What's It To Be - F650GS or GSX650F?

Knot600RR · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Aug 2011 Karma :

Use is for year round commute apart from the snow & ice.

Most often 40 round trip, but sometimes 180 mile round trip.

F650GS is the Dakar variant for about £3k and is 05 with under 10k miles with full history and heated grips (not really an issue, they'd both be getting them anyway)

GSX650F is 08 with less than 3k miles and full history, no extras apart from different can and £500 more than above.

Which one is going to be better for everyday traffic, crud, knocks, luggage, economy?

Actually, that last sentence pretty much chucks the BMW as the winner - but please add your thoughts...

Thanks...

FBSF · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 23 Mar 2011 Karma :

I'd say the more upright position of the BMW would be better for the commute, but the longer trip may favour the seat of the GSX.

Economy wise, the BMW should win easily.

Knot600RR · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Aug 2011 Karma :

Fuel economy is a big deal on the longer trips, but then so is wind protection....and the fairing is a big draw...

Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

While the BM is probably a more desirable bike, if I was commuting that sort of distance a day I'd want something with a fairing, but then I am a soft southerner Laughing

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Knot600RR · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Aug 2011 Karma :

having had an SV650S before, I'm a little concerned about Suzuki build quality...

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

If you've had an SV before, you'll find the BMW absolutely dog-slow in every respect (speed, acceleration, handling).

Two radically different bikes and given you have £3k to spend, why only one of these two and not, say, something like a CBR600F? The practicality and performance of the suzuki with the build quality of a Honda.

Say, like THIS ONE I picked out entirely at random.

In any case. You really want to have a ride on an F650 before you commit to buying one. I rode a mates one when I had my MZ supermoto and found it frustratingly slow.
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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

The BMW offers an awful little bike for quite a lot of money. Any tight traffic? The wide bars of the BMW won't be great for squished filtering.

Happy doing no more than the speed limit? The BMW won't be ideal faster and will still probably feel a good chunk more vibey at that speed.

Decent service intervals and reasonable fuel economy for the BMW. Suspect it'll hold it's value ok too, as the new G650GS is pretty similar.

Me? If I wasn't bothered by speed and was by economy, I'd go for a GPZ500S.
If I was less bothered by costs, I'd be looking at a GSXR1000, of course Wink

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bazza · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Karma :

Knot600RR · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Aug 2011 Karma :

Thanks for the replies, I should point out that this is to be a second bike, which I should have mentioned earlier. I already have a high performance machine, which scratches that itch rather well.

I just think the BMW is potentially a cheap run around, for a commute on low quality A roads and B roads. The longer trip would be on motorways, where, to be honest I tend to ride like my granny anyhow.

The Suzuki looks promising because it is so clean and is a great little bike for the money.

There is also an ER6F at around the same cash, but it's higher mileage. There is also a FZ6 which is ok, but I just find them very dull - apologies if you own and love one!

I've now ridden both machines as well as the other two this afternoon. The BMW is incredibly comfy, but very sluggish. The Suzuki I was very surprised at, quite a punchy little motor, ER6 seemed to be great fun, but I just didn't like it (never bonded with Kawasaki for no logical reason) and the Yamaha - well it was just an FZ6, what more can you add!

Buying bikes is a bloody nightmare!

neatbik · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Karma :

I have an F650 Dakar (which incidentally is for sale).

It will do 75mpg, is comfy, can filter, and the screen is fairly effective at keeping the weather off.

They dont have an awful lot of poke, but i have improved mine with a Techlusion fuel box (think basic power commander that changes fuelling), a Scorpion end can (sounds a bit rorty) and a k+n filter.

It will sit on the motorway at 80mph, any higher and it seems a bit strained. It will do it, but isnt 100% happy.