BMW 650GS as first bike: opinions?

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G_Seattle · #1 Unread post by **G_Seattle** » Wed May 21, 2008 1:55 pm

Would this be a good bike for a beginner rider?
I think I also read somewhere that the BMW F800 could have a power reduction: would that also be a good choice?
Many thanks!

Wed May 21, 2008 2:27 pm

I'd be a little wary of the 800 as a first bike, though it wouldn't be terrible. The 650 would be a great choice though, ecspecially if you plan to offroad with it. It's a bit lighter than the 800 IIRC.

G_Seattle · #3 Unread post by **G_Seattle** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:43 pm

Thanks! It will be mostly for commuting (back roads, 20 miles a day) in the Seattle area. I'm looking for a comfortable bike ot ride, although I realize the definition of comfort must vary greatly from one rider to another

Grey Thumper · Wed May 21, 2008 3:37 pm

Which one, the single or the twin? The first (and only) bike I owned was an F650CS (street version of the GS. Same engine but street wheels/tires, and lots uglier

). Engine's very mild mannered, only about 50hp (about 44 at the wheel), lots of good, useable torque, very easy to modulate the throttle, simple maintenance, and at the time, it was the smallest bike I could find with ABS. I'm pretty happy with it, and don't feel the need to "upgrade" at all. The GS is even more well-loved.

slimcolo · #5 Unread post by **slimcolo** » Wed May 21, 2008 7:27 pm

Why do these newer bikes only tell indicated (friction isn't even accounted for) horsepower and not actual horsepower? My old FLH motor is rated at 60 horse, but bike is rated at 9.44 taxable horsepower (NACC) (this is like the same as old RAC rating that was last used before WW II, but was found in a HD manual copyrighted in 1972???) HUH

And Grey the 44 at the wheel is torque not horsepower.

slimcolo · #6 Unread post by **slimcolo** » Wed May 21, 2008 7:59 pm

Why do these newer bikes only tell indicated (friction isn't even accounted for) horsepower and not actual horsepower? My old FLH motor is rated at 60 horse, but bike is rated at 9.44 taxable horsepower (NACC) (this is like the same as old RAC rating that was last used before WW II, but was found in a HD manual copyrighted in 1972???) HUH

And Grey the 44 at the wheel is torque not horsepower.

G_Seattle · #7 Unread post by **G_Seattle** » Wed May 21, 2008 9:05 pm

I have read that the Suzuki GS500F is a good beginner bike as well, are there any other recommendations? Brand is not important, I want something that is safe for a beginner, and can also handle some highway cruising on the week-ends! Thanks all for your help!

Grey Thumper · Wed May 21, 2008 9:47 pm

G_Seattle wrote:I have read that the Suzuki GS500F is a good beginner bike as well, are there any other recommendations? Brand is not important, I want something that is safe for a beginner, and can also handle some highway cruising on the week-ends! Thanks all for your help!

Oh, ok. Well, Motorcycle Consumer News has a pretty comprehensive performance index for pretty much every bike it seems. It's where i got the figures for the F650CS. Latest one is here http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/technical/200801perfindex.pdf

Figures for the F650GS you're interested in are: 42.3 rear wheel HP, 38 lb. ft. of torque, 430 lbs. wet weight. For the Suzook it's 38.1 hp, 25.6 lb. ft., and 443 lbs. Around 50hp is a rough maximum recommended for a beginner.

Since you're broadening your search to include other bike brands, use the search function; there are loads of threads here on suitable beginner bikes.

slimcolo · #9 Unread post by **slimcolo** » Wed May 21, 2008 11:21 pm

First of all Sorry about double post, a reply was already posted when I noticed so I couldn't delete.

BMW is no longer offering the CS but lists four 650s GS, Moto, Challange, and Country. They rate the GS as 50 HP (387 lbs but dry weight) the others as 53 HP all with a torque of 44 ft/lbs. They do not list a at wheel HP.

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/com ... &x=68&y=14

I've seen this before and do not understand it. Different sites giving different specifications for the same bike. I saw GM list different HPs on different cars that had exact same motors. (in the 70s and 80s)

gsJack · #10 Unread post by **gsJack** » Thu May 22, 2008 2:41 am

European sites give higher HP numbers than US sites, seems to be a different rating system over there. For years the Suzi UK site gave about 50 hp for the GS500 while it was only rated 40 hp here in US.

The G650 Xcountry is the only thumper left from BMW on the US market. The F650GS has been replaced by the new F800GS for 08 US buyers.