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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #16  
Old 9 Jun 2008
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Thumbs up

"Dare I trust the fuel computer?"

I believe that you can, going by:
1. The fuel economy of the earlier F650GS.
2. The other Beemer computers for fuel range

Nice pics as well!!!!
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  #17  
Old 9 Jun 2008
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costs of ownership!

Hi Guys, I've been looking to change/ upgrade my kle and looked at the 650gs but the costs of servicing / parts scares me rigid looking at the versys / xt /dl650, most of my riding is commuting and playso theirs a lot to think about
TDMalcolm
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  #18  
Old 10 Jun 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
Picked up the new baby on Friday and left my tired 1200GSA behind for its 45,000 mile service.
Don't know whether to call this 'The Hooligan' or 'Tonka Toy', both are apt.


Congrats on the new bike Tim, she's a beauty.
Do you plan to sell off the 12GS?

May I ask what the F650 cost on the road? I've heard it's quite a bit less than the F800 but didn't know just what the diff was in £.

Lovely with the TKC's. Do you have to run tubes with them or can they be run Tubeless? If I were to get either F800 model, I would opt for the cast wheels and tubeless rims. Hopefully they are stronger than earlier Behr rims?

Take it easy on the new

Have a blast!


Patrick
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  #19  
Old 10 Jun 2008
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Hi Patrick

The 'on the road' price (including delivery, registration, road tax etc) of the F650GS is £5495 against £6695 for the F800GS, so it's £1200 cheaper. And £500 cheaper than the G650 Xchallenge.

The extra money for the F800GS buys you
- a bigger screen (but still not particularly high)
- a small plastic bash plate
- twin rotors (discs) on the front brake
- USD forks
- 21" front wheel
- different handlebars

The F650GS takes tubeless tyres. BMW has opted for standard spoked wheels on the F800GS so you can't run with tubeless tyres--a puncture means taking a wheel out and repairing the tube.

At the moment I'm intending to keep the 1200GSA and will kit out the F650GS with higher screen, metal bash plate, etc. I'm planning to use the F650GS for the HUMM event in the Pyrenees which will mean a 700+ mile ride each way through France with my mates who are riding 1150GSA, 1200GS and 1200GSA.

If the F650GS mixes well with the group I may then decide to sell the 1200GSA whilst it's still within the two year warranty period and before it hits the 48,000 mile marker.

Tim
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  #20  
Old 10 Jun 2008
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That's a nice looking bike Tim, better looking front end than my weestrom. I would have gone for a BMW but they were much dearer than my 2006 650 V-Strom new old stock for just over £3,000 here in Saudi. No contest!
Hope your bike is all you want it to be.
Cheers
Ian
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  #21  
Old 24 Jun 2008
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what lugage would you 650 twin owners fit onto the bike?
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  #22  
Old 25 Jun 2008
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Originally Posted by farmerdan View Post
what lugage would you 650 twin owners fit onto the bike?
I've got the BMW Varios,panniers and top box. Similar in expandability, size and style to the ones on the 1200GS. Works very well for plastic cases. I might be swapping the top box for a Givi E52 once the top plate adapter is available here, provides twice the amount of space compared to the vario top box. But the panniers are the best and largest i've ever seen especially once you've got them expanded.

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  #23  
Old 27 Jun 2008
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TPC option on the 650

This TPC option on the 650. Some dealers call it TP Control, some call it TP Check but no one actually says what it is or what it does.

Is it just a TP readout - quite handy I suppose. or is there an actual pressure control element. It seems unlikely.

thanks

Ch
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  #24  
Old 27 Jun 2008
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Throttle Position Sensor?

Dunno, but could TP be throttle position?
Maybe throttle position control?
On Suzuki's and many cars its called a TPS (throttle Position Sensor). All part of the F.I. system. Some are adjustable to achieve smoother on/off throttle response.

Patrick
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  #25  
Old 27 Jun 2008
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Sorry, I should have clarified it stands for Type Pressure C....

But what actually is it...?

Ch
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  #26  
Old 27 Jun 2008
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I believe it's a warning when there's a loss of tyre pressure. cars have it, so makes sense BMW's have it now.

from: BMW Motorrad South Africa


TPC tyre pressure control.

Optional TPC tyre pressure control makes a significant contribution to the high standard of riding comfort and safety by reliably informing the rider of the current level of tyre pressure.

The data required for tyre pressure control comes from sensors in the wheels. TPC also features an active warning function: As soon as the system recognises a relevant deviation from the pressure required, a yellow information light or, in the event of a greater deviation, a red warning light automatically informs the rider of the current status.

Last edited by DougieB; 27 Jun 2008 at 20:25.
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  #27  
Old 27 Jun 2008
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Wink Technology - have to love it

Quote:
Originally Posted by DougieB View Post
I believe it's a warning when there's a loss of tyre pressure. cars have it, so makes sense BMW's have it now.

from: BMW Motorrad South Africa


TPC tyre pressure control.

Optional TPC tyre pressure control makes a significant contribution to the high standard of riding comfort and safety by reliably informing the rider of the current level of tyre pressure.

The data required for tyre pressure control comes from sensors in the wheels. TPC also features an active warning function: As soon as the system recognises a relevant deviation from the pressure required, a yellow information light or, in the event of a greater deviation, a red warning light automatically informs the rider of the current status.

Funny old thing, but my tyre pressure gauge does much the same thing: the 30 year old one still does it, but the 3-4 year old digital one doesn't work any longer - the down side is that in either case I have to get down on my knees to check the tyre pressures.
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  #28  
Old 28 Jun 2008
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It is for Tire Pressure Control
A warning on the dash flashes if the pressures drop below a certain level alerting you to the impending deflation especially with tubeless tires which can deflate rather slowly.
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  #29  
Old 29 Jun 2008
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Tim what size is the front wheel ? Great looking bike by the way and as The Irish lad found out the fuel gauge works a little too well he was 1 mile shy of the services when his stopped.

BMW has got me interested with the 650 as I cant afford the extra for the 800. USD forks dont worry me anyway its eaier to bodge fix standard forks. I was sold on the new tenere until Yamaha sold out.

Last edited by stuxtttr; 29 Jun 2008 at 01:57. Reason: extra
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  #30  
Old 29 Jun 2008
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Front wheel is 19". Average fuel consumption has been in excess of 65 mpg with more than 1000 miles on first four tank fulls.

Tim
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