RR rider impressions of the 650GS?

cbesey · Post by **cbesey** » Wed May 30, 2007 2:32 pm

Not really an RR thread, but seeking the input of RR riders, so...

I'm looking for a dual sport. Nothing too hardcore, mainly for dirt roads and NorCal goat trails - crumbling one laners that were once paved, now crunchy. I love the R and won't part with it - it's my "regular road" bike and is staying that way - but it's just too big to try to muscle around the rough stuff.

The KTM is too tall (I'm 5'9") and the DR too dirt oriented - I'll run 50-100 on the freeway on the bike regularly. Which brings me to BMW, just like when I was looking for a sport tourer.

Being fellow R fans tastes may be somewhat similar - any thoughts, pro and con, on the 650GS as a midsize dual sport?

Thx,
Chris

Post by **Boxer** » Wed May 30, 2007 3:17 pm

We just bought a 2007 F650GS for my wife...I've started riding it to work. What a fun bike! Now I don't want to give it up, and am thinking of trading the Roadster for a new Dakar later on, for me...or maybe a soon to be marketed F800GS.

This little 650GS is still being run in so I can't go over 5K rpms just yet, but up to 5K it runs like a scalded cat. Not much low end torque but that's okay. Ours is the factory lowered version and as such is just too low for me, but I ride it anyway. Thumbs up for me! I love it!

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Wed May 30, 2007 4:28 pm

Not exactly answering your question, but the new Kawasaki KLR650 may be of interest to you. At just over 5k, it's so cheap it's appealing. And legions of KLR owners swear by the previous generation. The new one is evidently much improved.

Post by **OU812** » Wed May 30, 2007 4:43 pm

I f you have the time to wait/money, I would go for the hope to be soon F800GS. With it's power to weight ratio, it could be tempting enough for me to let my R1150R go.

riceburner · Post by **riceburner** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 6:39 pm

I loved our little F650 GS and DID use it off-road (up an old, once paved, road that had become a stream bed a few times) and it was excellent for it.

VERY tempted to buy another when I have the cash, for my wife to use as a runabout and me to use as a trails bike.

Post by **Biff's R** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:26 pm

I spent a couple of days on the F650CS, and had a blast. The power is a little different than the boxer, but fun none the less.

telliott · Post by **telliott** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:43 pm

We have a KLR and F650 GS in our family, they are both good bikes. But have different personalities. The GS is much better on the road, it is heavier but handles gravel and rough pavement very well. The KLR will do interstate but not as comfy as the GS.

The KLR is a lot less expensive and a good bike. It is usable on rougher off road than the standard GS and even the Dakar unless you are a very large man or expert rider so you can deal with the GS's weight.

Neither are dirt bikes with license plates. For what you describe either would work. I'd get a GS if money wasn't a serious issue. Or if I wanted to ride 2 up. But then I could be very happy on a KLR. I also have a couple of KLX's which are a little more Dirt than either but still not a dirt bike. I love it on gravel and fire roads, even wide easy trails.

Then for size the GS fits my short legs better. Both Kawasaki's and the Dakar are really too tall and I have to stretch to get on and can't plant both feet.

Lots of variables so you'll have to look and decide which are the most important to you. I was actually looking for a GS when I found my 1150R. I got "such a deal" I couldn't pass it up and decided to keep riding the KLX for my dual sport. But I'm still thinking about a GS. Maybe when i get a little older but then the possibility of an 800 GS is very exciting.