2004 BMW F650GS
An entry-level motorcycle priced at £4,995
on the road does not usually equate to the choice
of experts. And it didn't… until BMW
launched the original F650 GS. The simplicity
of the machine appealed to everyone simplicity
in design, maintenance, and riding. But simplicity
cannot hide functionality. The F650 GS is not
just an easy motorcycle for the inexperienced
to ride; it is serious equipment for off-road
experts. The GS is as comfortable on tarmac
as it is on dirt and is used on BMW's award-winning
Off-Road Skills courses.
A singular engine
In the past, many motorcycles with single-cylinder
engines vibrated, leaked oil and were extremely
unsophisticated. BMW changed all that and
exploded many myths in the process. The original
characteristic of high torque at low revs
has been retained, enhanced and improved.
By adding fuel injection and BMW-developed
digital engine management, the single-cylinder
4-stroke, 4-valve water-cooled engine outputs
a vigorous 37 kW (50 bhp). Peak torque returns
a no-less impressive figure of 60 Nm at 5,000
rpm. Aided by the engine's new cush-drive damper,
the smoothness and response of the F650 GS puts
an end to the myth of single-cylinder engines
being basic and agricultural. The GS engine,
with cylinder head design features adapted from
the BMW M3, is refined, responsive and controllable
under all riding conditions. Of course, a standard
closed loop, three-way calalytic converter that
comfortably exceeds international recommendations,
ensures that the F650 GS is one of the most
environment-friendly motorcycles on (or off)
the road.
Going to town
The legendary engine, which also powers BMW's
F650 CS street bike, is not the sole reason
for the GS's smooth and relaxed ride through
heavy traffic. There are other factors.
Snatch-free progress, even at the lowest possible
revs, is a tribute to the reliable five-speed
gearbox, chain-drive transmission and light-feel
clutch. The 17.3 litre (3.8 gal) fuel tank has
been relocated under the rider's seat and significantly
lowers the F650 GS's centre of gravity. Combining
this with a generous lock and tight turning
circle improves balance, enhances manoeuvrability
and makes the GS one of the easiest and most
stress-free motorcycles for town and city riding.
By taking advantage of BMW's ergonomic options,
the 780 mm seat height can be adjusted to provide
a more personalised riding position. Lowering
the seat by 30 mm is a no-cost factory option.
Alternatively, it is possible to have the seat
raised by 40 mm an optional extra to provide
a more practical seating position for taller
riders. No other motorcycle in its class offers
the same degree of adaptability as the F650
GS.
Country miles
The similarity between the F650 GS and BMW's
double Dakar-winning F650 RR is intentional.
Many of the features and ideas from that mould-breaking
machine helped to create and inspire the current
GS model.
The off-road qualities of the F650 GS make
it an extremely capable enduro machine. To
cope with the specific stresses and rigours
of off-road riding, BMW has developed a bridge-tube
frame made of rectangular steel tubes with
an additional crossbar in front of the cylinder
head. By bolting the lower subframe to the
mainframe, the engine is surrounded by steel
for maximum protection.
Because the F650 GS is a multi-purpose machine,
the suspension set-up has been strengthened
and refined to cope with a diversity of surfaces.
For example, the Showa front telescopic forks
incorporate an extra stabiliser that improves
smoothness on rough surfaces, especially when
BMW's optional ABS is used. Progressive damping
is achieved by connecting the central spring
strut, using a lever system, to the swinging
arm. The spring strut can be adjusted infinitely
for preload and outward stroke damping by using
an accessible adjusting wheel.
The completed package
The F650 GS is equipped with 19-inch and
17-inch spoked wheels at the front and rear
respectively. Additional features include
a 300mm (11.8in) single-disc front brake with
twin-piston floating calipers and sintered
metal brake pads, and a 240mm (9.4in) single-disc
rear with a single-piston, floating caliper.
BMW anti-lock braking (ABS) is also available
as a £345 option. The fuel tank capacity
is 17.3 litres (3.83 gallons) and the excellent
power-to-weight ratio will reward GS riders
with a touring range of around 200 miles.
Once the F650 GS has been run-in, scheduled
servicing is carried out at 10,000 kilometres
(6,000 miles) intervals.
A choice of models - F650 GS Dakar
In addition to the standard F650 GS, a Dakar
special, which retails at £5,395 on
the road, employs a huge 210mm (front and
rear) of suspension travel (40mm more than
the standard F650 GS), an 870mm seat height,
larger 21in front wheel, enduro tyres, extended
front mud guard, hand protectors and a higher
screen like the one seen on the Dakar-winning
F650 RR. The choice of options and accessories
available is the same as the F650 GS. The
F650 GS Dakar comes in a distinctive desert
blue/aura white colour combination.
F650 GS Touring
Customers can also specify an F650 GS Touring
model, which retails at £5,395 on the
road. In addition to the standard features,
it comes with hand guards, pannier frames,
panniers and inner bags, a top case holder,
top case and inner bag, and a high windshield.
Customers can call BMW's information line:
0800 777 155 or visit www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk
- Engine Type - Water-cooled 1-cylinder
4-stroke engine, four valves,two overhead
camshafts, dry sump lubrication
- Bore x stroke - 100 mm x 83 mm
- Capacity - 652 ccm
- Rated output - 37 kW (50 bhp) at 6500
rpm (output reduction: 25 kW [34 bhp] at
6000 rpm) possible
- Max. torque - 60 Nm at 5000 rpm (output
reduction: 51 Nm at 3750 rpm)
- Compression ratio - 11.5 : 1
- Carburetion/engine management - Electronic
intake pipe injection/BMW engine management
- Emission control - Closed-loop 3-way catalytic
converter
- Maximum speed - Approx. 166 km/h (output
reduction: Approx. 137 km/h)
- Fuel consumption over 100 km at steady
90 km/h - 3.4 l
- Fuel consumption over 100 km at steady
120 km/h: 5.0 l
- Fuel type - Unleaded regular, minimum
octane rating 91 (RON)
- Generator - 400 W three-phase generator
- Battery - 12 V/12 Ah
- Clutch - Multi-disc oil-bath clutch, mechanically
operated
- Gearbox - Constant mesh 5-speed transmission
integrated in engine housing
- Drive - Endless O ring chain with cush
damping in the rear wheel hub
- Frame - Bridge-type, tubular, steel, with
bolted-on rear section.
- Front wheel location/suspension - Telescope
fork with stabiliser, stanchion diameter
41 mm
- Rear wheel location/suspension - Box-section
dual swing arm, steel; spring strut, spring
preload and rebound damping hydraulically
adjustable by means of hand wheel to continuously
variable levels
- Travel, front/rear - 170 mm/165 mm
- Wheelbase (in normal position) - 1479
mm
- Caster (in normal position) - 113.3 mm
- Steering head angle (in normal position)
- 60.8 °
- Wheels - Spoke wheels
- Rim, front - 2.50 x 19
- Rim, rear - 3.00 x 17
- Tyres, front - 100/90 S 19
- Tyres, rear - 130/80 S 17
- Brake, front - Single disc, 300 mm diameter,
2-piston floating caliper
- Brake, rear - Single disc, 240 mm diameter,
1-piston floating caliper
- ABS: Special equipment - BMW Motorrad
ABS, can be deactivated
- Seat height, unladen - 780 mm (optional
lower seat: 750 mm, optional higher seat:
820 mm)
- Unladen, road ready, fully fuelled 1)
- 193.0 kg
- Dry weight2) - 175.4 kg
- Permitted total weight - 380.0 kg
- Payload (with standard equipment) - 187.0
kg
- Usable tank volume - 17.3 l
- Incl. reserve - Approx. 4.5 l
- Length - 2175 mm
- Height (not incl. mirrors) - 1265 mm
- Width (incl. mirrors) - 910 mm
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