Talk me out of buying a F650gs

CAbbey

work-aholic

• Oct 29, 2011

• #1

Howdy. Swore off powered 2 wheel machines years ago. Too dangerous, no time to ride, and too dangerous. Did I mention too dangerous. My last bike was an R100. But every time I see one of those F650's I watch it like a stalker.

Hopefully someone who owns a F650gs must know all sorts of bad things about them and can explain to me why I should not look at them or think about buying one. Thanks in advance.

 

pglaves

#13338

• Oct 29, 2011

• #2

They only get 60 or so mpg. And they are so little I could only ride about 20K miles in 30 or so states on mine this summer. They are light enough to pick up by myself if I drop it in a campground, so none of the beauties in bikinis would run over to help. But other than those defects they are OK bikes.

 

dancogan

New member

• Oct 30, 2011

• #3

Unfortunately they are also very good on dirt roads, where there is little traffic and little danger. On pavement they leave nothing to be desired. Why would anyone buy one?

 

tmoyer

Intermediate Adventurer

• Oct 30, 2011

• #4

I think there are many of us who would sing its praises both on and off road. I wish I still had mine and I'm looking for another.

Sorry, I can't find the words to help talk you out of it.

 

F

f650624

F650624

• Oct 30, 2011

• #5

The F650GS (single) is too small to do any serious travelling. Just ask anyone? Someone should have told me it was too small about 85000 miles ago, and before I took 9 consecutive trips to D2D in Dawson City, YK (yes I'm going again in 2012). Or, if you are serious: the steering head bearings will need to be replaced-once, the waterpump/oil pump seal at 40 to 60K-maybe, and fork seals depending on how hard and where you ride.

 

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roborider

God? What god?

• Oct 30, 2011

• #6

The only reason I'd steer you away and towards a larger machine is if you want more power for passing, a pillion rider, or top speeds. I have a 250cc bike and I love it. I have 4 buddies who several years ago rode coast to coast on 250s.

 

A

acejones

New member

• Oct 31, 2011

• #7

I've got my second one (should never have sold the first). I don't know why anyone would buy one of these things. I guess you really have to be into light weight, reliable, great milage, etc.

 

R

railbender

New member

• Oct 31, 2011

• #8

I have 6 bikes in the garage. If 5 of them had to go the F650GS would still be there! It may not be the best touring bike, it may not be the best sport bike, it may not be the best off-road bike in fact it may not be the best anything bike. But it is so good at so many things that if there were to be only one it would be the F650GS.

 

rdalland

Giddyap

• Oct 31, 2011

• #9

hard to keep clean...

 

flymymbz

Dee G

• Oct 31, 2011

• #10

They have this thing about looking at sheep butts.....

 

geisterfahrer

Bill the Cat

• Nov 1, 2011

• #11

Not to mention the chain eliminates the issues some of the shaft models have had with their FDs. I mean, really, who wants to maintain a chain when they can just replace a FD for a few thousand????

 

A

acejones

New member

• Nov 1, 2011

• #12

geisterfahrer said:

Not to mention the chain eliminates the issues some of the shaft models have had with their FDs. I mean, really, who wants to maintain a chain when they can just replace a FD for a few thousand????

Click to expand...

I've always thought this is a good point. You can generally always get a chain replaced anywhere in the world. It's certainly much easier and cheaper than a final drive.

 

KPINVT

New member

• Nov 4, 2011

• #13

Only 60 MPG at 75+ MPH. ABS takes all of the fun out of emergency stops on sand covered pavement. System cases and that damn Wolfman tank bag carry too much crap. The stock Metzler Tourance tires only last 12,000 miles or so.

 

S

sgborgstrom

Don't forget your towel

• Nov 5, 2011

• #14

No good, too heavy to take off-road, blah, blah, blah...

 

bmwgsrider

Member

• Nov 5, 2011

• #15

CAbbey said:

Howdy. Swore off powered 2 wheel machines years ago. Too dangerous, no time to ride, and too dangerous. Did I mention too dangerous. My last bike was an R100. But every time I see one of those F650's I watch it like a stalker.

Hopefully someone who owns a F650gs must know all sorts of bad things about them and can explain to me why I should not look at them or think about buying one. Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

Water pump failures, steering head bearings, fork seal leaks, cooling fans, 400 watt charging system, tubed tires...

Did this help talk ya outta one?

 

k9gromit

Bad Buddhist

• Nov 5, 2011

• #16

I just flogged mine around the country for about 8500 miles. During the trip it got an oil change and a new front brake line. It's a 2001 with 32k miles and I put over 20k of them on in the last 3 years. It has needed steering head bearings and fork seals. Nothing else but oil, filters and gas (and at anywhere between 55 and 75 mpg, not much of that)

Is it as comfy as a newer R or K bike on a 600 mile day? Probably not. Does it make me smile every time I ride it? Yep.

Plenty of owner support at the Chain Gang.