Just curious. Have any of you owned both of these bikes?

The weight is not much different but the BMA about twice the power. How do they compare 0-60 amd 1/4 mile?

Other big differences? The specs (and price, from what I can tell, cant find a lot of used GS 650 pricing) seem to indicate a lot of differece, but the GS doesnt seem to geta lot of hype.

Just curious if the GS is vastly superior and why there is not much hype on the web about it.

Wouldnt mind adding one to the stable with my KLR  or possibly trading the KLR.. Sounds like a fun bike.

After my first long trip I really dig the KLR but am intrigued by the ABS and almost double the power. Plus, I rode my aunts R1200GS today and needless to say, the GS impressed with its refinement. The maintenance costs and complexity are a turn off though. But I am thinking the GS650 single would be a lot simpler, and more inline with my KLR, complexity wise.

Any one have/had both? I almost wish I had at least checked them out because the price really isnt a ton different, especially used. This is a disease.

Edit- I have now added the GS800 to the list.

I may try and wait until fall and see if I can get a deal on an 800. Damn, those are badass. My only concern is maintenance, I like to do my own and they may be difficult on a high tech bike. Sheesh.

Haven't owned the BMW but rode one recently.  Not a bad bike but I prefer my KLR over it.  Plus, it's not nearly as common as the KLR and if you need parts, the KLR wins on parts availability hands down.

IM me some time, you're welcome to ride mine.  

For what you're doing with your bike, I would say the BMW would have been the better choice.  To me comparing the two is very similar to comparing a Jeep Wrangler and a Toyota FJ Cruiser.  The Jeep/KLR is more capable off road and has much better aftermarket support, while the FJ Cruiser/BMW is much more capable on road and much more refined.  I went to Gateway BMW to buy a used KLR and came home with the F650GS instead, after riding both side by side I thought the BMW just suited me better.  

It really all comes down to taste and which one suites you.  Like I said, IM me some time and we can take a ride.

ETA, My Dad just bought an '08 FJ that's a twin to the one in your avatar.  We've owned a CJ, a YJ, two TJ's and three JK's and the FJ is a really sweet ride!

1: what are you wanting to do with it?
2: have you looked at the Husky 630 (TE or SMS)? They are on sale, $3k off MSRP

I like my SMS

That would be awesome. Been looking for someone to ride with anyway.

PM me some numbers on what I would be looking at out the door. If I could get BMW to give me a fair enough trade (I got into the KLR pretty cheap, might be able to get close to getting it back) I may try and trade.

Plus I could do better on financing because I could use my credit union on the BMW most likely. They dont make motorcycle loans under 8K and obviously the KLR was so I had to use Kawi financing, which I plan to pay off within the 12 months anyway.

I definitely am interested in at least looking at the GS650 and maybe even the 800. The twin would be nice too, but maybe a bit too much for any off road.

Bump. Now I am considering the GS 800 becuase it looks like a bad SOB.

Check out the "parallel universe" sub forum of the "G-Spot" forum at ADVrider.com.  
Lots of info on the 650/800 twins in that forum.  It seems the twins have been a bit problematic in the past, not sure if that's an ongoing issue or something that BMW has gotten sorted out.

I haven't checked their website lately, but Gateway BMW had a used GS or two last time I looked.

Can we add the KTM Adventure 990 to this debate?

LOL, I am getting stupid sidetracked already.

All because I enjoyed my 300 miles each way trip to TN this weekend.

And made the stupid mistake of riding my aunts r1200 gs when I was down there.

Gateway does have a used one, yes.

I will check into it more thoroughly, as far as issues with the twin.

Had a first year F800GS.  Was a great bike, when it ran.  

Of course, with any motorcycle, expect to spend money on aftermarket parts to dial it in to fit you and your riding style.  The F800GS needed about $1500 on suspension, seat and windscreen mods to be comfortable to ride.  And that didn't count the crash bars and engine guards.  But, as I said, it was a great bike on the road, rough country roads, and double track.  It was too big for me for serious off road.  I've got a little WR250R for that stuff.  I ended up trading the bike back in due to warranty/engine issues.  I think BMW has since changed out the early EFI parts that were having problems with American ethanol fuel.  The F650GS is almost the same engine (different tune) and lower grade suspension/brakes, etc.  

The G650GS is closer to the KLR.  Anything BMW is going to cost you money to maintain, even if you do some of the stuff yourself.  Should be some F800GS's on the used market with all the new competition out (Tiger 800XC, Yamaha Super Tenere).  If you find a good clean one, I'd recommend it.  Even with the warranty issues, BMW should fix anything during the first 3 years.  

Triumph Tiger 800 XC

I have ridden (but not owned) a 2009 KLR.  Nice bike butt my impressions are that its quite tapped out at highway speeds.  It will do more  than 65-70 mph but it sure is not fun.  The  RPM's are high, the vibration is extreme and the bike feels like its going to grenade under you.   I may be exagerating some but you get the point.  This bike is a good friend's, and he categorically does not like riding in excess of 65 mph on this bike.  It's fine at 55.

I own a 2009 BMW F650GS (the twin, usually known as the F658).  While it is in the same class as the KLR, it is a whole different bike.  I regularly cruise comfortably at 75-80 mph.  The power is such that quick passes are possible, and hitting an even 100mph is not difficult.  The LKR has something like mid 30's HP.  The F650GS has low 70's.  It is a BIG and noticeable difference.  The ride is different too.  At 70-75 mph I kick mine up into 6th gear, the engine settles at about 4000 rpm, and just seems to lope along effortlessly.  The ride position is very comfortable for me, and with the aftermarket corbin seat this is the "perfect" bike for me.Its the first bike I can realistically ride tank to tank.  the heat grips rule (much warmer than most aftermarket grips).

If it means anything the KLR owner wants to sell his bike and buy a gs.

To be fair some of the klr vibes may be due to tires.  He's running 50/50 Mefos.  I'm running 90 street /10 dirt michelin anakees.  His are semi knobbies.  

if you want a primarily street bike, its very very hard to go wrong with the  F650gs. I'm coming off a Kawa C14 supersport touring bike with 155 hp.  I am in no way bored with the F650gs.  It handles like a sport bike (it's light and nimble).  If you do want dirt riding capabilities, look at the f800.  A bit more power (not rally needed) but its more dirt oriented wwith spoke wheels and a few other differences.

I'd buy mine F650 again in a NY minute.  Maintenance costs ar higher, but check intervals.  Oil changes, for example, are every 6000 miles instead of 3000-4000 like many other bikes.  I'm not finding mine to be extreme.  For what its worth, I ride 4 hours to and 4 hours from the local BMW shop and I dont mind the ride

I have no experience on the single cylinder BMW's.  Info from others (second hand) is that they do not compare.

Saw one last week at the local dealer.   is all I could say.  Damn sexy!

As an owner of a BMW F800s (same engine) ,   I would not buy another Beemer that did not come with the full AND extended warranty AND a good dealer close by.
I would look at the Triumph 800 Tiger, though ... and it has nothing to do with being a former Bonneville owner.

Stay safe

I'd opt for a KTM 990 waaaay before either of the mid-sized BMW offerings. It may not be any more of a money sucking whore than the Beamers, but while it's running it's a fucking grin machine that does everything well...and has tons of motor.

I have heard that the KTM's were awesome bikes when it came to straight up having a blast. But, I also value rock solid reliability and something that is fairly reasonable to service,

These areas seem like weak points on the KTM. But I still want to test ride one

The 990's a pretty reliable twin, from everything I've heard...but Euro DS bikes are finicky money sucking whores, unless you get lucky. I've never been supremely lucky.



If I were looking for rock-solid reliability, easy parts and service, I'd buy a Vstrom 650 and call it a day...or the KLR that you're already on if I were more dirt than street.



Come to think of it, both those bikes put together are about the price of a 990. Win/win.



 

My new Super Tenere was less OTD than my '09 F800GS.  The more I ride the Yamaha, the more I like it.

I need to look at the Tenere. Heard a lot of good stuff on them.