| | | | Road Test: 2008 BMW F 650 GS launch – The softer option |  Written: 25/02/2008 : 11:00. Read 10212 times (138/day). | | The integrality of this filed article is for Premium Members. | The old F 650 GS have been successful for BMW. In 2008 it has been replaced by an 800cc parallel twin, but the name is still the same. We went all the way to South Africa to try it.
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(Videos at the end of the article)
BMW’s intention with the F 650 GS is for it to be the introduction model into the bigger BMW motorcycles. It’s the budget F 800 GS, but also the choice if a tall bike is not your thing. In a nutshell these are the differences from the F 800 GS: lower output of horsepower and torque enabled by a different camshaft, narrow F 800 S radiator, lower seat height (820-790mm-765mm with lowering kit), low wind-screen, conventional telescope fork, cast wheels, 19inch front wheel, single front disc brake and lower spec mono shock.
The F 650 GS is hence more of a street bike than the F 800 GS. Let’s talk about the new engine first. The old one was a 50 horsepower single cylinder four stroke. The new F 650 GS is a 798cc parallel twin with 71 horsepower. I have already noted that the F 650 GS is only about 500 Euro more expensive than a G 650 in Germany. That’s a full 20 horsepower, 1 extra cylinder and 150cc more for only a slight premium extra! This is really where the F 650 GS will be a success finding its place in the market. We believe there are some serious price politics going on with this model which benefits the consumers compared to the G 650 range and the F 800 GS.
Along a sun drenched road along South Africa’s east coast is where I find myself in the seat of the F 650 GS. The seat is really low, but for some reason I don’t feel big on the bike. The F 650 GS is still a proper motorcycle with the same chassis as the F 800 GS and even the same engine in detuned state. First impressions are of a dulled down version of the F 800 GS though. The seat is fine and the GS is the easiest thing in the world to ride. Just release the clutch in first and roll on the early surge of torque.
The F 650 GS does produce less torque than the F 800 GS, but max torque (75Nm) is reached already at 4.500rpm. I could feel that the torque came in a little bit earlier and the 650 is also 6 kilos lighter than the other 800 GS. Despite of having lesser quality suspension the F 650 felt good through the corners. Over various speed bumps etc on the road the F 650 GS was not as plush and refined as the ...
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