Time for a change

[chris]

Well guys, haven't been around for a while but thought I'd drop by to say I'm swapping bikes after just over 5 years of ownership. The 1150 has been a great bike to run but it's time for a change. Saw the new G650GS this week and thought I'd go for it, so am staying within the Beemer family but losing a pot!
Be nice to have a fresh set of wheels and who knows, I might be back for another boxer later, I have enjoyed it. Thanks for all the advice!:)

[angellr]

Best wishes and hope the G650GS treats you right. Been eyeing one of those myself for a second bike.

[mjcraft]

Well guys, haven't been around for a while but thought I'd drop by to say I'm swapping bkes after just over 5 years of ownwership. The 1150 has been a great bike to run but it's time for a change. Saw the new G650GS this week and thought I'd go for it, so am staying within the Beemer family but losing a pot!
Be nice to have a freshset of wheels and who knows, I might be back for another boxer later, I have enjoyed it. Thanks for all the advice!:)

+1 on the new 650. Actually, I just (last week) sold my beloved r1150r to move to a uber-farkled G650X Challenge. A pretty big change, but that's what took my fancy in the end. I'll let everyone know what it is like after I've been on it for a while.

One thing is for sure, I will miss how the RR doesn't brake dive...and also how easy it is to ride that big bike...and how pretty she looked...

I may be coming back, too! Regardless, this forum is great and the props to Doug for all the hard work put in to keep this site running!

-M

[chris]

650 is very smooth for a single. Took it out for a couple of hours and didn't want to give it back so placed my order.

[spoon]

Well I hate to burst your bubble, but. My riding partner has a 650 GS single. On a trip to Denver a few weeks ago (back way, two lane) the miserable thing got 78, 72 and 78 mpg. on consecutive tanks of fuel. I find this fairly discusting as my Rockster got 50 mpg. Same speed, same load. So I should advise you that unless you want to tick off those you ride with or have those feelings of superiority within your self, you may want to reconsider that purchase. If you chose to buy the thing, let us know how it works out.

[chris]

Consider my bubble intact. Mpg isn't really an issue but 78 sounds good to me after 50 so I'd be pretty happy with that.
Rode it for a couple of hours. It felt good, looked good and it put a smile on my face and really, that's all it has to do.

[chris]

Well, new bike finally arrived. Here's a pic of the outgoing R and incoming G together at changeover. Sad to see the R go but having fun on the new one. Very different as you'd expect and it'll take a while to get used to the smaller engine. Miss that roll on power but that said the G is great fun and that's why I ride bikes! As I finally got rid of my old XR250 as well I just have to resist the urge to fit some knobbly tyres to this one...

[GypsyRR]

Congratulations, Chris. The bikes look good together. It's a shame they couldn't stay together.

I have heard so many good things about the G650GS. I'm sure you are going to be a satisfied owner as well. And fortunately, there is that "Other BMR Brands (OBB)" section on this discussion board, so you don't have to 'leave' us really. I'm looking forward to your first ride report on the GS.

[towerworker]

But now you'll be needing to buy twice as much antifreeze!

[chris]

Never thought of buying antifreeze! If we have another December like last where it never broke above freezing all month you could be right!
Yep Kristi, great shame they couldn't stay together. Nice to have options.
Will be back with a ride report once it's run in and all settled down. Feeling very good so far, great handling.

Chris

[Xdot]

Does that little single really have enough oomph to get around reliably and even do some long-distance touring? It's a wicked cool looking machine and seems super flickable, but I just don't know how long it would hold up like that clunky, bulletproof R. Not that I doubt its quality, I just have no feel for these things.

John

[riceburner]

Does that little single really have enough oomph to get around reliably and even do some long-distance touring? It's a wicked cool looking machine and seems super flickable, but I just don't know how long it would hold up like that clunky, bulletproof R. Not that I doubt its quality, I just have no feel for these things.

John

If it's the same as the old F650GS single cylinder/twin spark model..... then YES, YES YES! SUPERB bikes, a genuine all-rounder - the engine starts off a bit lumpy and vibey at low - medium revs, but let it really sing and it smoothes out very nicely! 100+mph is actually rather fun and they'll handle very well too.

The only issues I know about are that the older bikes had an oil-in-frame design that sometimes dried out the steering head-bearing grease.

If I could have tolerated the saddle (it was just the wrong shape for me), and I didn't hate chain-drive with a passion I'd have one!

I've also seen them being used as tourers from Germany in the UK - with big BMW panniers - so they'll carry stuff well. The other model - the F650CS (Scarver) was the same, just with a belt drive and other oddities - a friend of mine had one for a while and said it was superb.

[chris]

If it's the same as the old F650GS single cylinder/twin spark model..... then YES, YES YES! SUPERB bikes, a genuine all-rounder - the engine starts off a bit lumpy and vibey at low - medium revs, but let it really sing and it smoothes out very nicely! 100+mph is actually rather fun and they'll handle very well too.

The only issues I know about are that the older bikes had an oil-in-frame design that sometimes dried out the steering head-bearing grease.

If I could have tolerated the saddle (it was just the wrong shape for me), and I didn't hate chain-drive with a passion I'd have one!

I've also seen them being used as tourers from Germany in the UK - with big BMW panniers - so they'll carry stuff well. The other model - the F650CS (Scarver) was the same, just with a belt drive and other oddities - a friend of mine had one for a while and said it was superb.

Yep, what he said! I think the oil is still in frame so will watch the head bearings. Seat tends to put you in one spot but it's already starting to suit. The R seat crippled my backside after 80 miles anyway and I also hate the chain drive but I lived with them for 25 years prior to the R so I reckon I'll manage again.
First ride after delivery was a couple of hundred miles and thats likely to be the longest run it ever gets!
So far so good