| Author | Message | ||
     Cadhopper |
I posted this to the original thread but apparently that does not revive it from the archives. After much debating and a few test rides on each bike I decided to go with the a 2010 BMW F650GS Twin instead of the XB12XT. My main reason was the softer longer travel suspension than the XT and at 5'6" I was not comfortable on the Uly. If this thing can take the abuse I fed my old F650GS thumper it should be a good bike and after two lower disk surgeries I think my spine will thank me. I do miss the torque of the V-Twin but I can always hop on the XB9SX if I feel the inner hooligan in me wanting to come out. I wasn't thrilled about the color but it was all they had in stock with the regular suspension and the next bike wasn't due in for another month.  | ||
| Froggy |
Sorry for your loss  | ||
| Cadhopper |
I'm still waiting on that mythical dirt bike you guys keep talking about. If it ever appears this puppy is gone.  | ||
| Court |
That's a GREAT, if perhaps busy, looking bike and I'll bet you love it. I'll be eager to hear your impressions. I've been admiring these BMW 450 zooming all over town. I wanted to buy a Blast for a "city bike" but with the Blast now history the BMW looks sweet. | ||
| Bcmike |
Looks like you added every available farkle! That's a comfy and easy little bike to ride..perfect for a rider like yourself with back problems. I liked it better as a daily rider than the GS800 version. Interestingly the same displacement, with only slightly less power. | ||
| Cadhopper |
Court, After 800 miles I can say it rides very smooth and lays into the corners nicely. The rear tire was fully tested edge to edge after 400 miles and like it's predecessor, the F650GS thumper, stuck to the road with no problems. The bike is like riding a finely made sewing machine and at times can be uninspiring until I hit the dirt trails. It DOES NOT bring out the passion of riding that the Buell does. The XB9 feels raw and exciting ever time I ride it. Unfortunately it beats the crap out of my lower spine on the rough trails and roads around my house. As far as the G450 goes, as much as I like BMW bikes, I think I would go with a DRZ400SM for city riding. I had a chance to ride one a will back and felt like a kid on a new toy. If Suzuki is smart they will bring over the 450 fuel injected power plant to the SM line up and dump the old 400 motor with the side draft carburetor. Bcmike, I did add a few extras. It's an addiction I have. (Message edited by cadhopper on October 10, 2009) | ||
| Cyclonedon |
after you put some miles on it, please post back and let us know how you like it! | ||
| Rightpecial |
Well I've got a bad back and the Uly X is probably the most comfortable bike that I've ever had, but then again I'm not 5'6" and can actually mount the thing with the stock seat. I do like your choice though as those GS bikes are pretty good machines. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Very nice bike. I'd love to have one. Not very "pretty", but damn good at fulfilling its intended purposes. | ||
| Okc99 |
I agree. I wouldn't do her, but I wouldn't mind a little fooling around with her in the dark. She's got a nice personality, but she's just not real pretty in the Megan Fox kind of way. The beamer is a little more....Molly Ringwald. Sure, she's ok from afar and in your basement, but you don't really want to take her to prom. | ||
| Ourdee |
perhaps busy, looking bike and I'll bet you love it. Court said it in the nicest way. I say, it's kinda like lookin' at another man's wife and thinkin' whew doggies, he must be in love. Yep, I'd ride it, I'd wear it out in the desert. But it is not exactly the way I like them to look. I do think you are going to be very happy. Whew doggies...... | ||
| Court |
>>>I think I would go with a DRZ400SM for city riding. I have a DRZ and a KTM but the new BMW, or at least the ones I've been seeing, are kinda cool looking. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Congrats on the new bike. It ain't a Buell but it has two wheels, an engine and it'll handle the chores well. What more can you ask for?  It is busy looking but it definitely has a certain attraction. Me Likey | ||
| Rainman |
You can still get a Blast, Court, it just isn't a Buell or a Harley. It's just a, well, blastard bike. Unless you know something I don't, which would probably be an accurate statement. | ||
| Ronmold |
Like the Uly, not your average looking bike. Thought hard about the 800 myself but for less than half the price I picked up my (barely) used Uly. At least you won't get "got a headlight out"! | ||
| Tootal |
If your going off road the BMW is the better machine. I don't mind the looks so much, it's "German techno". What bugs me about BMW, and I've had bikes and cars, is they threw tradition out the window a few years back. On a car the first number was the series and the next two were the engine size. On the old bikes you had the series by letter and then engine size by adding a zero. Then some marketing idiot decided to throw such a simple plan into the round file and lie to everybody. They started on the cars with the 328 which use to have a 2.8 engine but now has a 3 liter! Now the bikes have succumbed to the same stupidity and called your new bike a 650 when it's really an 800! I hate BMW marketing, the products are still good though, I just don't like someone insulting my intelligence. I don't have very much of it!  | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder for sure. I must say, that is a very busy looking bike. So darn much going on everywhere. (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on October 11, 2009) | ||
| Johnboy777 |
Nice looking bike - I think the GS650/GS800 and the KLR650 are among the few true dual sports. | ||
| Hooper |
I think it's ugly enough to be beautiful. I'd still want a bigger engine. | ||
| Buewulf |
Nice bike. FYI, the wheel bearings are garbage. Replace them (front and rear) with high-quality, sealed bearings ASAP. Especially if you plan to play in the dirt. | ||
| Cadhopper |
I did see a few threads about the rear wheel bearing issue on the F800 website and started laughing my butt off because it's been such an issue with the Uly. I guess any bike has it's issues no matter who makes it. BMW has certainly had it's fair share of recalls. The biggest thing I don't like about the bike is the lack of torque on the road but on the trails I really haven't noticed it. It has a six speed tranny but I find myself never going over 5th because it's a gutless wonder. Maybe I can figure out a way to put the XB9 motor in the BMW frame. | ||
| Cycletlh |
My wife thinks my Uly is ugly. With the cooler strapped to the triple tail and the guitar bungied to the top of that she says I look like one of the Clampetts riding down the road. I think her V strom is ugly. Am sure you will enjoy your new bike. It is not what you ride, but that you ride! Thanks for posting. |
