F650GS vs KTM 640 Adenture, need advice!

[bowber]

My 640 used to do well over 60mpg while touring around and could manage over 70mpg on a lazy day. I could get it down to mid 50's on a good day though
My wifes 650gs wasn't too bad but it wasn'r even close on fun factor and was quite a bit heavier and always did better on fuel and was slightly easier to maintain.

Steve

[Gareth 1979]

Thanks for all the replies.

Think I'm leaning towards the GS, the easy nature of the thing to live with, the service intervals, reliability.....

Steve W. Your comment about the load carrying capability

[Crossrutted]

Same Rotax original origin. That's what I said.

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

Plenty of the early BMW 650's shat themselves. Plenty of hard ridden 640's haven't .

[Crossrutted]

Thanks for all the replies.

Think I'm leaning towards the GS, the easy nature of the thing to live with, the service intervals, reliability.....

Steve W. Your comment about the load carrying capability

Buy plenty of matchsticks and prepare to yawn - a lot.

[Crossrutted]

Thanks for all the replies.

Think I'm leaning towards the GS, the easy nature of the thing to live with, the service intervals, reliability.....

Steve W. Your comment about the load carrying capability

Before you decide, try to ride an example of each. Clearly, there are a variety of owners views (inc mine) in he preceding posts,+ the ever present " BMW is best brigade". Some of the comments are typical pub "my mate says' third hand claptrap.

Also, I may have misunderstood a previous poster, but I can't see any justification for claiming superior luggage carrying ability for the BMW , the 640 is well proven and catered for in that respect.

Two very different bikes, to suit different requirements. Surely you're not going to let a bunch of clowns( me included) on the Internet decide for you?

[AndyB]

I'll chip in with more useless comments

I've never owned either of the bikes but I've ridden both plenty of times both on and off road so here goes:

The KTM is a better bike all round, it does whatever you ask of it, it's good enough to make a rider feel (and look) better than they are. My elder brother had his for quite a while and never had problems with it being unreliable.

The BMW is a nicer bike to ride than the KTM if only because of the lack of vibration. It feels more refined and it feels as if it'll just keep going until you get to wherever it is you're going but it doesn't make you want to look for a harder way to get there.

I didn't like the KTM because of the vibration but if I had to choose between the two I'd go for the KTM. That's not helped has it? (thumbs)

[johnnyboxer]

Same Rotax original origin. That's what I said.

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

Plenty of the early BMW 650's shat themselves. Plenty of hard ridden 640's haven't .

Really?

Got any hard KTM reliability data ?

For every 640 LC4 sold, in all variants - I bet BMW sold 10 650 GS

Loads more 650 GS out there, I wonder why?

Don't forget that the 640 LC4 engine vibes like a jackhammer & for some this is the bike's worst feature

Read AdvRider for people's opinions on this - for some it makes the bike unpleasant for them

Others don't have a problem with vibes

Ride both & see

[johnnyboxer]

I'll chip in with more useless comments

I've never owned either of the bikes but I've ridden both plenty of times both on and off road so here goes:

The KTM is a better bike all round, it does whatever you ask of it, it's good enough to make a rider feel (and look) better than they are. My elder brother had his for quite a while and never had problems with it being unreliable.

The BMW is a nicer bike to ride than the KTM if only because of the lack of vibration. It feels more refined and it feels as if it'll just keep going until you get to wherever it is you're going but it doesn't make you want to look for a harder way to get there.

I didn't like the KTM because of the vibration but if I had to choose between the two I'd go for the KTM. That's not helped has it? (thumbs)

That's about summed it up (thumbs)

[boboneleg]

I owned a GS650 Dakar and a KTM 640 Adventure. The 'yawn' comment is very true, the KTM will put a smile on your face every time you ride it, but the BMW is much the best allrounder.

In the end it's up to you to decide which bike is right for you, I also owned a XR650L which was I thought would be my dream bike but I just didn't gel with it, now I have a Suzuki DR650SE which I like better than all the rest mentioned here, go figure !

In the end go with whatever you feel is right for your sort of riding.

[Crossrutted]

if I had to choose between the two I'd go for the KTM. That's not helped has it? (thumbs)

Probably not, but it has demonstrated that you have heart & soul!!! (thumbs)