I have owned both of these models.

The 650gs was fine to ride, lightweight, good handling, but lacked power for a 650 single. Seat height was low, but the foot pegs were slightly too high making the bike feel a bit cramped. Fuel economy was the best of any bike I've owned which is just as well as to increase fuel capacity is very expensive.

Some of the parts seemed cheaply made. Whilst removing the side panels, for example, to fit an alarm one of the lugs that hold the side panel broke off because the plastic was too brittle. I spoke with the dealer who admitted that there mechanic had managed to break a couple of them as well. To my suprise the dealer offered to replace the panel under warranty.

More seriously was a fault with the bikes fuel injection system. Without warning, usually on the over run, the engine would cut out and take several minutes to start. On a number of occassions this left me in a dangerous situation on fast roads or in the middle of junctions. In the four months I owned the bike it went back to the dealer around a dozen times and the fault could not be rectified. The dealer and BMW UK could not have been more helpful and I eventually got my money back.

A few months later I read an article in 'Motor Cycle Sport and Leisure' by a guy who was using the Dakar version and had the same fault, again the fault could not be rectified.

The 650 Transalp is and feels slightly heavier, but the build quality is much better. The V twin motor is very smooth and produces noticably more power than the gs. The gearbox is the slickest of any Honda I've owned. Handling is very good as the weight, as with the gs, is kept low. Comfort is excellent. My only critism is that there is alot of expensive plastic to be damaged should the bike get dropped. The risk of this can be eliminated by fitting 'Touratech' crashbar.

For the roads you say your going to use the bie on either bike would be fine. If you can it would be worth getting a road test.

__________________
\"Bon Chance\"