BMW F 650 GS reviews

I am 6'4" and in case you didn't notice they do not design motorcycles for tall people, however the 12 GS is the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden. Earlier this summer I did a 2552 mile trip in six days...for me it was a huge trip. Prior my longest day was about 320 miles. The motor is great in the mountains just stick it in 3rd or 4th and go. If you need a little more, down shift and you're getting as much excitement as you want. It handles well. Can go off road with out blinking an eye. I have the original tires, but I bet with knobs it would feel more planted. After all, it is a 500 lb. motorcycle. Show less

I owned a 2003 BMW K1200 LT for about 2.5 years before moving up to the Adventure. Best all around bike that BMW makes, in my opinion. Just finished 7400 mi, 2 wk trip to west coast and back. Bike performed flawlessly. Handles as good as most sports bikes - great torque, power, can pop wheelie in 2nd gear, but very well behaved in traffic. The only gripe I have is that the standard seat is not comfy for more than an hour. An after market seat is a must. I originally had knobby tires, but opted for Tourance/Anake for a smoother and more stable ride on hard surface. Bike is a bit too heavy to do any serious off road riding, although it will handle hard packed dirt and gravel roads with ease. Very well made and dependable. Show less

Being on foot for about two years and last 2 bikes being BMW RT1150's, I was somewhat concerned about a single cyl. bike. After my first day of 375 miles in eastern Colorado, concern is no longer on my mind. Every time I ride this bike I love it even more and more than any I've had in the past. I ride primarily on the road but more and more off and plan on more yet this summer. So far no problems, just pleasure. A more comfy seat may be in order, but I'll wait and see after I feel I have my M/C butt back in shape! If you're thinking of one for road and gravel and dirt roads and some light trail...go for it!!! Show less

Stable, relatively fast, very comfortable. This bike is fun to ride, especially with inexperience as a sport bike pilot. It's not the K1200 which I strongly considered, but actually, I think having driven one of those, this one is more approachable. Like any BMW, the 800 rides like it's on a rail. The seating position is very comfortable with no back strain, arm strain or hand strain at all. Ergonomics-A+ for me. It's a tad windy at speed and the wind noise requires earplugs. Not a good bike for the rain not because of instability but because of the lack of faring. At least in downpours, I got caught in one and learned the hard way. The bike accellerates very quickly. 6 speed gearing is great, the clutch has been flawless. The seat is very comfortable for long distances. As a light weight, it's easy to maneuver, quick and nimble on it's feet. Great cornering--has inspired in me a lot of confidence. After 2,000 miles I'm just now getting used to what I can do and the bike can do, but it seems like the bike will let me do a lot and we are one on the road. What I like about it vs. the K1200 which was my other choice, is that this bike is much less expensive, the maintenance in theory will be much less, the insurance on this is 1/2 of the K1200 (I'm 51 and married and was quoted $1,200 a year on the K vs. $600 a year on this machine). I use the bike principally for commuting and man does it fit that bill like a glove. I go on one or two week long trips a year and I won't hesitate to take this bike. It's a big seller in Europe and I'm surprised that here in the U.S. it doesn't seem to garner as much press. I think here we like bigger, badder, faster but to overlook this model is a mistake and the bike should be considered. It certainly is much more practical from an expense point of view. And the 50 mpg I'm averaging is real sweet. And I don't need a bike that goes 167 mph, because my brain won't let me do that. Bottom line is although 2,000 miles is a little early for a review, I absolutely love this bike. It's one I think I've been looking for in the 20 plus years I've been riding. Previous bikes-Suzuki 450, Suzuki GS 750, Shadow 1100, BMW R1100RT. The 800S vs. a K is like driving a Mazda Speed 3 vs. a Corvette---yeah the Corvettes a dream car but the Mazda 3 does supposedly everything the same-just 40,000 bucks cheaper. Oh, and this 800S goes 0-60 in 3.8 which beats the Corvette, so there you go. The only caution I have is on the gas guage, computer driven. Rely on your odometer like the old days because the gas guage is weird on the computer-it tells you you have a full tank until you have about 20 miles to go. Otherwise, no other nitpicks. Show less

As I was searching for a bike, I narrowed it down to three: the Ducati Multistrada, Suzuki VStrom 1000 and the BMW R1200GS. The Ducati lost out as it really isn't meant for off-road work. The VStrom is a nice bike, but I really wanted a bike that was built to withstand almost anything and would last many, many miles. The BMW R1200GS won hands down. Although the price tag would send some running, one has to realize that these bikes are engineered to last 300,000 miles. I would be more than happy to sit on mine at the 200K mark. Once on the bike you realize that is a very, big, bike! At 5 feet 7 inches and a 29 inch inseam, my feet do not sit firmly on the pavement. Thus, my only complaint is the lack of a suspension that can be lowered for on-road use. The adjustable damping for the front and rear suspension works fantastic, but doesn't lower the bike. The lower seats help out a little, and I may opt for a lower suspension. But for now, I get around just fine. It takes a little getting used to. Apart from the height, the R1200GS handles as nimble on the road as a bike half its size. I could not believe how tight this bike can take the turns! It is so much fun to ride, and I ride it every single day. I can't wait to test it in the dirt! As far as the staff goes, the dealership I went through is top notch. The fantastic experience I had began with the salesman. Easy going and knowledgeable, he gave me all the information I needed to make the right choice. And it does not stop there. Everyone at that dealership will do whatever they can to insure you have a positive experience. The staff is extremely well-informed and will take all the time necessary to give you the help you need. These guys are true professionals. All-in-all, I am supremely happy with my GS. It is by far the best bike I have ever owned. It will take you wherever you want to go in comfort and style. And with the reputation of BMW Motorrad, I know this bike will last a long time. Show less

Just came back from a 1100 mile trip to VA. 500 miles of heavy rain and wind..bike is rock solid and in total control. Have had R1150 RT and R1200 C and liked them both but neither compare to the solid sure footedness of the GS.Avg. 48 mpg at 80 mph. Show less

For as short and skinny as I am, this bike is fairly easy to handle. It has all the power for my needs in the city or the highway; the upright seating is much more comfortable for me than the 800s model. It would be awesome if the bike were an inch or so lower, but there are ways to get around that with a little planning. Smooth ride, good power, and lots of fun. Show less

I eagerly anticipated this bike when it was unveiled in 2006 and my anticipation was well rewarded. I purchased my F800ST for my girlfriend as a lighter, more agile replacement to the 2001 R1100S she was riding. She insisted that I rack up the first 600 miles before she'd get on it, and during that time I discovered the F800ST can be ridden significantly faster, and with more control and comfort, than the R1100S. I'm talking about the real world, on real roads, not potential 10/10ths performance on the racetrack. This bike is amazing. The torque curve isn't a curve -- it's flat and substantial across the rev range and allows the rider to pull away at almost any RPM without shudder or complaint. The handling is extremely nimble, the brakes are perfect and thanks to the smooth running engine, the bike is super comforable for hours on end. Plus I dig the belt drive -- clean, quiet, compliant, no fuss, no muss. My personal reference point is my K1200RS with over 100K miles on it, which I've always felt was one of the most comfortable, smooth and controllable bikes out there. In many ways, the F800ST has superior real-world performance, and it's definitely more fun to ride than the K1200RS (and the R1100S). Believe it. Show less

This is one sweet handling motorcycle. It replaces my 95 BMW R1100RS so many of my comments are comparisons to that bike (Which by the way served me faithfully for nearly 70K miles). The F800ST is lighter and more nimble with about the same amount of power. Up to 80 mph at least, plus it has a 6th gear. I still have the stock windshield which provides little wind protection so speeds in excess of 70 I don't consider pleasant whereas the RS was just getting into its zone about then. Riding comfort also doesn't quite match the RS but an after market seat undoubtedly will improve that (I had a Corbin on the RS). Also there is enough heat flowing thru the fairing unto ones shins and feet, especially on the left side, to make riding in temps above 90F a little more unpleasant. Overall however, I expect the bike to be a blast for shorter rides (200 miles) on curvy mountain roads and California Hwy #1 when ever I can get to it. Show less

My riding is 90% on the highway to remote places where the road turns into twisting shale rock, most of which is up hills. The engine guard allows for log jumping on trails and the occasional rock mishap without any damage. The factory tires work well in most conditions, if you plan on doing much in the mud replace them though. This bike has plenty of power for on and offroad use. The only complaint I have had is on long trips ( 2+ hours )the seat becomes uncomfortable. Show less