BMW G650GS is this a good starter bike for touring

[Jaystevens1971]

Hi I am new to motorbikes and adventure riding, but have got the bug now, used to do a bit of scrambling when I was a kid but nothing since. Looking to do my CBT/Test this month and have been looking at a starter bike.
I am 5ft 10 so believe the 1200gs will be a bit too big and a bit too much power for me, am I making the right choice or do you think I would want to upgrade very quickly form the 650GS.
Ps: My friend who I would be touring with owns a 1200GS

[gspod]

Depends.
My recommendation, for what it's worth, would be to get a cheap bike for about £1500. Don't necessarily go for an adventure bike first off as they are generally more expensive. 600 - 900 depending on engine configuration - my wife went all over Europe on her 600 bandit, she's 5'9".
After a year or so you'll probably be ready to get the bike you want and you'll be able to sell your existing bike for around £1500
Happy biking

[dubber68]

Depending on where you are going it is an ideal bike in my opinion. I have a stable full of bikes including a XT1200z Super Tenere and my choice for long tours is a G650GS Sertao. My reasons are fuel economy, speed and size. On the fuel economy front I get 70mpg when touring but I avoid motorways where possible especially on the continent. On the speed front I find the bike encourages a slightly slower pace and I feel more relaxed and take more of my surroundings in. The weight thing is because I will take back roads and unsurfaced roads but try to avoid hard core off road especially when luggaged up and on a tour. You may find you out grow it but I certainly didn't mine and am fast approaching 50k miles on it. I do however have the luxury of other bikes when the mood takes me.

[almar]

I have a G650GS Sertao , while over the years I have owned bigger, better, faster !. I cannt think of a bike I have enjoyed quite as much, cannt comment on its off road ability however would agree it's possibly a little heavy. It's not a highway speed machine but you are happy at national speed speed limits the no problem I live in France and that's 130km . As for touring with a pillion again it takes it all in its stride. So it's not a perfect bike but just bloody good at everything IMHO

[OnHellas]

Back in 2014 Mrs OnHellas set off on her G650GS (me on my F800GS pre sidecar) for a European trip. She covered 10,000 miles in 3 months going as far north as NordKapp, as far south as Thessaloniki in Greece. Took in the alps, the Baltic states and much more.
A super bike, she was very comfortable and managed about 80mpg. We didn't go fast very often. There are loads of accessories available. (Including Jesse Panniers which we happen to have available secondhand....sorry)
A cracking bike I reckon.
www.sidecartravels.co.uk

[vRSG60]

My 1st European trip was on an F650GS. 2000 miles in 2 weeks. I'd go with the G650 certainly.

[92kk k100lt 193214]

It will do the job perfectly.
All the good points are made, thing is you don't need to have a 1200 or more to travel.
Your choice will give you enough speed, limited by you and conditions rather than by the bike. As for motorway even then you wont be left behind.
Absence of excess weight is a major plus. I am constantly amazed at the number of people who tell me my K100 is too heavy, but at 253kg wet it's a heck of a lot less weight than most tourers. I won't go any heavier so that rules out all the biggies.
You will no doubt get some who tell you that you need bigger, but for non motorway riding and a few lanes and D roads too big is painful and your choice will be just perfect. When I get to where I'm going panniers etc are taken off and I just use the tank bag for local travel.
I stick with the K100 because I use it for commuting and everything else too. At this stage the G650Gs would be my alternative choice but there are two other Ks parked in the way.

[Jaystevens1971]

Thank you for all your comments, that has put my mind to rest that I am making the right decision, better get my course and test booked.

[92kk k100lt 193214]

If you do end up finding it's not the bike for you it won't be so far out that it will spoil your trips. It's only after riding a particular bike for a while that you start finding what your preferences are.
Just go for it and enjoy!!

[gooseneck]

I have loads of bikes, my gs650 sertao is often the one I want to jump on, it's a great all round bike, more than capable of touring.