Wifes first bike!

[evilmedic13]

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Went up to Wisconsin yesterday morning to go look at a '97 F650 for her as a first bike. She sat on it,played w/ it and then

bought it! I had the pleasure of riding it home for her seeing as we were at my brothers wedding the night before. I don't drink anymore so I get the duty belt usually.

It's a nice riding machine for what it is, definitely needs some maintenance and tires. Other than that, she's looking forward to getting out and riding, as soon as she's comfy w/ her steed. So far, it's moving along well.

A little smile

Preparing for the familiarization ride

Moving along nicely

You can see the smile a mile away

OOOH! It even came with some luggage,a Corbin seat(besides the stocker) and 2 extra windshields!

The session ended w/ rush hour due to some ******** that think 40 is an acceptable spees through our alley. Measures were taken.

.

 

[Scab]

Sweet! She's gonna enjoy that!

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Evil,

Wow, what a nice setup for your wife. I love the smile the bike puts on her face.

Happy riding to the both of you.

 

[TriggerT]

Sweet. So is the S.O. going to make it to the the next Chicago area group event?

 

[evilmedic13]

Sweet. So is the S.O. going to make it to the the next Chicago area group event?

If you mean september, than no . We're both coming off of shift that morning, so it's too much of a ride. Not to mention, we'd have to make it from Chicago to the starting point in one hour!!!!!!!!!! I can't afford that ticket,sorry.

 

[SkooterG]

Congrats to mama! (Even though she's a Sox fan)

My S.O. is eagerly awaiting the first of the new and improved 2009 F650GS to show at the dealer. It's been a long wait as they were supposed to be in at the beginning of July. She is really revved up about the new 800cc motor. I tried to talk her into getting a used one and saving some $$$, but she seems intent on the higher HP motor for 2009.

Great bikes. What did you think of it? I saw a lot of them in Colorado during NAFO. The more I look at the bike the more I want one for farting around on.

For a new rider I think the F650 is a great combination of features (like ABS), comfortable, upright seating position, and manageable weight/seat height. And of course you can outfit it with all kinds of goodies like sidebags and such for touring.

Go CUBS Go!!!!

 

[7xray]

Wow, what a great looking bike. Congrats.

7X

 

[evilmedic13]

Congrats to mama! (Even though she's a Sox fan)
My S.O. is eagerly awaiting the first of the new and improved 2009 F650GS to show at the dealer. It's been a long wait as they were supposed to be in at the beginning of July. She is really revved up about the new 800cc motor. I tried to talk her into getting a used one and saving some $$$, but she seems intent on the higher HP motor for 2009.

Great bikes. What did you think of it? I saw a lot of them in Colorado during NAFO. The more I look at the bike the more I want one for farting around on.

For a new rider I think the F650 is a great combination of features (like ABS), comfortable, upright seating position, and manageable weight/seat height. And of course you can outfit it with all kinds of goodies like sidebags and such for touring.

Go CUBS Go!!!!

She's really liking the new 650's but wants one to start out on. She says after a year she'll see how she feels. I liked it, a lot different than the Feej but a nice bike. Really light compared to it, and the power is anorexic compared to our bikes, but it was fun to ride and had some personality to it. I may just switch w/ her once she's up for the Feej. Right now she sees the Feej as a dragon, big,beautiful,tempting and waaayy too much for her to handle right now.

Go Sox! Sorry, born and raised 4 blocks from Comiskey Park,the real one. Hell I was even sworn into the Navy on first base at the old ball park. Got to meet the "Bash Brothers" that game too. They were cool as hell, I still remember Canseco telling me I was nuts for volunteering for submarine duty!

She wants to do a midnight ride tonight. Just so we can avoid traffic(for her). Baby steps, and she'll be running soon enough I'm sure.

 

[Silver Penguin]

Congrats to both of you. Was your smile as big as hers? As she gains experience, you guys are going to have SOOOO much fun riding together.

+1 on the ATGATT. Great way to start a new rider off on the right road.

Jill

 

[Murph]

I keep going back and forth on a different used bike for my SO. Since her drop, she's a bit squeamish of her Sportster. Funny thing is that I've been looking at the BMW F650's (both GS and touring versions). I'll have to show her your photos. Thanks for sharing!

...I still remember Canseco telling me I was nuts for volunteering for submarine duty!

I had a friend who served on a nuclear sub in the Pacific. I'll have to hear some of your stories because he had some great tales. Evidently, the hum of the nuclear reactor makes that area of the sub one of the best places to take a nap during cleaning duty!

 

[Fred W]

That F650 is sweet. Someone took some time to set it up right for the street. Put the low front fender (a la Pegaso), smaller front wheel, luggage and shield on her. When you get a chance to blast around on it a bit you'll be surprised at how fast you can corner on them with the nearly unlimited clearance and light weight.

 

[ShawnKing]

As she gains experience, you guys are going to have SOOOO much fun riding together.

Amen! Speaking from experience, it's an absolute blast seeing your SO *next* to you and not on the back.

 

[eeksnake]

Congrats on the bike and the fact your wife wants to ride her own.

Gorgeous bike (I was checking it out on AdvRider but didn't have the funding yet.)

 

[evilmedic13]

I keep going back and forth on a different used bike for my SO. Since her drop, she's a bit squeamish of her Sportster. Funny thing is that I've been looking at the BMW F650's (both GS and touring versions). I'll have to show her your photos. Thanks for sharing!

...I still remember Canseco telling me I was nuts for volunteering for submarine duty!

I had a friend who served on a nuclear sub in the Pacific. I'll have to hear some of your stories because he had some great tales. Evidently, the hum of the nuclear reactor makes that area of the sub one of the best places to take a nap during cleaning duty!

Yep, SSTG's stood for Super Sleep Turbo Generator, and when you squeezed outta there it looked like you did something due to the dust all over you. Ours was in machinery 2 lower level, but my buddy would wake me up from upper level by opening a tool drawer and either talk to me or shake me.

There were some real good places to hide during field day,if you were thin enough. I was 160 when I got there, I'm 220 now so it wouldn't work anymore.

I was in the Atlantic, most of the time

 

[Neil San Diego]

There was a 2005 F650CS in our stable up until a few months back. I was impressed with how well it handles the turns, but yea, the little 650 Rotax thumper was a bit anemic. The power band was kinda narrow, between 6k and 7k rpms IIRC...? Once I figured the power band out, I enjoyed the heck out of that 650 while we had it.

My S.O. is eagerly awaiting the first of the new and improved 2009 F650GS to show at the dealer. It's been a long wait as they were supposed to be in at the beginning of July. She is really revved up about the new 800cc motor. I tried to talk her into getting a used one and saving some $$$, but she seems intent on the higher HP motor for 2009.

I've heard that you can have the dealer lower the HP on the F800 series through the onboard computer alone, so maybe she could start with the F800 detuned by the dealer, and then have the dealer open it up when she's ready for more horspower.

 

[PhilMills]

I just sold my '99 F650 - your wife's getting a good bike, there. Be sure to head over to the Chain Gang and make yourself known. Bar none, there is no better technical resource for the BMW F650 than that site, and I include the dealerships when I say this.

A couple of things you should check:

* Voltage Rectifier/Regulator - it sucks and will inevitably fail. There's a great writeup on how to replace it with one from the F650GS and move it into someplace that gets some airflow across it.

* Spark plug caps - the OEM ones are very prone to corrosion and cost way more than they should. Replace them with a pair of NGK's that'll cost you $5 (again, writeup and part numbers over on F650.com)

* Water pump weep hole - the bearing surfaces will eventually start to weep. No big deal to replace them, but it's nice to catch it earlier rather than later.

If your wife's planning to stay on the paved roads, Bridgestone's Battleax BT-45 fits perfectly and sticks impressively. If you want to stay with dual-sport tires, go for Michelin Anakees - easy to find and good wet traction.

 

[Mizz Bustanut]

Congrats to the wife. She'll have that smile for days.

:yahoo:

 

[rnees]

...it's pics like those that make me keep on teaching the class...when I could be out riding...

thanks for sharing!

 

[Loki]

Man. That makes me wish I had not sold my F650. That is a fun "flick and go" bike. After pushing around the Feejer, the BMW feels like nothing, and handles great. It just did not get ridden enough once I got the FJR! I really wish I had it back though!