"Friendly" perfect word to describe the bike. I've had mine for two years now: 2001 with 115,000 km and no issues, just regular maintenance. Solid bike, comfy.
Excellent review. I've ridden for over 35 years on bikes with 50 - 60 horsepower (650, 800, and 1000cc BMW Boxers) and have never felt I didn't have enough power or fun.
Good one Dave. I agree with your comments about moto-journalists. Sadly, they lead the easily influenced away from some fine machines by, as you mentioned, 'damning with faint praise'. Stay safe. Nick.
I've worked out that I've been riding (if you count going round and round the garden) some 44 years, 15 of those as a test and development rider. I've often been testing prototypes on the same tracks at the same time as these "journos", all of them dolled up in free gear, swanking about etc. Imagine the hilarity of watching a group of them at Bruntingthorpe on superbikes get spanked through the corners by a scruffy oik on Bonnie 120. Laugh, I nearly crashed. they have to pander to the advertising revenue, we don't. They don't like anything under 200mph and £40,000 these days. Some of the best rides I've had have been on "modest" machines. I own the precursor to your GS in my 99 Aprilia Pegaso. It's possibly the best two up bike I've had yet. Plenty of punch, handles well and like you say, is a friendly bike. I am quite keen on old 80s and 90s bikes where you have to grab them by the scruff of the neck, but sometimes you just want to get on with it without the mental workload. I often see gaggles of old boys on huge GS1250s and the like struggling to handle the things or pottering about because their scared to death of the things, I even "advised" one tragic case that maybe he should consider downsizing to something he could manage more easily? It was like i told him he had to be castrated! Loose the ego and gain the pleasure, which is why the go-to bike in my stable is a silly little 125 underbone Thai built Suzuki. I look like an idiot but I'm having more fun than the rest.
@@iamthefatstig Great comments and eloquently put! Lose the ego and enjoy 😂👍 One advantage of being older perhaps is not feeling the need to prove much anymore but just relish the experience.
Many years ago there was a guy who went by the Striking Viking (Glen Heggstad) that rode a F650GS around the world and did a day by day blog. I followed his progress and adventures. He made several long amazing trips on that machine.
@@Rockinbiker1946 Thanks for the comment, I’ll look that one up..there was a recent one where a woman ride one to Japan too, they are certainly up to the job! Cheers
Hi Dave, great review thanks. I have a V Strom 650 and I am struggling with the weight of it lately. I am looking at something a bit lighter so considering a 650GS. How does the weight, balance and seat height compare?
Lower center of gravity since the tank is under the seat,and you seat low on these bikes.Check on the lower left side under the water pump for any leaks,chain sliders crack, stanchions for rust.Service history is a plus.great bikes.
@@blogmad2 Hi, yeah like the man said, lower CoG, seat height stock VStrom 650 was higher, I put OEM low seat on. F650 is still not super light for pushing around though
Bought same bike recently and loving it! I also seem to have the same mirrors as you and they are a bit floppy on the upper joint by the mirror glass which I can't see how to tighten up... Any ideas?
Thanks for the comment, yes the ball joints seem to go floppy after years of use, I had to replace one of mine as I couldn’t fix it. I bought a used one online. Cheers
"Friendly" perfect word to describe the bike. I've had mine for two years now: 2001 with 115,000 km and no issues, just regular maintenance. Solid bike, comfy.
this is very good bike, all these bmw 650 engine bikes are brilliant
Excellent review. I've ridden for over 35 years on bikes with 50 - 60 horsepower (650, 800, and 1000cc BMW Boxers) and have never felt I didn't have enough power or fun.
@@zombiewoof5257 Thanks, great you enjoyed it, yeah it’s enough!
F650GS is definitely a Great stuff! 👍 thanks for your video.
Greetings from Poland 🇵🇱
Hi, and greetings from Scotland! Thanks for your comment, yes a great bike! 👍
I have a 2007, and I love it! Wonderful motorbike.
Just noticed the audio higher volume on the left. thanks for the video. Love my 650gs 2007. Just got it this year.
Glad you enjoyed it, yeah they are a really good bike!
Good one Dave. I agree with your comments about moto-journalists. Sadly, they lead the easily influenced away from some fine machines by, as you mentioned, 'damning with faint praise'. Stay safe. Nick.
Thanks for the comment Nick, and well put.
I've worked out that I've been riding (if you count going round and round the garden) some 44 years, 15 of those as a test and development rider. I've often been testing prototypes on the same tracks at the same time as these "journos", all of them dolled up in free gear, swanking about etc.
Imagine the hilarity of watching a group of them at Bruntingthorpe on superbikes get spanked through the corners by a scruffy oik on Bonnie 120. Laugh, I nearly crashed. they have to pander to the advertising revenue, we don't.
They don't like anything under 200mph and £40,000 these days. Some of the best rides I've had have been on "modest" machines. I own the precursor to your GS in my 99 Aprilia Pegaso. It's possibly the best two up bike I've had yet. Plenty of punch, handles well and like you say, is a friendly bike. I am quite keen on old 80s and 90s bikes where you have to grab them by the scruff of the neck, but sometimes you just want to get on with it without the mental workload.
I often see gaggles of old boys on huge GS1250s and the like struggling to handle the things or pottering about because their scared to death of the things, I even "advised" one tragic case that maybe he should consider downsizing to something he could manage more easily? It was like i told him he had to be castrated! Loose the ego and gain the pleasure, which is why the go-to bike in my stable is a silly little 125 underbone Thai built Suzuki. I look like an idiot but I'm having more fun than the rest.
@@iamthefatstig Great comments and eloquently put! Lose the ego and enjoy 😂👍 One advantage of being older perhaps is not feeling the need to prove much anymore but just relish the experience.
Very well presented review. Covered all aspects of the bike. 👍
@@alanoliver11 Thanks, glad you got something from it 👍😀
Many years ago there was a guy who went by the Striking Viking (Glen Heggstad) that rode a F650GS around the world and did a day by day blog. I followed his progress and adventures. He made several long amazing trips on that machine.
@@Rockinbiker1946 Thanks for the comment, I’ll look that one up..there was a recent one where a woman ride one to Japan too, they are certainly up to the job! Cheers
It was Katy Haynes! Quite a fun trip to watch!
Hi Dave, great review thanks. I have a V Strom 650 and I am struggling with the weight of it lately. I am looking at something a bit lighter so considering a 650GS. How does the weight, balance and seat height compare?
Lower center of gravity since the tank is under the seat,and you seat low on these bikes.Check on the lower left side under the water pump for any leaks,chain sliders crack, stanchions for rust.Service history is a plus.great bikes.
@@blogmad2 Hi, yeah like the man said, lower CoG, seat height stock VStrom 650 was higher, I put OEM low seat on. F650 is still not super light for pushing around though
I have a 2014 BMW Sertao I have had it from new it has 100670KM on the clock, never ever had an issue. AND it has lived in South Africa
@@danielprinsloo2917 Great, reliability! 👍
How expensive are the parts for it in South Africa?
@@johanvandersandt8904 It is slightly more expensive than a Suzuki V Strom
Bought same bike recently and loving it! I also seem to have the same mirrors as you and they are a bit floppy on the upper joint by the mirror glass which I can't see how to tighten up... Any ideas?
Thanks for the comment, yes the ball joints seem to go floppy after years of use, I had to replace one of mine as I couldn’t fix it. I bought a used one online. Cheers
Hi, if I see correctly, you have spoilers on the hand guards. Is it oem? I have oem hand guards and want to make them a lil bit taller.
@@jedkerr Hi, no they are bits of rubber sheet I cut, drilled the guards, attached with spare nuts n bolts
@@davesimmons-aclassicmotorc5812 got it, I want to change airflow from knuckles :)
I have a 2005 model and the gear change is just as clunky and mine only has 6000 miles on it
Thanks for commenting! Yours might not be fully run in yet😂 they are a very reliable gearbox if ‘characterful’