| Author | Message | ||
     Nimnal |
I have been a wannabe Uly guy for 2 years now - waiting for the time in life when I had the time to take off when I wanted and go where I wanted. During that time I have enjoyed this site tremendously. Great people and great information. I have kept an eye on the market over this time, but there has been nothing that fit my needs like the Uly. I am challenged with a 30" inseam, so things only got better with the XT. I want a bike that is comfortable in town, on long road trips, in the twisties, and on dirt and gravel. Yes, that's a lot to ask but the Uly does all those things reasonably well. Now all of the sudden, I see a bike that offers a serious alternative. Don't laugh - the new F650GS is really interesting. I know - only 71 HP but I've had cars and bikes that I loved with less HP. Keep in mind I'm not a sport bike guy; I just like to ride and "be one with nature". Look at the +'s. The XT has an MSRP of $13,000. A fully equipped F650GS, with hard luggage, heated grips, trip computer, tire pressure monitoring, AND antilock brakes and a centerstand, is $11,500. Now throw in that the bike is 50 lbs lighter, 8 inches more wheelbase, and has a 19' front wheel and 2" more suspension travel (than the XT). The biggest negative I can see is missing this forum. What am I missing?  | ||
| Teeps |
You've been shooting your cuffs for the last 2 years waiting for what; divine guidance? Just buy the bike that speaks to you. Either way you won't be sorry... | ||
| Hughlysses |
8 inches more wheelbase and ~30 less HP is giving up a lot to the Uly. If you plan on spending a lot of time off-road, the BMW may be a better choice. If pavement is your primary concern, I think they Uly is the clear choice. The only way for you to have a better idea is to ride them both and decide for yourself. | ||
| Dgunther |
Are you sure the F650GS is really 71HP? That sounds more like a rear-wheel figure for the 800cc BMW engines... Most of the dyno runs I've seen for the F650 put it in the low-mid 40's at the rear wheel. That's still not an insubstantial amount of power for a thumper, but if you're planning long road trips with lots of gear or 2-up, you might find it a little underpowered if you have to hit the superslab for any length of time. Both the F650 and the Uly are great bikes and you'd be hard pressed to go wrong either way. Be honest with yourself about how much dirt and gravel you intend to do. Both will do fine on anything that is a road (paved, dirt, or gravel) and there are plenty of folks on here that have taken Uly's places I wouldn't want to go. But, having said that, neither one is a dirt bike and the F650GS is on the borderline of being too big and heavy to be a dual sport. Dirt oriented tire choices are very limited and not very aggressive for the Buell, but your choice of sport bike/sport touring/touring tires are unlimited. The BMW is going to be a little more limited for street rubber, but more selection of dirt oriented tires. Some other things to consider: Are you planning to do the services yourself, or having a dealer do it? The Buell services are quite a bit easier than the F650, but still not terribly cheap if you have the dealer do them. Which dealer has the better reputation (ask around!)? Is your HD/Buell dealer supportive of the Buell line? Are the service techs? My local BMW dealer could barely be bothered to sell me a bike (I guess I didn't look like I could afford it?), much less order parts for me. Is one bike substantially more for your insurance? Most of the time Buells don't get classified as sportbikes, but it would be worth checking before you buy | ||
| Ironhead1977 |
I could have purchased any bike I wanted. I too looked around at the beemers and all the different brands and started looking hard at the 1200gs. Then I test rode an XT. But, I am sure the gs is a good one to,just not for me. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
"I have been a wannabe Uly guy for 2 years now" you mean to tell us that you haven't bought one yet? That's two wasted years that you'll never get back! I'll NEVER let mine go! I have a 2006 black Uly and it's a keeper! The best motorcycle I've ever ridden! I'm still upset that I waited until May 2006 before I purchased mine. | ||
| Florida_lime |
Are you sure the F650GS is really 71HP? That sounds more like a rear-wheel figure for the 800cc BMW engines... 2009 F650GS Engine Type Water cooled twin cylinder 4 stroke Displacement 798 cc Bore X Stroke 82 mm x 75. mm Horsepower 71 bhp @ 7000 rpm Torque 55 lb/ft @ 4500 rpm Valve Gear DOHC chain driven Bmw is just trying to confuse you... Right thinking, wrong F650  | ||
| Royintulsa |
If you plan on any two up riding the Buell is the way to go. | ||
| Dgunther |
Bmw is just trying to confuse you... It's working! | ||
| Dynasport |
I think that BMW is a good bit taller than the XT. If height is an issue, you might want to check that out. Pretty much all the off-road capable bikes are pretty tall. | ||
| Nimnal |
Dirt will be no more that 10% for me, but the new 650 is tilted more toward asphalt. The F800gs is the dirt warrior. I still love the XT, but the new 650GS has a lot to offer for the money. It just doesn't have this great forum.  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
What kind of retard names an 800cc bike a 650? Why both the 650GS and the 800GS? Kinda weird. | ||
| Hooper |
Gotta' ride 'em. You must FORCE a dealer to let you get on one and ride it around for about 15-20 minutes, on a real-world loop with realistic types of roadways. If money is no option, and you don't have a serious issue about buying American, that will tell you all you need to know. No BMWs in MY future until I have money to burn, or when I can convince myself that what the bike touts itself as is what I need. So far, the Uly is right up my alley. (Message edited by hooper on August 15, 2008) | ||
| Keith_mahoney |
If you plan on any two up riding the Buell is the way to go. That's what made the decision for me. If my wife rode her own bike I would have probably picked up the BMW | ||
| Dick_stilton |
Just buy the bike that speaks to you. Either way you won't be sorry... .... Teeps is right. The best advice. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Just had the two year anniversary for my bike, 25133 miles .... sometimes it doesnt pay to wait, I wouldnt have traded any of the riding I have done for a bike that "might" be this that or the other; especially when I KNOW exactly what the Buell is. To each his own, ride them both, choose your favorite. We had a BMW Dakar traded in last week for a ULY. He said the BMW just didnt feel right on the highway roads to him. He seems to like his 2008 well enough  | ||
| Danger_dave |
OK Mr Waffle pot I'll simplify it for you. If you are cool and like having the most amount of fun: Buy the Buell. If you are nerdy and all about appropriate: Buy the BMW. Easy. | ||
| Strada |
The Buell is WAY cooler and with infinately more character and huge presence. Having recently attended a BMW test ride day I wouldn't swap my Buell. My bike got more attention than most models on display! | ||
| Crusty |
Demo ride them both. The Uly is a MUCH better bike for me than the GS ever could be. However, you might prefer the GS. (Some people prefer plain oatmeal to a fine Delmonico steak.) Test them both, then see which one does it for you. | ||
| Gotj |
Some people prefer plain oatmeal to a fine Delmonico steak - and buy a Uly.  | ||
| Red_chili |
Yep, some people have no culinary sensitivities, yet still seem to have good sense when it comes to motos. Seen it a few times now. | ||
| Pso |
Ride em both same day then do it again. then decide and don't look back. | ||
| Nimnal |
"Ride em both same day then do it again. then decide and don't look back." I hope to do that very thing. The local Buell dealershi}p is a good one. I don't know anything about the local BMW guy. | ||
| Gotj |
"The local Buell dealership is a good one. I don't know anything about the local BMW guy." Your comfort with the dealer is at least as important as your comfort with the bike. In a way, you are "buying" them both (the bike and dealer) when you purchase the bike. If you already know about the Buell dealer, you may want to search on other bulletin boards and/or local BMW riders for opinions about the BMW dealer. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I get to ride to BMW bike shop for film nights once a month. They talk about adventure and where they want to ride... My bike is the only one in the lot with dirt, muck and mud that shows where I HAVE ridden. A couple of guys have asked if it was the new BMW Good bunch of guys, especially if you need a GPS primer or a great packing list. They PLAN for everything. I fly a little more by the seat of my pants. | ||
| Red_chili |
Really?  Operative word being, "fly". | ||
| Longdog_cymru |
You could always take a peak at the UKGSer's website and ask a few questions there. They are a very helpful bunch and are only too pleased to help. http://www.ukgser.com/forums/ | ||
| Cityxslicker |
While you have been waffling, I got another 400 miles on the bike. Two tanks off road under a full moon. | ||
| Nimnal |
Slicker, I think your wring more fun out of you bike than anyone, ever.  Longdog, Thanks for the link. There is not much written about the new 650 yet, and this was a real help.  I expect I will end up with the XT, but I have to give this a serious look. I live and work in downtown Nashville, so slow speed maneuverability and operation are important to me. I want to be able to jump on the bike and ride to Utah, but I also want to run six blocks to FedEx and back. | ||
| Crusty |
If you're waffling, I've got a suggestion for you. Use Vermont Maple syrup and they'll have a much better flavor. After breakfast, you should go over to the Buell dealer and demo ride an XT and an X. when you're done with that (and have managed to get rid of the goofy grin) go over to the BMW dealer and demo ride the GS. When you wake up, thank the man for the demo ride then go back to the Buell dealer and see what kind of deal he'll make you on an XT. | ||
| Skvarki |
I'd ride em both for sure but it sounds like you've already decided. I had a 99 650GS, BMW parts I found very very expensive and they have a take it or leave it cause we're BMW attitude. I spent some time talking to a guy with a new 650gs and he liked it but to keep the cost down they sell em pretty stripped down, ie no bash plate, no muffler guard, rear seat luggage rack is now extra, I think maybe the centre stand is too so you kinda have to be careful and I think if you look at it you get a lot of good stuff standard on a Uly. The Uly belt is a big plus, no foolin around with oiling/mess/tensioning a chain. My view is if you're gonna only do 10% dirt, I wouldn't even look at the beemer I'd go Uly all the way man, it's an awesome fun ground pounder with way more soul than a 650gs. Plus it's made in America and that's pretty cool too cause you're supporting your own. Get whats comfortable and inspires you, good luck with your decision! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=super+ trooper+chug&search_type=&aq=f there should be enough syrup for ya there One bike is nice, with some smart accessories and good lineage. The other will keep you up late at nite, planning trips, getting miles where ever you can, and counting off the calender by tire & oil changes rather than months. In short, the Buell is your obsessive compulsive disorder waiting for an outlet. Mine is my garage ... Waffles are for breakfast, best served 100 miles from home. | ||
| Longdog_cymru |
Hi Nimnal, checking out the UKGSers website was a suggestion, if there wasn't sufficient info or if you can't be arsed to post on there, don't blame me  Still, being the friendly helpful sort of guy that I am, here are a few websites that may help you....... http://www.fool.co.uk/m.asp?i=2709521&u=256749795 http://www.wheels.ca/reviews/article/266738 http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=143543702 1&channel=711881422 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml =/motoring/2008/06/14/nosplit/mfbmw114.xml http://www.topix.com/autos/bmw-f650gs http://www.motorcyclists-online.com/o1_804_Road-Te st--2008-BMW-F-650-GS-launch---The-softer-option.h tml http://www.bcsportbikes.com/forum/showthread.php?t =100062 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCe6LUxBUfs Remember, Google is your friend!!!! |
