Save Me From My Early Mid-Life Crisis

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Chessecake94

Wannabie Member
What do you guys think of the F650 GS?

I've been casually looking at changing bike for quite a while, and am now leaning in the direction of a early 2000's BMW F650 GS. It'll be perfect for the long trips I have planned this year, and also take the abuse and mistreatment it will get when I go to uni. Also more likely to be reliable as I would have to keep it all the way through uni. Its the same as my GPZ to insure and is more versatile. Less likely to break down too, (I've had no problems yet but Friz thinks it will fall apart on any long trips). But when i finish uni the GPZ would be 17 years old, and it was made by Kawasaki.

However, I've always generalised GS owners as mainly posers, getting one after watching Long Way Round, buying all the BMW branded gear, but never taking it out in the rain.

Heres one I'd seen - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

So should I go for it, or will I get bored of the upright style, and the fact its even less sporty than my GPZ??
 
I should probably mention Long Way Round is the reason Id wanted to ride bikes, since I was 10. So I kind of fit into my own stereotype.
 
I don't know much about the GS, but the bike on the advert seems like quite good value. Can't complain about that! Should last as well, with it being an older BMW.

I say go for it, nothing worse than having an unreliable bike for uni. It was a right pain when I got caught out in the rain on my previous bike (always cut out in the rain). No idea how many lectures I missed. On top of that, it cost me a fair bit in unexpected repair costs - the last thing you need on a student budget!
 
Chessecake94 said:
I should probably mention Long Way Round is the reason Id wanted to ride bikes, since I was 10. So I kind of fit into my own stereotype.
Click to expand...

Chessecake94 that's the same reason I wanted to ride (LWR)
and cause a few vlogger (a name I'm not going to mention as he's had too much recognition) *grins*
 
Don't worry about what other people think - just be done with it and get a "I'm team Ewan" tee-shirt :D
 
It'd certainly suit your height and plans much much better than the gpz, but will you enjoy it?

Will it suit you're riding style?

To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if it did. You'd probably need to do something about those leathers though :P

Find out why its so cheap. That's unusually cheap, could be some problem they're not telling us.
 
Many rave about the BMW can't say I could ever afford one and I agree I see so many riding in central london with them all nice and shiny with metal luggage all over hehe.

BUT had to reply because you said

Chessecake94 said:
But when i finish uni the GPZ would be 17 years old, and it was made by Kawasaki.
Click to expand...

Are you saying your amazed it lasted that long, or generalising about the build quality of Kawasaki bikes that are build in the lovely Thailand :D
 
thunderous71 said:
Chessecake94 said:
But when i finish uni the GPZ would be 17 years old, and it was made by Kawasaki.
Click to expand...

Are you saying your amazed it lasted that long, or generalising about the build quality of Kawasaki bikes that are build in the lovely Thailand :D
Click to expand...

I havnt started uni yet, I go in September,'I'm worried it won't last that long. That it will start getting problems when it really old.
 
Friz said:
It'd certainly suit your height and plans much much better than the gpz, but will you enjoy it?

Will it suit you're riding style?

To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if it did. You'd probably need to do something about those leathers though :P

Find out why its so cheap. That's unusually cheap, could be some problem they're not telling us.
Click to expand...

It might not be 100% for my current riding style. But my current style is going to fast all of the time, looking for the racing line rather than the safest one. Not that I ride like that on videos or meets. And that can't carry on.
All thought recently I've spent more time trundling round tiny back roads, exploring.
 
It would be a great commuter and reasonable at longer distances. For touring its bigger brothers might be more appropriate, but on your budget it might be a good choice.
I think the single cylinder engine will be the most noticeable difference, slower, more vibey, but then again more involving and more fun...On windy roads it will be a lot of fun, motorways less so....
 
lawman said:
It would be a great commuter and reasonable at longer distances. For touring its bigger brothers might be more appropriate, but on your budget it might be a good choice.
I think the single cylinder engine will be the most noticeable difference, slower, more vibey, but then again more involving and more fun...On windy roads it will be a lot of fun, motorways less so....
Click to expand...

The bigger brother would defiantly be to much to insure, I'm 17 so its not suprising.
 
Jestington said:
It's mainly the big 1200s that posers get
Click to expand...
Why be such a bully? :(


Chessecake, my GPZ305 blew up at 44,000 miles so if you want durability it seriously might be worth getting another bike.
 
gpzDave said:
Jestington said:
It's mainly the big 1200s that posers get
Click to expand...
Why be such a bully? :(


Chessecake, my GPZ305 blew up at 44,000 miles so if you want durability it seriously might be worth getting another bike.
Click to expand...

As long as you don't nip to the petrol station with full luggage, spare tyres, water bottles and the whole long way down shabang its fine.
 
Didnt realise the GPZ was the 305
I once had a gpz305 circa 1985...Ive test ridden the BMW 650xmoto. Think you would definitely gain having the BMW.. Go for it..
Also consider Aprilia Pegaso, I think its the same engine as the BMW but may be wrong...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Posters Past 30 days

Winners Video

Website Supported by Ipswich SEO

Latest posts

Back
Top