Comments on: The BMW F650 GS: A Crisis of Confidence

By: scooter delivery

scooter delivery — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 01:59:40 +0000

You've got some great photos on your blog, but your lead photo in this post really is spectacular. Keep up the great work.

scooter delivery

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:49:24 +0000

Anonymous: I've driven through the hills in the Bay area and it is indeed lovely. But there is a big difference between there and here -- traffic. Pennsylvania still is pretty empty in some areas giving the roads a desolate feel that the Bay area lacks. Not many places there you could sit in the road for an hour eating lunch.

Regardless, both places are great places to ride.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:12:35 +0000

I know this is late but you guys obviously haven’t riden in the San Francisco bay area if you think pennsylvania is the best place to ride in the states. Nothing more beautiful than some great twisties right along the ocean for hundreds of miles.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:02:40 +0000

otter: The old and new bikes both seem impressive to me. I could have fun with either!

By: Otter

Otter — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 05:33:47 +0000

I still think the old 650 is one of the finest motorcycles ever made. We’ll still have to see about the new one, although I do love the 800GS.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 23:31:31 +0000

psmjr: Thank you for the kind words regarding my review of the BMW. Glad you stumbled upon the blog and hope to hear more of your riding on the F650GS.

The more I ride the more I appreciate how special this part of Pennsylvania is for riding. A lot of people know some of the famous routes but there are so many other secret paths to explore.

As much as I like my Vespa I have to admit there are a few motorcycles I would not mind having parked in my garage. The BMW F650 GS is one of them.

Ride safe and wave if we pass on the road.

By: psmjr

psmjr — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 23:19:13 +0000

I just came across your blog when doing a google search on the F650GS. It is a very well written piece and rings true for me in at least two respects. I too am from central Pennsylvania and it is absolutely one of the best areas to ride in the states. Second, I have owned the F650GS for two years (identical to the one you rode down to the great blue paint job) and in a word, the bike is “perfection” on two wheels.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:13:02 +0000

Mitch Kehn: Your formula makes sense to me. I just need to make more room in my garage!

Kevin Powers: Thank you for your kind words about my review of the F650 GS.

Riding to Hudson Bay sounds like a real adventure, especially on an old Kawasaki. Like you, I've always thought that there are a lot of fine motorcycles and scooters in the world, each with their own peculiar characteristics. Some fit a person and some don't.

Personal attachment to two-wheeled machines can be strong.

Patti G.: Congratulations on the new BMW. I think you will find it an amazing machine. Heated grips will be nice in the north too.

Your riding adventures are amazing. I can't imagine riding so much. Maybe in retirement....

By: Patti G.

Patti G. — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 21:24:44 +0000

I ride a 2003 F650 GS (lowered) that I bought new. I had been lusting after the bike but the original models were all much too tall for me. (BMW’s are not kind to those with short legs). 2003 was the first year they made the factory lowered version and I bought it as soon as I saw it. A spontaneous, non-budgeted decision. I LOVE my bike. I just finished this season with 102,500 kilometres on it. I have been on many long journeys, from Ontario Canada where I live, across the country to the west coast, down to Colorado, back out another year to Sturgis (where everybody knew who I was since I was the odd bike out among all those Harleys). Out to Edmonton for a friend’s wedding with fancy clothes packed in the sidecase, via Banff, Cache Creek, Vancouver and Jasper and then home on the Yellowhead. A circle tour of Lake Superior. A trip to the Gaspé and the Cabot Trail on the east coast. I think what I appreciate most is the feeling that on this bike you can go anywhere and that the whole world is accesssible to you. I learned that I love riding on my own, all day, day after day. Seeing the geography, meeting interesting people, and having long periods of time alone with my thoughts. It’s very rare these days that we have any long periods of time without interruption or distraction by phone, radio or TV. The bike is plenty powerful, and my friend with the Yamaha Vstar 1100 will tell you that he has to struggle to keep up. This week I made another spontaneous decision to trade in my beloved bike on a new version – the 2010 F650 GS, like the one you rode, the bigger twin engine. I figure it will be like my bike only stronger…and I can’t imagine riding anything else since my current bike has comfortably taken me all over the place in all manner of weather and conditions. For the record, I am a retired woman “of a certain age” who put most of those kilometres on the bike while I was working at a full time job. That’s what holidays are for! Thank you for the interesting posts and perspective on riding the 650GS.

By: Kevin Powers

Kevin Powers — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 02:15:43 +0000

What a wonderful post! I had a R100/7 years ago. I had to adjust the valves, on several occasions, by the side of the road. Most would consider this a hassle. It didn't bother me, just a little time to get things right. It didn't matter where I was going, most of the time I was just wandering. I still do this as often as possible. Therapy is way overrated!
I hope to take my two sons on a long trip. They also share my love of cycling. There is a point where is becomes something different. No need to talk to those who ride with you, a wink and a nod seems to do just fine.
I spoiled myself and bought a 2006 f650gs. It elevated my riding experience to another level. Just pure fun and enjoyment. There is definitely a difference between BMW's and other brands.
Not that there aren't other great rides. I will never get rid of my KZ440LTD "81". I work on it all the time. I took this bike to Hudson Bay with no problems (could have used the heated grips!). Attachment to bikes is very personal. I really don't want this one to die.
Thanks for your insightful post. Really touched me!