F650GS vs KTM 640 Adenture, need advice!

[Gareth 1979]

Hi guys.

I haven't been on here in a while due to work and my wife having had a baby, I'm just looking for opinions on the above bikes. I'm after another bike to commute on (around 10 miles per day) year round, and do a bit of green laneing with a mate.

There a loads of BMW's on fleabag and I've had the old single cylinder F650 before so know what I'm getting into with that. A couple of 640's have come up recently but I have no experience of them, which ever bike I went for I'd bee looking at a 2004ish.

Which would you guys recommend and why? All opinions, good or bad appreciated. Thanks

[mikeyboy]

I would stand to be corrected but the Beemer will probably be a fair bit more frugal to run (thumbs)
And generally be easier to live with day to day.
But as a weekend toy the ktm will knock spots off it,far better suspension.lighter
The ktm is a proven off road bike,the bmw is not

[SteveW]

Congratulations on your new arrival! Are you sure you can afford a new bike now? :laugh:
If your commute involves A&B roads and a bit of slicing/filtering through traffic and you don't need to lug stuff into work.....a DRZ400 would be a bit of fun. Obviously, it'd be a cheap, reliable and fun plaything on the trails as well.
Plenty about so you can pick and choose.
Edit....my thoughts on the two bikes you mention....The GS would be comfier and easier to live with as a commuter and there's more about than the KTM 640adv, so you would have a choice of bike. GS for me....because of the split use and its ability to carry large packs of disposable nappies.

[snaf]

I feel qualified to answer this as we have one of each here.

BMW (although mine is much modified) Great commuting bike feels very planted on the road and is good off road. I use if for some pretty tricky stuff but it is heavy when it all goes wrong. I've ridden across continents on it and returns very good MPG, ultra reliable

KTM Much better off road due being lighter and having quicker steering, not so good at motorway speed commuting. I always take the longer/slower moors crossing if I need to do my occasional commute across Dartmoor as the 25miles of A38 is painful as it just doesn't like that speed range. Drinks fuel at about twice the amount if required to match BMW pace. Not so reliable, has had starting issues and the kick start broke.

I've had the BMW for 12 years and done +50k kms on it the KTM we've had for four years and it's still under 13k km

Have you considered a 640 enduro which would be a lot more manageable on the lanes?

[Mike54]

The BMW would be a far better machine for what you want

[johnnyboxer]

Same engines (ex Rotax), but very different beasts

For what you want........ the BMW GS

[Crossrutted]

Same engines (ex Rotax), but very different beasts

A bold statement. Same origin some time ago maybe, but no common parts.

[johnnyboxer]

Same engines (ex Rotax), but very different beasts

A bold statement. Same origin some time ago maybe, but no common parts.

Same Rotax original origin

Pity KTM didn't develop it as far as BMW did and make it as reliable to boot :whistle:

[Dutchgit]

See if you can stretch the budget for a BMW XCountry. BMW reliable with KTM lightness !

[chubbyhooker]

For my 5p worth, I had 3 F650,s 2 dakars & a funduro all great reliable bikes will start & give you a comfortable ride every day ..... Yawn !!!!!!!!! Then I got the 640 adv ........ It's like going from your tubby old cardigan wearing wife to a super model !!! Yes it'll cost a bit more , yes will take a bit of attention , yes will get you more attention, yes it will be tons more fun on Tarmac & in the dirt ,yes it's loads lighter & easier to manoeuvre , yes it'll give you more confidence & yes it will carry as much luggage as a GS & yes I have a 640 ADV .............& a 690 E. Like I said just my 5p worth but I also had an X County than came quite a bit closer