Regards from sunny south Florida, where the women are beautiful and the children are inside on the xbox.
My friend is asking my opinion as he looks for a good used dual sport. He's a returning rider, a pro horse trainer with physical skills, wanting a 50/50 road/trail machine. He's found a 2001 F650 GS with 17K mi., asking price is $3850. It looks well cared for, has new chain and sprockets, engine bars, Jesse bags and an aftermarket windshield. I'm a BMW guy, having had a FYK100 and now a '99 RT, but I don't know much about this model. I'm telling him I think he'll be happier with this BMW than a 2010 KLR he was considering. But other than the maintenance history and the current state of the tires, batteries and fluids I don't know what to look for on the 650GS.
Are there any issues in the electrics, FI, motor, trans or clutch on this model year?
He intends to use the machine for transportation to his horse training clinics around the state as his F250 fuel costs are taking too much of his income. If the 650 gets approx. 50mpg vs 16mpg for his truck he'll save approx. $1500 in fuel in 10,000 miles (his expected annual miles). Even with insurance, tires and maintenance costs the fuel savings may offset the cost of the bike in about 3.5 years, not counting other savings on truck tires etc.. Factor in the joys of riding and the bike pays for itself every time he rides..
Thanks for any info or advice.
Chris Muscarella
Palm City, FL
MOA 151543
1985 K100 (gone but not forgotten)
1999 R100RT (current affair)
Ride often, ride safe, be seen.
My friend is asking my opinion as he looks for a good used dual sport. He's a returning rider, a pro horse trainer with physical skills, wanting a 50/50 road/trail machine. He's found a 2001 F650 GS with 17K mi., asking price is $3850. It looks well cared for, has new chain and sprockets, engine bars, Jesse bags and an aftermarket windshield. I'm a BMW guy, having had a FYK100 and now a '99 RT, but I don't know much about this model. I'm telling him I think he'll be happier with this BMW than a 2010 KLR he was considering. But other than the maintenance history and the current state of the tires, batteries and fluids I don't know what to look for on the 650GS.
Are there any issues in the electrics, FI, motor, trans or clutch on this model year?
He intends to use the machine for transportation to his horse training clinics around the state as his F250 fuel costs are taking too much of his income. If the 650 gets approx. 50mpg vs 16mpg for his truck he'll save approx. $1500 in fuel in 10,000 miles (his expected annual miles). Even with insurance, tires and maintenance costs the fuel savings may offset the cost of the bike in about 3.5 years, not counting other savings on truck tires etc.. Factor in the joys of riding and the bike pays for itself every time he rides..
Thanks for any info or advice.
Chris Muscarella
Palm City, FL
MOA 151543
1985 K100 (gone but not forgotten)
1999 R100RT (current affair)
Ride often, ride safe, be seen.