BMW F 650 ST

[brewsky]

Have a chance to pick up a 97 model with 30K miles for a decent price.

Anyone out there have any experience that could lend any advice?

TIA

 

[beemerdons]

Have a chance to pick up a 97 model with 30K miles for a decent price.Anyone out there have any experience that could lend any advice?

TIA

Good solid machine; reliable and lightweight enough to take you anywhere. German engineered, Austrian Rotax bulletproof engine and nice Italian styling; sehr gut Axis Powers motorraden. One of the nicest parts of owning a F 650 ST is that they have one of the most dedicated motorcycle clubs around: The Chain Gang. They have regional meets and they are always riding off to Barrow, Alaska - Goose Bay, Labrador - and Guatemala City. Fred W on the FJR Forum owns an Aprilia Pegaso which is utilizing the same Rotax powerplant, you may private message him to learn of maintenance and service issues.

https://www.f650.com/ is the site for the Chain Gang and they have a very comprehensive frequently asked questions area.

https://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/ had an area reserved for F and new G bikes; lots of technical and ownership articles there.

 

[FJRay]

I agree with whay Don has to say BUT. The 97 uses a real ****** air filter and if you get a load of dirt in the engine it is the most expensive single cylinder engine I ever rebuilt. The customer was over 1100.00 just in parts. Other wise they are a good unit Just be real good on your servicing.

 

[brewsky]

Thanks much for the replies and links!

 

[beemerdons]

brewsky: FJRay is absolutely correct, the stock BMW air filter is the ***** and if you follow the FAQ thread you will see that replacing it with a K & N is the first order of business. I have mentioned this in other posts, every BMW I have owned going back to March of 1969 when I got my first one has had a particular Achilles Heel. For example, if you own a R11XXGS the very first thing that you do is to bypass the sidestand cutoff switch; because I guarantee that POS will leave you stranded!

Here's two Cardinal Rule BMW Facts: 1) BMW means Bring More Wallet, and, 2) The cheapest part on a BMW is the Owner!

 

[brewsky]

Well, at least I'm 50% qualified to own one then......I definitely qualify under #2!

 

[Checkswrecks]

Two of our other Scout Dads have them. They're absolutely fantastic errand-runners and probably for short commutes, but a pain to have around when on the FJR. They just can't keep up in acceleration, a fast cruise, or on a twisty road. No surprise, but just be aware of that before going in on one.

Personally, and this is me not you, if I were looking for a 650-class multi-tool bike, there's no question that it would be a WeeStrom.

Bob

 

[brewsky]

Bob,

I wasn't really looking for anything else, this deal just kind of hit me in the face. I guess I'm just a sucker for something different at a good price. Haven't actually seen it yet, so what's too good to be true may end up being too good to be true!

The V Stroms (big and little) are both good bikes in my opinion.

 

[user 8909]

My Dad has an 03 CS and loves it, especially the average 70mpg.

 

[beemerdons]

Two of our other Scout Dads have them. They're absolutely fantastic errand-runners and probably for short commutes, but a pain to have around when on the FJR. They just can't keep up in acceleration, a fast cruise, or on a twisty road. No surprise, but just be aware of that before going in on one.
Personally, and this is me not you, if I were looking for a 650-class multi-tool bike, there's no question that it would be a WeeStrom.

Bob

Yeah but Bob, if brewsky doesn't get the BMW F 650 ST he will miss out on all of the many advantages of BMW ownership!

The delicious BMW Kool-Aide, I have been drinking it for 39 years now and hmmm, hmmm good; just can't get enough of it.

And the discount pricing on the blue-und-white roundel tattoo is worth the price of admission alone. The personal phone numbers of Dieter und Hans back at the factory would be available to him. I would be designated directly from Berlin to ride to brewsky on my R1150RT to instruct him in the secret BMW fraternal handshake. He would be taught the inner circle Wehrmacht beer drinking songs that we all enjoy around our bundeswehr campfires. brewsky would also be allowed to learn all of the hidden stanzas of "Deutschland Uber Alles". Above all, brewsky would be allowed to state the National BMW Owners Motto with Pride: "BMW Motorraden - Making Bike Snobs Out of Otherwise Nice and Normal People Since 1923!"

 

[beemerdons]

My Dad has an 03 CS and loves it, especially the average 70mpg.

You are right on KIEFFER regarding the fuel mileages on these bikes. A number of years ago I rode with Pancho Villa Moto-Tours on their "New Year's in San Miguel de Allende" trip (I hope someday when I retire from Metro Mechanical to work for PVMT as a Mexico Moto Tour Guide). The tour started and ended in Laredo, Texas and a couple from Portland, Oregon Mary and Pat flew in and rented an Aprilia Pegaso from Skip and Nancy Mascorro, the owners of Pancho Villa Moto-Tours.

Pat has the same exact BMW I do back in the Northwest, a 1996 BMW R1100GS. Pat was wondering if he would be able to maintain the same fuel range requirements as the other bikes, with the Rotax having a four gallon tank and the GS's 5.5 gal.

Absolutely no worries! With he and Mary both on the bike they averaged 65 miles per gallon. Just incredible fuel economy!

 

[Fred W]

Two of our other Scout Dads have them. They're absolutely fantastic errand-runners and probably for short commutes, but a pain to have around when on the FJR. They just can't keep up in acceleration, a fast cruise, or on a twisty road.

Acceleration? Top speed? Clearly having double the displacement is a huge advantage. But if your friends can't keep up with you in the twisties it's more of a problem with the riders than the bikes. Those little bikes are easy to throw around and corner very well. Nearly unlimited clearance. No dragging of hard parts ever.

And then there are the dirt roads...

 

[brewsky]

Can I put a set of street/trail tires on and turn it into a Funduro or is there more of a difference?

 

[Fred W]

Can I put a set of street/trail tires on and turn it into a Funduro or is there more of a difference?

Hell ya. The ST is almost the same bike as my pegaso. I have 80/20 tires on mine. I don't go dirt crazy in the woods on the bike, it's too heavy for that anyway. But it's perfect for driving the many dirt roads and fireroads in New England. I have some pics of my Peg in the link in my siggy.

PS - Funduro is kind of a condescending name for these bikes made up by BMW marketing goobers. They are better bikes than one would assume from that moniker.

 

[beemerdons]

Can I put a set of street/trail tires on and turn it into a Funduro or is there more of a difference?

brewsky: I am in full agreement with Fred W, mount a set of Metzeler Tourances or Bridgestone Trail Wings on the ST and you are good for 90% of North America's dirt roads and fireroads. My litmus test for an enduro bike is how it will perform on the Dalton Highway - The Haul Road, from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. My R1100GS did fine on that road in dry conditions with Trail Wings mounted, which BMW had mounted as their standard OEM tires back on the 1996 GS models.

With a F650ST being 100 lbs. lighter than any R11XXGS, I'd think that you'd be fine even if it's raining on the Dalton. Don S.

 

[beemerdons]

Man oh man, Fred W.; I just went to your pictures to view your Cube 650 and, lo and behold, there were your Labradors.

My eleven year old son Seth and I have our fabulous Bear, a blonde Labrador Retriever; Labradors are the greatest dogs!

 

[Checkswrecks]

Didn't mean my WeeStrom comment as a knock on the Beemer, especially if you found a good deal. Absolutely not!

The guys I know who have them love 'em and do run dirt roads. The one says that he'd rather run a big dirt-bike for dirt but to have one bike and not be in any kind of contest he has fun. That's what it's all about with these, right?

Bob

 

[Fred W]

Man oh man, Fred W.; I just went to your pictures to view your Cube 650 and, lo and behold, there were your Labradors.
My eleven year old son Seth and I have our fabulous Bear, a blonde Labrador Retriever; Labradors are the greatest dogs!

Yep, they are great dogs and very handsome. Labs can be high maintenance due to their energy levels, but still great. Our black (Petey) is pretty low-key for a Lab, but his brother "Charlie" makes up for it.

Funny you should call your dog "blonde". Charlie is a very light color, almost white except for down the top of his back and one of the neighbors calls him "Blondie". I guess that would make the black one "Dagwood"