BMW F650CS/GS - Any Experience?

[Duncan Donutz]

Hi, I am looking to get a bike that I can do a bit of everything on. It needs to be sub £4K so all the 1100+ BMW's are no good. Mostly it will be my main way of getting around, work etc, but want something that I can do a long weekend through Europe on with my girlfriend, and next year a longer trip, probably W. Africa also with girlfriend.

Having spent ages checking out reviews, bikes and forums, I reckon I have a shortlist. Top of it is the Africa Twin, but these are hard to find 2nd hand, and as a result appear expensive for the miles etc.

I am now looking at the BMW F650, and am tempted by the CS and GS versions. Question is: are they any good two up? How comfortable are they for 400 mile a day trips? I have read in places the seat can be hella uncomfortable, and they also sound a bit too low. I am 6' and just over 70kg, so with my girlfriend and luggage I am also concerned the bike will struggle.

Would appreciate anyone with experience of this bike offering some opinions on the above. Cheers

[brclarke]

Back in '96 I rented an F650 for a month in Australia. I rode it close to 10 thousand KM in that time. I had no problems with it, and I would recommend it.

The only caveat is that when you're in remote areas, it's likely to be harder to get spares for than, say, a Honda or a Yamaha.

[Samy]

If it is going to be a weekend trip only with less than 2-3.000 kms two up on F 650 is ok. You are heavy and a bit big to go too far with your girlfriend on F 650 for long distance trips in long times let's say more than 15-20 days.
I used to go weekend trips with my wife within a distance of 500-600 kms and it was okay for us though I am very slim.
If you are really intended to go long distance trips which will take more than 20 days, it is better to consider a twin GS to have more comfort on the road.

[trider]

Duncan,

I am very familar with both the CS and the GS. With a passenger forget about these two bikes and consider a Suzuki VStrom 650. At 6' this bike would be more comfortable for you and especially for your wife. The VStrom is the best all around bike I have ever owned. I sold it because it was just too large for me at 5'5" 150lbs. I knew I would drop it one day big time. I have owned a BMW CS and have ridden a GS on several occasions. I now ride a 1997 BMW F650ST. The ST is a wonderful bike, but I am sure you would be much more satisfied with the VStrom. If I were in the hunt for a VStrom I would not hestitate to buy a used one. A very solid bike.
Good Luck.
Terry

PS: My opinion is not cut in stone, just one rider's opinion.

[Bill Holland]

At 6ft, you find the riding position of the 650GS a little cramped, I'm 6ft. and have the Dakar version, the seat is very comfortable and seat height is ok, both feet just about flat, but the actual riding position seems a little cramped for me, the pegs were too high, so I got a set of Touratech adjustable pegs, the lowers them anout 40mm, but as it also brings the pegs forward, the gear lever is now rather close to the peg. 2-up for a long weekend from Oxford? Mmmm...think you would find a larger capacity bike a better option. There are people 2-up riding round the world (check through this site), but I suspect they don't often do 4-500 mile days on motorways at 70 mph. Motorways can be a bit of a pain 2-up on an unfaired 650.
Bill

[hook]

I would have to agree with everything said on this post. I'm over 25,000kms into a RTW ride and simply can't imagine having done this two-up. I'm 6' 1" and on a custom seat and don't think I've ridden 400 miles in a day yet (this is due to the fact I don't like to ride "tired" and am not in a hurry). The bike would be fine (two-up) for weekend trips, not for extended ones and certainly not with camping gear. Having said this, I'm sure someone has two-upped a Dakar around the world- or will soon! The Dakar is a fine bike, but if you're seriously considering a long two-up trip, I think I'd look elsewhere.

[Smellybiker]

Well, I can tell you what breaks on them if you're interested. Have a look at http://www.smellybiker.com in the maintenance section.

Even though I've just had to drag the bike to Peru on a truck with a suspected burnt valve I still really like it. Have done more than 25000km with girlie on the back & she's not known for travelling light. The bike currently has 60000 MILES on the clock.

Its had problems but has a hard life, and although its currently broken I'd rather eat worms than ride a Honda.

[hook]

Bob, I'm curious to know what the problem is with your bike (an ounce of prevention...). Hope you get the problem solved without any drama. Also, how many miles on the bike before you had the fork seal problem? My bike is at Javier's in BA now- so now is a good time for preventive maintenance! BTW, why the "hate" for Honda? I've only heard good things- including opinions from Dakar Motos and everyone else I've known who owned one. I met a man west of Bahia Blanca that owned a 1989 Honda Africa Twin, he bought it new, around the first year they imported them to Argentina, he loved it- and it had alot more than 60,000 MILES on the clock (not hard to do when you've owned the bike for 17 years!).