroom unable to commit to selling the 1200. The current plan is to wait a year see if there are any relability issues with the 650 - if all is ok my inclination would be to buy the two 650,s and spend the money saved on touratech luggage etc

Cheers