Is a Beemer worth it?

[Scubbo]

thinking about getting a low km '07 bmw f650gs for light touring and gravel/backroad exploring and then commuting

are beemers really as deadly to the wallet as the office water cooler talk makes out? I plan on having the bike for a long time --- its one of the later models but with the rotax engine I believe -- I'd do the basic servicing myself but anything more than that would go to a bikeshop (would it need to be a BMW servicer if out of warranty??)

any info would be great as i'm not as schooled up in purchasing one over a jap bike (could actually use a hand if someone is keen to come check out the bike with me in Auckland)

(also sorry if this is the wrong place to post this kind of crap)

[Oscar]

thinking about getting a low km '07 bmw f650gs for light touring and gravel/backroad exploring and then commuting

are beemers really as deadly to the wallet as the office water cooler talk makes out? I plan on having the bike for a long time --- its one of the later models but with the rotax engine I believe -- I'd do the basic servicing myself but anything more than that would go to a bikeshop (would it need to be a BMW servicer if out of warranty??)

any info would be great as i'm not as schooled up in purchasing one over a jap bike (could actually use a hand if someone is keen to come check out the bike with me in Auckland)

(also sorry if this is the wrong place to post this kind of crap)

The 07 would have a BMW engine in it.
If it's still running and doesn't have super high milage on it, it's probably OK.
As for servicing it, you'll need to buy some Torx spanners and bear in mind that ze Chermans don't like you servicing your own bike...

Go to advrider.com and search.
Everything you need to know is there..

[Night Falcon]

The 07 would have a BMW engine in it.
If it's still running and doesn't have super high milage on it, it's probably OK.
As for servicing it, you'll need to buy some Torx spanners and bear in mind that ze Chermans don't like you servicing your own bike...

Go to advrider.com and search.
Everything you need to know is there..

yup that's good advice . Good bike shop will have no problems working on a 650 beamer just don't mention the war, I did once, but I think I got away with it

[Scubbo]

alright thanks chaps, think i'll keep looking around

[jim.cox]

I tried one of those 650's when they first came out.

I found it to be a very very boring bike

I bought a Honda 600 instead - much fun, more grin

[JATZ]

For the use you intend it would be a good buy, but then so would a transalp/V strom/KTM 9X0
I don't find the cost of servicing tooooo bad, but I haven't had to stump up for any bits yet. I took mine to a professional who knows what they're doing for the 10'k services and did oil and filter myself in between. When it gets a dealer service they plug it in to the internet and upload service info to a data base so it' recorded online with BMW.
FWIW.... I really like riding mine and don't intend to get rid of it any time soon

[Gremlin]

When it gets a dealer service they plug it in to the internet and upload service info to a data base so it' recorded online with BMW.

This is one of the main reasons for going to the dealer. They have all the diagnostics. Sure, you pay for it, but no normal shop is going to have access.

For your original question, is it worth it, hell yes Should you go into it with your eyes open? Yup

I don't think many bikes would have survived through the odd things I've thrown at my 1200, and it's kept on going. Lesser things have broken other bikes (repeatedly). I love it, and it's brilliant for the wide array of things I do. In fact, as testament, my previous longest ownership of a bike was 27 months. 1200 is at 43 months now and I still can't imagine anything else. I'm seriously considering running this into the ground and then buying another of the same model to transfer the accessories too... first time I've ever thought that!

However... she'll test your commitment alright. I've had some eye watering bills, shit go wrong that doesn't on older cheaper bikes. The joys of the complexity of Euro bikes vs Jap bikes...

I still luffs her tho

[avgas]

No. No it is not worth it. They were shit unless you got the dakar one, and even that was shit in comparison to the KTM's etc etc

[The Baron]

I had an 09 650 single. Great Bike.

If you are changing from a 250 to this it will be great fun. Go for it.

Servicing can be done by you and any local shop - no problem.

Service cost depend on who does the work. No different to any other bike.

You will see a lot of this model still out there every day with over 150 000 kms on them.

So take it for a ride and see what you think.

[Ulsterkiwi]

on my second older F650. Have loved the experience. Like the whole Beemer marque but seriously considering what else is out there at the minute.
check out F650.com, its a US site with a fairly large worldwide membership. You will see the kind of things that go wrong and the sort of bills you might have. Bear in mind forums are full of "mine was shit and cost a fortune" Keyboard riders are less inclined to start threads that say 'hey my BMW didnt break down this week and I derived much pleasure from the riding thereof, I have no hefty bills to pay and I want no other bike"

[6ft5]

interesting, have you looked at a Suzi DL650, owned one and it went forever

[clint640]

After taking the tank off my BMW to get at the battery to charge it I am sure most of the money dealers make on servicing them is just in assembly and disassembly.

Yep, as an example the valve check interval on an F650 motor is twice that of my KTM, which is good as it takes about 4x longer to do

But they are a pretty reliable motor, like many EFI bikes expect to do a fuel pump at some point, otherwise lots get 100K+ km with few issues. Real comfy seat & excellent fuel mileage are other good features.

But be aware they are one of the heaviest single cyl motorcycles ever made, if your adventure rides occasionally involve falling off & having to pick up your bike the F650 may not be the machine for you.

Cheers
Clint

[HenryDorsetCase]

S1000R
S1000RR
RNineT

old airheads


BMWs in order of preference. Behemoth land whale? you can keep it......














this may be trolling

[Bams]

I Think they are worth it.
I was concerned about them as well when I was looking to buy one got hooked and brought a r1200gs and have enjoyed it to bits for the past 3 years trouble free fantastic bike to ride and now have brought an f800gs and I expect it will be great too .
The key I think with BMW is by low kms well looked after and don,t crash them where you bend them up I imagine they would cost fortune to fix . I decided to spend the extra cash on the crash bars and arm it up they are much cheaper than fixing costly small scrapes and work well at there job and earn there keep.
I'm sure yours will have the rotex engine they are awesome engines I say go for it but buy a good one not a spent one and you will ride it till you bored of it and get something abit gruntier

[Scubbo]

ended up getting a drz400 when an offer came up I couldnt refuse -- thread is kinda mooted now, thanks for the responses however