BMW f650st

[Iceman]

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I'm looking at a 97 f650st for the wife. I have absolutely zero experience with BMW. I'd expect it to be fairly reliable etc. Anyone have any experience to share?

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[BradW]

I'm looking at a 97 f650st for the wife. I have absolutely zero experience with BMW. I'd expect it to be fairly reliable etc. Anyone have any experience to share?

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It's a great bike, the Rotax built engine is completely bulletproof. Aside from the regular maintenance stuff, the only problem I ran into was a faulty voltage regulator, but it's common issue with this model. Parts are easy to come by, and surprisingly not any more expensive than the Japanese brands. There's a huge wealth of knowledge in a few different forums.

I have my bike up for sale right now because I kind of impulse-bought a bigger BMW in the fall. PM me if you're interested, or just want to pick my brain about the model.

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?194197-1999-BMW-F650ST-F650-with-Corbin-Seat

I'm looking at a 97 f650st for the wife. I have absolutely zero experience with BMW. I'd expect it to be fairly reliable etc. Anyone have any experience to share?

Sent from my Le Pan TC802A using Tapatalk

It's a great bike, the Rotax built engine is completely bulletproof. Aside from the regular maintenance stuff, the only problem I ran into was a faulty voltage regulator, but it's common issue with this model. Parts are easy to come by, and surprisingly not any more expensive than the Japanese brands. There's a huge wealth of knowledge in a few different forums.

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[Iceman]

It's a great bike, the Rotax built engine is completely bulletproof. Aside from the regular maintenance stuff, the only problem I ran into was a faulty voltage regulator, but it's common issue with this model. Parts are easy to come by, and surprisingly not any more expensive than the Japanese brands. There's a huge wealth of knowledge in a few different forums.

I have my bike up for sale right now because I kind of impulse-bought a bigger BMW in the fall. PM me if you're interested, or just want to pick my brain about the model.

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?194197-1999-BMW-F650ST-F650-with-Corbin-Seat

It's a great bike, the Rotax built engine is completely bulletproof. Aside from the regular maintenance stuff, the only problem I ran into was a faulty voltage regulator, but it's common issue with this model. Parts are easy to come by, and surprisingly not any more expensive than the Japanese brands. There's a huge wealth of knowledge in a few different forums.

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Thanks for confirming my initial thoughts. It does sound like it'd be ideal for her. I followed your kijiji link but didn't find anything. I'd definitely be interested in having a look at your f650, any pics? I guess accessories etc need to come straight from the dealer or is aftermarket support still pretty good for the older beemers?

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[Iceman]

The wife is pretty stoked on the little beemers after watching this gem.
https://youtu.be/tfEfIXhLNiA
I gotta admit that's one of my favourite road tunes on the bike. When I raced with off-road Ontario I always had fast heavy music in my headphones.lol

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[BradW]

The wife is pretty stoked on the little beemers after watching this gem.
https://youtu.be/tfEfIXhLNiA
I gotta admit that's one of my favourite road tunes on the bike. When I raced with off-road Ontario I always had fast heavy music in my headphones.lol

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I reposted my kijiji ad... Looks like it expired. http://m.kijiji.ca/sport-touring/ma...1120579445&ck=CK&from=Search&ts=1456686742302

It's actually very well served by the aftermarket for parts and accessories. All the consumables, ie brakes, sprockets, filters have non-oem options.

I am amazed at how smooth it is for a thumper, especially compared to a KLR.

Let me know if you want to have a look at it.

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[MacDoc]

Very innovative bike - far ahead of its time.
Instructor in the area owned one and she loved it - she was very height challenged. Low seat height - nimble. Always on my radar for Australia to replace the KLR

Belt drive, built in storage where the tank appears to be.

 

[Iceman]

Very innovative bike - far ahead of its time.
Instructor in the area owned one and she loved it - she was very height challenged. Low seat height - nimble. Always on my radar for Australia to replace the KLR

Belt drive, built in storage where the tank appears to be.

You're thinking of the f650cs, we're talking f650st. Nearly the same but not.
The St has a tank where the tank appears to be, chain drive, longer travel suspenders, etc.

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[Wingboy]

Great bikes are made by the Germans.But they are expensive to fix and sometimes maintain.The big 4 are a much easier to live with option.

 

[Iceman]

Great bikes are made by the Germans.But they are expensive to fix and sometimes maintain.The big 4 are a much easier to live with option.

This is what I've been thinking. Every bike I've ever owned was from the big four, except a couple of ktms. The wife is always "different".

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[BradW]

Great bikes are made by the Germans.But they are expensive to fix and sometimes maintain.The big 4 are a much easier to live with option.

I wouldn't say that it has been any more or less expensive than any other Honda I have owned. If you take it to the dealer for service, then you are paying BMW car rates for labour, ($130/hr last I checked), but the price of parts is on par. The F650ST is carbureted, and pre-dates the CAN-BUS system the newer bikes have, so it's pretty easy to wrench on.

 

[Wingboy]

I wouldn't say that it has been any more or less expensive than any other Honda I have owned. If you take it to the dealer for service, then you are paying BMW car rates for labour, ($130/hr last I checked), but the price of parts is on par. The F650ST is carbureted, and pre-dates the CAN-BUS system the newer bikes have, so it's pretty easy to wrench on.

Just my experience.The poor dealer network and silly prices for filters,etc made me sell my beemer for a Honda.I miss the beemer tho.Great ergos on them.

 

[MacDoc]

You're thinking of the f650cs, we're talking f650st. Nearly the same but not.
The St has a tank where the tank appears to be, chain drive, longer travel suspenders, etc.

thanks first glance at the photo fooled me

Op may want to consider this too

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-sport-bikes/...et/1142211367?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

[wonderings]

Great bikes are made by the Germans.But they are expensive to fix and sometimes maintain.The big 4 are a much easier to live with option.

I think it depends on the model, many people do most of the servicing themselves on the boxer GS. I only do oil changes myself, the rest I just do at service time. Never had a bike that was easier to get at everything.

Service is not always more expensive either, my dealer is $85 an hour if memory serves me, that was the same as my local honda dealer. The difference is the BMW parts do cost more, but that is not something you need to do a whole lot of.

 

[Wingboy]

Your'e making me miss my old airhead.

 

[Iceman]

Your'e making me miss my old airhead.

Sweet! My dad just got a 79 r90, I'm going to get it cleaned up and running for him. My grandfather passed away and left it to him, he also left my uncle a pristine 89 gs1000 black and yellow, and a 71 r65 I believe.

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[Wingboy]

The "Bumble Bee" is very collectible.

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