Bought mine new in 2010 and still got it 13 years later. See no need to change, it’s still in great condition and is a really good all rounder. Great review of a proven bike that simply makes sense
Thanks very much. Glad to hear you're still happy with yours after 13 years together. I just shipped mine to Italy (video on the prep here: ruclips.net/video/EnWKHOYTyW0/видео.html) and spent 25 days riding across the country. Left it there so I can resume my adventures around Italy on it next year, came back home and bought another G650GS so I could have one here too. Just great motorcycles. PS: Series of my trip will start coming out in the next couple months.
@@YouMotorcycle I have a Yamaha XT 250 with 27,000 miles on her, but she blew the head exhaust gasket a few weeks back. When I was about to change it the studs both broke off in the head sighhhh. Been a totally reliable little machine before now. My Honda Hybrid is limping on the CVT with 235K miles. Used car prices are beyond stupid at the moment so I'm hoping the market will open up and will commute 110 miles a day RT while my CVT gets replaced and pray for good weather. I always wanted a black GS 650 so when this popped up on my email I was like that is perfect. The exact side cases I would have picked, a saddleman seat, tall after market windscreen and spokes too? I quickly contacted the dealer in Grand Rapids put a deposit on her.
Coming from a 125 cc, I was undecided between this and the Honda TransAlp but opted for the G650 - thanks for the video, it helped deciding. Especially the availability of mods and parts, which I didn't think about before
Wow cool! I didn't even know they brought back the old TransAlp and made it new for this year, very cool. I don't think it's available where I live. Enjoy the G650 though. I really like this machine. Just did a new video on it today too!
@@YouMotorcycle Oh, no, I was looking to buy either a 2008 TransAlp or a 2011 G650 GS - not the new one (which doesn't look released yet) Got the GS and super happy with it!
@@Enton1337 Oh I see! Glad you are liking it. I'm going to be doing service videos over the winter (coolant, brake fluid, oil and filter), stay tuned :)
Dear Sir, I live in Australia and I just recently bought a low mileage ( 14000klms ) 2014 BMW G650GS myself and all the things you have mentioned in your video are spot on. I haven't taken the bike of road yet ( I've only had for 3 weeks ) I have changed the exhaust system to a Dominator system ( with a hard DB killer ) changed the battery to a Lithium type ( mainly to help reduce even more weight off the bike ) and have changed the rear tyre to a Shinko E705 and changed the engine oil and filter and changed the front and rear brake pads So far the fuel consumption ( as you mentioned ) is very good I am 66 years old and have been riding since 1971 and I have never had a bike with heated grips until now ( how did I every get by without them in the past?? ) Safe Riding and take care
Hey Alan I really enjoyed reading your comment, thank you for sharing. I'm glad it sounds like the G650GS is a really good fit for you. We recently did a 2,000 km ride on one, it's been an absolutely pleasure. Congrats on the purchase and on many decades of motorcycle riding - awesome👌
Outstanding review !!!.... Looking for a low mileage one, test rode a 2010 with supposedly 7k miles, had issues. ABS light on solid, Speedo didn't work, when I hit the high beam momentary switch the ABS light went off and the speedo worked. The heated grips didn't work, : ( it was 37 F in Upstate NY last Friday (12/9/22). Other then that, loved the bike. Did 25 miles of smiles. Have owned a KLR twice, DR650 twice, DRZ 400 (all lowered with lowering links)and three boxer GS's. Liked the smoothness and lightness, and stock 30.7" seat height. At 65 yrs old and a 29" inseam the G650GS is a perfect fit. Now to find one.
Sounds like you're an excellent candidate for one, or maybe the other way around, or both! The twin GS (800cc) is way smoother than the 650 single GS, but it sounds like you're used to single cylinder motors so you know what to expect. PS thanks for the kind words!
Dude I'm thinking of getting one of these bikes and u know you ride the Surrey lanes. I Can't find a definite answer to the wet weight of the bike,any chance you know the weight? How's it handle the green lane's?
Lovely review Adrian, I intend to start riding to explore the vast dry lands of northern and southern Kenya. The BMW singles Funduro/G650/Sertao etc would be very likely be my first (and best!) choice after I learn on a smaller bike...thanks brother, your review reinforces my decision to go the BMW way! Seen a couple for sale but here accesories would be impossible to get, so for me I need a used bike that originaly worked good straight out of the box. BTW like how you use the mirrored images...thought I was the only one does that to my pics!!
Hey thank you so much. I think that's a great idea. Start on something even more beginner friendly to get your confidence up. Transition over when ready.
Adrian was nice enough to respond to yesterday’s message, almost immediately, with questions and offers of help. I think I’ll post again, so that it doesn’t get lost in “responses.” To repeat the same intro: I find the video thoughtful and informative. I looked nationwide for a G650GS (or a Sertao) and ended up buying in my home State of Colorado. I’ve paid attention to offerings that have arisen since my purchase, and it really does seem as though the unique nature of this bike adds to the possibility (probability?) of finding low-mileage clean examples. I do still think a would-be purchaser should either: A) buy an already accessorized bike, (they are definitely out there), or, B) spend a bit of time making sure “your” mods are still available. Adrian asked what I’ve had difficulty finding. Despite my usual OCD nature, I’ve not cataloged the rabbit-holes-without-rabbits. But I have done quite a bit of luggage, skid plate, tail plate and crash bar searching. I don’t mean to imply that one can’t still find a proper set-up. …but it might not be with the same manufacturer that included the line even a few years ago. Links from relevant forums often went “404,” or not-yet-updated websites just listed “unavailable” without any re-stock date anticipated. Another “to be fair” caveat: in 2021, there’s no easy way to know what’s a decision to drop a vehicle from the application line-up, and what’s just another “supply chain” clustershag. Appears as though “Happy Trails,” in Idaho, is still committed to the line. It also has been fruitful to actually CALL places to see if they still have “New Old Stock,” even if the application has been discontinued. (I texted folks from CycleTrader and Craigslist ads asking for the origin of their mods, and most were kind enough to respond. That’s how I knew that there was, at one point, a relevant app.) I hope that’s more clear rather than less. I don’t mean to diminish Adrian’s vid, or his perspective. It is still a “sleeper” value, I think. John
Where are you located John? If there's something specific you're stuck on just let me know and I'll try to find it for you. I'm always discovering more things that can work with the GS. Just this week I found I could even get a trailer that is compatible with it. Seems to me like the sky is the limit. kipmoto.com/collections/trailers/products/sherpax-lightweight-dual-sport-trailer
Nice! I'm up in Toronto Canada. In the last few months I have picked up the Givi brackets (new, cheaper to bring in from Carpi Moto in Italy than to buy locally), a set of GIVI 41 liter side cases for $158 ($200 Canadian) used, a used seat for $55 ($70 Canadian) that I'm planning to put the Seat Concepts seat on (still available new), and lastly we picked up a used Kappa touring windscreen for $55 in brand new condition. For about $270 I was able to make a huge difference to the G650GS in the past few months. Going to spend another $200 on the Seat Concepts seat over the winter and I think that will be it for the mods.
Thanks Capt! I'm hoping to start putting together my series riding my G650GS across Italy in the next couple months. It was amazing, the bike was great. First gear in the mountain twisties sucked.
I've owned F650GS 2000 since 2004. Fixed water pump 2 times in 30000 kilo mileage and front fork seal 3 times. Rear shock blew off in 15K. Shocks were terrible for full loaded riding. Now it's with progressive HD fork spring and wilbers shock. Wheels are modified to tubless. It runs nice. Crazy design of it for economic maintenance is its fuel filter combined with fuel regulator that costs over 200$. Highly recommended to add normal cheap fuel filter for GM to prolong the life time of it. Especially when you use local gas station with low quality fuel , must have it. Happy ride safely. Cheers.
@@YouMotorcycle ruclips.net/user/shortsTc09OqT1Nog?feature=share is for your filter maintenance.... Fuel hose cut and clamping must be precise and robust to avoid leakage. For long trip to low quality fuel regions, bring some GM filters with you .That will save your injector.
Thanks for the video. I still love my 2010 G650GS since the day I got it. It is everything you mentioned, which is why I bought it. That first month I blogged about the bike and the OEM accessories, which I immediately added with no regrets.
Have the chance to buy one-leery of BMW's costs for repair parts but I've read that the Rotax engine on this is super reliable. Hopefully I'll be tearing up some gravel roads and taking a lot more 'scenic routes' here in Missouri. That is some astounding MPG! I'll probably be doing more highway and it appears that this being more 'on road' oriented it'll handle long highway miles better than the KLR does if I felt like taking a long trip. I like the simplicity-if you limit German engineers to just one cylinder they'll figure out how to make it better instead of loading up on electronics which is nothing but a liability and an expensive one at that since it is a BMW after all. Test rode a decked out KLR yesterday-liked it but I have short legs so it's a problem. The other problem was the price as the owner justified the rather high price because of all the mods and upgrades. The GS for sale is the same price as the KLR-but I'm sure it's a more comfy, ergonomic machine. Hopefully, just hopefully I'll take the BMW plunge tomorrow and not chicken out. Glad I found this video to boost my confidence buying one.
You can't go wrong with either bike, but if you feel more comfortable (as far as confidence) on the BMW because you're able to get your feet down more easily, that should give you good peace of mind and would be a huge deciding factor for me. What did you decide on?
@@YouMotorcycle I ended up getting a 2018 KLR with only 5k on the dial. The previous owner decked it out with a Tusk crash cage and even installed heated grips. I'm able to get the balls of my feet on the ground and I've noticed the bike feels excellently centered and wants to stay upright as I ride. I gave it a test ride to see how it handled interstate/highway speeds and to my delight even with knobby tires it settled into a nice groove between the 65-70mph mark. It's also very comfortable, even with the stock seat. I went on a 150 mile round trip out to family over the Fourth of July weekend and was surprised when filling it back up it took just less than 3 gallons-roughly half a tank. The KLR's capacity is the largest of any adventure dual sport bike and I think it's range is about 350 miles. I still haven't given it a full on off road test but it should do well with the knobby tires. I'll let you know! I would still like to give the 650 GS a go one day and then I'll be able to truly know which I'd prefer. I'm loving the KLR so far!
A lovely review that's right on the money!! I have owned 3 of these bikes (and still have one) and everything you've said about the bike I agree with. I currently own an '08 Dakar, and it delivers amazing fuel consumption! I also own a 300 GTS Vespa, and my Dakar is lighter on gas than the Vespa! These bikes are amazing all-rounders, and I always look forward to riding this bike, as my BMW 1150 Adventure is starting to get a bit heavy for me. Thanks again for a great video and greetings from South Africa!
Hey Neville, thanks for the kind words! If you want a bit more power from the G650 but the 1150 is starting to grow a little long in the tooth for you (or vice-versa :)) , I took out a F700GS (800cc twin) the other day... What an excellent machine. Same wheel diameters front and rear as the G650, slightly longer wheelbase I believe, only about 30 lbs more, but plenty more power. Honestly though, the G650GS is such a fantastic all-rounder, that it's really all anyone who isn't doing track days would need from a motorcycle.
@@YouMotorcycle thank you so much for your reply! I agree that the F700GS will be the next bike to consider should the GSA get a little too heavy for me. Thankfully my GSA only has 23 thousand kilometers on the clock, and my 650 a paltry 12 thousand kilometers (as I own multiple bikes and like to use them all) so I guess I won't need to change for a while yet. Thanks again for your input, it's much appreciated!! Stay well and keep the content coming!!
Great video. Kind of bummed to hear the low seat height since I'm tall. I'd rather have it taller with more clearance. Might be buying one this weekend
How tall are you? Didnt think about a seat riser and / or lowering pegs. I'm 6' 3", sounds like I'm just a little too tall for longer rides with the stock set up
Greetings, again, from Colorado, USA. This vid continues to be at the top of any “G650GS” search, and rightfully so. I still find it thoughtful and insightful. (See my 2021 post, below.) As things turned out, I am “way deep” into all things G650GS, as I now have a ‘14 and a ‘15. The ‘15 was a find near Steamboat Springs, CO - home of the world-renowned ski area - with a verified 108 miles from the original owner. I do want to return to my recommendation from last year’s post, as, if anything, evidence mounts. It may not be as true in Europe and Australia, but… Despite my love for the bike - and I am happy to have two plain “Gs,” despite my initial fascination with the Sertao - I would exercise patience and find one spec’ed out with all the “farkles” you want. The aftermarket catalog is definitely closing on these bikes. Here are a few of the many examples over the past year: 1) Touratech, which has RUclips vids showing its full treatment bike, has closed the whole line down. I found e-bay original Touratech items all over the world, (often Australia,) but there is now essentially nothing from them. 2) I was in touch with “Jesse Luggage,” as I really liked the strong review for their products. Talked with the now-owner in Arizona, and there was apparently a set still in stock. But nothing on the website, and that was a one-off. I did, still, have good luck with Idaho’s “Happy Trails.” 3) In the US, the Revzilla / Cyclegear empire (!) is one of the first places to look, and often is the best choice for price. In ‘21, I ordered a SW Motech crashbar for bike number one. This week, I looked to buy for bike two, and, over and over, “discontinued.” I paid a significant premium when I found one, listed, FWIW, as “ten remaining; act now!” (BS? I don’t know.) I have ordered stuff from “Boonstra,” in the Netherlands, often at significant cost. Though they are very well-organized, prompt, and the website is excellent. Highly recommended. Wide selections of aftermarket windscreens? No longer. Brake reservoir guards? Buy now on E-Bay, or take your chances on obvious Chinese (no sino-offense meant) knockoffs. Have found some good Wunderlich stuff, but that catalog is closing, as well, and VERY expensive. …needed an adjustable shift after my pivot pegs, as I couldn’t even get my foot around the stock. Essentially no options. I THINK I’ve found a counter-shaft sprocket guard from Craig at Ratel Engineering in Australia, but I searched and searched before looking him up on ADV Rider. They used to be plentiful. SO…… This is in no way meant to detract from Adrian’s overall video. I do, genuinely, like the bikes. I think that the low-sales numbers, at least here in the US, before they gave up and just went with the 700/800 and 750/850… I think those low sales numbers contributed to the wide-, then narrow-aftermarket catalog. Cheers; thanks for reading; Merry Christmas ‘22!
Hey again John, I'm now guilty, like you, of buying a second G650GS haha. I have one in Italy where I rode it across the country, and then I came home and bought one here. Good on ya for finding one with low miles. Those are getting harder and harder to come by. I agree, if you see something you like for the bike, you just gotta buy it. I'm about to pick up another seat upgrade for my second one next.
@@YouMotorcycleDo you have family in Europe? (Are you able to store the bike there for future use?) I remember being very interested in how you got your bike there - on your own flight over, if I remember correctly. I remember seeing some video of your trip, but much less that I’d anticipated. My guess is that you were just enjoying your travels with your girlfriend. …which is understandable, if the reason for little documentation. When I was young, and doing the “airheads,” BMW had a “European Delivery” program, whereby one could pick-up the US-spec bike, then ride a sufficient number of miles / kilometers until it was “used” (I’m a bit hazy, but I think that was the rule-bending ruse), then transport it back and register it in North America. This was even before the fall of the wall, so getting the bike at the Spandau (Berlin) factory would have been fascinating to me. Thanks for the response. Check our Seat Concepts, if you’ve not already done so. They still do the F / G seats. Idaho, USA. John in Colorado
Great Video, informative, confirms my interests and the strengths of this bike as a daily driver. This is how you make a fucking video RUclipsrs, take note. I think I'm sold. I can't honestly say I could find a used motorcycle for a good price that could do everything as a daily driver as well as this, and off-road too; and potholes, and torn-up roads, etc. So many RUclips videos are too long or rambling on, and the points are lost; there's no way someone flipping through videos wants your rambling, 25 minute review of a bike unless your name is Noraly.
Can't remember what I said and I'm out now but I can do tell you I did a 1,200 mile trip (2,000 km), with a girl on the back, and all of our stuff for two weeks split between two side cases, a bag on the back rack, and a tank bag, and even with all the added weight, doing 75 mph on highways, we were still getting 59 mpg. I think if you removed 165 lbs of passenger and tried to take it slow that number would go up significantly. A good place to see real user-reported fuel economy is a site called fuelly.com, you can go there and browse by year/make/model and see what kind of mileage people are reporting. This is the playlist from the G650GS two up road trip to Quebec City: ruclips.net/video/yPK0i4ydDnM/видео.html - it went well enough that we are shipping the bike to Italy to ride across Italy.
I just found you today!, love it.. Question: I know there is not just 1 answer, however...I am starting a RTW tour, solo. I don't want an uncomfortable "dirt" dual. But following "Itchy" lead she went with lighter, I agree but I'm now debating on nimble, quick light and wondering instead of crf300 rally (can't even get on west coast-recall shipping etc) but I think the BMW GS310 rally..but worried about the limitations of qualified mechanics? As apposed to say a Yama, Kawa? Maybe I just make sure I have the chapter presidents of the BMW clubs world wide haha...now there's a totally decked out 650, near me from a ex racer that has 30k miles, but is that too many? For a RTW? And my nay sayers are saying BMWs 40% fail rate in 5 years?please help me lol
Oh wow, I feel grateful you'd even ask me but there are so many people who are better qualified than me at giving RTW advice. I would ask your question on advrider.com - that's probably where you'll find the best advice you can get!
You mentioned in the video if you were going to ride offroad, you would invest in a kit to help out the bike. Can you provide more details about what that kit is please? I have a 2017 GS 1200 Low but do not touch comfortably enought to take it off road. I am picking up one of these this weekend and need to definately change tires but want to know what else I need. Thanks!
I mentioned the Sertao kit, which is a separate sub-model of the G650GS, called G650GS Sertao. If you look up any G650GS Sertao review they all mention what the differences are from the base model. I believe it's taller skinnier spoked tires with more off road suitable tires, better ground clearance, and taller seat height, but reviews of the Sertao will have more information. It's like buying a 2 wheel drive jeep versus a 4x4 jeep. If you're mostly on road, the base model is fine. If you're going to be doing a lot of serious off-road, it might be worth getting the version that's a bit more off road oriented. Happy shopping :)
Still have it now. I flew it to Italy, currently riding across the country on it. Put 8k km on it so far. 1k km in the past week. All good! It will be a little slower than your Bonneville though!
Thanks so much Craig I really appreciate that. Unfortunately I'm going to have to stick to what I know, and the R1250 just isn't a motorcycle that I'm well versed with, so I'm going to differ to more knowledgeable people than me on that bike! Sorry man.
Hi. My g650gs has been giving issues with the key cylinder. During a ride, bike will just shut off. I’d switch the key on and off, and it will fire up again. I suspect - rust or dirt in the key cylinder. Have you replaced it? Otherwise - love how light the bike is. Sometimes I think of selling, but when I ride it - I fall in love again. Thanks for posting this.
Adding this in November of 2021. While I still find this video thoughtful and informative, I recommend that a would-be G650GS (or Sertao) purchasers actually source “needed” aftermarket parts and accessories BEFORE buying. I have had my newly-purchased 2014 for a month, now, and it is maddening how much is unavailable. …discontinued, not originally designed, etc. While there WAS a long run of the “650 lump,” as people affectionately describe the single, it was, at least in part, low sales numbers that contributed to its demise. It may well be that devotees, already having found and installed bash plates, panniers, etc, are unaware of how narrow the choices have become.
What exactly are you struggling to find and where are your located. This video only came out this year as we only got a GS this year and have been able to get everything we want so far. PS: Thanks!
I actually bought f 650 as my first big motorcycle. It would be cool to buy a g 650 gs but it goes for around 4 k euros here the f 650 funduro it is 1500Euros because it is old .It burns more fuel but I am not afraid to drop it or do work on it myself .
Yes we got very lucky to get one with only 2k km for half the price of brand new. Drove 7 hours that day to go get it. We still keep in touch with the seller :)
@@YouMotorcycle That must have been a cool trip. I did my first hidgway trip ever with my scooter to trade it with the f 650 it was kind of scary at first but so liberating!
Thanks for the video mate. I didn’t know this bike existed. Everyone talks about the 800, 850, 1200 and 1250. I was looking for a f800gsa but this seems like a better and more affordable option. Would you consider this over the CB500x ? My riding level is average. I currently ride a Honda 919 and love the bike. Want to add an adv bike but cannot makeup my mind. I know cb500x has a rally raid option for off-road adv riding. What I am looking for is a reliable easy to work on Motorcycle. Thnx and subscribed!!
Thanks man. I was torn between the CB500X and this as well because the power wasn't that different (650cc but a single, vs 500cc but a twin). I think the BMW made a touch more power, also came with factory heated grips, lots of options for customizing it, etc. For us, going with the BMW was the right choice. BUT, if you find a CB500X for a crazy deal vs a comparable 650GS, I wouldn't tell you not to get Honda. Something else to consider, both bikes will be a big step down from the 919 (beautiful bike btw). You might want to keep your eyes open for a BMW F700GS as well (actually an 800cc twin), or a BMW F650GS (after around 2010ish the "F" 650GS became 800cc twins as well). The 800cc twin BMWs only weigh about 30-ish lbs more than the 650, so not that much more weight but a lot more power. The simplest option is the G650GS though, and if you do want to off-road with it, 1st gear is geared for the off road rider. It's not very fast in 1st gear, which is boring on the street, but handy for unpaved terrain. Hope this rant helps :)
I actually didn't know they and continued to make the single, in essentially the same form as the 2001-07 F650gs, but with even lower seat perfect for my 29 inch old man inseams...!
@@YouMotorcycle E-yup. been studying the "F" CS/GS line. Somewhere in there is a low mileage match for my limited budget, and "mission". The ugly duckling CS is a huge bang for the buck, with exactly the same steering geometry, and engine as the GS/Dakar/Sertao, each model adds 2" of travel front and rear and another $2,000 on the used market, roughly $2k, $4k, $6K . If rock bashing and rut running isn't in your plan, I suspect some 50/50 tires will let even the CS do quite a bit of happy dirt road exploring, F-model GS's even with dual spark are popping up all over for $3800 .. the extra $2k gets you 2" travel, chain drive which is much cheaper and easier to renew, and right now are easier to sell if/when you want a change. Now I have the G-650 to study too ! Going to be my last bike, So....
@@YouMotorcycle she did ok the "interval" is something like 24k-28k miles.. but plenty are still good well into the 30's, but its something to watch and not get to the blown up point. Not only is it a single source belt at $450... you have to remove the swing arm to replace the belt..and if you are paying a dealer and not doing it yourself.. then OUCH! bad as the old spline lube wallet lightening . I found a garage queen low mileage G650 that has been sitting for 2 years...that will be coming home with me. Now to sell the PC-800 and the 2000 Ninja 250 ( with 1900 miles its a damn museum piece)
Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with either of those two bikes. If I saw a CB500X with similar milage and equipment for a much lower price, I might even say get the CB500X, pocket the savings, and put it towards your next adventure. Both are good bikes.
I have a 2013 G650Gs. At 50mph it's a great bike. But at 60mph or more it has massive amounts of vibration through the seat making it impossible for me to tour on. It is only an issue under load - if I rev the motor to 7k rpm with the clutch in it's just got that typical single cylinder thump - which I have no issue with. But once the revs get above 3500rpm in any gear it's far too uncomfortable to ride for anything more than a few mins. Any ideas how to fix it ? I've heard others with similar issues but never seen a solution anywhere.
Hey there, it's hard to guess without knowing the motorcycle's service history or even how many miles it has on it. Just some food for thought: - Cheap aftermarket bars and grips, or cheap bar risers, can lead to more vibration - Worn or damaged engine mounts can also lead to more vibration - Poorly running engine can also lead to more vibration (when was the last time the spark plug was cleaned/gapped/replaced, the valves were adjusted, the air filter was cleaned? Here's a link to my playlist for the first few videos of a 2,000 km (1200+ mile road trip we did two up on a 2011 G650GS, with all of our luggage too). Most of the miles were done at around 70-80 mph: ruclips.net/video/yPK0i4ydDnM/видео.html Hope this helps!
@@YouMotorcycle Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate the help. I'm 2nd owner. Bike has around 5k miles on it. Oil has been changed at 600 miles 3k miles and 5k miles. Coolant changed twice - most recently a month ago. .Fuel filter replaced and fuel pump overhauled. Air filter is good. Valves have not been adjusted. I think the plugs are original. I have not cleaned or checked the gap. Bike doesn't blow smoke, doesn't use any oil [although it's not getting ridden hard either] and apart from the vibration at the aforementioned revs and above it's pretty much perfect.
I increased the gear ratio to raise RPM on my '07 F 650 GS Dakar. There's no highway travel here, so 50 mph is my cruising speed. If you drop the rear sprocket count down (to lower RPM), you will probably see a nice cruising difference.
Very DIY friendly as it is a very low-tech bike, although oil changes have a few more steps than necessary in my opinion. You can download an owner's manual online for free for the details on the intervals if you're interested. They were generally standard across the board.
They came from factory either as the base model g650gs or as g650gs Sertao. Just look for a Sertao and not a base model g650gs if you need the extra off road functionality
Hello Adrian, Can you help me? What would be the disadvantages to buy a 2010 opposed to a 2015 for example. Is there a big difference in tech or parts? The bike has low miles.
Hey Dane! Off the top of my head, ABS may have been mandatory as well as the factory 4-ways (hazard lights). Those would be the two things to look for. Does the 2010 have the same look as the 2015 or was the look from the previous generation? If it's a previous gen, the newer one may be a bit faster, and also painted black, but the motor is also made in china to BMW'S German specs. If both motors are black then ignore what I said about power :)
Great to see this video...thank you! I bought a 13 GS for my wife and she loves it. While it can be a bit of a pain to figure out the BMW naming conventions, it has been a great bike! One question for GS owners. How do you find replacement handlebars. It seems the BMW notched bars are a pain to source (as I've been looking for one for a while) Are there any work arounds or sources. Thanks again!
@@YouMotorcycle Thanks, an active forum for sure. Leave it to BMW to require you to pay to look up information on a bike you bought from them. Why I own 2, I'll never know. :) Thanks again for the good content.
I'm buying used, just for moto camping not huge long trips...please help me.. a 2003 dakar with 12k miles (not ridden much 3k in 7 years ) or a 2001 f650gs in my favorite color...7k Mike's super clean never been off road...I plan on riding on dirt as well as road
Thank you for your quick response! I believe you supported my gut. I've always wanted the Dakar, despite being an older model... and then I just found a 1989 transalp...but it's more money, and... I know I want the shape and riding comfort of the dakar...thank you again...and I will be posting about it when I start my channel soon...
it has a low fuel warning light and then starts counting up the distance you've traveled since the light went on. it's pretty effective and keeps it simple
@@YouMotorcycle I recently got my motorcycle. My old Kawasaki told me how much kilometers distance is left. But you are right, bmw keeps it simple. I can go 80km after the light turns on.
@@xarrow81 honestly I have a soft spot for this bike, I have two of them, an insurance for me is dirt cheap on this motorcycle.... But if the financials were identical between the two bikes, the 650 twin is the better machine. Unless you want to go off-road then maybe look at a 650 single sertao. I have another video somewhere that compares the 650 single and 650 twin you might want to check out
I have a 17 g650gs..bought new..now May 22 got 1560 miles on it... awesome bike but hardly ever ride always grabbing my new Africa twin Adventure Sport
@@captaintube2696Low milage doesn't really add value to an old bike. The reason is things perish over time and will need replacement regardless of mileage. Tyres over 5 years old need replacing regardless of tread left. A bike with low miles probably has the original oil and coolant as well - again not good as it could lead to corrosion in a bike that's not being used. Old stale fuel isn't good either. My low milage G650GS needed a new pressurised fuel filter and the fuel pump motor had to be replaced as well. I did it myself - but if you went to a mechanic / dealership you'd be getting no change from $1000. I bought a 2013 with around 3k miles on it and now wish I got one with 50k on it simply because it would have been better serviced / looked after. I know a guy with a Funduro 650 that has 150k miles on it which runs perfectly.
Bummer. Bought mine with 1200 miles on it and just did all the fluids on it myself to be safe. About $100 in fluids and $400 for tires + balance & install and the bike was good as new for less than half the price of new. I'll call you when I get it to 50k km and you can buy it off me lol
@captain tube Resale value is going to vary by where in the world you're located, sometimes even where in the same country you're located. Some bikes sell for much more in the city than they would two hours outside of it and vice versa. Gotta look around your local classifieds and price accordingly
I just rode 200 km on the highways on it today. It's a little buzzy, it's a single cylinder, I still do all my cross country touring on it and enjoy it very much
Haha in spring I will be saying "You're welcome" when you say "Thank you" :) Just published another video on this bike. I think it's not the best at any one thing, but it's kind of the best overall at doing the most things.
@@YouMotorcycle Yeah I was looking for them too, but it was unfortunately much the same story. My dream bike would honestly be a G 650 GS Sertão; if it were re-released it would a great option in the ever shrinking medium ADV bracket.
@@YouMotorcycle Yeah those look solid too. It was out of the question for me since I'm a new rider and it's not approved for restricted licenses in Aus. I think I would sooner choose a DR650 if I went Suzuki though, more dirt focused.
@@GruntyGame I understand. I want an excuse to buy a TW200... but I live in the middle of the biggest city in Canada and there isn't anywhere near me to ride it so I can't really justify it lol
Get the Sertao edition instead. Taller seat height and more room. You can use a base model g650gs and add handlebar risers, lower the foot pegs, get a tall seat... But at that point you may as well just look at the g650gs Sertao instead. It would be more comfortable for you
No gauge, and not really needed, to be honest. I reset the trip meter every time I gas up. The low fuel light usually comes on around 220 km later. I usually fuel up every 250 km and put 10 liters in... or every 155 miles and put 2.6 gal in if you're American. That fuel light comes on so early I could easily go 50% longer between fill ups and be safe.
All it has cost in the first 7,000 km are oil, a filter, some chain lube, and the modifications we've done which you can see in the other g650gs videos. They are a pretty simple machine, nothing really goes wrong. I believe sometimes the fuel pump or fuel filter (can't remember right now) can fail, people have already shared an automotive part that can be used in it's place and commonly found for cheap. Recently did a 2,000 km round trip with a passenger on the back on one of these and not a single issue. I did have one problem last month, that will be this coming weekend's video.
Great review mate. I'm looking at buying one to explore remote Australia....looks the goods. Unless I missed something I think you may have made a mistake with the MPG stats though. You basically said going faster would use less fuel? 90 km/h gets 74 mpg (31k's per litre) and 125 km/h gets 80 mpg (34k's per litre). Is that right?
For many of the reasons listed. For example, for many riders, a V Strom 650 is too tall and/or too heavy. It isn't about The pursuit of the best motorcycle, it's about helping people find what's right from them.
Bought mine new in 2010 and still got it 13 years later. See no need to change, it’s still in great condition and is a really good all rounder. Great review of a proven bike that simply makes sense
Thanks very much. Glad to hear you're still happy with yours after 13 years together. I just shipped mine to Italy (video on the prep here: ruclips.net/video/EnWKHOYTyW0/видео.html) and spent 25 days riding across the country. Left it there so I can resume my adventures around Italy on it next year, came back home and bought another G650GS so I could have one here too. Just great motorcycles.
PS: Series of my trip will start coming out in the next couple months.
Well I never test rode one but I bought an all black spoke wheeled 2016 with 500 miles on it yesterday... I have an 180 mile ride to get her home...
Nice. We put about 50% more km on one within the first month of bringing it home. Great bikes
Amazing how many of these have such low kilometers
@@YouMotorcycle I have a Yamaha XT 250 with 27,000 miles on her, but she blew the head exhaust gasket a few weeks back. When I was about to change it the studs both broke off in the head sighhhh. Been a totally reliable little machine before now. My Honda Hybrid is limping on the CVT with 235K miles. Used car prices are beyond stupid at the moment so I'm hoping the market will open up and will commute 110 miles a day RT while my CVT gets replaced and pray for good weather.
I always wanted a black GS 650 so when this popped up on my email I was like that is perfect. The exact side cases I would have picked, a saddleman seat, tall after market windscreen and spokes too? I quickly contacted the dealer in Grand Rapids put a deposit on her.
Good find man. Nicely done 👌
Love the confirmation that my purchase of the 650 GS was a wise choice. I love my bike AND it feels good for me. Thanks again.
Great machines. I'm taking mine across Italy. Stay tuned/subscribe for that.
All True. No flash, no glitter, just quietly competent.
That's it in a nutshell. Does the job, and makes it easy, every time.
I rode many different bikes, but the F650GS was the best ever.
Well said. I’ve had mine since 2016, love it
Coming from a 125 cc, I was undecided between this and the Honda TransAlp but opted for the G650 - thanks for the video, it helped deciding. Especially the availability of mods and parts, which I didn't think about before
Wow cool! I didn't even know they brought back the old TransAlp and made it new for this year, very cool. I don't think it's available where I live. Enjoy the G650 though. I really like this machine. Just did a new video on it today too!
@@YouMotorcycle Oh, no, I was looking to buy either a 2008 TransAlp or a 2011 G650 GS - not the new one (which doesn't look released yet)
Got the GS and super happy with it!
@@Enton1337 Oh I see! Glad you are liking it. I'm going to be doing service videos over the winter (coolant, brake fluid, oil and filter), stay tuned :)
funny but thats where i am too moving from a 125cc, and was wondering if i would go for G650 or Transalp
@@veemtg I went for the G650 GS half year ago and love it so far
Dear Sir, I live in Australia and I just recently bought a low mileage ( 14000klms ) 2014 BMW G650GS myself and all the things you have mentioned in your video are spot on.
I haven't taken the bike of road yet ( I've only had for 3 weeks )
I have changed the exhaust system to a Dominator system ( with a hard DB killer ) changed the battery to a Lithium type ( mainly to help reduce even more weight off the bike ) and have changed the rear tyre to a Shinko E705 and changed the engine oil and filter and changed the front and rear brake pads
So far the fuel consumption ( as you mentioned ) is very good
I am 66 years old and have been riding since 1971 and I have never had a bike with heated grips until now ( how did I every get by without them in the past?? )
Safe Riding and take care
Hey Alan I really enjoyed reading your comment, thank you for sharing. I'm glad it sounds like the G650GS is a really good fit for you. We recently did a 2,000 km ride on one, it's been an absolutely pleasure. Congrats on the purchase and on many decades of motorcycle riding - awesome👌
Outstanding review !!!.... Looking for a low mileage one, test rode a 2010 with supposedly 7k miles, had issues. ABS light on solid, Speedo didn't work, when I hit the high beam momentary switch the ABS light went off and the speedo worked. The heated grips didn't work, : ( it was 37 F in Upstate NY last Friday (12/9/22). Other then that, loved the bike. Did 25 miles of smiles. Have owned a KLR twice, DR650 twice, DRZ 400 (all lowered with lowering links)and three boxer GS's. Liked the smoothness and lightness, and stock 30.7" seat height. At 65 yrs old and a 29" inseam the G650GS is a perfect fit. Now to find one.
Sounds like you're an excellent candidate for one, or maybe the other way around, or both! The twin GS (800cc) is way smoother than the 650 single GS, but it sounds like you're used to single cylinder motors so you know what to expect. PS thanks for the kind words!
My mate I ride the trails in the UK has the Sertao version of the G650GS, it is a cracking bike both on and off road.
I love the base trim for beginners, but for intermediate and up riders the Sertao trim is a fantastic motorcycle 👌👌
I loved my one too. Very capable all rounder and really solidly built. Bit heavy when I had a topple (which was often Pete!)
Dude I'm thinking of getting one of these bikes and u know you ride the Surrey lanes. I Can't find a definite answer to the wet weight of the bike,any chance you know the weight? How's it handle the green lane's?
@@porter5877 was that to me or Gavin?
@@HippoDrones it was for you dude
Lovely review Adrian, I intend to start riding to explore the vast dry lands of northern and southern Kenya. The BMW singles Funduro/G650/Sertao etc would be very likely be my first (and best!) choice after I learn on a smaller bike...thanks brother, your review reinforces my decision to go the BMW way! Seen a couple for sale but here accesories would be impossible to get, so for me I need a used bike that originaly worked good straight out of the box. BTW like how you use the mirrored images...thought I was the only one does that to my pics!!
Hey thank you so much. I think that's a great idea. Start on something even more beginner friendly to get your confidence up. Transition over when ready.
Good video I like simplicity too.. glad you pressed that. and mpg…nice
Thanks 👍 Today's video went over my setup for riding the G650GS across Italy
Adrian was nice enough to respond to yesterday’s message, almost immediately, with questions and offers of help. I think I’ll post again, so that it doesn’t get lost in “responses.” To repeat the same intro: I find the video thoughtful and informative. I looked nationwide for a G650GS (or a Sertao) and ended up buying in my home State of Colorado. I’ve paid attention to offerings that have arisen since my purchase, and it really does seem as though the unique nature of this bike adds to the possibility (probability?) of finding low-mileage clean examples. I do still think a would-be purchaser should either: A) buy an already accessorized bike, (they are definitely out there), or, B) spend a bit of time making sure “your” mods are still available. Adrian asked what I’ve had difficulty finding. Despite my usual OCD nature, I’ve not cataloged the rabbit-holes-without-rabbits. But I have done quite a bit of luggage, skid plate, tail plate and crash bar searching. I don’t mean to imply that one can’t still find a proper set-up. …but it might not be with the same manufacturer that included the line even a few years ago. Links from relevant forums often went “404,” or not-yet-updated websites just listed “unavailable” without any re-stock date anticipated. Another “to be fair” caveat: in 2021, there’s no easy way to know what’s a decision to drop a vehicle from the application line-up, and what’s just another “supply chain” clustershag. Appears as though “Happy Trails,” in Idaho, is still committed to the line. It also has been fruitful to actually CALL places to see if they still have “New Old Stock,” even if the application has been discontinued. (I texted folks from CycleTrader and Craigslist ads asking for the origin of their mods, and most were kind enough to respond. That’s how I knew that there was, at one point, a relevant app.) I hope that’s more clear rather than less. I don’t mean to diminish Adrian’s vid, or his perspective. It is still a “sleeper” value, I think. John
Where are you located John? If there's something specific you're stuck on just let me know and I'll try to find it for you. I'm always discovering more things that can work with the GS. Just this week I found I could even get a trailer that is compatible with it. Seems to me like the sky is the limit. kipmoto.com/collections/trailers/products/sherpax-lightweight-dual-sport-trailer
Thanks for the offer of help, Adrian. Southern Colorado is home. Excellent ADV bike area.
Nice! I'm up in Toronto Canada. In the last few months I have picked up the Givi brackets (new, cheaper to bring in from Carpi Moto in Italy than to buy locally), a set of GIVI 41 liter side cases for $158 ($200 Canadian) used, a used seat for $55 ($70 Canadian) that I'm planning to put the Seat Concepts seat on (still available new), and lastly we picked up a used Kappa touring windscreen for $55 in brand new condition. For about $270 I was able to make a huge difference to the G650GS in the past few months. Going to spend another $200 on the Seat Concepts seat over the winter and I think that will be it for the mods.
Came back to re-watch the video... all points still good !
Thanks Capt! I'm hoping to start putting together my series riding my G650GS across Italy in the next couple months. It was amazing, the bike was great. First gear in the mountain twisties sucked.
I did buy a 2009 G650gs. runs like a top. works well with my 29" inseam.
The only BMW I would buy! Have ridden friend’s and have always kept an eye out for one for myself!
Can't go wrong with one of these babies. Not the fastest or most technologically gifted... And that's often a good thing :)
@@YouMotorcycle A VERY good thing! :)
Top notch presentation! Really helpful and awesome pacing. Thanks for taking the time.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the kind words
I've owned F650GS 2000 since 2004.
Fixed water pump 2 times in 30000 kilo mileage and front fork seal 3 times. Rear shock blew off in 15K. Shocks were terrible for full loaded riding.
Now it's with progressive HD fork spring and wilbers shock. Wheels are modified to tubless. It runs nice.
Crazy design of it for economic maintenance is its fuel filter combined with fuel regulator that costs over 200$. Highly recommended to add normal cheap fuel filter for GM to prolong the life time of it. Especially when you use local gas station with low quality fuel , must have it. Happy ride safely. Cheers.
I'm starting to think I should order a fuel filter and a water pump just to have handy before any long trips lol
@@YouMotorcycle
ruclips.net/user/shortsTc09OqT1Nog?feature=share
is for your filter maintenance....
Fuel hose cut and clamping must be precise and robust to avoid leakage. For long trip to low quality fuel regions, bring some GM filters with you .That will save your injector.
I checked it out. Nice, man. Thanks
My buddy might be selling me one soon they look amazing thanks for the video
Very cool. Are you riding right now or would this be your first bike?
I saw a video with the SWM Superdual and immediately thought 650GS!
Thanks for the video. I still love my 2010 G650GS since the day I got it. It is everything you mentioned, which is why I bought it.
That first month I blogged about the bike and the OEM accessories, which I immediately added with no regrets.
Agreed! Before I even got this bike I already bought parts for it! lol
Have the chance to buy one-leery of BMW's costs for repair parts but I've read that the Rotax engine on this is super reliable. Hopefully I'll be tearing up some gravel roads and taking a lot more 'scenic routes' here in Missouri. That is some astounding MPG! I'll probably be doing more highway and it appears that this being more 'on road' oriented it'll handle long highway miles better than the KLR does if I felt like taking a long trip. I like the simplicity-if you limit German engineers to just one cylinder they'll figure out how to make it better instead of loading up on electronics which is nothing but a liability and an expensive one at that since it is a BMW after all.
Test rode a decked out KLR yesterday-liked it but I have short legs so it's a problem. The other problem was the price as the owner justified the rather high price because of all the mods and upgrades. The GS for sale is the same price as the KLR-but I'm sure it's a more comfy, ergonomic machine. Hopefully, just hopefully I'll take the BMW plunge tomorrow and not chicken out. Glad I found this video to boost my confidence buying one.
You can't go wrong with either bike, but if you feel more comfortable (as far as confidence) on the BMW because you're able to get your feet down more easily, that should give you good peace of mind and would be a huge deciding factor for me. What did you decide on?
@@YouMotorcycle I ended up getting a 2018 KLR with only 5k on the dial. The previous owner decked it out with a Tusk crash cage and even installed heated grips. I'm able to get the balls of my feet on the ground and I've noticed the bike feels excellently centered and wants to stay upright as I ride. I gave it a test ride to see how it handled interstate/highway speeds and to my delight even with knobby tires it settled into a nice groove between the 65-70mph mark. It's also very comfortable, even with the stock seat. I went on a 150 mile round trip out to family over the Fourth of July weekend and was surprised when filling it back up it took just less than 3 gallons-roughly half a tank. The KLR's capacity is the largest of any adventure dual sport bike and I think it's range is about 350 miles. I still haven't given it a full on off road test but it should do well with the knobby tires. I'll let you know!
I would still like to give the 650 GS a go one day and then I'll be able to truly know which I'd prefer. I'm loving the KLR so far!
A lovely review that's right on the money!! I have owned 3 of these bikes (and still have one) and everything you've said about the bike I agree with. I currently own an '08 Dakar, and it delivers amazing fuel consumption! I also own a 300 GTS Vespa, and my Dakar is lighter on gas than the Vespa! These bikes are amazing all-rounders, and I always look forward to riding this bike, as my BMW 1150 Adventure is starting to get a bit heavy for me. Thanks again for a great video and greetings from South Africa!
Hey Neville, thanks for the kind words! If you want a bit more power from the G650 but the 1150 is starting to grow a little long in the tooth for you (or vice-versa :)) , I took out a F700GS (800cc twin) the other day... What an excellent machine. Same wheel diameters front and rear as the G650, slightly longer wheelbase I believe, only about 30 lbs more, but plenty more power. Honestly though, the G650GS is such a fantastic all-rounder, that it's really all anyone who isn't doing track days would need from a motorcycle.
@@YouMotorcycle thank you so much for your reply! I agree that the F700GS will be the next bike to consider should the GSA get a little too heavy for me. Thankfully my GSA only has 23 thousand kilometers on the clock, and my 650 a paltry 12 thousand kilometers (as I own multiple bikes and like to use them all) so I guess I won't need to change for a while yet. Thanks again for your input, it's much appreciated!! Stay well and keep the content coming!!
Excellent review of a great bike!
Thank you, love your bikes!
Great video. Kind of bummed to hear the low seat height since I'm tall. I'd rather have it taller with more clearance. Might be buying one this weekend
Thanks! I upgraded to a 1" taller seat on both of my G650GS' from Seat Concepts. Obviously won't effect your ground clearance but helps with comfort!
How tall are you? Didnt think about a seat riser and / or lowering pegs. I'm 6' 3", sounds like I'm just a little too tall for longer rides with the stock set up
Greetings, again, from Colorado, USA. This vid continues to be at the top of any “G650GS” search, and rightfully so. I still find it thoughtful and insightful. (See my 2021 post, below.) As things turned out, I am “way deep” into all things G650GS, as I now have a ‘14 and a ‘15. The ‘15 was a find near Steamboat Springs, CO - home of the world-renowned ski area - with a verified 108 miles from the original owner. I do want to return to my recommendation from last year’s post, as, if anything, evidence mounts. It may not be as true in Europe and Australia, but… Despite my love for the bike - and I am happy to have two plain “Gs,” despite my initial fascination with the Sertao - I would exercise patience and find one spec’ed out with all the “farkles” you want. The aftermarket catalog is definitely closing on these bikes. Here are a few of the many examples over the past year: 1) Touratech, which has RUclips vids showing its full treatment bike, has closed the whole line down. I found e-bay original Touratech items all over the world, (often Australia,) but there is now essentially nothing from them. 2) I was in touch with “Jesse Luggage,” as I really liked the strong review for their products. Talked with the now-owner in Arizona, and there was apparently a set still in stock. But nothing on the website, and that was a one-off. I did, still, have good luck with Idaho’s “Happy Trails.” 3) In the US, the Revzilla / Cyclegear empire (!) is one of the first places to look, and often is the best choice for price. In ‘21, I ordered a SW Motech crashbar for bike number one. This week, I looked to buy for bike two, and, over and over, “discontinued.” I paid a significant premium when I found one, listed, FWIW, as “ten remaining; act now!” (BS? I don’t know.) I have ordered stuff from “Boonstra,” in the Netherlands, often at significant cost. Though they are very well-organized, prompt, and the website is excellent. Highly recommended. Wide selections of aftermarket windscreens? No longer. Brake reservoir guards? Buy now on E-Bay, or take your chances on obvious Chinese (no sino-offense meant) knockoffs. Have found some good Wunderlich stuff, but that catalog is closing, as well, and VERY expensive. …needed an adjustable shift after my pivot pegs, as I couldn’t even get my foot around the stock. Essentially no options. I THINK I’ve found a counter-shaft sprocket guard from Craig at Ratel Engineering in Australia, but I searched and searched before looking him up on ADV Rider. They used to be plentiful. SO…… This is in no way meant to detract from Adrian’s overall video. I do, genuinely, like the bikes. I think that the low-sales numbers, at least here in the US, before they gave up and just went with the 700/800 and 750/850… I think those low sales numbers contributed to the wide-, then narrow-aftermarket catalog. Cheers; thanks for reading; Merry Christmas ‘22!
Hey again John, I'm now guilty, like you, of buying a second G650GS haha. I have one in Italy where I rode it across the country, and then I came home and bought one here. Good on ya for finding one with low miles. Those are getting harder and harder to come by. I agree, if you see something you like for the bike, you just gotta buy it. I'm about to pick up another seat upgrade for my second one next.
@@YouMotorcycleDo you have family in Europe? (Are you able to store the bike there for future use?) I remember being very interested in how you got your bike there - on your own flight over, if I remember correctly. I remember seeing some video of your trip, but much less that I’d anticipated. My guess is that you were just enjoying your travels with your girlfriend. …which is understandable, if the reason for little documentation. When I was young, and doing the “airheads,” BMW had a “European Delivery” program, whereby one could pick-up the US-spec bike, then ride a sufficient number of miles / kilometers until it was “used” (I’m a bit hazy, but I think that was the rule-bending ruse), then transport it back and register it in North America. This was even before the fall of the wall, so getting the bike at the Spandau (Berlin) factory would have been fascinating to me. Thanks for the response. Check our Seat Concepts, if you’ve not already done so. They still do the F / G seats. Idaho, USA. John in Colorado
Nice review. Always liked the 650 range from the funduros up
Thanks! I really enjoyed this bike. Made a great impression on me so 10+ years after my first time riding one I had to have one
Exceptional review! Thank you much.
Thanks for the kind words! Much appreciated. If you have any questions just let me know. Ride safe!
The Sertao seat height is so much higher though... ? Unfortunately!
Extra ground clearance and bigger tire comes at a price
Thanks, you help me to decide
I think you'll enjoy it. Ride safe. I have a ton of G650GS content so subscribe for more!
Great Video, informative, confirms my interests and the strengths of this bike as a daily driver. This is how you make a fucking video RUclipsrs, take note. I think I'm sold. I can't honestly say I could find a used motorcycle for a good price that could do everything as a daily driver as well as this, and off-road too; and potholes, and torn-up roads, etc.
So many RUclips videos are too long or rambling on, and the points are lost; there's no way someone flipping through videos wants your rambling, 25 minute review of a bike unless your name is Noraly.
lmao thanks very much. If you get one and you have any questions just ask.
Looks interesting. Did you mention what this bike is called?
Maybe just in the title and once or twice throughout 🥲👌
Did you say 80 mpg @ 75 mph?? Do you feel this would run 75, like across North Dakota and Montana? Great video, thanks.
Can't remember what I said and I'm out now but I can do tell you I did a 1,200 mile trip (2,000 km), with a girl on the back, and all of our stuff for two weeks split between two side cases, a bag on the back rack, and a tank bag, and even with all the added weight, doing 75 mph on highways, we were still getting 59 mpg. I think if you removed 165 lbs of passenger and tried to take it slow that number would go up significantly. A good place to see real user-reported fuel economy is a site called fuelly.com, you can go there and browse by year/make/model and see what kind of mileage people are reporting.
This is the playlist from the G650GS two up road trip to Quebec City: ruclips.net/video/yPK0i4ydDnM/видео.html - it went well enough that we are shipping the bike to Italy to ride across Italy.
I just found you today!, love it.. Question: I know there is not just 1 answer, however...I am starting a RTW tour, solo. I don't want an uncomfortable "dirt" dual. But following "Itchy" lead she went with lighter, I agree but I'm now debating on nimble, quick light and wondering instead of crf300 rally (can't even get on west coast-recall shipping etc) but I think the BMW GS310 rally..but worried about the limitations of qualified mechanics? As apposed to say a Yama, Kawa? Maybe I just make sure I have the chapter presidents of the BMW clubs world wide haha...now there's a totally decked out 650, near me from a ex racer that has 30k miles, but is that too many? For a RTW? And my nay sayers are saying BMWs 40% fail rate in 5 years?please help me lol
Oh wow, I feel grateful you'd even ask me but there are so many people who are better qualified than me at giving RTW advice. I would ask your question on advrider.com - that's probably where you'll find the best advice you can get!
You mentioned in the video if you were going to ride offroad, you would invest in a kit to help out the bike. Can you provide more details about what that kit is please? I have a 2017 GS 1200 Low but do not touch comfortably enought to take it off road. I am picking up one of these this weekend and need to definately change tires but want to know what else I need. Thanks!
I mentioned the Sertao kit, which is a separate sub-model of the G650GS, called G650GS Sertao. If you look up any G650GS Sertao review they all mention what the differences are from the base model. I believe it's taller skinnier spoked tires with more off road suitable tires, better ground clearance, and taller seat height, but reviews of the Sertao will have more information. It's like buying a 2 wheel drive jeep versus a 4x4 jeep. If you're mostly on road, the base model is fine. If you're going to be doing a lot of serious off-road, it might be worth getting the version that's a bit more off road oriented. Happy shopping :)
Good review. How long did you keep the bike and any issues during the time you had it? I am thinking of trading in my 2011 T100 for this next season.
Still have it now. I flew it to Italy, currently riding across the country on it. Put 8k km on it so far. 1k km in the past week. All good! It will be a little slower than your Bonneville though!
Could you compare/contrast the g650gs and the R1250 from both on road and off road experiences? Love your channel!!
Thanks so much Craig I really appreciate that. Unfortunately I'm going to have to stick to what I know, and the R1250 just isn't a motorcycle that I'm well versed with, so I'm going to differ to more knowledgeable people than me on that bike! Sorry man.
Got one for the wife. I rode it more than she did. I regret selling it.
No one says you can't buy another! :)
Hello, thak you for the detailed review. What year is the motorcycle from the video ?
2011. There were no changes made other than ABS and 4 way hazard lights becoming standard
Hi. My g650gs has been giving issues with the key cylinder. During a ride, bike will just shut off. I’d switch the key on and off, and it will fire up again. I suspect - rust or dirt in the key cylinder. Have you replaced it?
Otherwise - love how light the bike is. Sometimes I think of selling, but when I ride it - I fall in love again. Thanks for posting this.
No issues like that at all. Have you checked that battery terminal connections are tight?
Adding this in November of 2021. While I still find this video thoughtful and informative, I recommend that a would-be G650GS (or Sertao) purchasers actually source “needed” aftermarket parts and accessories BEFORE buying. I have had my newly-purchased 2014 for a month, now, and it is maddening how much is unavailable. …discontinued, not originally designed, etc. While there WAS a long run of the “650 lump,” as people affectionately describe the single, it was, at least in part, low sales numbers that contributed to its demise. It may well be that devotees, already having found and installed bash plates, panniers, etc, are unaware of how narrow the choices have become.
What exactly are you struggling to find and where are your located. This video only came out this year as we only got a GS this year and have been able to get everything we want so far. PS: Thanks!
Great video. Fully agree! Great bike 🎉
Thanks! I have two now and absolutely love them.
I actually bought f 650 as my first big motorcycle. It would be cool to buy a g 650 gs but it goes for around 4 k euros here the f 650 funduro it is 1500Euros because it is old .It burns more fuel but I am not afraid to drop it or do work on it myself .
Yes we got very lucky to get one with only 2k km for half the price of brand new. Drove 7 hours that day to go get it. We still keep in touch with the seller :)
@@YouMotorcycle It is a great feeling when you find a mint condition motorcycle in a very good price . You are a lucky dude !
Yes. It was a whole day of driving to get to the bike and get back home but it was worth it!
@@YouMotorcycle That must have been a cool trip. I did my first hidgway trip ever with my scooter to trade it with the f 650 it was kind of scary at first but so liberating!
Is it possible to take someone with you on the standerd seat?
Yes. This video goes into detail on setting up the G650GS for touring with a passenger: ruclips.net/video/EnWKHOYTyW0/видео.html
I call mine "The Cordless Vibrator". Haven't ridden it enough to know if I am going to get used to it or not.
I've ridden my first one enough to buy a second one :)
Thanks for the video mate. I didn’t know this bike existed. Everyone talks about the 800, 850, 1200 and 1250. I was looking for a f800gsa but this seems like a better and more affordable option. Would you consider this over the CB500x ? My riding level is average. I currently ride a Honda 919 and love the bike. Want to add an adv bike but cannot makeup my mind. I know cb500x has a rally raid option for off-road adv riding. What I am looking for is a reliable easy to work on Motorcycle. Thnx and subscribed!!
Thanks man. I was torn between the CB500X and this as well because the power wasn't that different (650cc but a single, vs 500cc but a twin). I think the BMW made a touch more power, also came with factory heated grips, lots of options for customizing it, etc. For us, going with the BMW was the right choice. BUT, if you find a CB500X for a crazy deal vs a comparable 650GS, I wouldn't tell you not to get Honda.
Something else to consider, both bikes will be a big step down from the 919 (beautiful bike btw). You might want to keep your eyes open for a BMW F700GS as well (actually an 800cc twin), or a BMW F650GS (after around 2010ish the "F" 650GS became 800cc twins as well). The 800cc twin BMWs only weigh about 30-ish lbs more than the 650, so not that much more weight but a lot more power.
The simplest option is the G650GS though, and if you do want to off-road with it, 1st gear is geared for the off road rider. It's not very fast in 1st gear, which is boring on the street, but handy for unpaved terrain.
Hope this rant helps :)
@@YouMotorcycle Wow good info. Now im stumbled even more lol. I can't decide now between this, 650 GS, 700GS, or new CB500X... H
More off road: 650 GS single, almost only on road: 700 GS, on a tight budget: cb500x
@@Dansk55 ps: thank you!
It will surprise you with gobs of power when you open it up...and a wide powerband so tractable power is always there
lol wellllll, I don't know about "gobs" of power haha
And the great-granddaddy is the Aprilia Pegaso
True!
New Pegaso replacement in the Tuareg 660.
I actually didn't know they and continued to make the single, in essentially the same form as the 2001-07 F650gs, but with even lower seat perfect for my 29 inch old man inseams...!
Time to start checking the classifieds? :)
@@YouMotorcycle E-yup. been studying the "F" CS/GS line. Somewhere in there is a low mileage match for my limited budget, and "mission". The ugly duckling CS is a huge bang for the buck, with exactly the same steering geometry, and engine as the GS/Dakar/Sertao, each model adds 2" of travel front and rear and another $2,000 on the used market, roughly $2k, $4k, $6K . If rock bashing and rut running isn't in your plan, I suspect some 50/50 tires will let even the CS do quite a bit of happy dirt road exploring, F-model GS's even with dual spark are popping up all over for $3800 .. the extra $2k gets you 2" travel, chain drive which is much cheaper and easier to renew, and right now are easier to sell if/when you want a change. Now I have the G-650 to study too ! Going to be my last bike, So....
@@captlarry-3525 my friend just had her belt explode on her F650CS and it's over $400 US. Failed after 70k km (44k miles).
@@YouMotorcycle she did ok the "interval" is something like 24k-28k miles.. but plenty are still good well into the 30's, but its something to watch and not get to the blown up point. Not only is it a single source belt at $450... you have to remove the swing arm to replace the belt..and if you are paying a dealer and not doing it yourself.. then OUCH! bad as the old spline lube wallet lightening . I found a garage queen low mileage G650 that has been sitting for 2 years...that will be coming home with me. Now to sell the PC-800 and the 2000 Ninja 250 ( with 1900 miles its a damn museum piece)
Great... now I want one. I was planning on the cb500x
Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with either of those two bikes. If I saw a CB500X with similar milage and equipment for a much lower price, I might even say get the CB500X, pocket the savings, and put it towards your next adventure. Both are good bikes.
@@YouMotorcycle How many kms before one should expect the motor would be unreliable?
My friend put over 100k km on his CB 500X when he sold it, I'll let you know when I hit that on my G650GS. I'm not too worried about it
I am considering one by the routine maintenance seems like a lot of trouble.
@@jamesbastiaanse6877 the oil change is annoying compared to most bikes, the rest is okay
@@YouMotorcycle valvle check/adjustment looks like a nighmare
I have a 2013 G650Gs. At 50mph it's a great bike. But at 60mph or more it has massive amounts of vibration through the seat making it impossible for me to tour on. It is only an issue under load - if I rev the motor to 7k rpm with the clutch in it's just got that typical single cylinder thump - which I have no issue with. But once the revs get above 3500rpm in any gear it's far too uncomfortable to ride for anything more than a few mins. Any ideas how to fix it ? I've heard others with similar issues but never seen a solution anywhere.
Hey there, it's hard to guess without knowing the motorcycle's service history or even how many miles it has on it. Just some food for thought:
- Cheap aftermarket bars and grips, or cheap bar risers, can lead to more vibration
- Worn or damaged engine mounts can also lead to more vibration
- Poorly running engine can also lead to more vibration (when was the last time the spark plug was cleaned/gapped/replaced, the valves were adjusted, the air filter was cleaned?
Here's a link to my playlist for the first few videos of a 2,000 km (1200+ mile road trip we did two up on a 2011 G650GS, with all of our luggage too). Most of the miles were done at around 70-80 mph: ruclips.net/video/yPK0i4ydDnM/видео.html
Hope this helps!
@@YouMotorcycle Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate the help. I'm 2nd owner. Bike has around 5k miles on it. Oil has been changed at 600 miles 3k miles and 5k miles. Coolant changed twice - most recently a month ago.
.Fuel filter replaced and fuel pump overhauled. Air filter is good.
Valves have not been adjusted. I think the plugs are original. I have not cleaned or checked the gap.
Bike doesn't blow smoke, doesn't use any oil [although it's not getting ridden hard either] and apart from the vibration at the aforementioned revs and above it's pretty much perfect.
I'd get a shop that knows BMW GS bikes, either a motorrad dealer or an indie BMW specialist, to check it out to be safe
I increased the gear ratio to raise RPM on my '07 F 650 GS Dakar. There's no highway travel here, so 50 mph is my cruising speed.
If you drop the rear sprocket count down (to lower RPM), you will probably see a nice cruising difference.
Great video, but what is the service intervals and is it DIY friendly?
Very DIY friendly as it is a very low-tech bike, although oil changes have a few more steps than necessary in my opinion. You can download an owner's manual online for free for the details on the intervals if you're interested. They were generally standard across the board.
Can someone help me find the Sertao kit for this bike? I might be buying one and want to see how to better equip it for offroad use
They came from factory either as the base model g650gs or as g650gs Sertao. Just look for a Sertao and not a base model g650gs if you need the extra off road functionality
Watch and a like for ya bro, that mileage is a big deal !
Hello Adrian, Can you help me? What would be the disadvantages to buy a 2010 opposed to a 2015 for example. Is there a big difference in tech or parts? The bike has low miles.
Hey Dane! Off the top of my head, ABS may have been mandatory as well as the factory 4-ways (hazard lights). Those would be the two things to look for. Does the 2010 have the same look as the 2015 or was the look from the previous generation? If it's a previous gen, the newer one may be a bit faster, and also painted black, but the motor is also made in china to BMW'S German specs. If both motors are black then ignore what I said about power :)
Great to see this video...thank you! I bought a 13 GS for my wife and she loves it. While it can be a bit of a pain to figure out the BMW naming conventions, it has been a great bike! One question for GS owners. How do you find replacement handlebars. It seems the BMW notched bars are a pain to source (as I've been looking for one for a while) Are there any work arounds or sources. Thanks again!
The forum on this website is a fantastic resource, very helpful people www.bmwmoa.org/default.aspx
@@YouMotorcycle Thanks, an active forum for sure. Leave it to BMW to require you to pay to look up information on a bike you bought from them. Why I own 2, I'll never know. :) Thanks again for the good content.
Oh wow. I didn't realize that.. plenty of other 650gs forums though! Also am active following for the bike on Reddit too
Bout to pick up one of these bad boys in a week
I think you'll enjoy it. Not a fast bike but very capable at a wide variety of things.
It's gonna be a change from my ninja
But I'm excited
Nice. Which Ninja were you on?
@@YouMotorcycle 2018 ninja 400 ex
Nice, it won't be too much faster but it will be much more versatile I think. Did you already get it? Do you like it?
Thanks!
Happy to help. Ride safe!
I'm buying used, just for moto camping not huge long trips...please help me.. a 2003 dakar with 12k miles (not ridden much 3k in 7 years ) or a 2001 f650gs in my favorite color...7k Mike's super clean never been off road...I plan on riding on dirt as well as road
If you want to do off-roading, go with the Dakar, if you'd rather do more on roading, get the F650GS base model
Thank you for your quick response! I believe you supported my gut. I've always wanted the Dakar, despite being an older model... and then I just found a 1989 transalp...but it's more money, and... I know I want the shape and riding comfort of the dakar...thank you again...and I will be posting about it when I start my channel soon...
I wished it had a fuel display
it has a low fuel warning light and then starts counting up the distance you've traveled since the light went on. it's pretty effective and keeps it simple
@@YouMotorcycle I recently got my motorcycle. My old Kawasaki told me how much kilometers distance is left. But you are right, bmw keeps it simple. I can go 80km after the light turns on.
Would you pick this over the 650 twin?
@@xarrow81 honestly I have a soft spot for this bike, I have two of them, an insurance for me is dirt cheap on this motorcycle.... But if the financials were identical between the two bikes, the 650 twin is the better machine. Unless you want to go off-road then maybe look at a 650 single sertao. I have another video somewhere that compares the 650 single and 650 twin you might want to check out
You occasionally make comparisons to the f650gs which is basically the same bike with different instruments and slight difference in plastics.
Not necessarily. The newer F650GS is a twin cylinder 800cc
I believe for the last 11 years, since 2010, the F650GS has been a totally different bike with a totally different motor.
I have a 17 g650gs..bought new..now May 22 got 1560 miles on it... awesome bike but hardly ever ride always grabbing my new Africa twin Adventure Sport
Sounds like it's time to sell the G650GS?
@@YouMotorcycle Adrian, what do you reckon one of these is worth with such low mileage ?
@@captaintube2696Low milage doesn't really add value to an old bike. The reason is things perish over time and will need replacement regardless of mileage. Tyres over 5 years old need replacing regardless of tread left. A bike with low miles probably has the original oil and coolant as well - again not good as it could lead to corrosion in a bike that's not being used. Old stale fuel isn't good either. My low milage G650GS needed a new pressurised fuel filter and the fuel pump motor had to be replaced as well. I did it myself - but if you went to a mechanic / dealership you'd be getting no change from $1000.
I bought a 2013 with around 3k miles on it and now wish I got one with 50k on it simply because it would have been better serviced / looked after. I know a guy with a Funduro 650 that has 150k miles on it which runs perfectly.
Bummer. Bought mine with 1200 miles on it and just did all the fluids on it myself to be safe. About $100 in fluids and $400 for tires + balance & install and the bike was good as new for less than half the price of new. I'll call you when I get it to 50k km and you can buy it off me lol
@captain tube Resale value is going to vary by where in the world you're located, sometimes even where in the same country you're located. Some bikes sell for much more in the city than they would two hours outside of it and vice versa. Gotta look around your local classifieds and price accordingly
I have one too. Its a really great bike.. Its Not that sexy.. But its fun
Lol, I know what you mean by "not that sexy but fun" - not exactly droolworthy but as practical and fun of a bike as you can find!
So for all the questions, whats the difference between the G and F?
@@xarrow81 the G's are all the same, give or take ABS and 4 way hazard lights. The F varies by year. What year F specifically are you asking about ?
Can somebody share the L/100 fuel consumption in city commuting?
4-4.2 Lt/100 km. If you go to my channel and find my 2,000 km ride series I mention fuel economy in one of the videos.
@@YouMotorcycle thanks. And what is the top speed?
Maybe a little over 160 km/hr. Truthfully I just usually hold it between 120-125 ish.
Mine is 650 gs 2003 Dakar rotax engine
Are you enjoying it?
Very well made , not to heavy , I would use a higher windshield , and a foot rest forward
Heard it’s super buzzy on the highways is this true?!
I just rode 200 km on the highways on it today. It's a little buzzy, it's a single cylinder, I still do all my cross country touring on it and enjoy it very much
Hahhhhhha
Because of you more i feel like i am gonna buy this bike for Spring 2022
😡🤔😁😁😁😁😁😁👋
Haha in spring I will be saying "You're welcome" when you say "Thank you" :)
Just published another video on this bike. I think it's not the best at any one thing, but it's kind of the best overall at doing the most things.
I really wanted to buy one of these, but given I'm a tall fella there were only ~5 for sale in the whole country I went with a KLR.
Congrats on the KLR. That's not a bad bike either. An F650 GS instead of the G650 sounds like it might have been fine for you as well.
@@YouMotorcycle Yeah I was looking for them too, but it was unfortunately much the same story. My dream bike would honestly be a G 650 GS Sertão; if it were re-released it would a great option in the ever shrinking medium ADV bracket.
@@GruntyGame I'm currently watching a V-Strom 650 XT review haha
@@YouMotorcycle Yeah those look solid too. It was out of the question for me since I'm a new rider and it's not approved for restricted licenses in Aus. I think I would sooner choose a DR650 if I went Suzuki though, more dirt focused.
@@GruntyGame I understand. I want an excuse to buy a TW200... but I live in the middle of the biggest city in Canada and there isn't anywhere near me to ride it so I can't really justify it lol
I wonder if you could tell me if someone with 190 cm can fit comfortably on it? Thank you.
Get the Sertao edition instead. Taller seat height and more room. You can use a base model g650gs and add handlebar risers, lower the foot pegs, get a tall seat... But at that point you may as well just look at the g650gs Sertao instead. It would be more comfortable for you
Are you Brad Marchands brother?
No but I used to deliver milk to his mother in the 80s 😂
What about fuel gauge? Still no gauge?
No gauge, and not really needed, to be honest. I reset the trip meter every time I gas up. The low fuel light usually comes on around 220 km later. I usually fuel up every 250 km and put 10 liters in... or every 155 miles and put 2.6 gal in if you're American. That fuel light comes on so early I could easily go 50% longer between fill ups and be safe.
great
Thanks!
Being a BMW how about cost of ownership?
All it has cost in the first 7,000 km are oil, a filter, some chain lube, and the modifications we've done which you can see in the other g650gs videos. They are a pretty simple machine, nothing really goes wrong. I believe sometimes the fuel pump or fuel filter (can't remember right now) can fail, people have already shared an automotive part that can be used in it's place and commonly found for cheap. Recently did a 2,000 km round trip with a passenger on the back on one of these and not a single issue. I did have one problem last month, that will be this coming weekend's video.
Great review mate. I'm looking at buying one to explore remote Australia....looks the goods. Unless I missed something I think you may have made a mistake with the MPG stats though. You basically said going faster would use less fuel? 90 km/h gets 74 mpg (31k's per litre) and 125 km/h gets 80 mpg (34k's per litre). Is that right?
Believe so. I think 90 would put you in 4th gear whereas 120 would put you fairly low in 5th gear. Don't forget top speed on the bike is 170 km/hr.
Drinking game: Every time he says G650 GS take a shot
Hope healthcare is free when you live 😂
Remind me what bike you are talking about😮😮😅
BMW G650GS, BMW G650GS, BMW G650GS! 😅
I like the bike dont like the tinny sound
Put a nice exhaust on it like both of mine have 😊
Or just buy a super reliable DR 650 or KLR 650 for all the reasons you mentioned.
Definitely not all of them. I'm thinking 5 and 7 specifically. A G650GS is also super reliable, but you get extra benefits.
Why bother ...v strom 650 far superior
For many of the reasons listed. For example, for many riders, a V Strom 650 is too tall and/or too heavy. It isn't about The pursuit of the best motorcycle, it's about helping people find what's right from them.
Seat height for me