Trying to decide.

lipchecker

New member
I am moving back to Albuquerque NM after six years in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I had a Yamaha XMax 300 there and previously when I lived in the States I owned a Burgman 650. I have been in touch with a dealer in Colorado who has a 2013 BMW C 650 GT with less than 7K on the odometer. I have been offered this maxi scooter for 6000.00 OTD. I did test ride a BMW in 2012 and loved. I would appreciate some feedback about my possible purchase. Thanks very much.
 

Delray

Well-known member
That's a decent OTD price with that mileage.

Dealer can tell you based on VIN # if two recalls were done, reinforce front brake hose (chafes when handlebars are turned far left in lock position) and, way, way more important, the timing chain tensioner. Faulty tensioners killed a fair amount of engines in early models. If you hear your chain chatter, stop the bike and get it to a dealer.

Oil + filter change was due at 6k miles, and every 6k miles. BMW says belt should be changed at 12k but a lot of folks go 15k or even 20k. If you do the work yourself with a Mitsuboshi belt, instead of a Mitsuboshi belt with BMW stamped on it that costs four times more, the price is right. It's an easy bike to work on. BMW dealer work can be expensive.

One other thought. I know Garrison Keillor said the skies are never murky in Albuquerque, but if it's dusty, there are two CVT filters and an air filter you should keep clean.

The C 650 GT is a super bike. I'm on my 5th GT, and this one won't be my last.
 

Ceesie76

Active member
Based on my own experience having owned my 2016 Sport since March 2018 I recommend you get one of these. I've also owned Honda scooters (a 125 and then a 300, both in Geneva, Switzerland) and I really like the BMW. Just today I crossed the 8,000 mile mark on it. Bought it for $6,500 with 1,960 miles on it ('t was less than 2 years old then). So I think you may be able to find better deals, pricewise, from private sellers? Either way, go for it.
 

Delray

Well-known member
"why have you had so many C650s? Never satisfied? Make some money on each transaction?"

I owned 12 maxi-scooters in the last 6 years. That's two per year, or one every six months. I usually own one at a time but I've doubled up a few times. It's fun to have a choice. I ended up with five GT's (and counting) because it's the best maxi-scooter out there, by a country mile.

Never satisfied? Nah, this is about discovery, excitement, mastering the maintenance. I arrived late to the party -- didn't know maxi-scooters existed until 2016 -- so I am making up for lost time.

I love to find a great deal, update the needed fluids and parts and clean the bike to showroom condition. I ride it for awhile and enjoy it. Seems most of my buyers don't do their own maintenance or keep their machines super clean, but they will pay a premium to own such a bike. Works for me. I sold 11 maxi-scooters in a few days each.

Fastest sale was five minutes -- not kidding. I posted an ad for a gorgeous, matte black 2016 Burgman 650 on Facebook Marketplace and got a message within a minute. Guy from Puerto Rico offered full price cash and said he would pick it up the next day. I thought it was a prank. But he showed up.

Bought my first maxi-scooter on Christmas Eve 2016, a candy apple red, 2003 Honda Silver Wing. That December, I visited the local BMW Motorrad dealer to test ride a G 310 and was stopped in my tracks, literally, by a C 650 GT for sale. It was expensive for my first venture into maxi-scooters so I bought the Wing. Only wish I'd discovered them earlier. Amazing machines. Smartest bikes on the road, in my opinion.

Photos: White '13 Burgman 650. Red 2003 Honda Silver Wing 600. Black '17 BMW C 650 GT and black '16 Burgman 650 (ghost riders in my garage).

3. 2nd 2003 Honda Silver Wing 600.jpgTwo Bikes 2019.jpg
 
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