BMW F650GS (800cc) Walk Around & Review

[@frankpinion4937]

The F650GS is a 798 cc exactly the same as the f800gs. Only difference is the F650gs has being de tuned to produce max hp & torque at lower rpm which is better for broader power delivery & economy. They simply alter the overlap on the cams to increase torque at lower rpm but reduce hp. Aprilia have done the same thing with the tourag 660.

[@0dzy]

Top job reviewing the bike Michael... As usual you take the time to go all over the points and aspects on a bike, so this will benefit a lot of people in the market for a bike and who are not sure what to get ;) Thanks again for taking the time to do this ;)

[@michaelrosstv]

The seat is already 820mm high. That is standard height. Most people want to Lower it. In which case it is normally a dealer fit option - same with lowering the suspension, normally dealers do this when you buy the bike from them. How much extra height do you want? You might find a sheepskin seat cover gives you the extra height you need or something similar like an airhawk seat cushion. Which way you go depends on how much extra height you want.

[@sydneyhom]

Cheers Michael I did just that but sadly found the F800 just too tall for me, as I prefer to be able to be flat footed when stationary. Loved the F700.... just greedy for power!

[@DubElementMusic]

very nice bike

[@sydneyhom]

In the end I found a 2011 WeeStrom with under 10K on the clock, lots of extras and $3K below new price. Just too good to pass up... Thanks for the great vid review and speedy correspondence Michael. Cheers mate

[@michaelrosstv]

A BMW dealer will not do it. Something about their Duty of Care or the extra power coming back to bite them if someone crashes or whatnot. So all BMW dealers will say "No, it cannot be done, if you want 800 power buy the 800 model". To get the bike unrestricted you need to find an Independent Mechanic who has the BMW software and computer interface. Take the F7 and the F8 for a spin back to back. You just might find you are happy with the F7 in stock form.

[@TKTex1]

Great review Michael. BMW have such a good name for just about anything they build so I'm not surprised to find you were impressed with it. Interesting that the screen appeared to start working at higher speed. Can't say I was too thrilled with the 'organic' look of the bike, particularly the front end, but I'm sure I'd get used to it eventually. Cheers mate!

[@michaelrosstv]

You're welcome. Good score too. Everything bike wise the weestrom is really close to the BMW. Some things it leads the BMW on (wind protection), some things the BMW comes out in front (nimbleness). Certainly cheaper though. And good you got the 2011 weestrom as you still have the larger 22 liter tank. Enjoy the ride!

[@robotp5543]

I bought a 2010 with very low kms. Same color as well. Indicator positioning is a bit peculiar I must admit. Im trying to get used to it so it becomes 2nd nature, with not having to look down, which is not a good idea at any time while riding. Other than that, Its a great bike for someone that has only gotten back into riding after 30 years of just riding dirt bikes. I think BMW were building Bikes before they were building Cars

[@sierrafoxtrotgolf3638]

My HDs have the individual indicators on each side just like this.

[@michaelrosstv]

F8 might have more power on paper than the F7, but I felt regarding the F650s, even in restricted mode it was better through the twists than the F8. And the extra power of the F8 was negligible as the F650 out handled the F8. The F8 only having slightly better roll on as its edge. For mine, better handling trumps slightly extra power every time. Same reason I'd take a VStrom 650 over a 1000 Versys - the weestrom handles better. But I do know what you mean, the extra power is nice :)

[@madjak30]

I agree about the goofy BMW signal system...my buddy has a K1200GT touring bike with the same system...it's pretty confusing and I never really got used to it & we switched bikes for a few hours (although he liked my bike...damn guy) Excellent review! Later.

[@sydneyhom]

Good review Michael... Than

[@Slipprymongoose]

Good review, they are lovely bikes to ride,

[@michaelrosstv]

Thanks Mad. Yeah, I found, changing lanes on the highway, say to get around a car and back again, would result in my throttle hand giving more throttle as I moved it around to cancel the signal. Make a left or right turn wasn't so much of an issue. But lane changing on the go wasn't so rider friendly. Thankfully, BMW have gone back to the Standard left/right/off single signal switch on the left grip like all other bikes have, for the F700GS - the newer version of the 650 reviewed here.

[@michaelrosstv]

When I finish riding the f650gs and hop on my Honda 919 - which has loads more legroom than my Suzuki GS500 - I feel cramped at the beginning. I find the BMW F650GS has stacks of room. BUT, if the lower seat was put on first, then you would find it more cramped than the higher seat. So find out which height seat is on first. Also, no bike will have a leg stretching position like a chopper, besides choppers. I have no issues with long rides on any of my bikes. It's what you get used to. :)

[@michaelrosstv]

Not thinking of selling the Honda at all - the 919 is a top bike to ride, comfortable, power on tap, cannot fault it. I was given a F650GS to ride and review in Written form a few months back, which I did. For this I was given use of the unrestricted version to do a video review and semi comparison to the restricted version.

[@ErikWillie]

Thanks for this, very helpful! I wish i could find more info about whats on the digital display. Looking at buying one of these in the US.

[@michaelrosstv]

+Erik Willie Don't lose too much sleep over the digital display. It has fuel gauge, indicator, highbeam, heated grips to let you know which setting you are on. From memory there is also a clock there. Trip meter too. Maybe water temp also. ABS status as on or off. And that's about it.

[@michaelrosstv]

Seems BMW doesn't feel the need to compete on price. Keeps a certain air of quality and up-marketness about their bikes. They (BMW) do make nice bikes though.

[@andrewfelcey5675]

thanks for that !!!! you explained a lot for me !!!!!

[@nicolasm9732]

Great video :) What do you think about the low ground clearance (190mm)? Is it high enough for offroad or is it too low ? Cheers

[@lrowlands53]

I have an F650GS. Ground clearance is not a problem unless you think the bike is some kind of motocross machine. If you need more ground clearance then you have a different use in mind that the bike was not designed for. It is not a hardcore dirt machine, just like every other adventure bike - regardless of what others may claim. If you want to do extreme off road then you need a lightweight 250cc bike with 21 inch front wheel and outrageous clearance that requires a stump to stand on just to get going. The F650GS is a classy tourer that can do some dirt. I love mine and I have ridden many different bikes.

[@Joaaaoo]

Ah ok, i'm 1.88m and i tried the 650cc one... it's a really good motorcycle, but the seat was to low, and so i have my knees to much angled? :$ so for long journey it's not that good... I like the footpedal bit more in front, like a chopper but you can't have the sportif drive with a chopper... :/ thanks for answering :) great video!

[@fernandogiesenow626]

Michael, i got the same bike. How can i get it unrestricted?

[@Joaaaoo]

i got a question about the seat hight... do i can put the higher on my own, or should i go to garage? and how can i increase them? sorry for my english :$ thanks

[@barebarekun161]

Still this bike is on my list of my dream motorcycles! It got everything that i want but unfortunately it also got a heavy price of almost 700,000 thai baht and that's the only thing that prevent me from getting one... Too bad they should do some research here where they're now in asian market it strictly just a toy for rich people. Really wished BMW make something like a 500cc class which Honda got a runaway success here,up to like 30 bikes deliveries a month on a small big bike market here!

[@sydneyhom]

Sorry stuffed up my question... I looked at an F700 today, which I loved and asked Pro Cycles in Sydney if the 75 Hp engine could be tuned up to 85hp like the F 800 and they said it couldn't be done. How did you go about getting the engine unrestricted on this F650 test bike? Cheers

[@joeybobbie1]

Hi from Texas. New Subscriber. How do you unrestricted the Engine on these. I’m getting a 2011 F650GS in a couple of Days, and would love to be able to unrestricted the Engine on it. Great Viddo and Thanks for making it.👍👍

[@michaelrosstv]

You'll need a BMW trained mechanic with access to the computer codes and... you know what, the difference in performance is not noticeable enough to bother with the hassel. A stock standard 650 (with the 800 engine tuned to 650) is more than adequate. I've ridden the stock 650, the unrestricted 650 and the 800 as it came at the time. The one I liked least was the 800 and it wasn't just the cosmetics of spoke wheels. The stock 800 is not noticeable enough compared to the 650-tuned with the 800 engine. And the unrestricted bike was, well, like the 800. They both can accelerate very well. They don't have the launch-type acceleration like a 1000cc obviously but nek minute you're exceeding the speed limit and it was hardly any effort. TLDR, unrestricted the 650 isn't worth the time, money or hassle and the 650 bike with the restricted 800 engine is darn fine as it is. Thanks and I hope you are pleased with your new wheels.

[@ssornareik]

Great review and a great surname

[@michaelrosstv]

Thanks for watching. I feel I should mention, that what BMW has done with the naming is a little confusing. The original F650s were single cylinder. Then they stopped making them and brought out the twin but kept the F650 name. Then after a few years, due to popularity it seems, they brought the single back and gave it the G650 title. So you had the F650 twin and the single now called a G650. But since then the F650 twin has become the F700 twin - they do not make a brand new F650 twin any more. You might need to re-read this a few times to fully understand what BMW did :)

[@ssornareik]

Michael Ross It takes a Ross to understand all that :)

[@michaelrosstv]

ssor nareik Reading back over it Kieran, I think you are right ;)

[@barebarekun161]

They (BMW) did pretty good in car sales here but Motorcycles... Just strictly to the niche market people with buckets of cash to spend. Honda pretty much ruled our big bike market here. And most people rather choose luxury cars over bikes here. Just the way we treat riders far worse than we treat our fellow drivers like shit here so i think BMW NEED to make something affordable now! I heard they have plans to make 500 and 250cc bikes facilities here.

[@ahmedelnopy9353]

which model that bike bro

[@sf940477]

Thinking of selling the Honda Michael ??? :)