First week initial impressions

[Lance]

Weather has not been friendly but managed to get out for a couple rides in the evening this week.
I am really loving this ride so far, the bike reminds me of my old R1100RT in many ways, it certainly has BMW dna

The handling is excellent, you really don't feel the weight at all, and the turn in is quick and predictable. I think the OEM Metzlers are excellent tires, no tramlining and very good grip.
The engine note is pleasing as well, you get a nice growl on the accel and on the decel a burble slightly reminiscent of a flat 6

Highway noise is minimal as is wind no buffeting at all so far, yay I don't have to wear my earplugs anymore, noise was the one thing that I got tired of with the Tiger 800 after a long ride.
Creature comforts are most welcome with the chilly evenings, grips and seat heaters work very well, seat is comfy for me too.
The bike is plenty quick imo, highway merging was no issue, I mean these days with impound laws and big fines how fast do you really need anyway and it pulled well on some pretty steep hills, brakes are excellent.
Lighting is also very good front and back, lit the backroads up very well and being seen from behind shouldn't be an issue.
I was stopped at the lights and a fella started asking me about the bike and we noticed a lot of people stare so it must be a nice looking bike, I think so!
I can see myself easily handling some long rides on this machine.

I think it's a mistake to say "it's a lot of money for a scooter" as if to imply a scooter is somehow inferior to a motorcycle, this is simply not the case.
In fact you are getting much more than a standard bike with things like weather protection auto trans, running boards, comfort etc.
I know it's not a cheap machine but when you consider what you get and it really is not much more than the competition, personally I couldn't be happier.

 

[Skutorr]

I think it's a mistake to say "it's a lot of money for a scooter" as if to imply a scooter is somehow inferior to a motorcycle, this is simply not the case.
In fact you are getting much more than a standard bike with things like weather protection auto trans, running boards, comfort etc.
I know it's not a cheap machine but when you consider what you get and it really is not much more than the competition, personally I couldn't be happier.

Best I've ever heard that put!

 

[Xian Forbes]

Here Here...Those are my thoughts exactly.

 

[SteveADV]

Great review, Lance.

 

[JaimeC]

When it comes to the "price issue" I always point out two things:

1) The only other scooter in this category sold in the US is the Suzuki Burgman, and it costs MORE than the C650GT WITH Highline Package.
2) You can't compare the price of the scooter to a 650cc motorcycle unless that motorcycle also has luggage, weather protection, heated grips, heated seat AND anti-lock brakes. The closest "competition" would be a sport-tourer like the Yamaha FJR1300 and that also costs more. So is BMW's own F800GT with optional luggage installed.

 

[Oldscoot]

Well put Lance.

 

[exavid]

I sold my '07 Goldwing and replaced it with a '13 650GT with 69 miles on the odometer. Since buying it I've ridden about 500 miles in the past two weeks, it would have been more except our weather has been less than ideal for the past couple of weeks. It's hard to compare a GL1800 to a 650GT but I really don't think the BMW will be a bad replacement for the big bike. It's much handier in town, more nimble and excellently handling at freeway speed or slow riding in parking lots. Granted it doesn't have the plush ride and super saddle of the GL but it's not all that far behind. The electric windshield is a plus over the 'Wing, and I really love the heated seat and grips which is an option my Wing didn't have.
My main reason for moving down in size was the 900lb. bike was becoming difficult to get on the center stand and even with highway pegs I was having knee problems on longer rides. Highway pegs helped a lot but when on them you can't get on the rear brake quickly and you legs are in the slip stream then. On the 650GT I can stretch my legs completely straight within the protection of the cowl. No wind up the pants legs either like on the big bike. I hope there will be someone printing a service manual for the scooter soon, I have a CD version purchased on eBay but would much prefer a good manual which I've had on all my previous bikes.
I do miss the radio, CB an electronic cruise control on the Wing. I'm going to see if I can adapt a Rostra Electronic Cruise Control to this bike later. I also have a small CB I might find a place for on the scooter too. I can get by without the radio but most of the guys I ride with have CBs so I need to figure that out for this bike. I have a Bluetooth HJC modular helmet so that will make a good intercom for my wife on the back seat. Eventually I'll have this scooter rigged up to where I don't miss the Goldwing at all if it's reliability is as good as the big bike. The Metzler tires have excellent wet weather handling, no more slipping on the painted lines on the highway, smooth and quiet riding as well.
One thing I like much better than on the five Goldwings I've owned is how rattle free this scooter is. Much better than the Silverwing and Burgman650 I had previously too. This bike has NO RATTLES at all when on a rough road or rail crossing. That makes it feel very solid and substantial. A big plus to me, way to go BMW. So far I think this one is a keeper.

 

[SteveADV]

Thanks, Exavid for the review (like the color of your 650 GT, also). You mentioned the solid feel of the bike and that was one of the things that helped me decide as well. BTW, were you able to figure out if you could use your scissor jack?

 

[Lance]

Thanks Exavid, good to hear the comparisons with other bikes.
This bike does seem well screwed together.
Got out yesterday with my wife on her 300GTS for a few hours mostly round the city and along the river roads scenic routes, man I don't miss gears in the traffic
Bike was excellent in all areas really and I don't think I have enjoyed the ride more, like my wife says it feels like you see more on the scoot than on the bike as it's more about the ride than the machine, I tend to agree.
Forgot the camera this time only meant to stay out for an hour or so but ended up out most of the day lol but next time some pics!

 

[SteveADV]

Northeast Ohio, March 10th 2014......55 degrees and sunny. Perfect for a ride on my BMW C650GT. First stop was the car wash to knock off some of the winter road mess. Before I left, a young guy pulled up in his truck beside me while I was putting the final touches to my makeup and asked if it was my first time out this year. Ha, not even close. As long as there is no ice/snow, I'm riding. No need for the trickle tickle, I told him. He said with some envy in his voice, "Well, you can do that with a BMW." Apparently he knows something I don't, but BMW bikes do have some kind of reputation.

He went on to tell me he bought a used Honda 450 something or other last year as his first bike and was on his way home to fire it up and hit the road. I asked him if he had taken the MSF course...and he did!! God speed and be careful, my friend.

I am classifying today's ride as my first Spring ride. It was spectacular. Out in Amish country. West on Rt 82 to 305 then north on 534 to Geneva On the Lake (Skutorr and Cloud9 you may know that area). I could smell the farms. Wave to the Amish kids. Enjoy the openness and the small town centers along the way with the old cannons in the square and the Mom-n-Pop diners.

Picture opportunities were plentiful, but I think they might have been meaningful only to me; hokey stuff, but on your first Spring ride in NE Ohio, hokey is really good. (The Division II girls basketball team staying in the Lodge at Geneva who were admiring my bike made me wish I had Jaime's talent with a camera phone. Alas, I do not.)

In any event, the 650GT performed as it always has, flawlessly. I took I-90 home and still marvel at how smooth the ride is at 80mph. There is something wrong with this BMW product. I just don't know what it is.

 

[Lance]

Just a couple of pics from this evening.

 

[Lance]

Weather cleared up for Sunday although the temps sat between 9.5C and 12C all day it was somewhat chilly for riding. I just installed some heated grips on the 300GTS and my wife was keen to test ride them so off we went for a short ride, with the grip and seat heaters on and the GTS in my slipstream we ended up out touring all day
As we circumvented Vancouver and the Fraser Valley the BMW was excellent in all areas, comfort for all day in the seat, highway, rural and city traffic, it's just a great machine
We ended up in one of my favorite areas around Mission and the Ruskin dam, this area is also popular with many other bike riders during the summer touring the Hwy 7 from Vancouver to Hope.

Stop for lunch at the Hilltop on the Fraser Hwy, really busy since being featured on a tv show.

Ruskin Dam

 

[SteveADV]

No question about it....Moving to BC. Great pics.

 

[Lance]

Took an early morning burn on the Sea 2 Sky Hwy up to Squamish BC today, Shannon falls in the background and looking out to sea


DSC01699.jpg

DSC01704.jpg

DSC01702.jpg

 

[SteveADV]

Really nice pics, Lance.

 

[Rider_Rico]

Wow, really nice review Lance. I mean it's really refreshing to remind us all of this bike's attributes. I was getting pretty bummed just reading all the recall complaints in the "Technical" section of the forum. Great pics too. Mine is same color.

 

[Wylie7]

Beautiful!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[exavid]

Nice pictures but you won't have that bug free windshield much longer.

 

[Rider_Rico]

@exavid @Lance My windshield always looks bug free. Chemicalguys.com has a great product for windshields. Streak free. Amazing. Love the product.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

 

[exavid]

It's been three months since my previous posting on my 650GT. I haven't changed my opinion, this one is definitely a keeper. The more I ride it the more I appreciate it. Great machine.