BMW F650GS part 8

Servicing

Did my first servicing on last sat.
According to the manual, engine oil change 10000km (mineral oil), sparkplug every 20000km, fork oil 20000km, airfilter 10000km, oil filter 20000km, brake fuild once a year.

My service plans:
5000km oil change: Mineral oil + fuel additive
10000km : 2 platinium plugs, oil filter
Yearly: brake fluid, coolant

Tried mineral oil but dun really like the feeling of it... maybe gonna try semi synthetic oil the next round.
Just found out that the previous owner let the bike go without coolant, glad that i've finally got it filled up and the problem is gone. Bike still very underpower.. gonna find ways to improve the bike. =]

BMW F650GS part 7

Penang trip

My first long trip to Penang on the BMW F650GS, crusing at 130~140km/h without the side panniers is a breeze but kinda stressful on me as i'm still using the stock windshield. Fuel consumption 20km/l on 160km/h speed... went slight off road on the penang mountain, very relax as a pillion an more fun as a rider. =]

BMW F650GS part 6

F650 first ride to Melaka
Was very surprise with the fuel consumption, was getting closed to 22km/litre on an average speed of 120~140km/h way better than my previous ride, Super 4 at that kind of speed. Cons with the side boxes, pickup kinda slow due to the wind resistence. Guess i wont be bring my boxes along if i'm going for fast rides. Handling is a lot better and more relax. Can easily hit 160km/h, and my friend managed to hit 180km/h and the bike can go somemore.

4/5 stars for this bike for trips
I'm a happy beemer. =]

BMW F650GS Part 5

You wont believe it.. I've just clocked 30km/litre on my 650.
Probably riding along KPE fearing the speed cameras help a lot on these.. 20% of the mileage at 70km/h gave an extra 3km/l despite the pickups and hard throttles. Getting more and more excited on getting even better fuel consumption.

Finally brought my bike to the malaysia land. Met jane and Bill before the singapore custom, pillioned 100kg Bill and he contributed by pushing the bike with me, thats the good thing of being tall. Got my rear suspension seasoned a little... guess what Augustine said makes sense... should get the Ohlins rear suspension... Tried 130km/h with pillion, stable and can go further but on corners, i still cannot make it.. My phobia overcome my confidence, eyepoint totally off.. was at 60km/h on the corner from GP to tuas. I used to do 90km/h on my s4 and r6.. I need tons of practise. =P

BMW F650GS part 4

Pillioned my mum over the weekend, very comfortable seat but feedback is getting up on the bike might be a little stressful for her.

Still on my 2nd tank and i'm surprised that with a less conservative riding habit returned an even better fuel consumption.
have clocked ard 350km and reserve light is still off. Possible to get 29km/litre?? Was told that the bike shop is able to custom make lowering link for bikes.. Interested.. $50 including installation but will need a week or 2 to get the link done thou... worth the try. =]

Was on the net surfing and set my eyes on the K1200R.. with carbon fibre parts.. Cool. But the cost is about my year's salary.. not really suit my pocket. Maybe gonna wait for another 2 ~ 3 years for the 2nd hand one.

BMW F650GS part 3

Finally hit reserved on my first tank. clocked 340km with 12.6litres of petrol which is ard 27km/litre on average 90~100km/h speed.. WOW!! will try out the fuel consumption with a less conservative riding.. =P
A hell lot accessories to buy for my 650.. frame crash bar, Koubalink, scottoiler... pocket gonna have a big big hole..

putting on mainstand is not always successful for me.. uturn still not good.. my eyepoint is killing me... need more training on that. =P

BMW F650GS part 2

My first european bike and i'm really spoilt by it... Have more or less gotten used to the bike other than the uTurn part. Seat is cutted and i really feel like i'm wearing pampers when i'm sitting on my bike. Managed to get my left foot flat on the ground at traffic junctions, just gonna tilt a bit to the left but my right will be dangling in mid air.

Managed to make negotiate bends more confidently now as i can roughly know where my front tires are when i'm turning the handlebars.. need more rides to conquer the bike. Also glad that i can dismount the bike without putting my side stand down first.. pushing the bike is getting easier, and i seriously need more practise putting the bike on main stand.. I failed again yesterday but i'm getting there... more dumbell sessions.. =P

Bike overheat when i'm less than 90km/h.. not good.. maybe the coolant is not changed yet.. gonna send for servicing this sat.

Bad me starting to look at the K1200R urban bike... maybe another 3years.. YEAH!!!

Riding my phantom to work today.. miss my GS.. awwwww....

BMW F650GS

Finally, after a 2year long wait. I've got my hands on the '04 BMW F650GS. One of the best all rounder and best tourer.
Why, F650GS

1) It has a lowest seat height among the BMWs... I'm only 1.57m...
2) maintenence is cheaper (almost half) than my old super 4, mineral oil and 2 spark plugs.. compared to fully syn oil and 4 plugs.
3) Rugged Styling... at least its rugged enuff for me. I loved the scrambler feel.
4) Fuel consumption.. I got a big grin when i topped up the bike. The same amount of money paid compare to my little phantom. This bike doesnt need a super high grade petrol so i get to save on petrol topups.


My First Ride:
The bike roars after starting the engine, wow!! maybe its been 2 years since i last own a class 2 bike.. its kinda loud for me.. You dont have to warm up the bike that long cos of the mineral engine oil. The engine warms faster. Moving off is a little "tocky" which is common for the F650. After 4000rpm is super smooth and less vibration. Pickup is good.. but if you are comparing to the sportsbike.. it does feel a little under power.

The bike is easy to operate and easy to manuver. my smile goes from left to right while riding.. i felt secured and stable on the new ride.

Low CG bike but it doesnt really help if the suspension is set to soft. Its quite dangerous when you are doing a big bend. I've initially set suspension to almost softest due to my height but set it back to original after the scary bends along AYE.
The most scary part for me will be the uturns especially those 2 lane turns.. As i'm tiptoeing to my max and some phobias on uturns.. will try my best not to do uturns until i get my lowering kit. Have cutted my seat by 2cm.. so i assume my seat height is ard 770mm.. need another inch off to settle my phobia.. well at least i know i wont drop my bike.

Heat: All big bike sure heat up easily, same for the F650GS. But I would say its a lot better than my previous ride Yamaha R6 '05 model. As long as i'm not on heavy traffic jam i wont feel the heat even if i'm at low speed for long distance.

Cons of the bike: zero under seat space. not even for a raincoat. but who cares.. I got 3 boxes. good enuff for short trips but i need a bigger top box if i remove the sides for daily riding... Squeezing between cars is doable but i have to proceed with extra cautions.. not very used to such wide bike between cars and i cant afford a fall, repair will be hell for me.

Pros of the bike: Fuel consumption of cos. The first thing i will check on when i've interest in any bike. Still monitoring but reviews shows 100km/3.5liter which is ard 28km/litre at 90km/h constant but as long as i can get 24km/l on highways i'm happy. The lowest grade petrol for the bike is 87. Cant find this grade in singapore thou but 92 at $1.817/litre is cheap enuff.. I pumped at least a 95 at $1.849/litre and occassionally a 98 on my Super 4 which is ard $1.919/litre. Can you imagine how much i save on trips? =]