BMW F 650 GS reviews

Got back into motorcycling after being without a bike for almost 12 years and for all of the typical reasons. Picked up an 03 HD 883 Sportster with the Big Bore 1200 kit about a year ago just to get back on the road. Fun bike and no problems but not the sort of thing you'd want to put any serious miles on. A buddy got me to looking at the BMW's and I ended up with an 07 GS. What a freakin' bike! Excellent power, unbelievable handling, fantastic brakes, and just weird enough looking for it to stand out in a crowd. It reminds me of a good horse: spirited, sure footed, and works with you in an intuitive way. Gives you a feeling of confidence without feeling cocky. Look where you want to go and you're there. Fast, slow, cruising: it doesn't matter. Took it out into an old hillside farm field to see what it's like to wrestle 500 pounds of motorcycle through the weeds and it did just fine. Have to admit that I was puckered up a bit. The thought of dumping a new bike makes you think twice about trying anything too wild. Sort of freaked out when I came down off the hill and the ABS kicked in. I forgot about the ABS and now understand why they give you the option to deactivate it for off road use. Some folks say that the seat doesn't suit them but for me, I've got no complaints. Takes a few miles to let your body find its natural position (snugged up to the back of the tank) but once you relax, all is well. I kept trying to push myself back away from the tank and finally just let it happen naturally and voila nice and cozy. I'm hooked. Been riding short distances in sub-freezing weather and can't wait for Spring to roll around. Heading for the powwow in Lame Deer Montana this July to christen my GS and can't wait to get rolling. Ride safe. Show less

I find nothing to dislike about this bike, other than the front end styling (which I resolved by removing the proboscis snout and adding a shiny grill cover to the oil cooler). Plenty of power for 500 pounds, agile, comfortable, reliable, packable, and it simply can do anything well. The long suspension travel, if you're not used to it, imparts a kind of floating feeling going around turns that can be disarming to those used to sportbikes, but you learn that the suspension won't let you down. And though BMW is getting better at doing transmissions, finding first at a stop still can be a little frustrating. The industrial styling won't set your heart aflutter but it exudes the beauty of smart design on what may be the best all-around bike ever built. Show less

I really like this bike, but it does lack a bit of power on the low end when riding in the rough stuff. I would also recommend the taller seat as I'm 5'11. I have the regular seat and it's not as comfortable as it seems. I would also recommend a taller windshield. The stock tires are great on and off (better on). On the highway it has more than enough power to keep up and pass traffic. I was riding two up on the bike with the wife and we got to a long very steep hill. I gave it all she hade and the bike would not stop accelerating. I like it! Cheers. Show less

I've really enjoyed this bike. It's a great tourer and yet allows off road travel to those "What's over there?" places. With the crash bars, you can come up with some very different seating styles to stretch out your legs and give your back a rest. The conti tires are great in the rain and dry pavement and give superglue grip on dirt and mud. They do tend to wear fast on pavement though. Only problems so far is the gasket for the fuel pump access on the tank leaked and needed to be reset. I was in the icefields of Canada when that started leaking but was able to fix it with tools I had on hand, and the crash bars broke at the bash plate and needed welding. The bike is heavy, once you lose it on a gravel road or loose dirt, you're going down. BMW panniers are wide but able to stuff enough materal to go camping for several weeks. Probably the best panniers I've ever owned. haven't ridden the 1200 yet, put don't think at this point I need to. Very satisfied so far. Show less

I was reluctant to choose the R1200GS as my first, but I am tall and knew I would not be happy with a beginner bike. Excellent balance and probably no harder to learn on than a small gutless bike, at least for a tall person. No quality issues so far and a lot of fun to ride. Young kids love it as they rarely see something like it. My only small complaint is the seat becomes uncomfortable after a short time, but I will get an after-market seat. Awesome bike. Show less

Traded in an Aprilia Futura for the 1200GS. I loved the idea of having a bike that could do everything- a little road and a little dirt. I have found the bike to happily do anything I have asked of it and to do it well. The second weekend I had it, I attempted to ride over mosquito pass in Colordo. The pass is a 4 wheel drive only trail and has extreme weather damage to the rocky dirt road. I did not make it to the top, but it was due to my nerves versus any lack of ability in the bike. It handled well and felt lighter than it's 500 lbs would lead you to believe. I was riding with a friend on a Honda XR650 and I was able to go everywhere he was and even a few other areas. 2 weeks after this ride, I went on a marathon ride from Denver to Yellowstone park in Wyoming. Left 3pm on a Wednesday, got back home by midnight on Friday- 1350 miles in 2 1/2 days. The following week I was running Rampart Range for serious offroad riding. The bike has handled everything I have asked it to do and has done it well. The power of the bike is good, hitting it's torque in the lower RPM, and then ramping to make horsepower at around 5500. It makes it nice to have the power on the dirt, then get out on the highwy and bring the front tire off the road between 2nd and 3rd gears. My only real complaint is the windscreen- I'm only 5 foot 9 and even then the wind flow off the stock windscreen hits me right in the face and makes for a noisy ride. I fixed this by getting a windscreen for the 1200GS Adventure and installing it on my 1200GS- problem solved. Also, while going through water and mud, the front tire can kick up a lot of slop through the area between the tank and guages - can get messy quick. I haven't found a way to fix this - not sure I want to either. Getting 50+ miles to the gallon and have had no service issues with the bike. Show less

Great bike for new riders and those returning to riding after many years like myself. This bike is great-looking, versatile, has a bullet-proof history, and is fun to ride on all kinds of roads. I would highly recommend this bike to any rider looking for something fun! Show less

As all the other reviews have stated to one extent or another, this is very nearly THE perfect motorcycle. The highs: Great handling (terrific balance), great power (the hexhead boxer is a winner), terrific ergonomics, great reliability, decent weather protection, and the exclusivity of being on such a distinctive machine. The lows: the stock seat (200 miles in one sitting is too much), and the buy in cost (although if it's the one machine you want- get it). All in all, I am more than just a little satisfied with this machine. It initially looks expensive, but if you can afford the payment on a Hyundai you can afford the payment on a BMW R1200GS. Show less

I hadn't ridden since college and this has been an awesome bike to return to riding on. Very fun to ride and the bike handles very well. I would highly recommend it. Show less

I ordered the non-ABS, non-servo brake version (Yellow). Absolutely awesome bike...handles like a sport bike, lots of power and smooth. Would like a more complete tool kit like the Beemers of years past...I can see why it was voted best bike in the world. Show less