Blackdog,
Time to make up your mind yet?
I have:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...709#post390337

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Dave

Yes indeed - it happened today. The deal with the F650GS went through, and it is now sitting on my drive. It's what you suggested, only with one cylinder instead of two.

All I had from the BMW guy was a model number, 2004 date and 20k miles, together with a fuzzy photo. It was a bit of a leap of faith, but in the end the bike was much better than I expected - full BMW service history, full system panniers and topcase, tank bag, immobiliser, ABS ... pretty much what I was looking for, and then some.

When I look back to the 'shopping list' you quote above, it ticks all the boxes. Except, perhaps, fast enough to be fun. I've taken it out once today, in the pouring rain, and the word 'gutless' comes to mind. I'm used to the XT with thumping torque and a breathless top end. This one is the reverse - slow off the mark but runs well up to 60/70 mph or so, and with more to come. I think I will need time to get used to that. But in terms of cold market value, I have come out of this deal well ahead, I think.

So, my first ever BMW. No-one is more surprised than me.

Thanks to everyone who commented and advised. I really appreciate everyone's input.

And Walkabout - good times with the Versys. A mate has one as a 'daily bike' to complement his VFR and he loves it to bits.

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2006 XT660R daily ride, 1994 XT600E about to be reborn, Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

I never thought of the 650GS as gutless; I stepped off one to get this Versys. 90 MPH was possible with the GS, one up and with luggage, although by then it really was running out of steam and it was not a comfortable ride - I only touched that speed with the single cyl once or twice, and not for long, on the German autobahns. It could cruise at 80 MPH (indicated) all day.
You will be seduced by the smoothness of the engine and the MPG that it will deliver for you.
I agree, you have a good deal; my 2005 non-ABS, went for £2650, so you can feel good with your deal.

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Dave

An 80 cruise is all I really need, so that's fine. I think what I have noticed is a lack of punch from a standstill. The XT barks and it's off, making traffic jamming a pleasure. The GS seems a lot more leisurely, as if the throttle cable is made of elastic. Sort of flat. But that's on the basis of a 20-mile ride in the pouring rain, so it's no more than an initial impression. When I get used to slinging it about like I do with the XT, I may change my mind.

I did read something (can't remember where) about the throttle cable having two locations in the twistgrip, one being for a 'restricted power' version. I didn't know there was one ... is this something you have come across? The output certainly feels less than the XT, which from the factory had only 43 (?) bhp and is probably a lot less than that 18 years later. The GS is supposed to have 50 bhp, and I was expecting a bit of an improvement. I'll run it a few weeks before I start making judgements, though. It may just be me.

It does sound a bit like my lawnmower, only quieter, on the standard pipes, though ...

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2006 XT660R daily ride, 1994 XT600E about to be reborn, Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

It was 'just me'. 50 miles, sunny afternoon, dry roads - wahey!

Yes, this feels like 50 bhp to the XT's 40-odd. The long-travel throttle was making me think it had less power. It just makes it differently - the XT makes it all at the bottom end and the GS needs to rev. Short-shifting on big throttle openings, which makes the XT fly, does nothing on the GS.

Now very happy.

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2006 XT660R daily ride, 1994 XT600E about to be reborn, Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

Now you are getting there!
I used to ride a TTR600 so I recognise what you describe - it had no cush rubbers, by design, and it was an animal compared with the F650GS, but I know which was the better bike.

Yep, the GS thrives on revs, but you can short shift if you like; it is very flexible and you WILL like it when it comes to refuelling.

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Dave

The sound was fine for me but I always use earplugs having known loads of folks who have lost some amount of hearing capability (not always because of bikes).
My 650GS was restricted from new, and that was done with an insert put in by a BMW dealer which was near to the FI system (I never really looked to see exactly where it was). In theory it restricted the HP, as per UK regulations for new riders, but in fact it just stopped the throttle turning through it's full range. In other words, I don't think it changed the HP output of the engine one jot.
Maybe there is more than one way of "restricting HP" on the F650GS?

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Dave

It was on the F650.co.uk forum - two holes to locate the throttle cable on the throttle body. Relocate the cable, fit a different cable bracket, and hey presto 33 bhp. From today's ride, I don't think mine's restricted. It's no fireball, but it's got decent performance for a medium-sized single, and a lot smoother than I expected.

I never use earplugs. No point with me - I went to far too many rock concerts in the 70s and my hearing is 50% at best, less in my right ear. Also, I seem to have very narrow ear canals, so any kind of plug (including iPod earbuds) is very uncomfy and they constantly fall out. The GS is extremely quiet, even compared to the XT, which has a legal Micron can but which has a nice thudding tone to it. I suspect a fruity pipe will be on the menu before long. Before or after the comfy seat? We shall see.

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2006 XT660R daily ride, 1994 XT600E about to be reborn, Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

Just to round things off, here's a picture of the new arrival. I'm starting to get used to how to ride it. It's not short of power, it just needs a bit of work to find it. Comparing it to the XT on roads I ride often, it's a good bit faster.



Thanks to everyone for their advice and observations.

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2006 XT660R daily ride, 1994 XT600E about to be reborn, Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

Just as a way off topic, I tried asking around for a fenda extenda, about 6-7 years ago, for that stubby front fender, and there was not one to be had; Pyramid didn't make one and, at that time, had no intention of doing so (from the mouth of one of their senior reps/owners of the business at the BMF show).

Could all be different nowadays - I learnt to live with it!! The beak extension to the rear of the forks, combined with the aluminium bash plate, do a pretty good job of keeping the crap off the front of the engine.

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Dave

And better than the XT (on MPG alone), now you are familiar with the 650GS?!!
How are you getting on with the Beemer BlackDZ??

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Dave

Well ...

+ It's comfier, it's got better fuel economy (70 vs 53 average), it's got a higher cruising speed, brakes are slightly better, looks are growing on me, OEM panniers very useful

- Not much character, my lawnmower sounds more exciting, floppy low-speed handling, riding position too low even with Dakar high seat, sundry electrical issues, ABS means dealer has to bleed brakes (apparently), too much plastic to remove for basic maintenance tasks.

I haven't had anyone on the back yet, so I am reserving judgement on that. It's a good little bike, and it's growing on me, but it doesn't light my fire like the XT does. Perhaps it's a bit too civilised. The jury is still out, but it's doing the job so far. I had a hairy moment a couple of weeks ago when I hit a sea of mud on a fast corner in the dark, and it looked after me. (A colleague who hit the same section of road 10 minutes later wrote her car off against a tree, so the GS got major brownie points for that.)

It's mainly a positive picture, I guess, but I am also slightly underwhelmed. Overall, I like it, but not massively. People tell me that BMWs need time and miles for their qualities to show through, so perhaps I should give it a while.

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2006 XT660R daily ride, 1994 XT600E about to be reborn, Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

Nice report therein.
Personally, I didn't have an issue with the "lack of character" in the exhaust note - given plenty of throttle, at speed, the 650 responds well and that was the important thing for me during my riding.
It can be fixed with an after market exhaust if it really niggles and that can also remove the cat converter at the same time.

Yep, I never liked the plastics which are not those of a "true" off road bike; nor the removal of loads of fastenings to get at the battery!
On the other hand, the plastic material is no different to that fitted to many other bikes.

I didn't have to contend with ABS which seems to be desirable for all BMWs nowadays but I have never had a bike with it, so I reserve judgement about such trickery.
That is not a criticism on my part of either Beemer or ABS: we are stuck with it for future manufacturing.
I've read elsewhere about this recommendation for bleeding ABS by (main) dealers but I am not sure where it started i.e. could it be something of a BMW "marketing" thing?? However, it does seem clear that the ABS must be bled properly in order that the system continues to function correctly = with moisture in the system it can corrode internally I believe (needs corroboration on that point).

But, I can identify with your feelings about the GS - two up it performs in a very similar way to use as a single rider, surprisingly to me given the smallish engine size (in western european terms that is).

ps Use an Air Hawk or removable gel pad to raise the seating position - easy to place in position and remove as necessary

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Dave

I'm considering a better exhaust and dumping the cat, but then the other half of my brain says keep it bog standard and spend the money on refurbishing the XT. There's nothing actually wrong with the BM that needs expensive rectification, just mild personal preference.

The ABS is a bit of an issue. Given the choice, I would always opt to do without it, but it's there and I'll live with it. The problem is that (so I am told) it needs a dealer to plug something into the ABS module to open an internal valve to allow bleeding and even simple fluid replacement. Not being able to bleed the brakes after a bit of maintenance, or flush through some new fluid, is a headache - especially considering that the nearest BMW dealer is 100 miles away. The rear ABS is way too sensitive, and I can feel the rear brake pulsing even with normal 'brisk' riding on dry Tarmac. I haven't activated the front yet, even with heavy braking in the wet, which I suppose is a good thing.

The actual riding position, which was too low for me with the standard seat, has been rectified by buying a Dakar seat. What I meant was that I still feel too low in relation to the ground. Ultimately, I should have got a Dakar with the higher suspension and 21" front wheel. The GS still feels like riding a roller skate. But as I said earlier, the swap for the Sprint was a blinding good deal, and I shouldn't complain. It was this bike or nothing, and I am glad I made the change. There is probably an XT660Z somewhere in my future, though.

Good to hear about the 2-up capability. That will be tested next summer.

Thanks for your input. I appreciate your comments

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2006 XT660R daily ride, 1994 XT600E about to be reborn, Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

The F650 is like a lot of BMW's in that it takes some time to acclimatise, and then you will find that you have bought the "best in class". I have had all sorts of motorcycles over the years and this has stood the test of time, winters, offroad, track-days, long tours, motorways, crashes, overloading and anything else you can think of. You have the combination of durability of components, fuel economy, comfort, handling,much lower than average running costs, huge list of accessories and dealer back up that is top class if you want it. Oh, I nearly forgot, faultless reliability that has been unmatched by any other bike that I have ever owned, except maybe for a K100, but that wont match it anywhere else in versatility and daily use.