I have now shut down the "Original F650 website", as a number of years have elapsed with no updates.
You can find all you need to know about the BMW F650 by using the current website at www.F650.co.uk 

I have recently put back the F650GS High-Screen page HERE

This was taken on my first ride-out with the local Big Trail Bike Group, so the bike was still running-in, and I was getting used to the handling of the 'knobbly' TKC80 tyres.

We were just about to set off around some north Wiltshire lanes.

Previous to my purchase of the BMW F650GS I had owned a Honda Africa Twin for two years, but I wasn't making use of it quite as much as I'd wished, partly because it was on the 'heavy' side for maneuvering from it's awkward parking place by my house and partly because I didn't feel happy taking it off-road to any degree, because of its sheer weight and bulk, and 'expensive' panel work which you just *know* is going to be damaged at some stage.

Previous to that I owned a Honda Transalp XL600V for 10 years and loved that bike. It took me commuting, it was loaded up to the hilt when required, it took me camping in the UK and through Europe and Spain to the Picos Mountains. It was blasted along the motorways, (when necessary), for hours on end in total reliability. It was also used locally for some 'easy-ish' Trail Riding, although I found it was a pig to pick up when dropped, especially in muddy conditions. While I had the Africa Twin I kept wishing I'd kept the Transalp and not bought the A/T, but that's progress.

Anyway, when I sold the Africa Twin, (due to lack of use), I was given a 50cc scooter by a neighbour to get around town on, so I had plenty of time to look for a replacement bike, which needed to have the ability to go off-road and be as good as the Transalp in all respects. I looked very hard at both new and good second hand Transalps, but didn't like the styling of the 'new shape' one as much as my previous one, because the newer one looked more 'sporty' whereas the older one looked more 'Trailie'. I also looked at the CCM and various other offerings such as the XT500/550/600 and various Super-Motos. I had tried a second-hand BMW F650 Strada some time earlier, but at that stage it wasn't on my 'buy' list, as it had been well thrashed.

It was quite by chance I was visiting a BMW dealer who offered me a ride on the 'latest' F650, the GS model, and although it was a cold and uninspiring day, I knew that after 5 minutes into the ride this was going to be my next bike. I rode it gently through the town, then thrashed it up the local bypass, found some rough tracks and checked its ability there and I was elated. Enough power for me for long touring jaunts and nimble enough for the 'lanes' and Town traffic.

I returned and placed my order. The things I like about the F650GS, which to my mind are 'better', (for me), than the Transalp is (1) The seat which is much comfier, 'cos it's wider. (2) Because it's lower than the Transalp, I find it easier paddling around in parking places in Town, including my awkward parking place by my house and also when 'Green Laning' at times. (3) 70 mpg from the F650GS v 49mpg from the Transalp (4) It's lighter than the Transalp to make a real difference for me (5) It feels less 'wallowy' than the Transalp did when ridden hard, but that may well have been down to the age of my Transalp, 'cos it was 11 years old when I sold it.

The Transalp does have slightly better weather protection from its larger 'fairing', especially around the legs area, but that wasn't significant in 'my' final choice. I find the 'buzziness' of the engines to be about the same, but different, because of the engine configurations.