2012 BMW G650GS SERTAO (ride Review)

[@johannvisser1303]

Thanks for reviewing cheaper options not a lot of people beginning have the big bucks ..

[@TRCAdventures]

No problem, these are great bikes and still look the part along side newer bikes, in fact I think they may be better suited for the perpouse than many of the newer bikes are. Thanks for checking out the video

[@Sertao2013]

From what I have learned they used the same metal piece that the kickstand is welded to on the regular g 650gs that has the smaller front wheel of 19 inch compared to the 21 in of the sertao . The angle they weld the kickstand at is for the smaller wheel which puts the stand at the correct angle for that smaller size wheel . Instead of BMW changing the weld angle for the bigger wheel of the sertao they left it the same so they didn't have to change anything on the production line . To fix it right you have to grind off the weld and re-angle the kickstand a little more toward the bottom and weld it back on . What a stupid thing for BMW to do . Most people screw on 2 hockey pucks to get it more up right .

[@TRCAdventures]

Sounds about right, it would be nice if they would have done it at the factory

[@jacqueserasmus5811]

Thank you for your review! I love this bike and commute everyday. Just wanted to check with you whether you found the bike a bit wobbly at the 120km+ (80mph) speeds? I find mine a bit ‘floaty’ on the tar roads, perfect on gravel.

[@TRCAdventures]

I have found it to be stable at all speeds, in good conditions. Though in windy conditions it can feel a bit less stable. If you're getting a wobble at speed, a few things to look at, #1 head bearings. To check this the front wheel must be off the ground, check by pulling on the front wheel forward to see if there is any movement in the head bearings. Next turning the bars side to side just off center, with the lightest touch possible feeling for any friction spots. ( The head bearing cups can become damaged at center causing a divit and you will feel a small bump at the center, this is the most common cause of high speed wobbles. New Bearings and cups are an easy fix ( all balls racing) Another possibility is cupping on the tires front or rear will cause high speed wobbles, as well as suspension that is set too low in the back, saggy rear suspension or over loaded bike. Other than that I have ridden these bikes at 85 all day long super stable. The head bearing issue is quite common, and many people, mistakenly add a steering stabilizer to fix the issue, it just hides it a bit.

[@davidjmichaud4422]

It's a shame this model was discontinued.

[@TRCAdventures]

it truly is, it seems, it is now more of a perfect fit than ever before, with the likes of the T7, a new KLR coming and KTM and Triumph looking at smaller mid lbs bikes, the Sertao is perfect

[@davidjmichaud4422]

We can only hope BMW is going to bring it back out of retirement. The market looks like there is people in the market for this type of bike.

[@alexkrasteff4061]

Considering this bike to tour around Europe and ill be doing some highways as well, in my country the highway speed limit is 140 km/h (86mph). What is your opinion on the comfortable max cruising speed on the Sertao, will it manage longer sections cruising with 80 mph?

[@TRCAdventures]

I think the bike is comfortable up to about 80mph both the 650and the 800 are geard a bit low for speed, and some will complain about the vibration at that speed. Both bikes can be re geard to make the higher speed more comfortable, one tooth up on the front sprocket seems to work well. If your spending a lot of time at that speed a multi cylinder bike will be more comfortable. For me the 650 can do the job just fine "with the stock exhaust" an aftermarket exhaust will create more vibration and sound that will make riding at that speed miserable. Two to three hours at a time at that speed on the 650 no problem!

[@ianparkes2538]

Hardly compares to versys with its 17 road wheels and twin cyl it’s not really an off roader at all . But much better on road

[@TRCAdventures]

For a purely street bike, there are many better choices than this, but if you're after a smaller displacement adventure bike, this is hard to beat at this price point.

[@dogukankurhan]

Is it good bike for a person who is 5’7?

[@TRCAdventures]

It really depends on your inseam. With a 32" inseam it's perfect!

[@dannym3449]

hello,dont have fuel counter?

[@TRCAdventures]

No fuel gauge, just a fuel light that came on when there is about four litres of fuel remaining

[@damko80]

what is this cylinder shape thing on the right mounted to the frame?

[@TRCAdventures]

That is the remote reservoir for the rear Shock, Just above that is the Pre-load adjuster so that you can adjust the suspension for more load or a passenger

[@notmetagaming]

I was wondering the same thing lol just changed the oil on my new to me 05 dakar and had to move it to the side to change my oil filter and thought to myself, what is this thing? Coming from mountain biking I suspected it was a remote reservoir, thanks for confirming this

[@pathantv486]

Is this for sale or would you like to sell?

[@TRCAdventures]

Sorry this one sold, Thanks for checking out the video!

[@pathantv486]

@@TRCAdventures if you come a cross another one please do let me know.

[@psalm2forliberty577]

@@TRCAdventures How many miles & what did you sell it for ? Thank you

[@alexk.6022]

The Motor of the G models is produced in China.

[@TRCAdventures]

Ah yes, at the time they made that decision I was pretty worried, but the motors have proven to be better than what BMW originally had in the bike! Sweet little motor!

[@peterday9054]

Mwaaaaaaaaagh , its for off road , not 150 kph . I dont own one but thinking maybe its the G.O after putting 81,000kms on my gs 700 twin = lots of dirting / camping in OZ , Maybe i will , if i can find an Austrian built jobbie. But if it,s chineeezium , NO Thanks. Like my 700/800 hungee too much .

[@TRCAdventures]

They are a bit heavy to call them a dirt bike but yes they can go off road, much like the 700/800 quite capable of road! It is quite disappointing seeing so many manufacturers moving motorcycle manufacturing to China KTM seems to have done the same, sad...

[@konnieblaze2116]

Testing this bike on an on road test is useless. At least take it on gravel.

[@TRCAdventures]

I was thinking most people that would consider buying this bike would use it at least 50% on road, so I was hoping there would be some use in the on road review. though if I would have had the bike longer an off road review would have been quite a bit of fun! I have had the chance to ride a few of these bikes off road and would say they perform quite well as adventure bikes, and will also do fairly well as a light trail bike, given the weight they will not be as friendly off road as a trail bike, but still fun!

[@spotthedogg]

Seems like you’re just pulling speculation out your ass. KLR quality assessment was based on what? 30-40lbs by swapping the exhaust? Whhaaaaaa? The kickstand is the same part as the standard bike, that’s why it leans over so far.

[@TRCAdventures]

Yeah probably sounds like that! I have owned three KLR 650's I would definitely stand behind the quality statement, maybe not so much the 30 or 40lbs, LOL, but wow the exhaust on the BMW is heavy, taking up both sides of the bike yikes. Thanks for checking out the video