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Review of the BMW F650 GS - By Simon Walters

Review of the BMW F650 GS - By Simon Walters

I purchased my BMW in 2010 whilst looking for something different and economical to ride on those warm summer rides to and from work.  Mine's the 2006 GS model and the "GS" part of the title means it's supposed to have off road pretentions.  I doubt if I'll ever take it off road though, not really my scene.  For the last few years I've been using a Thundercat 1000 for the 20 miles to, 20 miles from work journey that's half through town and half down country roads.  The Thundercat has been totally reliable but with age and mileage I thought I'd best get rid before it bcomes completely worthless.

The BMW seemed quite expensive compared to other similar big trail bikes.  I did look at the ever popular VStrom 650 but It seemed too ordinary, too "Japanese" to tweak my interest in something different.  Basically the VStrom is just a SV 650 in off road clothes.  I looked at Moto Guzzis and even considered the possibility of a Ducati but when I saw my  F 650 in the shop I thought it looked different and I've never owned a BMW before.  After the usual round of haggling with the dealer a deal was struck and a few days later away went my old and faithful Thundercat and I rode home on my new BMW.

I've had a string of 4 cylinder bikes and the only single I've ridden was the CG 125 I used to pass my test.  I've heard singles running and always liked the tone but I never realised how this translates when the bike is being ridden.  I kept on stalling the bike for the first few miles until I learnt to rev it a bit to get it going.  Then unlike the 4 piston engines the big single runs out of revs very quickly.  At first I hated this, but now I've got used to it I find the 650 is quick enough for every day use and the power comes low down in the revs which makes acceleration around town easy, no gear changes required.  Out on the open road at legal speeds there's enough power, anything above legal speeds and the bike is nowhere near as quick as my old 1000cc Yamaha.  What the motor lacks in absolute power it makes up for in fuel savings.  The Thundercat would return 40 to 45 mph on my run to work, the 650 is giving me 60mpg!  That's an extra 33% and it does make quite a bit of difference at the end of every week.  I only fill the 650 up at the end of every week with less fuel than the Thundercat used in 4 days.

The riding position is a lot better.  The Thundercat was comfortable but on the 650 I'm sat upright and I'm high up so I find it easier to see and be seen.  I've suffered from a bad back on and off over the years so the sit up position seems to suit me a little better.  The suspension is a little softer too which helps.  I've also had to alter how I turn the bike in corners, I find I lean the bike in more where I used to lean myself into the bend.  The handling is very good on the country lanes and around town being upright with big bars makes dodging traffic easy.  Another advantage of the single is that it is narrow so filtering between lanes of cars is easier, except that my handlebars are now at the same height as transit van mirrors.  Oddly enough it's also easier to lift my feet onto and off the footpegs as there's very little knee bend compare to the Thundercat.   The height is not a problem for me at almost 6 foot tall, but I imagine smaller riders may struggle.

I've had the bike for just over a year now.   In that time I've only had one problem with it has been a cracked mudguard where it meets the mounts.  The build quality seems very good, I don't ride the bike through the worst of winter but I do use it on cold a wet days and it seems to be holding up well.  I replaced the mudguard from one I found at a local breakers, I assume it had been "overstressed" at some point and that lead it to break later.  I've also had a puncture, this bike has inner tubes so it was a relief not to have to replace the whole tyre, just a £15 inner tube.  

As I bought the bike to commute I never thought of using it for anything else.  I have a CBF 1000 which I use at the weekends or for any trips I may take.  I have recently however taken the wife on a day out to North Yorkshire on the 650.  On the motorway I did miss the fairing on the CBF as well as the smooth effortless power, yet the 650 was comfortable for both of use as long as I kept to the speed limits.  There is a small screen on the 650 but it's not much use, I have heard there are other ones out there that work a lot better.  Where the bike did work well on the trip was on the twisty back roads and single lanes in the Dales.  Here the bottom end power and torque, good visibility and confident handling was a delight.  The only limit on my progress was the wife digging me in the ribs if I got over excited.  I think I may use this bike on a solo trip into the countryside one day.

I think I made a good decision.  For commuting the bike has been economical, comfortable and reliable.  I believe BMW's hold their value well too which helps keep costs down.  I think it has proven to be different enough to expanded my knowledge and understanding of motorcycles and has opened my eyes to the possibility of owning some of BMW's other offerings.     

Reader's Comments

Ben said :-
Hi Simon

Great review

I have a BMW K75S and a Honda Cb250.

I use the Honda most days as the BMW is a little bit big and expensive for my 28 mile round trip to Central London.

The CB is great to use in ALL weather and road conditions, snow/ice/rain etc and it gives me approx 350 + miles between fill ups (plus no expensive oil filter :) )

I find the CB easier to ride around town as I can get through gaps easier!!

Happy riding
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC

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