Having owned both I would say it's a close race, Transalp - all day long comfortable and so easy to ride. BMW 650 GS - superb fuel economy and decent performance for a single.
You pays your money and takes your choice.
TA650 or an F650GS?
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boboneleg
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Re: TA650 or an F650GS?
I have a Vara & a TA - though the TA is for sale. The TA has just as good a riding position as the Vara, if not better - for taller riders anyway. It's quite a bit lighter, but still a heavy pig to pick up when you drop it on trails! MPG there's not much in it. As has been said before, you WILL notice the difference in performance - the Vara is just so much more effortless. The best thing is to have a few test rides, then you'll know which is for you.
Re: TA650 or an F650GS?
Had a minter of a trans alp and put 25 k effortless miles on it...they are bomb proof. Why do we sell our old bikes ! 
Re: TA650 or an F650GS?
That,s a very fair observation. In my case i like also to ride more powerful machines
but i have gone back to having a wee trannie for wandering about camping n exploring out of the way places, its just so much lighter than the GSA 1200. a man can never have enough bikes @@@@
but i have gone back to having a wee trannie for wandering about camping n exploring out of the way places, its just so much lighter than the GSA 1200. a man can never have enough bikes @@@@
Re: TA650 or an F650GS?
I reckon I can live with trading off some power for a less weighty machine, I've never been a fast rider, too scared of getting hurt. :laugh:
As soon as I've test ridden one ill know for sure, my first bike was a 650, a Deauville (in fact it was a toss up between that and a TA back then in 2004) and it felt plenty powerful enough for me then, but I've only had big bikes since so maybe I won't like the reduction back to 650.
Test rides In order as soon as my back allows then.
As soon as I've test ridden one ill know for sure, my first bike was a 650, a Deauville (in fact it was a toss up between that and a TA back then in 2004) and it felt plenty powerful enough for me then, but I've only had big bikes since so maybe I won't like the reduction back to 650.
Test rides In order as soon as my back allows then.
"The distant echo of faraway voices boarding far away trains,
To take them home to the ones that they love and who love them forever......."
To take them home to the ones that they love and who love them forever......."
Re: TA650 or an F650GS?
big bikes my ass 
..tell me you cant have as much fun on a yamaha LC350 as you can on a Honda cbr1100 Ron Haslam replica :woohoo: ..Raced them both but prefered the animal yamaha..
Got to change my spark plugs on the Honda soon..3 years and 30k
hmy: not broke just think they need a rest 
..tell me you cant have as much fun on a yamaha LC350 as you can on a Honda cbr1100 Ron Haslam replica :woohoo: ..Raced them both but prefered the animal yamaha..Got to change my spark plugs on the Honda soon..3 years and 30k
hmy: not broke just think they need a rest -
Bonniebird
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Re: TA650 or an F650GS?
F650GS for sure B)
It's a myth about the high servicing costs, I've been really surprised how competative BMW are nowadays.
I love my F650 single, it's so durable. Comfy for really long trips but versatile enough to ride off road on gravel or rocky trails.
My son has just got his F650 Dakar on the road and loves it, they are great all rounders.
I prefer my single to my twin as a go anywhere bike and if I could only own one bike the single would win hands down
It's a myth about the high servicing costs, I've been really surprised how competative BMW are nowadays.
I love my F650 single, it's so durable. Comfy for really long trips but versatile enough to ride off road on gravel or rocky trails.
My son has just got his F650 Dakar on the road and loves it, they are great all rounders.
I prefer my single to my twin as a go anywhere bike and if I could only own one bike the single would win hands down
Re: TA650 or an F650GS?
Hi,
Well the Transalps and AfricaTwins are known to be the moast long lasting bikes on the world. Some even manage up to 400.000 km. Got my XL 600 Transalp for less then 1000 Euro (used parts in Germany are very cheap too) and it took me around Africa no problem:
http://www.adventure-travel-experience. ... ransafrika
Only if you are use to 100 PS you might find the engine not powerfull enouth...
Regards, Tobi
Well the Transalps and AfricaTwins are known to be the moast long lasting bikes on the world. Some even manage up to 400.000 km. Got my XL 600 Transalp for less then 1000 Euro (used parts in Germany are very cheap too) and it took me around Africa no problem:
http://www.adventure-travel-experience. ... ransafrika
Only if you are use to 100 PS you might find the engine not powerfull enouth...
Regards, Tobi
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*Touring Ted*
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Re: TA650 or an F650GS?
The Transalp and F650's are worlds apart when it comes to quality of manufacture and reliability.
I don't think anyone needs to ask which way the balance tips.
I don't think anyone needs to ask which way the balance tips.
TA650 or an F650GS?
I currently have a vara and love it to bits though I know what you mean about the weight.Traded in my 700 transalpine for it 18 months ago and everything said about the trannie on this thread is true.
Just to throw a spanner in the works however I also own a 2011 old shape Suzuki dl650.This bike handles great,easier to ride than vara,much much lighter than vara,has 6 gears unlike trannie,cheap to buy,also bullet proof,better 2 up comfort than the trannie and slightly more power,higher revving than the trannie.
Just to throw a spanner in the works however I also own a 2011 old shape Suzuki dl650.This bike handles great,easier to ride than vara,much much lighter than vara,has 6 gears unlike trannie,cheap to buy,also bullet proof,better 2 up comfort than the trannie and slightly more power,higher revving than the trannie.
