2000 bmw f650gs test ride

[Steven van Twuyver]

Today, I rode 10 miles on the redesigned 2000 BMW F650. This was bike was being long term tested by a member of the press. He wanted to ride my KLR and eventhough BMW forbid him from letting anyone else ride, we traded bikes. For the most part I am a BMW fan and currently own both an R1100GS and the R100GSPD. The 2000 model F650 is not yet available in the US - I believe they are due at dealers sometime in May. My impression In one sentence: If you own a KLR, no need to rush to the BMW dealer anytime soon - probably never for me, at least for this model. First, this bike cost slightly more than twice what I paid for my used 98 KLR with 995 miles. Second, the new F650 holds slightly more than 3 gallons of fuel. The gas tank is a little fuel cell below the driver and passenger seat on the right side. Hopefully the tank won't bust open in a fall. Even at 50MPG, capacity is woefully inadequate. Third, the KLR handles better and feels lighter possibly because the F650 has a 19" front wheel and a relatively high CG - all that ABS and FI crap that sits underneath the plastic tank contraption. Fourth, my rejetted, drilled stock exhaust, with K&N filter but otherwise stock KLR makes significantly more power below 4500RPM. The F650 seems to have more kick in the 5-6000RPM range - more so than the KLR -- but not so much more as to be wowed and gotta have. At highway cruising speed, we were both doing 5000RPM - close to 80MPH indicated (actual 75MPH as registered by GPS). The F650 idles as thought the choke is on at 1500RPM but there isn't a choke or enricher on the bike. Fifth, the F650 has a nasty but hard to put your finger on vibration. On my KLR, vibration is non-existent until you get up to highway speed > 4500RPM. Then there is a slight tingle through the foot pegs, which is noticeable, but not intolerable. On the F650, all the way up to 4500 RPM, every piece of the bikes has annoying buzz - throughout the grips, seat, and pegs. This smoothes out and the F650 is probably smoother above 5000RPM. Sixth, I am 6'3" with only a 32" inseam. I like tall bikes. I had the seat on my KLR widened and heightened. The F650 feels like it has a 28" seat height - don't know for sure, but it is VERY low. Essentially this bike is too small for me. The low seat height is certainly an advantage for the inseam challenged, but even that is a relatively cheap fix on the KLR. I like the styling on the F650 and it had a beautiful paint job. The F650 front brake is far superior. The little windscreen deflector on the F650 worked perfect for me. No buffeting whatsoever. I wanna say it has better build quality than a KLR but then there is weird shit like Torx fasteners for everything on the motor. The plastic tank is fake and no doubt giant dollars. For now, I'll stick with tried and proven and reliable, cheap Jap KLR technology. -svt- 98 KLR