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Message started by springman on 03/06/17 at 08:43:53

Title: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by springman on 03/06/17 at 08:43:53

If we have good weather next weekend and the bike is still available I may try to negotiate a price that is acceptable to me. The bike is a 2003 BMW F650CS with just under 20K miles. In the pictures it appears to be in great condition. First big concern is is it too tall for me? I'm only around 5'7" tall (or short depending on your perspective). My next big concern is how it handles and lastly and probably most importantly, am I going to have to pay a motorcycle tech big bucks any time it needs something?

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by engineer on 03/06/17 at 09:49:33

I believe they have a kit that reduces the seat height of the 650. There is a dealer in my home town that sells BMW and many other brands and I go there fairly frequently. They had a used 650 (I can't remember what specific model, just that is was a 650) on the floor a year or so ago and it had the shorter option and it was a good height. The salesman explained that the original owner had ordered it that way. I don't know if it is something that can be added or if it has to be ordered that way from the factory. If there is a dealer nearby they might be able to help you. The regular version, like most BMWs, is fairly tall but I like to put both feet flat on the pavement.

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by Dave on 03/06/17 at 10:32:43

I have always wanted a BMW.....but I am not sure I will ever own one. The cost of parts, the fact that the closest dealer is 2 hours away, and having to learn another bike "operating system" has kept me from doing it. If I was a serious sport touring kind of guy, I would own an R1200RT.

I sometimes wonder if the smaller BMW bikes are hard to sell when used. The local dealer has been trying to sell this bike for about a year and a half. The bike is in good shape, the price isn't bad, and I am sure it is a nice riding bike. When I mentioned it to a biker friend....he told me it would cost $ 1,000 to get saddlebags and mounts for it!
http://hondaofflorence.com/Motorcycles-BMW-F-800-ST-2009-Florence-KY-c5f7b6b8-1a41-4658-bdde-a6a3010a9748

This F650CS reminds me a bit of the Buehl 500. A nice bike - but a bit quirky. I would be cautions of buying it as an interim bike, as it might be hard to re-sell.

I would also look for a forum to get information about this bike. Evidently it is a Rotax engine. And I would pay attention to parts costs, and how far you need to go if you need service or parts.

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by zipidachimp on 03/06/17 at 12:02:16

it may not be fair, but once the clock reads over 20k, resale becomes a problem. Here it's 20k kilometers, and buyers become hard-nosed. Modern engines can do much more, but try telling that to buyers! :-[

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by Dave on 03/06/17 at 12:56:53

Springman:

If you like the Cruiser seating position, and are not looking to change to a bike with the footpegs under your butt.......go ride a Kawawaki Vulcan S. It has a low seat height, it has plenty of power, and the engine is well proven. The only downside is the chain - but the modern sealed chains are far less of a issue than the old chains were.

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by springman on 03/06/17 at 13:27:35

Thanks for the comments. I must admit that for the most part you are scaring me away from this bike. I like that it is a single, that it has about 50HP and supposedly can cruise all day at 80mph and still return around 50mpg. The price also is attractive at under $3K. Well, I might not go check it out. Thanks.

I have seen at least one Vulcan S on the road and I must admit it looked very nice. Very doubtful though that I could get one for the money I am willing to spend at the moment. ::)

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by gizzo on 03/06/17 at 13:52:26

If it makes any difference, the engine is a Rotax and pretty bombproof. You could probably find the lowering links/shock absorber at a bike wreckers if you keep an eye out. I've seen those bikes being punted pretty hard through our local hills, they seem to handle fine. Better than an old Cabbage, anyway.

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by RevJay on 03/06/17 at 23:58:14

My last bike ! Great to ride very comfortable. Horrible sound ! Definitely no thumper more like a lawnmower! However yes pretty bomb proof motor capable of long tours. Off road it's fine if it is not too technical. Really too heavy for tricky stuff. I had pair of Dakar 09 tyres and it was great on or off road. Nice position up on the pegs, there is a "low" seat which I had and I found it fine at 5'8".

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by gizzo on 03/07/17 at 02:56:44

Haha, that's what the KTM 390 sounds like too: a lawnmower ;D

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by Dave on 03/07/17 at 03:30:26

6764667D7A7379757A140 wrote:

The price also is attractive at under $3K. Well, I might not go check it out. Thanks.

I have seen at least one Vulcan S on the road and I must admit it looked very nice. Very doubtful though that I could get one for the money I am willing to spend at the moment. ::)

Go ride the BMW - can't hurt to go ride a motorcycle!

And go ride a Vulcan S - the price of them will drop in a year or two. You will then know if it is something you want to start saving and watching for a used one.

I am wrestling a bit trying to think of affordable (and reliable) used bikes that match your inseam and are a better bike than the Savage. (I have a 30" inseam and I can't flatfoot most dual sport or adventure touring bikes or large sport touring bikes).

What exactly are you looking for in a new bike....that the Savage doesn't do well?

And yes.....I heard a KTM 390 going slowly across a parking lot, and it sounded like a weedwacker!

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by springman on 03/07/17 at 08:38:24

I am glad to see a couple of guys seem to think the engine is bullet proof. I really don't like the idea of the bike sounding like a lawn mower though.

I really do like my Savage as an all around bike. I want to be able to do some long rides more often though and they will inevitably involve highway driving and here in Texas if you cannot do a steady 80mph you need to be even more careful. And I have done some sustained 75-80 mph on the Savage, but there is not much left in the bike at those speeds, the mpg drops below 50 and it does seem to use more oil at those speeds. So I guess real highway capability is what I am looking for without giving up the lightweight fun factor.

I'm in no hurry to buy a bike. When the right one shows up at the right price I will get it. And I will continue to ride my Savage on the highway when necessary but will try to keep the speeds to 65-75.

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by Dave on 03/07/17 at 09:19:24

You can do engine and gearing mods and your bike will do 75-80mph much better. I am sure that my bike, Verslagen's, old_indian and Superthumpers bikes will all do 80 without problem (I don't even use 5th until I am over 60mph).

You need to a Wiseco, a cam, do some head porting, and change the gearing (Kawasaki pulleys if you want to keep the belt - or a chain and sprockets), a 140/90-15 rear tire. You are most likely going to spend $ 1,000 - $ 1,500 getting it all done - but the results are very good.

Or.....maybe you just need to look around a bit. There are lots of bike models out there that I have overlooked. A parallel twin will most likely be the best bike for getting down the highway at speed - my little Ninja 250 can do 75-80 all day long...and the parallel twin bikes tend to be smaller and lighter than the V-Twin bikes.

I didn't realize that the Kawasaki Vulcan S had an earlier bike that is very similar, and can probably be found for a lot less money. Some of the early models were belt drive, later a chain.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Vulcan-500-LTD-/142300285159?hash=item2121c208e7:g:fbkAAOSwTuJYufV-&vxp=mtr

https://www.cycletrader.com/search-results?sort=featured%3Aasc&radius=150&layoutView=listView&make=Kawasaki%7C2318344&model=Vulcan%20500%20Ltd%7C764858118&trim=500%20LTD%7C1763&

The Suzuki SV650 is supposed to be a wonderful bike.......the early ones (pre-Gladius) are better in some ways than the later bikes.

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by pg on 03/07/17 at 09:37:57

The V Strom 650 is proven and it will do 80 all day long comfortably. However, if I lived where you do I would seriously consider a 1K liter.

http://i68.tinypic.com/2i7v9xt.jpg

Best regards,

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by Dave on 03/07/17 at 09:48:02

PG:

How tall is the seat on the V-Strom?

I am an inch taller than Springman (5'-8", 30" inseam), and I rode a friends 1000 V-Strom. I could just barely touch my toes on the ground....the bike is way too tall for me to own.

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by pg on 03/07/17 at 09:53:53

I'm 5'9" / 30" and I don't have any issues, check out the last page for ergonomics.

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval/2012MayDL650.pdf

Best regards,

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by sjaskow - FSO on 03/07/17 at 10:20:30

You can play around on http://cycle-ergo.com/ to see what they look like. It's pretty darn close for both the Vision and my old S40.

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by Oldfeller on 03/07/17 at 11:23:12

No wonder my new bike feels so nice to me.

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by Dave on 03/07/17 at 12:23:50

If Springman has a 29" inseam........

Springman on the BMW:

http://i63.tinypic.com/2iid204.jpg

Springman on the Vulcan 500:

http://i64.tinypic.com/21lj3ad.jpg

Springman on the SV650"

http://i68.tinypic.com/qz3wg6.jpg

Springman on the VStrom:

http://i65.tinypic.com/ff3eyq.jpg

And just to check the accuracy....I will look at my bikes to see if that is how they feel to me:

I sold My ST1100 as I could only get my toes back to the ball of my feet on the ground, and I could not spread my legs out to get any leverage to hold the bike upright. It was just too tall and heavy of a bike for me. Thiis image shows way too much of my feet on the ground - I could not get my foot flat on the ground, and I even had a "Spencerized" seat that was lower than stock.

http://i63.tinypic.com/3yct5.jpg

I bought an NT700 that had a lower seat height and weighed 150 pounds less, and I can get my feet flat on the ground. This images shows my heel off the ground.....which is not accurate. This bike fits me far better than the ST1100....for some reason they list the ST110 seat as being 2" lower than the NT700.....in reality those numbers seemed to be reversed.

http://i65.tinypic.com/2cfwrj9.jpg

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by springman on 03/07/17 at 12:49:00

That V strom is a beautiful bike, but at 33" seat just plain to tall for me. Also I believe I have never seen one under about $4500.00 or so, so it is out of my price range.

I may try to check out the Kawasaki 500 LTD but it really just does not call to me nearly as much as the Ninja 500, or the Volusia, or the Marauder, or the M50, or S50, or the Vulcan 800 classic or even the yamaha V-Star 950.

When I win the lottery...................!!!! Oh, I guess I better go buy a lottery ticket. ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by Dave on 03/07/17 at 13:01:53

Yep.....a motorcycle is a very "user specific" kind of thingy.

Some call your name - some don't.

However.....I have never ridden a motorcycle that didn't make me smile and enjoy the ride! ;)

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by springman on 03/07/17 at 13:57:50

You have a point there Dave. I have ridden a Gixxer and an R7 (I think it was) and they put a smile on my face, but they definitely are not for me. Heck, I get a kick riding a mini bike.

I've thought about the upgrades you mentioned for the Savage but I really just am not that mechanically inclined and then the bike would be down for weeks while it is being done. You know what though, I love riding my bike just the way it is! ;)

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by gizzo on 03/07/17 at 15:01:13

You can buy lowering links for the Wee Strom, too. 30mm lower than standard.
Anyone heard the Vulcan S on the go? If it sounds like a Ninja, I'd rather the lawnmower.

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by IslandRoad on 03/07/17 at 15:26:00

It sounds like a Ninja because it's actually a Ninja engine mounted in cruiser style bike. That put me off early on when I was looking for a cruiser.

776D696B6A54657670766D606361040 wrote:

You can buy lowering links for the Wee Strom, too. 30mm lower than standard.
Anyone heard the Vulcan S on the go? If it sounds like a Ninja, I'd rather the lawnmower.

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by zipidachimp on 03/07/17 at 15:50:42

waiting for the new Rebel 500. Long wheelbase on the Vulcan 500 was tiresome to jostle around a tight entry garage. Both Savage and Rebel have 58" wheelbases. Short and sweet! Vulcan engine was strong though.8-)

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by gizzo on 03/07/17 at 16:07:26

655F404D42487E434D482C0 wrote:

It sounds like a Ninja because it's actually a Ninja engine mounted in cruiser style bike. That put me off early on when I was looking for a cruiser.

Yeah I know. I've never ridden one but a sport bike engine doesn't seem to be a good fit in a cruiser. I did see years back a Ducati Indiana. Another sport bike engine/ cruiser combo. It wasn't right. I like my cruisers to be able to slog.

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by batman on 03/07/17 at 17:35:28

I don't know where you get Ninja motor ,it's a 652cc fi watercooled single,pumping out 47hp. standard seat heigt 31.5" ,low factory seat 30" being watercooled I wouldn't let mileage scare me off this bike,and the price seems good ,for a bike that should require less work than most.

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by gizzo on 03/07/17 at 18:08:41

Here for a start:
https://www.kawasaki.com/products/2017-Ninja-650-ABS

It's a ninja engine

Edit: Sorry batman, I din't quite read your post properly, either ;)

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by Dave on 03/07/17 at 18:30:27

3132273E323D676B530 wrote:

If you are talking about the BMW engine.....we kinda' drifted away from the original theme by the time we got to the bottom of the 1st page.

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by zipidachimp on 03/07/17 at 19:30:17

guilty :-[

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by IslandRoad on 03/07/17 at 23:50:20

I was responding to Gizzo's reference to the Kawasaki Vulcan S:

http://motorcycles.axlegeeks.com/compare/1878-2104/2015-Kawasaki-Ninja-650-ABS-vs-2015-Kawasaki-Vulcan-S-ABS

797A6F767A752F231B0 wrote:

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by piedmontbuckeye on 03/09/17 at 15:04:07

6A696B70777E747877190 wrote:

Most BMW's (I've had three of them) are pretty user-friendly for repairing - especially if you join the BMWMOA Internet site. There are people on there who are just great at analyzing and helping you out. I am from the Airhead era, and I don't know about your particular bike, but I am sure there are many on there who do!

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with the BMW F650CS?
Post by springman on 03/10/17 at 08:46:40

I do not understand. If they want to sell the darn bike, why don't they answer their phone or return the call after you leave a very polite message expressing interest in the bike. Keep the darn bike!!! >:(