Considering a 2015 C 650 GT

[mleiter]

Hello all. I am considering a used C 650 GT and I had a couple questions. First of all. I am experienced rider, but I sold my last bike about 8 years ago. Bikes i've had in the past include a Kawasaki Concours 14 and a Suzuki M109r. Both high horsepower, big displacement bikes. Now I am interested in something to drive around town and as a commuter to work and grocery store etc. I also need to be able to get out on the highway every now and again. Up until now I have been really interested in a Yamaha xmax 300. But it has been real hard to find one in my area but i did see this Beamer for sale the other day so I am considering it.

1. General opinions: I know this is a loaded question considering this IS a beamer forum but anything you can tell me would be great? Riding impression? common mechanical problems to be aware of?
2. Is there anything changed from the 2015 C 650 to a brand new one?
3. I looked up the book value and it came out to be between $4,700-$6,000. The dealer is asking $6,999 for this 2015 with 9,000 miles on it? Is this price high, low or about right?

Thanks

 

[slant911]

I would suggest you go take it for a test drive. These bikes handle very well and are pretty comfortable for touring if you wanted to...not my thing...

So the version ones had issues with chains jumping teeth and destroying engines. There was a recall for it. Highly recommend you contact BMW to make sure this one has been taken care of. Also a brake recall which you would find out about when you call BMW also.

$7k plus dealer fees and taxes seems high to me but that is my opinion. As reference I bought mine last November from a dealer (2014 model year) with 953 miles on it. All in including shipping the bike to me and taxes and dealer fees was about $6,500.

 

[EvilTwin]

If you can swing it, I would tell you to get a 2016 plus which is the second gen. The issues with the timing chain should be sorted out, variator is a bit different, center stand has been modified to make it easier to get it up. Other than that they are still the same for the most part.

 

[SJMike]

I have a 2015 model it's great. The 1 downside is issue with cam chain tensioner for timing chain. It's not on the recall list for 2015. The 2012 -2014 is on the BMW list. Never got a good answer from BMW why 2015 isn't covered. If the tension slips or fails then your engine is wasted. Yeah seriously . The 2016 has a hydraulic tensioner which should fix the issue. If you can find a 2016 then I would recommend it . If want to convert to hydraulic tensioner on the 2015 it can be done, but will cost around $850. Your call if it's worth it.

If you really like the BMW then I think it's really worth $6000 max with 9K miles. I got mine with 9,300 miles from private party for $5,500. Dealers are always more $

Katy, Texas or nearby should have the Yamaha Xmax . Look for model years 2019 to 2021. It's awesome scooter but doesn't have the power of the BMW. Plus side is it will run without having to worry about the cam chain tensioner . I would poke around on Cycle Trader for the Yamaha & see if you can test ride it. Yamaha can do the freeway , but max speed is around 80 mph & BMW can get up to 110 mph

I think the Xmax is a good second choice. It's easier & cheaper to maintain & is more mechancialy sound than the BMW. Plus cost less too. I'm BIG fan of Yamaha. Owned 2 with NO problems & put lots of miles on them

Good luck ...Hope you can decide which bike to get

 

[Delray]

2016+ models (Gen 2.0) are faster off the line and have redesigned exhaust so the bike sounds more like a BMW motorcycle (yes, BMW engineers actually made changes based solely on how cool it sounds).

Don't buy a 2012-2015 if the timing chain tensioner recall hasn't been addressed. Lots of failures resulted in destroyed engines, although from what I've read BMW stepped up to the plate on most of them. The other recall involves the front brake hose. If you turn the handlebars hard left regularly, to the lock position, the hose rubs against the frame and can chafe over time and spring a leak. Not good.

HUGE consideration: do you work on the bike yourself or depend on a dealer or shop? Unless you do the work yourself, BMW can stand for Bring Me your Wallet.

Maintenance schedule calls for a new belt every 12,000 miles at $438 plus several hundred dollars for installation -- OR you can buy a Mitsuboshi belt, same as OEM without the BMW stamp, and install it for a fraction of the cost. The 24,000 mile service is a knee-buckler. It can run up to $2,000 USD, but a lot of that work -- coolant, brake fluid, chain rail, gear oil, spark plugs -- isn't complicated with a Service Manual and the right tools. The manual is easily available on a DVD that runs on Windows and it's cheap. It also includes service instructions for the other BMW motorcycle lines, K series, R series, G series, etc.

I've owned three GT's, three Suzuki Burgman 650's and four Honda Silver Wings, and the BMW is the fairest in the land. Sure-footed on the highway with ABS (Gen 2.0 has traction control), it has TPMS, electronic screen, heated seat and grips, big storage and a power socket. The engine is made by Kymco per BMW design.

It's the smartest, smoothest ride on two wheels, for running errands or touring the country. I believe the automatic transmission quickens reaction time and enhances your safety. If somebody cuts in your lane and you have to slam on the brakes, there's no, "yikes, what gear do I need to not stall or accelerate?!" You just stop or go, simple as that. Lot of friends tell me, "I'm so used to shifting, it's second nature. It wouldn't take me any extra time." I say horsehockey. Nothing is faster than 1 or 0, yes or no, stop or go.

 

[SJMike]

Check out this listing for a 2020 Yamaha Xmax :

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2020-Yamaha-XMAX-5017013124

 

[Greg goes wild]

Hello all. I am considering a used C 650 GT and I had a couple questions. First of all. I am experienced rider, but I sold my last bike about 8 years ago. Bikes i've had in the past include a Kawasaki Concours 14 and a Suzuki M109r. Both high horsepower, big displacement bikes. Now I am interested in something to drive around town and as a commuter to work and grocery store etc. I also need to be able to get out on the highway every now and again. Up until now I have been really interested in a Yamaha xmax 300. But it has been real hard to find one in my area but i did see this Beamer for sale the other day so I am considering it.

1. General opinions: I know this is a loaded question considering this IS a beamer forum but anything you can tell me would be great? Riding impression? common mechanical problems to be aware of?
2. Is there anything changed from the 2015 C 650 to a brand new one?
3. I looked up the book value and it came out to be between $4,700-$6,000. The dealer is asking $6,999 for this 2015 with 9,000 miles on it? Is this price high, low or about right?

Thanks

Also you might want to check on Craigslist or on face book market place close to where you live. I have a
2016 that i bought a couple of months ago and LOVE this bike. It rides smooth even at high speeds. When
i bought mine i had to take it on the hwy. to see what it felt at 100 mph SMOOTH no wing knocking
you around at all.I had around 2 k miles when i bought it second hand. Now have 4k on it. I had the
left brake recall done at a honda dealer that works on Beeners n sell them to