BMW F650 strada

[hazza]

Anyone got one of these/owned one/ridden one?

Just wondered what they were like as i was considering swapping the bandit for one. I know they are ugly as hell, but unfortunately 95% of my riding is now a 16 mile round commute to work with no option for using the car even in the worst of the winter as we have gone down to one car. ive heard good stuff about the MPG which will help a lot (just brought a wreck of a house that is consuming all of our finances, and only i work full time)

Im after something cheap to run, comfy and bullet proof for my commute that i dont need to worry about mega maintenance.

The bandit has been a good bike but it likes to eat rear tyres and i find it only returns 50mpg.

I was thinking slap my muffs and a set of heated grips on the beemer and jobsagoodun.


Any thoughts? Im looking to spend precisely no more than what i get for the bandit!


Ta

Harry.
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3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[chris-red]

I would expect it to be particular inspiring but it should do you well for the comute. I seem to remember a few people mention problems with the F650 engine (Water pump???) maybe worth having a look on a F650 forum.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
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[map]

I did look into one of the old single cylinder versions. Not sure if it was the Strada or Funduro though. It did seem to make sense as a all-year commuter as there was little plastic to break and I was intending fitting engine bars. I liked the idea of the robust Rotax engine as well.

All the reviews and comment from owners (I went and asked around at Squires as local to me) were positive. Only problem I had was finding a good one at the right price. It appeared true that BMW owners tend to care for their machines. In the end I went in another direction.

FWIW the Aprilia Pegaso was the same bike as it was a joint venture (similar to when Suzuki and Kawasaki got together for the DL650 VStrom and the Versys KLV). So if you can't find a BMW look for the Aprilia maybe.

HTH
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[chris-red]

[map]

[hazza]

I know its a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' type question but what sort of milage do the rotax engines do? Wondered if the life expectancy was lower than your average IL4.
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3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[neatbik]

Looked after properly they can go onto 100k+ miles.

I had an F650gs for a couple of years, pretty much the same engine except its fuel injected.

The carbed 650's do about 60-65mpg, the later injected ones more like 75-80mpg.

Flat out will hit 100mph but they are much happier at sub 80mph cruising speeds.

Overall a good commuter, i took mine green laning a fair bit and although heavy and very tall (i had the Dakar version) it was a good laugh. They are very comfortable, surprisingly vibe free for a big single and very reliable. The only bugbear with them is the waterpump design.
They can go every 15k miles, but can go sooner or much longer...
Not an expensive fix (about £30) and quite simple to do.

I only sold mine because i wasn't using it anymore for commuting and i wanted something with a bit more soul - so i bought a Ducati instead.

[hedgehugger]

I had one. It felt fairly agile when it was going, great for the lanes around here , but at slower speeds it felt a bit lumpy and sluggish.
Seat was really comfy, and very upright position.
Mine had heated grips ready fitted.
If it wasn't for the initial slowness, I would have kept it as my winter bike.

[hazza]

Hi,

I was under the impression the seat height was quite low for an enduro type bike? Im 5 5 so if its like an xl it wont be my next bike!

Thanks for the replies

Harry.
____________________
3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[hedgehugger]

I'm 5ft 4''. 31 inch leg
I couldn't flatfoot but toes down was enough


Only time it caught me out was after I'd ridden the Kawasaki (lower), I forgot I was on the taller BMW and when I went to put a foot down the floor wasn't there
Found the floor before droppage

The seat isn't too wide, which helps. It is also quite a soft seat so you sink into it.