The reviewer has everything spot on with what he says. Nice to have a really solid detailed review that is accurate. The bike itself is super easy to ride fast in the tight twisties and thus fun. No need to worry about braking too hard - you can't. No need to worry about accelerating too fast out of a bend - you can't. The bike is superbly balanced and any average/intermediate rider will go faster and ride safer for longer on this than on a sports 600.
Excellent review! Thank you for your thoroughness and I really appreciate your appreciation for good mpg's especially with the performance you get. I've had my 2007 1200 GSA up to 61 mpg but usually get around 51 with plenty of fun. I really appreciate how BMW seems to try to make their machines efficient and exceedingly user friendly. I'm looking forward to the chance to ride one of these even more after watching your video. Thanks for sharing,
Great Revue and ,as a 2006 F650GS very experienced rider /owner I agree with everything you said . One time I got 80.4 MPG ( Imperial Gal ) ! Thanks for posting
Hi there, I am looking at the g650gs and the sertao, used right now, which of the two do you think is better for a beginner ? I do plan on keeping the bike a long time, not sure if I should get the sertao or the regular g650gs. Thank you!
Great review, but can't compare to the V-strom 650, the wee it's 2 cylinders, more power, more torque, bigger tank more comfortable for long trips. I own both (650 Sertao) which I use more for off-road and Baja Trips and the wee can eat miles all day long.
Love this bike!! I am a 52 year old beginner and I am looking for my first bike for commuting and touring, do you think this BMW is beginner friendly!? I am 183 cm high with 110kg weight 🤪 Thanks and regards from Serbia 🇷🇸✌️
This bike is cool, but I am wary of the cost of repairs when you need them. So many people expect this bike to be on par with the other 650 bikes, that are more for speed, and I suppose this bike does not impress them at all. I for one want to cruise the back roads, riding section lines and forest roads. I want reliability and gas mileage. I may test ride one. Thanks for the honest review.
I test rode one in MPLS yesterday (5/18/18) and was pleasantly surprised at the power. After 4 Harleys, a Concours, and lots of others, I've decided at 60 years old that my style and desires have changed. Like you, I want to be able to cruise gravel, back-roads, and an occasional trail. I passed a semi on the freeway from 70mph, without downshifting, and hit 100 easily. I was grinning ear to ear the whole test ride. I will likely buy the bike.
@@rfrawls: Refuge Security is my business' name and I didn't want it on youtube videos, so now I go by Sierra Foxtrot Gulf; phonetic alphabet for SFG or "short fat guy," but it is still me. This bike took me back to my younger years of having dirt bikes. It was just light and fun. The bike I test drove sold, but I am looking again as Spring approaches, I will take it on a 1500 mile/24 hour ride. The ride is a Bun Burner Gold if you're familiar with the Iron Butt Association. I've heard the F650GS is even better, it is a de-tunes 800cc twin, but BMW still calls it a 650.
@@sierrafoxtrotgolf3638 Did you ever end up buying one? I think I’m where you’re at, I’ve had a concours for a well over 10 years but I want something light and capable of getting out in the woods a little. I was thinking a KLR but I found one of these in the same price range so I’m on the fence.
does the dashboard have a gear indicator stock? I am a novice rider and this is a feature I'm looking for in a bike. If it doesn't, I realize that I could add a gear indicator as an aftermarket mod. It's just one thing that's a check on my list when looking for potential bikes to buy.
I've been riding since the sixties (yeah, I'm a old dude) and gear indicators didn't show up for a looong time. You quickly become accustomed to the feel of the bike and kinda know what gear you're in by the feel. Gear indicators are certainly nice, but far from essential.
How's the vibration? I love the look of these bikes but I test rode one and the vibration was so bad I thought there might be something wrong with it. I've never ridden a single before and was expecting a bit of a thump and a bit of vibration but this was extreme. 10 minutes of highway riding and my arse was numb.
I’ve had a 2004 for about 5 years. I don’t think it’s a single track bike. With knobby tires and riding with friends, maybe. I find first gear is too tall. And the throttle is too sensitive when going slow. But on all kinds of back roads it’s great.
Responsible Ownership and Carry It will run 90 all day. I mean you will be really high up in the RPMs. But it has no problem on the freeway. I rode my 650gs from LA to Flagstaff with no problem. The wind in the desert will kick your ass though.
Audio quality in this video was super low. The music at the intro and outro were easily twice the volume of the speaker and 3 times as clear. Get a decent mic and do more than just mash two audio files together when you edit. I hate needing to turn down my volume at the start of a video only to crank it back up as soon as the video actually starts so the presenter isn't impossible to hear and then have my ears blown out by generic outro music.
The reviewer has everything spot on with what he says. Nice to have a really solid detailed review that is accurate. The bike itself is super easy to ride fast in the tight twisties and thus fun. No need to worry about braking too hard - you can't. No need to worry about accelerating too fast out of a bend - you can't. The bike is superbly balanced and any average/intermediate rider will go faster and ride safer for longer on this than on a sports 600.
Lee, it sounds like you own a 650. How fast could you run all day on a freeway if you had to? Thanks.
I have had mine for about a year and a half and his review is spot on. It is a great bike and very capable.
Wow, been a while. Glad you're back!
Thank you for the detailed description!
i have a 2013 one and its great, all i have done is added a taller seat, which for me was a must for longer trip comfort.
I love mine! Thank you for the review!
Nice review. I love mine and think your right on.
Excellent review! Thank you for your thoroughness and I really appreciate your appreciation for good mpg's especially with the performance you get. I've had my 2007 1200 GSA up to 61 mpg but usually get around 51 with plenty of fun. I really appreciate how BMW seems to try to make their machines efficient and exceedingly user friendly. I'm looking forward to the chance to ride one of these even more after watching your video. Thanks for sharing,
Great Revue and ,as a 2006 F650GS very experienced rider /owner I agree with everything you said . One time I got 80.4 MPG ( Imperial Gal ) ! Thanks for posting
Just picked up a 2006 - Do you still have yours? Hopefully you still like the bike 🙂 I have had too much ride time yet.
Enjoyed watching thanks.
what a great review and love the camera back and forth
Best review of the G650GS on UA-cam!
I have the Sertao, Left can is the Catylytic convertor, the right is the muffler, Crossover is underneath.
Hi there, I am looking at the g650gs and the sertao, used right now, which of the two do you think is better for a beginner ? I do plan on keeping the bike a long time, not sure if I should get the sertao or the regular g650gs. Thank you!
The G 650 cc GS his the nimblest bike I have ever ridden, I just love it,❤
Great review 🇦🇺👍
How does this compare with a KLR ? I looked at a KLR the other day before I saw this video ?
Thank you, straight to the point and very accurate.
I just got back from taking mine on a 2,000 km two up trip. They're great machines.
@@YouMotorcycle yes, I had one for 8 months and I agree with you, what a great machine. I hope I can buy one again in some time
What is the MPG in city commuting, and how it compares to Honda Nc700/750x?
It’s a fun bike - $3k for mine - goat trails dirt n class 4 roads. I’d gobanywhere n have. Good accurate review.
Hi guys! I have a question. Do you think the sertao model would be a good one for a beginner? Or would the g650gs be better ?
Thank you and God bless.
Great review, but can't compare to the V-strom 650, the wee it's 2 cylinders, more power, more torque, bigger tank more comfortable for long trips. I own both (650 Sertao) which I use more for off-road and Baja Trips and the wee can eat miles all day long.
Nice!
Love this bike!! I am a 52 year old beginner and I am looking for my first bike for commuting and touring, do you think this BMW is beginner friendly!? I am 183 cm high with 110kg weight 🤪 Thanks and regards from Serbia 🇷🇸✌️
I love mine.
This bike is cool, but I am wary of the cost of repairs when you need them. So many people expect this bike to be on par with the other 650 bikes, that are more for speed, and I suppose this bike does not impress them at all. I for one want to cruise the back roads, riding section lines and forest roads. I want reliability and gas mileage. I may test ride one. Thanks for the honest review.
I test rode one in MPLS yesterday (5/18/18) and was pleasantly surprised at the power. After 4 Harleys, a Concours, and lots of others, I've decided at 60 years old that my style and desires have changed. Like you, I want to be able to cruise gravel, back-roads, and an occasional trail. I passed a semi on the freeway from 70mph, without downshifting, and hit 100 easily. I was grinning ear to ear the whole test ride. I will likely buy the bike.
Refuge Security thanks for the update! I was wondering the same thing.
@@rfrawls: Refuge Security is my business' name and I didn't want it on youtube videos, so now I go by Sierra Foxtrot Gulf; phonetic alphabet for SFG or "short fat guy," but it is still me. This bike took me back to my younger years of having dirt bikes. It was just light and fun. The bike I test drove sold, but I am looking again as Spring approaches, I will take it on a 1500 mile/24 hour ride. The ride is a Bun Burner Gold if you're familiar with the Iron Butt Association. I've heard the F650GS is even better, it is a de-tunes 800cc twin, but BMW still calls it a 650.
@@sierrafoxtrotgolf3638 Did you ever end up buying one? I think I’m where you’re at, I’ve had a concours for a well over 10 years but I want something light and capable of getting out in the woods a little. I was thinking a KLR but I found one of these in the same price range so I’m on the fence.
Thanks
Excellent review👍. How would it go as a tourer if fitted with the BMW panniers?
I have one, very good touring bike, i have panniers and top box and does well, just get a taller seat like i did and it sorts out the comfort
It would go 70+ MPG for sure. . . . . . :)
does the dashboard have a gear indicator stock? I am a novice rider and this is a feature I'm looking for in a bike. If it doesn't, I realize that I could add a gear indicator as an aftermarket mod. It's just one thing that's a check on my list when looking for potential bikes to buy.
It has not a gear undicator. But I love it anyway, Where can I find it an aftermarket?
I've been riding since the sixties (yeah, I'm a old dude) and gear indicators didn't show up for a looong time. You quickly become accustomed to the feel of the bike and kinda know what gear you're in by the feel. Gear indicators are certainly nice, but far from essential.
How's the vibration? I love the look of these bikes but I test rode one and the vibration was so bad I thought there might be something wrong with it. I've never ridden a single before and was expecting a bit of a thump and a bit of vibration but this was extreme. 10 minutes of highway riding and my arse was numb.
Bad vibes could be down to off road biased tyres
Strange. Mine is smooth.
I just rented this in Gran Canaria. it was a hoot. but im tall, and the seat hurt my bum. and i would like 20 hp more. otherwise a good bike :-)
How is that bike for medium off-road capability single track etc.
I’ve had a 2004 for about 5 years. I don’t think it’s a single track bike. With knobby tires and riding with friends, maybe. I find first gear is too tall. And the throttle is too sensitive when going slow. But on all kinds of back roads it’s great.
these all were from 3 years ago dam
is there a gear indicator?
+Ad Addv no, ihave one and love it !
Urek, is that you?
Yes ,when you can't shift anymore it's in 5th ;)
good review thanks, 40 second intro too long tho!
just skip it ?
Roy Batty but he says 40 seconds too long
He refers to the engine as a 'single' but isn't it actually a twin?
No. Don't get confused. The current generation is an F650 twin that is actually a detuned 800.
My 2001 gets 83 mpg (imp)
What's up. You're A Natural. oceanic bear What's your opinion about it
and how tall exactly are you? I am 6 foot 4, is this still worth looking into?
Test drive one.
It's to small for tall people, you have to look for the 650 Sertao, Honda XL 650 or KLR 650.
@@360motorcycleadventures9 Or a V-strom 650.
What is the max speed you would run it on the freeway for extended periods? Will it run 75 mph all day??
Responsible Ownership and Carry
It will run 90 all day. I mean you will be really high up in the RPMs. But it has no problem on the freeway.
I rode my 650gs from LA to Flagstaff with no problem. The wind in the desert will kick your ass though.
it will but its more for thumping around at 60 all day kind of bike, relax and enjoy the ride kind of bike :)
I realize that, but I would spend some time on the freeways as well. As long as I'm not screaming the RPMs @ 70 I'll be happy. Thanks!
Thanks Michael.
My 2004 does 120 km/hr at only 5000 rpm
feels like riding a light 300cc bike. But the bike itself i think i out of production now.
2016 is the last production year.
so it is out of production, idk whats gonna happen with its engine thats made in china
Brown Iverson so many of these motors were made I doubt you ever run out of spare parts if that's your concern.
Did we hear the sound of the bike? No!
No, it’s a single.
this looks like nevada
Audio quality in this video was super low. The music at the intro and outro were easily twice the volume of the speaker and 3 times as clear. Get a decent mic and do more than just mash two audio files together when you edit. I hate needing to turn down my volume at the start of a video only to crank it back up as soon as the video actually starts so the presenter isn't impossible to hear and then have my ears blown out by generic outro music.
swm superdual is better