And crash bars?
Put me off buying an F650gs
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Magnon
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Re: Put me off buying an F650gs
My experience of other peoples is that they don’t crash well, other than that probably the ultimate compromise in terms of light greenlaning, commuting and touring - just needs some good soft luggage 
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FatFreddy
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Elmer J Fudd
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Re: Put me off buying an F650gs
Nowt much wrong with them, just a bit bland.
Not overly powerful, but enough for the job.
Suspension a bit basic.
A bit vibey at high revs.
There you go, now off you pop and buy one.....
Ah, so you did
Hope you enjoy it.
Not overly powerful, but enough for the job.
Suspension a bit basic.
A bit vibey at high revs.
There you go, now off you pop and buy one.....
Ah, so you did
Hope you enjoy it.
Re: Put me off buying an F650gs
A much under-rated bike, IMO. Seen as something for the 'little lady' while matey rides his GS12.
They lent me one done up for Morocco years ago and I must say I really liked it.
Compared to a Jap equivalent (ran a 660Z prior), suspension was really good – loved the preload knob.
Heavy of course, but long and low seat so handled easy Moroccan pistes and even sand - sort of.
19er front makes it great on the road (compared to a 21).
Looking back now, I'm amazed the routes I did on that thing.
Can’t say I found it bland, underpowered or vibey, but the absolute killer was the seat.
Actually damaged my arse trying to do most of Spain in a day (as you’d expect to do on a bike like this).
Bought a slab of foam in a village for the ride home. Most of Spain in a day: no probs. Averaged 68mpg, 80mpg best (see link for full record).
Undertank and pipe make it a bit wide at the back too – my set up with a Metal Mule rack and Monsoons ended up nearly a metre wide.
Oh yes, the fuelling surges when it gets really hot (tailwind/slow speeds at 30C +), but it clears up once you get moving and never actually stopped working.
Those rad covers may not have helped (not my idea).
The rental place in Marrakech told me they can't lend them out in summer. Don't think 800 had same issues and maybe fixable?
Would have bought one when I got back but too pricey used (back then).
Now I run an XSR which has been adapted to be a similar thing.
They say the '700GS' which came after lost a bit of its low down torque, which is the best thing about the '650'.
My impressions here
I'm sure you'll enjoy your bike.
They lent me one done up for Morocco years ago and I must say I really liked it.
Compared to a Jap equivalent (ran a 660Z prior), suspension was really good – loved the preload knob.
Heavy of course, but long and low seat so handled easy Moroccan pistes and even sand - sort of.
19er front makes it great on the road (compared to a 21).
Looking back now, I'm amazed the routes I did on that thing.
Can’t say I found it bland, underpowered or vibey, but the absolute killer was the seat.
Actually damaged my arse trying to do most of Spain in a day (as you’d expect to do on a bike like this).
Bought a slab of foam in a village for the ride home. Most of Spain in a day: no probs. Averaged 68mpg, 80mpg best (see link for full record).
Undertank and pipe make it a bit wide at the back too – my set up with a Metal Mule rack and Monsoons ended up nearly a metre wide.
Oh yes, the fuelling surges when it gets really hot (tailwind/slow speeds at 30C +), but it clears up once you get moving and never actually stopped working.
Those rad covers may not have helped (not my idea).
The rental place in Marrakech told me they can't lend them out in summer. Don't think 800 had same issues and maybe fixable?
Would have bought one when I got back but too pricey used (back then).
Now I run an XSR which has been adapted to be a similar thing.
They say the '700GS' which came after lost a bit of its low down torque, which is the best thing about the '650'.
My impressions here
I'm sure you'll enjoy your bike.
Last edited by Chris S on Tue May 29, 2018 2:41 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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daveuprite
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FatFreddy
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FatFreddy
- Posts: 262
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Re: Put me off buying an F650gs
Thanks. Really helpful/interesting.Chris S wrote: ↑Tue May 29, 2018 10:12 am A much under-rated bike, IMO. Seen as something for the 'little lady' while matey rides his GS12.
They lent me one done up for Morocco years ago and I must say I really liked it.
Compared to a Jap equivalent (ran a 660Z prior), suspension was really good – loved the preload knob.
Heavy of course, but long and low seat so handled easy Moroccan pistes and even sand - sort of.
19er front makes it great on the road (compared to a 21).
Looking back now, I'm amazed the routes I did on that thing.
Can’t say I found it bland, underpowered or vibey, but the absolute killer was the seat.
Actually damaged my arse trying to do most of Spain in a day (as you’d expect to do on a bike like this).
Bought a slab of foam in a village for the ride home. Most of Spain in a day: no probs. Averaged 68mpg, 80mpg best (see link for full record).
Undertank and pipe make it a bit wide at the back too – my set up with a Metal Mule rack and Monsoons ended up nearly a metre wide.
Oh yes, the fuelling surges when it gets really hot (tailwind/slow speeds or 35C +), but it goes away one you get moving.
Those rad covers may not have helped (not my idea).
The rental place in Marrakech can't lend them out in summer. Don't think 800 had same issues and maybe fixable?
Would have bought one when I got back but too pricey used (back then). Now I run an XSR which has been adapted to be a similar thing.
They say the '700GS' which came after lost a bit of its low down torque.
My impressions here
I'm sure you'll enjoy your bike.
