Bike of the week BMW F650GS
One of the good guys
Not really what it says on the tin, the BMW F650GS isn't really a 650 and is not really an off road bike, and is not really a GS, but is nevertheless, a supremely capable and all round good egg. So much so that it may even have upstaged the F800GS, from whence it came, by being almost as good as it but a lot cheaper.
The original F650GS came out in 2000 and used the single cylinder Rotax Engine (652cc in
size), the same as the F650 Funduro. In 2008 they changed to the all-new BMW
designed parallel twin (798cc) giving a shot in the arm to a flagging sector of the motorcycle industry, as a manoeuverable, light, fast and exciting ride which had many of the virtues of the bigger 800 but with a much lower price tag.
The F650S (yes 650) rather surprisingly has a 798cc twin cylinder liquid cooled engine which was tuned to produced 71 bhp as opposed to the 84bhp of the F800GS.
Smaller...but perfectly formed
Once it appeared the F650GS not only passed Go, but went straight to the top of the class. Smaller than its 800 off-roadier brother, its virtues were manifold. Being the natural heir of the previous F650GS it has the same comfy riding style but after updating has far better performance. It has the virtue of being a versatile and reliable bike, while still remaining a really fun ride which copes well with riding around town at slow speeds happily wingling along slowly through the traffic without making a fuss, but once things speed up, sits contentedly in the mid speed range where it is happiest.
The F650GS is a well balanced bike with light sensitive steering which handles well at low speeds, but with a comparatively gentle steady power delivery it is a great all rounder so it is a good motorcycle for newbie riders while still having plenty of top end poke. The seat height is lower as well so that it feels secure for more inexperienced riders. The F650GS is really more conventional than older models, without anything particularly new or outstanding to distinguish it, the suspension specs are simpler with shorter travel than its brother (no need to be able to negotiate off road bumps) the 800, and it is chain, not shaft drive. Despite its apparent lack of thrilling new innovations the main thing about it is that it all works very well and is very efficient while still being an exciting and fun ride.
It has low cost alloy wheels instead of off road favoured spokes and the suspension is not as high spec as the 800, as it isn't really designed for bumpy trails but is fine on the road. It doesn't have an off road sump guard, but that's ok as it doesn't need to be protected from the vagaries of the trail. There is also a different screen at the front to deflect some of the wind whilst driving on the road and the 650 only has one front disc not two.
The tank on the 650 is a 3.5 gallon one which should do 150 miles on the road. The bike is a great ride with solid stable dependable yet responsive handling and a security inducing steady power delivery which holds no surprises and so makes it a pleasure to ride. On the downside... the seat is not very comfy and the gear change is a bit clanky.
BMW F650GS technical specs
Top Speed: 115mph
Fuel consumption: 55mpg
Engine: 798cc twin cylinder four stroke with eight valves. 71Bhp at 7000 rpm, 55lb ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. Chain final drive and six speed gear box
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