Hello folks,

here my issue: G650 XCountry or F800GS?

Purpose:
-Two-up travelling (our weight: 53kg and 70 kg)
-with full camping equipment
-2-6 weeks trips
-mainly roads, but also a few dirt roads

Do you guys think the smaller and cheaper (new China motor makes it a lot cheaper) G650 XCountry can handle this job? I like the design of this bike a lot.
My concerns about this bike are weight capacity (175kg max. load carrying) , no windshield and vibrations due to the 650 single. Also the small fuel tank is an issue.

Or do you think I should go for the F800GS? I don't know whether it is too high spec for the job with its twin, offroad-capabilities ...

I would really like to hear some opinions on this.

Does anyone have experience how the G650 XCountry performs with a pillion and on highways?

That would be a great help. Thanks,

Dom

Hey Dom,

I have ridden pillon on an X country and all I can say is never again, it really is'nt made for it. I got a flat on my ride and my friend who works for bmw borrowed an xcountry and even he said it was'nt made for it, great riding position though.

On the highway and at high speed it causes a lot of neck ache as you said due to the lack of screen!

As I have'nt ridden an 800gs I cannot comment but I guess it will be alot better.

Have you thought about a 650?

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“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J. R. R. Tolkien

Thanks, that's a bit disappointing though because I like the design of the Xcountry a lot.
Don't like about the G650 that it doesn't have an upside down fork and the design seems to me unappealing...
Was the XCountry powerful enough to handle to two-up on your ride?

I was hanging out at a BMW dealer last weekend for the "unveiling" of the 1200GS: I asked the sales guys about how sales of the G models are going - not good was the basic reply.
My point is that they are something of an acquired taste (I would say - not too many on the road) and, therefore, you could loose a packet on depreciation with these bikes (look on ebay for some very recent purchases that are for sale); this despite the reputation of BMWs for holding their value - in fact that could change over the years, as BMW become more common with such a wide range of models. I notice guys trading in their 2 year old 1200s, at the end of their European warranty period, with not too many miles on the clock - what happened to that "high mileage = no problem" attitude?

So, the 800GS won't be around for a while yet for a test ride; the ones that the dealers are getting are flying straight out of the door; Motorcycle Sport and Leisure are running their test report in their April edition which is out next month. (The 1200GS is in there this month, March 08 that is).
The 800GS is in the national showrooms on or around 8 March BTW.

ps Ask your pillion passenger - they know best on this question!!

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Dave

In think you should be asking yourself, "why on earth would I buy a G650 Xcountry when the new (800cc) F650GS is only a couple of hundred pounds more?"

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"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

Thanks a lot for your answers.

Still I kind of like the design of this bike.
And also, the price has been reduced by a 1000 Euros (check out: bmw-motorrad.de).
So, I am still not sure whether this bike would be a great option for weekend trips and with a few modifications also for longer trips (windshield, different rear shock, ...)
Do you think a different rear shock would improve its load carrying ability and make it more comfortable for a pillon?
I do not fancy the 650Gs and the F800GS costs aroung 9500Euros without extras.
So, I still like the XCountry.
Do you think it will carry two passengers reasonably comfortable?

Well you are certainly persistant, so you will have to get a test ride and find out what your passenger says: make that a really long test ride, over varied terrain if possible.
Don't forget that bigger tank that it needs - is there one on the market?

All the add-ons brings the price way up again of course.

You might want to get a ride on the new F650GS when they arrive in March at the dealers.

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Dave

They're a good looking bike but I don't think the Supermoto style was ever intended to be practical. Somehow, I just can't imagine a Honda CRF-R with a windshield and luggage. In fact, I'm not sure what they're supposed to be. They're certainly not fast, don't do off-road due to sports bike tyres and not designed for long distance. Supermoto's only plus point is corner speed but that's out as you're intending to carry a pillion so the only reason I can see you want it for is its looks. BTW, on a bike of that power and weight, USD forks are fitted for cosmetics only so unless that's the reason you want them, conventional forks will be fine.

If it's a road bike you're after, I looked at the F800S and ST's a while ago and I'd be tempted by one if the used prices start coming down.

Hey Swedenfan.

It sounds like you have chosen the 650X. If so have you looked at touratech.com? At this link you can find windscreen (rallyfaring) and bigger tank....BUT its going to cost you... they arent cheap

Touratech Webshop

However it looks great and makes the bike look even cooler I think

Me personly between those 2 bikes and for the thing your are planing to do with the bike (riding 2 people on the bike) I would wait for the new 800 gs. I have sat on both and the seat on the 800 seems alot better for long distance traveling and deffinetly for the passenger. And I absolutely love the design of the bike and it felt great to sit on. Cant wait to test drive it

Touratech also has alot for this bike:
Touratech Webshop
So go nuts

If I was traveling alone mostly offroad I would go for the 650X with the touratech bigger tank. Otherwise the 800.

If you want to read more about peoples experiences with the 650X you can go to Adventure Rider Motorcycle Forum forum and read in the thumbers area. There a some good threads about the bike.

Question for you: why not the KTM 640 adv.? Same pricerange of the 650X but with windscreen and this bike is really tested. It is not really a 2 peoples bike but I would think it would be better then the 650X with a passenger. I think KTM sells them right now as a travellers adition WITH alu panniers. Adventure Rider Motorcycle Forum also has huge threads with this bike.

2 up?
With a fair bit of gear?
800GS!

Not sure if you folks in Europe are getting different treatment then those of us on this side of the pond.... but I've been told by many that the F800gs isn't going to be released until next fall (Oct 08) now. That might be a deciding factor. Personally, I think the xcountry is a a bit light (frame mainly) for two-up duty (the low load limit is a good sign), but look how many Vietnamese can fit on a Honda 50! the bottom line is that it will probably work IF you observe reasonable load limits. However, I think I'd be looking to the regular F650GS, or maybe a used 1150 or 1200. Or a Vstrom650.....

The F800GS does look a treat, could be the 'just right' bike many of use have been waiting for.

just do the math. two up? gear? I'm riding a 650Dakar which is much more of a bike than that X model and I wouldn't be riding two up on this single. So go for the 800... I'd like to get that one once I'm back stateside and maybe do this trip again on that bike! ;-)

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Allan - WorldRider
2005 - Adventure & Discovery - 2008 http://www.worldrider.com

I just read someplace, tonight that the 650 and the 800 are the exact same engine. However the 650 is dialed down for less power and smoethings like that. Not sure on teh forks. You should look into this. Id say 800 though. Good article in the Road Runner magazine about them using them in Africa in current edition, Feb 08. RoadRUNNER | Motorcycle Touring & Travel Magazine Not sure if thats where I read it, but might have been. Youtube might have some good info on them as well.

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Gary
CANADA
www.myspace.com/intrepid_cdn

The F650 and F800 share the same 798cc inline-twin cylinder engine, however the G650 range has an updated version of the old 652cc single cylinder engine.

So, if that sounds confusing:

"Old" F-series: 652cc Single
"New" F-series: 788cc Twin
G-Series: 652cc Single

There is an AT for sale near me, very tidy, 17,000 miles complete with crash bars and only 3000 GBP - perfect for 2 up with gear, great on roads and useable in the dirt, provided it doesn't get too bad.... Plus the legendary Honda reliability. This would leave a lot of cashs for your trip compared to getting a new BMW