BMW riders - Thoughts on G 650 GS Sertao?

[Christophe Noel]

It's nearing the time for me to pick up another bike. Probably looking at a fall purchase. I've had two different BMW motorcycles, but it was long ago. (K75S and R100).

The bike that interests me most is this G650GS Sertao, but I've yet to really dive into researching it. My criteria are pretty strait forward:

- A bike for lots of local commuting usage. Short trips under 10 miles each.
- Something I can justify riding on the local roads and trails. I would like it to have good off road performance.
- No extended epics planned, but I'm sure I will and I am NOT a dude that packs heavy.

I could probably be served by a KLR or XR 650, but I've had both of those bikes and want something different.

What say ye?

 

[colodak]

looked at this very model last night, for the type of use your talking, they would recommend the regular GS650, as the Sertao is much more off-road oriented, and carries a $1,500 to $2,000 markup over the regular 650. Roughly about 1" taller, more aggresive tires, hand guards, larger windshield.

 

[HumphreyBear]

- A bike for lots of local commuting usage. Short trips under 10 miles each.
- Something I can justify riding on the local roads and trails. I would like it to have good off road performance.
- No extended epics planned, but I'm sure I will and I am NOT a dude that packs heavy.

I like the specs of the Sertao, but have yet to throw a leg over one. Based on requirements 2 & 3 I'd say it looks like a good choice, but if you are mainly doing lots of short commuting trips then it is a fair excess of capability. Nice to have it ready for when you do want to get away, though, huh.. What physical build are you, how do you find it to sit/stand on and control with your legs?

Have you seen the Touratec video on the homepage here? Lots of goodies if you're into functional bling, and a great looking bike.

 

[Christophe Noel]

I like the specs of the Sertao, but have yet to throw a leg over one. Based on requirements 2 & 3 I'd say it looks like a good choice, but if you are mainly doing lots of short commuting trips then it is a fair excess of capability. Nice to have it ready for when you do want to get away, though, huh.. What physical build are you, how do you find it to sit/stand on and control with your legs?

Have you seen the Touratec video on the homepage here? Lots of goodies if you're into functional bling, and a great looking bike.

I'm pretty leggy. I'm a shade over 6' with long legs, so taller bikes aren't a concern usually.

I'll end up commuting on what ever I get, simply because Prescott is a small town and zipping around on a moto is just fun and easy. Plus, we've got hundreds of miles of roads and trails out our back door, so little romps will be more frequent than mega-epics. I'd love a 1200GS, but it would be serious overkill.

 

[HumphreyBear]

I've owned an 1150GS and am impatiently waiting until circumstances allow me to either get a 120GSA, and much as I love them, but they aren't a 'trail' bike or commuter, I think you've made the right choice. I read a review a month or two back from a reviewer over here who is 6'2" or so and he said he felt comfortable on the Sertao so you should not have any trouble. In fact if I recall he said there was a ?900mm? seat option and was complaining that it was after-market only, that you couldn't swap it out at purchase time.

BTW no need to mention you're a light packer, we've all seen your biking threads! :Wow1:

I say go for it and enjoy! :0)

 

[grahamfitter]

If you don't need interstate speed, why not go with something that's lighter and more fun on trails? Suzuki DRZ-400S (cheap), Yamaha WR250R (EFI), KTM pickanumber enduro (fast).

 

[Christophe Noel]

If you don't need interstate speed, why not go with something that's lighter and more fun on trails? Suzuki DRZ-400S (cheap), Yamaha WR250R (EFI), KTM pickanumber enduro (fast).

To be honest, I've owned few bikes under 1000cc's. My Africa Twin was one of my first and few sub liter bikes. I'm prone to be drawn to bikes like the 1200GS, 990 KTM, and others like it. I don't want to get too far under those larger bikes because I would like to be able to cover some highway miles just to link up sections of dirt. I did a lot of highway miles on my XR650L and it was fine, although I think it would be my minimum size and weight for that application.

I'd probably also put the BMW 800GS on my short list, but they're pretty spendy for what they are.

I was mostly just curious what the BMW guys thought of the differences between the Sertao and the non-Sertao versions of this bike.

 

[trailsurfer]

They are great bikes. But you can't wear manpri's (sp?) while riding one.

 

[grahamfitter]

To be honest, I've owned few bikes under 1000cc's. My Africa Twin was one of my first and few sub liter bikes. I'm prone to be drawn to bikes like the 1200GS, 990 KTM, and others like it. I don't want to get too far under those larger bikes because I would like to be able to cover some highway miles just to link up sections of dirt. I did a lot of highway miles on my XR650L and it was fine, although I think it would be my minimum size and weight for that application.

I'd probably also put the BMW 800GS on my short list, but they're pretty spendy for what they are.

I was mostly just curious what the BMW guys thought of the differences between the Sertao and the non-Sertao versions of this bike.

Fairy nuff. Triumph Tiger 800 XC might be worth a look too if the BMW 800 GS appeals.

I commute 60 miles a day on a KLR so take my dirtbag (read jealous of most other bikes) opinion lightly!

 

[Christophe Noel]

They are great bikes. But you can't wear manpri's (sp?) while riding one.

Heck ya. Fear not the manpri. Only fear the manpri while on a beer run on the wife's Vespa. Mama mia. Not a so good.

 

[Christophe Noel]

Oh boy. New twist.

Option A: Pick up a new BMW Sertao in mid October or November.

Option B: Hold out until April of next year and buy a 2006 KTM 950 Adventure from a buddy. This particular bike has less than 7,000 miles and has almost never seen dirt. Looks showroom new. The price? Much less than the Sertao.

What say you? I realize this kind of takes things in a different direction. Trailsurfer, didn't your ride buddy have a KTM 950/990?

 

[Ponyracer]

What is a KTM like seat height wise? I'm looking at the base GS650 for my wife as she's 5'6" and I know they have the seat height options. Sorry for the hijack.

 

[Christophe Noel]

What is a KTM like seat height wise? I'm looking at the base GS650 for my wife as she's 5'6" and I know they have the seat height options. Sorry for the hijack.

The KTM? Muey tall. I've only sat on a GS650 once and the seat height felt pretty low, but I have a 34" inseam. 5'6" seems doable.

 

[trailsurfer]

Between the BMW G650 Sertao and the KTM, I think I would go for the KTM. I have ridden that bike quite a bit, and it is a blast. It is like a giant dirt bike, that absolutely rips.

 

[goodtimes]

Between the BMW G650 Sertao and the KTM, I think I would go for the KTM. I have ridden that bike quite a bit, and it is a blast. It is like a giant dirt bike, that absolutely rips.

I'd say the opposite - for exactly the reason you cite in the last sentence. The 950 is a freekin' monster. Big, fast, tons of suspension - but very unrefined compared to the BMW. Given the stated purpose (commuting, zipping around Preskitt [sic], etc), the BMW is a better choice, IMO. One concern would be the overall size . . . I'm not a big guy, and the F650 (single) that I had was just a touch small IMO. Of course, I guess that all depends on how you like 'em.