Any mechanical qirks on a 03 F650 I Sould know about?

Next week i go to pick up a 03 with only 2500 miles on it. I thought i would ask if there are any known engine/electrical or chasi issues with this particular year. It also has abs. What do you guys think?

No mechanical issues that I am aware of specific to this model/year.
Filters/fluids, follow the maintenance schedule and it will serve you well.

Steering head bearings seem to go earlier than the same bearings fail on airheads. I think it relates to the less steep rake angle.

Water pumps have a reputqtion for failing - a little gear breaks eventually.

Neither ar huge deals but those are things to watch for.

Thanks guys, its refreshing to see a model specific forum without alot of r&r issues. By the way, a dealer is not anything like close by, so is there any one or two web sights for discount or otherwise parts disribution?

I had a '03 F650GS that I sold with over 36000 miles on it. The bike was in great condition and had not had any problems or issues. After missing it for about three years I bought another one (03). Its a much lower mileage bike, so I don't really have a good track record with it yet.

Acejones said:

I had a '03 F650GS that I sold with over 36000 miles on it. The bike was in great condition and had not had any problems or issues. After missing it for about three years I bought another one (03). Its a much lower mileage bike, so I don't really have a good track record with it yet.

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Thats great news to me! Im handy with a wrench for most things so the water pump and bearings may be stuff I'll pick up just to have incase. I pick the bike up monday and ride her home the 7 hours it takes. What a maiden voyage! Curious how well the stocker seat is going to treat me. I think I'll go for a DAKAR seat from seatconcepts.com if I need a bit more hight for comfort.... we'll see.

Steering head bearing are about it.

My wife has a factory lowered 2003 gs that has around 36,000 miles on it. I had to replace the steering head bearing, no big deal but there is a special tool to help torque the headset. The battery seem to go out pretty quick. I think it is because the battery sits on top of the engine and get a lot of heat. The heat causes the battery fluid to evaporate and because you have to remove the "fake" gas tank to get to the battery, the fluid does not get checked as often as it should. I put a odyssey seal battery in the bike and will have to see how long it last.

Great bike, light weight, 70 miles per gallon and fun to ride. Enjoy