The Loaner

[BlueBeak]

BlueBeak was in for the 600-mile service over the weekend, so
I had a loaner F650GS in SCREAMING Yellow to putter around on.

Not sure what year it was, but it had 2400 miles on it when it was
my turn to take it for a spin. It's 20 miles home, then another 20
back, and I did my usual backroad route, so I got a decent feel for
the bike. Here's my 2 bits:

- No choke I could find. Just thumb the starter and go. 55 degrees,
or 38 degrees, it didn't care.

- Engine power was adequate, but not confidence-inspiring, particularly
taking off from a standstill in 1st gear.

- Super light shifter, except going down into 1st at a stop, where you
are met with a resounding CLUNK! and the bike jumps like someone
just spanked its tender backside.

- Speaking of light!! The bike is obviously a lot lighter than the RR.
You just think about turning, and it turns.

- Single front disc brake worked surprisingly well, probably due
once again, to the machine's light weight. The bike had ABS, but
I didn't play with it - it's just not in my nature. I know, I'm
probably the only one here that would say that.

- The stupid little wind deflector on top of the fairing puts the dirty
air right on your helmet - wind noise was so much louder than the
RR that I wished I had brought my earplugs (which I normally
save for the rare highway stint). If I owned this bike, I would pull
that sorry excuse for a windshield off in a heartbeat.

- Heated grips only worked on one dot. Two dots seemed to make
no difference, and it was 38 degrees (and snowing!) the morning
I went to ride back to get BlueBeak. Doesn't seem right for a bike
with only 2400 miles.

- My dad makes furniture, and I worked in the shop for many years.
The F650's engine makes exactly the same sounds as the industrial
sewing machines that he has in the shop.

- Seating position was OK, but the seat was absolutely hard as a rock,
and at every stop, I would slide forward into the tank. (Ouch!)

This bike had a definite Japanese feel to it. It's a lot like the
Kawasaki KLR650. But I suppose that's the target audience.

Not a bad bike, just not my cup of tea.

[arkline]

About once a week I ride my wife's F650CSA to work, just for giggles. I like it a lot. It is a cute scoot. Very light compared to the 1150 and very, very maneuverable in city traffic. I wouldn't want to do more than a hundred miles between stops on it, 'cause you sit down in the bike and have hardly any wiggle room, there is always a chance of crushing the jewelry in a short stop...

It is definately a city bike though. Gets great gas mileage in town. The tranny is easier up and down than the R's, except for that serious clunk into first. It sits pretty tall so when you're doing forty in a twenty-five it just doesn't feel like it, officer. The suspension is completely and totally unadjustable and kind of less than plush. After riding the R, it is a little squirrely in the first six turns. So light. It has a sort of hard plastic "tank bag" where the fuel tank would normally be. It locks and is very handy for carrying small items. A little cash, a water bottle, a Walther...

It is kinda goofy looking though and attracts the sort of attention that some might not like. "So, you're riding a girl's bike, 'eh?" I admit it isn't about the testosterone, but it is really a fun ride. And I've been with her when a little old lady walked past us and said "Nasty, loud motorcycle" to her.

[gelbe Kulter]

I rented an F650GS a couple of years ago. I spent a week riding the South Island of New Zealand. In a week I came to appreciate the bike greatly. It clung to the mountain roads, much to the dismay of one VFR rider. It handled the unpaved roads well, was fairly comfortable, light and fun to ride. It did not keep up well in the high speed sections (but it did prevent a speeding ticket) and offered little wind protection with the stock flyscreen. When I crashed it (blame it on fatigue - I do ), my vacation was not ruined, as only a cheap piece in the GIVI luggage latch was damaged.

If they make a similar machine with the new F800 motor, it would be first in line to replace my R in a few years. I enjoy a versatile machine.