For what it’s worth I just read a test which compared 800GS, 650GS, Transalp, V-strom and Versys.

Basicly it rates the bikes like this:
800GS: 476
650GS: 464
Versys: 440
V-strom: 439
Transalp: 416

Good info Ali!

The graph I've been waiting to see "650" vs 800GS. It proves the "650" version of GS does have a slightly better torque distribution properties on low revs as a result of the valve-timing tweak - see the slight peak at 5K and especially very low-rpm range below 3K where "650" excels a bit better. But on the contrary, dynos tend to be unprecise on low rev measurements, too...

No wonder why BMW has done better this test - as per CC more torque, more rev power (horsepower), and most of all - they're @ much lower revs compared to the rest of the bunch. Just what you'd expect from real-life engine for comfortable touring and everyday commuting use, not some fancy sporty high-revver to kick gears up/down every split second all day long.

ok, those graphs do look pretty impressive for BMW, though its expected, when you have 150cc´s extra. The Transalp does not look good there, though its torque figures dont seem bad. And of course power in itself is not all, especially on an allround-bike!

What did they say about the BMW engines from a riders perspective, any vibrations? And gearbox action, is it still as inconsistent as on the F800-models?

Do you know, if they actually did any touring with these, or they just took a few photos with guys leaning over in a roundabout, wearing their fancy tracksuits?? (Because thats where they normally fail in these tests - they go test them like they´d test superbikes, and forget the ´real-world´ factors, which these twins are all about!)

They did some touring with a fair bit of offroad/gravel. The 650/800 GS also had a deeper test in the next number and the results was pretty much the same.
But as you say it is a test, they have not used the bikes for thousands of kilometers through hard terrain and opinions might differ. Durability is not tested…

Personally I have not tried any of these bikes!

Some more points: (Link for scandic people: http://www.actiontouring.com/pic/mk2.jpg )

Engine (Power, torque, acceleration, vibrations etc)
BMW800 125
BMW650 114
Kawasaki 110
Suzuki 103
Honda 88

Transmission (Clutch, ratio, use)
BMW650/800 53
Suzuki 50
Kawasaki 46
Honda 44

Chassis (Steering, stability, how it handles, suspension)
BMW650 83
BMW800 82
Kawasaki 81
Suzuki 80
Honda 76

Safety (brakes, stability when braking, ground clearance, weight)
BMW800 82
BMW650 82
Kawasaki 80
Honda 79
Suzuki 72


Comfort (riding position, windshield, instruments etc)
BMW800 66
Suzuki 65
Honda 63
BMW650 61


Touring (fuel consumption, range, comfort for passenger, luggage)
BMW650 71
Suzuki 69
Honda 66
BMW800 65
Kawasaki 63

Total:
BMW800 476
BMW650 464
Kawasaki 440
Suzuki 439
Honda 416



Spareparts (list of various parts)
Honda 16.589
BMW650 16.956
BMW800 17.696
Kawasaki 17.859
Suzuki 22.182

Best light: Suzuki
Most street oriented: Kawasaki
Most offroad oriented BMW800
Worst brakes: Suzuki

Just got a quick ride on the new F650GS... but only for about 20 minutes, so need to get a longer ride to really see how it works. But I am positively impressed with the engine and handling (on the road), this bike will surely be a close match to the Vstrom.

The fairing is smaller and isnt as protective as the Suzuki´s, but its got nice wide torque (even if its sounds more than a bit weird!!), so you dont need to worry about having the right gear all the time, and the bike steers very well in curves. Gearbox seemed to work ok, not clunky, though not as slick as the Suzuki. Even the one disc front brake seems to do the job quite alright. It didnt feel very stable at +100kmh speeds, in fact the front felt surprisingly light, almost like an enduro bike. But it was a bit windy, so cant really tell.

It will be interesting to see how that bike sells in the medium term: it could be the dark horse of the new models from BMW at its' current price, in the UK at least.
The thing is that since the price was set for this year in the UK the £ has continued to follow the US$ against the Euro - therefore the price is likely, very likely, in fact certain, to be higher for 2009.
Maybe best for any Brits who are considering a new bike to get one this year (although I am not following the £-Yen value so avidly, so that may not be such a move in the wrong direction).
As for the USA, the $ price there will have to be much higher in order for BMW to be interested in selling them on that continent, especially while and if demand elsewhere exceeds supply.

__________________
Dave

Hi, am a newbie here, that Vstrom in the test, would that be the 1000 or the 650?