2nd Generations Scooter Quesitons

grey.hound

New member
Hey guys, I'm still an occasional lurker. Question, I haven't kept up with the second generation scoots, any big issues? I had no trouble for 2 years/10,000 miles on my C600 Sport before I sold it. But, Mrs. GH has expressed a little disappointment in not being able to go occasionally with me any more. So again, any reason to avoid a 2017/2018 model?
Thanks,
Sean
 

Skutorr

Active member
It's a MUCH better bike:

1.) hydraulic tensioner
2.) upgraded clutch
3.) better gearing
4.) revamped variator
5.) re-designed body...better looking!
6.) much faster off the line
7.) C650 Sport is now discontinued to the USA; it's like the Tmax, now!:cool:
 

grey.hound

New member
Thanks Skutorr. If I go back to a BMW scoot, it'd be a GT. Looking for weekends away sort of thing. Still, no new owners are chiming in.
 

BigAl

New member
Another very happy gt owner here in England, I've got a R1100gs as well but the scoot gets far more use, they're just so practical.
 

SteveADV

Active member
Just wondering, aren't "Quesitons" sub-atomic particles of an indeterminate nature:confused:

Well, that left everyone speechless;)

Hey Sean, I, too, think about re-visiting the BMW C bikes. Spend most of my time on a 1200GSA, but there was always something about that touring scooter. The convenience, low cog/super easy to handle, plenty of power. Hmmmm....might be trying to talk myself into another one.
 

grey.hound

New member
And to think I teach 8 year olds about writing and proofreading. Lol. The thing about the GT is that it pretty much hits everything required for travel and does it really well and I like the idea of Auto transmission with a pillion. I've been looking at quite a few MC's but none really get me going or the ones that do, aren't going to be great for 2-up. She doesn't even want to go a lot, she just says it's kind of a bummer that she can't go at all. Lots of good prices on used bikes, especially the Versys 1000 LT, and yamaha FJR's. My local honda dealer has brand new 2016 VFR1200x DCT, 2015 FJR ES, and 2017 Africa Twin DCT for $11,999. The NC750x doesn't seem comfortable for a passenger, the CTX700's I don't really like the look of + I'm not sure the power is there based on HP/Torque numbers. There are quite a few 2013 BMW F800GT's on the used market or under $7000. The bike that caught my eye in the showroom was the Yamaha Tracer GT, never heard of it but man what a looker IMO. Plus it comes loaded for $12,999. The problem is that the OEM side cases are only 22 liters per side. But for a single rider, add a reasonable top case and you can go for days. https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport-touring/models/tracer-900-gt. Ok, now I'm just rambling.

My biggest concern with the BMW is the maintenance. I read about people on the FJR's or the VFR1200x and they talk about the fact that those things run forever and require very little service. One guy even said his FJR was like a car, change the oil and tires when necessary and that's about it.

Thanks for those replying. I'd love to hear more from owners of the 2016 and up models.
 

SteveADV

Active member
....The bike that caught my eye in the showroom was the Yamaha Tracer GT, never heard of it but man what a looker IMO. Plus it comes loaded for $12,999. The problem is that the OEM side cases are only 22 liters per side. But for a single rider, add a reasonable top case and you can go for days. https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport-touring/models/tracer-900-gt. Ok, now I'm just rambling.

My biggest concern with the BMW is the maintenance. I read about people on the FJR's or the VFR1200x and they talk about the fact that those things run forever and require very little service. One guy even said his FJR was like a car, change the oil and tires when necessary and that's about it....

Yeah, man, that Tracer is a beauty and it rides as good as it looks. If you want to save a few bucks, you might want to consider a used FJ-09. Same basic machine as the Tracer. But I get it. That tracer, with its color, styling, wheels, matching sidecases, light weight, etc. is pretty cool.
 

Scorpion56

Member
I had the gen 1 C650 GT from early '14 to this past summer and traded it in for the Gen 2. Here is a review I wrote on another message board after having it only a short time. Now with 2000 miles of riding, I wouldn't change the review. Much different and better bike now. The review:

First impressions - 2018 C650GT

I recently traded in my '13 GT with 30,000 km and modified Dr. Pulley rollers /clutch for the '18 GT in Ocean Blue. Other candidate has always been the Honda NM4 (Batmobile) but the storage and wind protection suck and the seat isn't two-up friendly. After reading a bunch of reviews on the "Gen 2" version of the GT and for the most part having really enjoyed the '13, I opted to go for the trade. I had to do something because I was coming up on a major service visit plus tires plus battery on the '13, and as others have said, it makes more sense to use the money for a new bike. And BMW was offering a $750 incentive to current owners of non-BMW brands ( I also have a Honda Shadow 750). Didn't have to trade the Honda, just had to show that I currently own it.

First impressions after only a hundred km on the new bike:

*Rick's articles on the 2016 GT (start of "Gen 2") in WebBikeWorld are spot on. I agreed with all his major points. https://www.webbikeworld.com/2016-bmw-c-650-gt-review/
*Best of all, the improved CVT and clutch. Take off from a stop is very assured and even better than the Dr. Pulley mods I made to the '13. No seal barking noise (you know what I mean) or shuddering.
*Exhaust signature is way different and more motorcycle sounding. Instead of a constant high pitch drone, there's a pleasant low pitch growl. I don't want to gouge out my ear drums. Very nice.
*Improved/stiffer suspension.
*Added auto stabilization control (standard equipment) with the already standard ABS makes it about as sure footed as possible.
*Vastly improved mirrors - I have a great field of vision without need to add motor home inserts that I put on the '13. Easy to adjust too.
*Center stand - vastly easier to operate. I mean a LOT easier.
*Tunnel material near the fuel door is matte instead of shiny plastic to protect better against boot scuffs.
*Auto turn signal shutoff - nice touch.
*Windscreen - wish it was a few inches higher. I installed the Wunderlich deflector off my old bike onto the new one. Windscreen auto returns to a neutral position when shutting down the bike. Needed?
*Nicer looking speedometer display
*Nice seat stitching.
*One rear tire pressure setting for one or two people.

We'll see if anything else jumps out in the next few weeks. So far, I'm very impressed. This second gen of the GT is a whole different and much better bike than the original.
 

grey.hound

New member
Thanks for the input. Tempting that's for sure. The GT is really a complete package right off the showroom floor. I can add a top box for a little $$ and off I go. I think on other thing, is that my wife won't ride a lot with me, so many trips would be solo and I want something I will love to ride. Though, I do have my little scrambler for that I guess.

Anybody have maintenance info? Belt and rollers at 12K? what is the big service at 18k? Can't remember.

Oh, and can somebody measure the size of the underseat compartment? General length, width, height. Thanks.

I really am weight pros/cons. I am a scooter guy at heart, and again, with a pillion, ABS, Traction control, auto transmission, TPMS and such, makes for a great package. Oh, and my wife liked the bun warmers :eek:
 

Guud Stuff

New member
Yeah, man, that Tracer is a beauty and it rides as good as it looks. If you want to save a few bucks, you might want to consider a used FJ-09. Same basic machine as the Tracer. But I get it. That tracer, with its color, styling, wheels, matching sidecases, light weight, etc. is pretty cool.

Yes, the Engine between the tracer 900 and the FJ-09 is the same, but if comparing the 900GT vs FJ-09, there are a lot of differences.
from the fully adjustable suspension, extended swing arm, the handling has been improved to be much more planted / stable. The FJ-09 was way too sensitive for me and I didn't like the way it handled long sweepers. The power plant was a gem but it scared me in a way whenever I'm going over 60 MPH. It just feels like it wants to wander. I know I am not an expert rider, but that was not my first bike and none have ever scared me like that. Just this alone, I am actually tempted to test ride one when spring comes, I really miss having that triple.

FJ-09 stock never had cruise control, heated grip was an option. The new color tft screen is nice (same one as the R1 / MT-10) Improved seat. While I have added cruise control, heated grip, upgraded ecu / exhaust / seat on my old FJ, its not the same when you can just buy it in that form. Oh, and new windscreen can be adjusted, with one hand, while moving. Yeah, I know its not electronic, but hey. better than the old design.
 
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