New member welcome thread..

Greg goes wild

Active member
Welcome to the BEEMER forum you will find a lot of GOOD helpful tips. The need for speed
you will get it with the C650GT. One time i had the BMW up to 105 mph that was a
SMOOTH one time ride going that fast. When i am on the hwy. i do about 65. I stay in the 3
rd lane over cuz the IDIOTS that come onto the freeway on I 10 in Houston do NOT look.
You have to assume that they do not see you at all. I had a couple of close calls on
the freeway go either direction. I use my horn a lot when i see cars starting to move over
without any blinkers . Also you may want to use the emergency flashers when stopped
at a light just to let the person behind you know you are there. I do that a lot cuz i do
NOT want to rear ended keep on eye out on your mirrors when stopped. You could
also TAP your brakes just enough so the brake light would come on hen you start to slow
down. That makes cars back off most of the time. Enjoy ur NEW to you ride
THANK YOU for serving our country
 

BFGong

New member
Gidday mate, as we say in 'Stralya' (Australia, for those who missed it). We live just outside Wollongong on the New South Wales South Coast. Great part of the world and good to kick off to go almost anywhere. I am a retired Mechanical/Electrical Engineer ex Steel Industry, then TAFE (technical education), then a University of Wollongong "practical academic".

Have spent the last 10 years pre and post retirement on adventure bikes including KLRs and Multistradas with the last one being the Enduro Model. Earlier solo and later with partner as pillion, touring Australia and NZ including lots of time off the bitumen eg the Simson Desert and long distances eg crossing the Nullarbor (last year). But the years are catching up with us so wrangling near 500kg (~1000lb) of loaded 2up adventure bikes with 890mm (35") seat heights when you are 175cm (5'10") becomes too much of a challenge. Was lucky to be loaned a C650GT for a week late last year so we put it to good use heading down the coast for a few days away. After the Multistrada did I miss the power? No. Did I miss the handling? No. But what did I gain? Simply ease of use. Great to stop on, meaning easier to stop and put the side stand down, to get on and off and much easier in traffic. The Mulistrada's were insanely fast whereas the C650GT is fast enough. My partner loves the extra room on the seat - not that the Multistrada was cramped or uncomfortable, far from it. And she worries much less when we stop that we are going to end up lying on the road with a large motorcycle on top of us (me too!). Simply the scooter is much easier to live with, fun to ride and still very capable of touring.

So..... the Mulistrada is up for sale and we have just bought a 2017 C650GT for about half what the Multi will go for. Planning our next trip on the C650GT already. Looking forward to it.

Cheers
BFGong
 

Beema41

New member
Gidday mate, as we say in 'Stralya' (Australia, for those who missed it). We live just outside Wollongong on the New South Wales South Coast. Great part of the world and good to kick off to go almost anywhere. I am a retired Mechanical/Electrical Engineer ex Steel Industry, then TAFE (technical education), then a University of Wollongong "practical academic".

Have spent the last 10 years pre and post retirement on adventure bikes including KLRs and Multistradas with the last one being the Enduro Model. Earlier solo and later with partner as pillion, touring Australia and NZ including lots of time off the bitumen eg the Simson Desert and long distances eg crossing the Nullarbor (last year). But the years are catching up with us so wrangling near 500kg (~1000lb) of loaded 2up adventure bikes with 890mm (35") seat heights when you are 175cm (5'10") becomes too much of a challenge. Was lucky to be loaned a C650GT for a week late last year so we put it to good use heading down the coast for a few days away. After the Multistrada did I miss the power? No. Did I miss the handling? No. But what did I gain? Simply ease of use. Great to stop on, meaning easier to stop and put the side stand down, to get on and off and much easier in traffic. The Mulistrada's were insanely fast whereas the C650GT is fast enough. My partner loves the extra room on the seat - not that the Multistrada was cramped or uncomfortable, far from it. And she worries much less when we stop that we are going to end up lying on the road with a large motorcycle on top of us (me too!). Simply the scooter is much easier to live with, fun to ride and still very capable of touring.

So..... the Mulistrada is up for sale and we have just bought a 2017 C650GT for about half what the Multi will go for. Planning our next trip on the C650GT already. Looking forward to it.

Cheers
BFGong
Hi mate, I've just purchased (yet to pick up) a C650GT too. I've just stepped off 4 x GS Adventure bikes (2 x 1150, 1 x 800 & 1 x 1200) and discovered the ease of riding these scooters. Semi retired RAAF Tech/Forensic Mechanic from near Canberra. Couldn't find a BMW Scooter club in Oz but I"m member of BMW Touring Club NSW. Hoping to share info on keeping these scooters well maintained and safe. Would be good to hear back. Don't do forums normally. Cheers Greg M
 

moodleman

Member
Hi mate, I've just purchased (yet to pick up) a C650GT too. I've just stepped off 4 x GS Adventure bikes (2 x 1150, 1 x 800 & 1 x 1200) and discovered the ease of riding these scooters. Semi retired RAAF Tech/Forensic Mechanic from near Canberra. Couldn't find a BMW Scooter club in Oz but I"m member of BMW Touring Club NSW. Hoping to share info on keeping these scooters well maintained and safe. Would be good to hear back. Don't do forums normally. Cheers Greg M
Hello Greg (Beema41) and BFGong as well. I was beginning to think I owned the only C650GT in Australia! There are no others where I live (Albury Wodonga) so it's nice to know I am not the only owner.
I am 77 years old, and have been riding for a ibt over 60 years. This is my third scooter. Last heavy big bike was a Suzuki GT750 ("Waterbottle"), with sidecar - sold it to a collector about 20 years ago, and bought a Yamaha T Max. Rode it on a number of long trips, great touring bike. After 10 years I was ready for a change - got a Burgman 650 - another great touring bike. After 10 years, yes, once again time for a change - bought the 2018 BMW C650GT. All three of those scooters have had some great qualities and some drawbacks. With the BMW it is the cost of doing anything to the bike - I am told BMW stands for Break My Wallet, and that seems to be correct - but it is such a delightful bike to ride!

So I avoid the dealer as far as possible. Nearly up to 20,000 Km now, so a drivebelt change is looming. But it shouldn't be too hard...

I see you 2 blokes are from the Canberra Wollongong area. If you ever come to Albury, contact me on this forum and we could meet up. Likewise if I am heading your way.
 

BFGong

New member
Hi mate, I've just purchased (yet to pick up) a C650GT too. I've just stepped off 4 x GS Adventure bikes (2 x 1150, 1 x 800 & 1 x 1200) and discovered the ease of riding these scooters. Semi retired RAAF Tech/Forensic Mechanic from near Canberra. Couldn't find a BMW Scooter club in Oz but I"m member of BMW Touring Club NSW. Hoping to share info on keeping these scooters well maintained and safe. Would be good to hear back. Don't do forums normally. Cheers Greg M
Greg, good to hear from you. Sounds like a similar story. The Multistrada was great to ride but hard to stop, park get off and then back on again. C650GT is just much easier all round. Partner's daughter and grandchildren live in Canberra so regularly down that way - sometimes coming in on the Bungendore road as get too bored on the M31 etc. We live just north west of the bottom of Maquarie Pass - good riding country. Keep in touch.

Cheers
BF
0432 928374
 

BFGong

New member
Hello Greg (Beema41) and BFGong as well. I was beginning to think I owned the only C650GT in Australia! There are no others where I live (Albury Wodonga) so it's nice to know I am not the only owner.
I am 77 years old, and have been riding for a ibt over 60 years. This is my third scooter. Last heavy big bike was a Suzuki GT750 ("Waterbottle"), with sidecar - sold it to a collector about 20 years ago, and bought a Yamaha T Max. Rode it on a number of long trips, great touring bike. After 10 years I was ready for a change - got a Burgman 650 - another great touring bike. After 10 years, yes, once again time for a change - bought the 2018 BMW C650GT. All three of those scooters have had some great qualities and some drawbacks. With the BMW it is the cost of doing anything to the bike - I am told BMW stands for Break My Wallet, and that seems to be correct - but it is such a delightful bike to ride!

So I avoid the dealer as far as possible. Nearly up to 20,000 Km now, so a drivebelt change is looming. But it shouldn't be too hard...

I see you 2 blokes are from the Canberra Wollongong area. If you ever come to Albury, contact me on this forum and we could meet up. Likewise if I am heading your way.
 

BFGong

New member
Hi mate, I've just purchased (yet to pick up) a C650GT too. I've just stepped off 4 x GS Adventure bikes (2 x 1150, 1 x 800 & 1 x 1200) and discovered the ease of riding these scooters. Semi retired RAAF Tech/Forensic Mechanic from near Canberra. Couldn't find a BMW Scooter club in Oz but I"m member of BMW Touring Club NSW. Hoping to share info on keeping these scooters well maintained and safe. Would be good to hear back. Don't do forums normally. Cheers Greg M
Moodleman, also good to hear from you. Another similar story. A mate and near neighbour introduced us to the C650GT last year. He has owned and ridden everything from a 42 WLA Harley (owns two) to a Pari Dak BMW to a Honda ST1100 riding them everywhere you can in Australia including the full lap the long way round. But a dud knee and a hip replacement stopped all that until he discovered the C650GT in 2020 - and he loves it.

We stayed in Albury in August last year heading for Perth and return on the Multistrada. Great trip but realised that we were getting too old to continue riding that type of bike. The C650GT will give us the ability to continue motorcycle touring for many years yet.

Let us know if you (or Greg) are up this way so we can meet over a coffee and share experiences.

Cheers
BF
0432 928374
 

Beema41

New member
Hi Moodleman & BF. Yes it’d be good to catch up sometime and share experiences/knowledge. As I write I’m on a Murray’s bus to Pro Cycles to pick up the scooter. I’ll be taking it home via Nowra, where I’ll call in to visit my mum overnight. Then back home via the Bay. My place is about 25 minutes out of Canberra. We’re in the process of setting up a small 20ac farm between Bungendore and Queanbeyan. I’m hoping the scooter will be a good replacement for my GS’s as far as touring goes. My first destination will be a trip up to Gladstone Qld to visit my daughter and grandkids in July. Anyway maybe we can arrange a get together at some stage. It’s difficult writing on a moving bus. Cheers Greg
 

Beema41

New member
Hi Moodleman & BF. Yes it’d be good to catch up sometime and share experiences/knowledge. As I write I’m on a Murray’s bus to Pro Cycles to pick up the scooter. I’ll be taking it home via Nowra, where I’ll call in to visit my mum overnight. Then back home via the Bay. My place is about 25 minutes out of Canberra. We’re in the process of setting up a small 20ac farm between Bungendore and Queanbeyan. I’m hoping the scooter will be a good replacement for my GS’s as far as touring goes. My first destination will be a trip up to Gladstone Qld to visit my daughter and grandkids in July. Anyway maybe we can arrange a get together at some stage. It’s difficult writing on a moving bus. Cheers Greg
oh, I forgot to add that I do all my own maintenance so after I get my head around the scooter's engineering and quirks I’ll be able to share/help out. I’ve already had a few smaller scooters with CVT transmissions and rebuilt one so have some knowledge in that area already.
 

BFGong

New member
Greg,

Always good to pick up a new bike. Great first ride, Sydney Nowra, BBay then ACT. If it fits we could meet for a coffee in the Yallah Woolshed Cafe just off the M1 north of Albion Park Rail - just 5 minutes east of my door. Understand if you are on a tight schedule. Let me know if likely and approx eta.
 

Beema41

New member
Hi BF, sorry mate, I only just got to reading this thread. I ended up having to ride to mum's in the pouring rain, although I didn't get as wet as I expected, the scooter has pretty good protection. Anyway as you might guess I didn't stop. Ended up going home via Kangaroo Valley the next day. I think some water might have got into the CVT as the belt sounds like it's squealing on take off and under hard acceleration. So now I'm researching a replacement belt and rollers and I'll do that service ASAP. Hopefully somewhere on this thread is a link to reasonably priced parts. Cheers Greg M
 

BFGong

New member
Hi BF, sorry mate, I only just got to reading this thread. I ended up having to ride to mum's in the pouring rain, although I didn't get as wet as I expected, the scooter has pretty good protection. Anyway as you might guess I didn't stop. Ended up going home via Kangaroo Valley the next day. I think some water might have got into the CVT as the belt sounds like it's squealing on take off and under hard acceleration. So now I'm researching a replacement belt and rollers and I'll do that service ASAP. Hopefully somewhere on this thread is a link to reasonably priced parts. Cheers Greg M
Yes, thought that would happen Understand. And yes, not perfect but pretty good in the rain.

Re the squealing belt: Could be worthwhile talking to the Procycles maybe?

Could also check out these links -




Let us know how you go.

Cheers
BF
 

Beema41

New member
Hey BF, I done some research and discovered the belt isn’t due for replacement until 40km as per the maintenance schedule however from some other forum threads I’ve read some are changing the belt from around 15km.

From my experience with some of the smaller scooters I think a new belt and variator service with new rollers would make all the difference.

So I’ll do that in the next few weeks. Im not confident in Procycles parts or service. They’ve already sold me the wrong brake levers (I was fitting original back on as previous owner blinged the scooter with blue ones) and the engine oil was over full.

When I source a new belt and rollers I post the job with photos.

Cheers Greg
 

BFGong

New member
Hey BF, I done some research and discovered the belt isn’t due for replacement until 40km as per the maintenance schedule however from some other forum threads I’ve read some are changing the belt from around 15km.

From my experience with some of the smaller scooters I think a new belt and variator service with new rollers would make all the difference.

So I’ll do that in the next few weeks. Im not confident in Procycles parts or service. They’ve already sold me the wrong brake levers (I was fitting original back on as previous owner blinged the scooter with blue ones) and the engine oil was over full.

When I source a new belt and rollers I post the job with photos.

Cheers Greg
 

BFGong

New member
Greg, will be very interested to see photos of your belt change. Any of those sites helpful to source a new belt?

Cheers
BF
 

Beema41

New member
Hi BF,

I've found two shops in the US that are very responsive and reasonably priced including shipping. Mad Hornets for the belt and Dr Pulley for the rollers. 've also found a BMW Euro website at has the parts microfische which is ideal for part numbers. I discovered the 2013 drive belt number is the same as my 2018 so I expect the part is the same. However when you check against the suppliers belt prices for the 2013 are under $100 whereas the 2018 are $300. The websites are listed below;




I'm going away for a few weeks but I'll order them when I get back and get the job done. I've been thinking about giving the bike it's 40km service which means oil/filters/brake flush/coolant change/drive chain and I might pull the fuel pump and replace the filter sock. it's 5 years old now so probably needs it and I'll be happier riding it knowing it's all been done.

Cheers Greg
 
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