About to buy a C650GT, any specifics to look out for?

[C650GTInTheSun]

Happy Friday, C650GT experts!

I'm going to look at a 2013 C650GT this weekend with 15,000 miles on it. Cosmetically looks good and has full dealership service history. I've been around BMW bikes for years, having owned multiple GS's and a K1600, this would be my first BMW scooter though.

When I take a look is there anything specific to this model that I should be paying attention to ( outside of the usual stuff I would be looking at when buying a used motorcycle )?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[mjnorris]

I’m sure others will say the same thing. Find out which timing chain tensioner it has, manual or hydraulic. This forum has several threads about them.

 

[Ceesie76]

Test ride it on highway speed and take it all the way to 90 mph, make sure there are no nasty vibrations at higher speeds!

 

[Greg goes wild]

If you take it on the hwy. take t to a comfortable speed n just barely take BOTH
hands off the handlebars that WILL tell you IF you have bent rims or front fork
problem. on my 2016 GT scooter i done that it's SPOT N no wobbling of any
kind. Just make sure there is NO one else around you. i lifted BOTH of
my hands doing around 80 MPH n SMOOTH sailing

 

[SJMike]

The chain tension will be a mechanical ,meaning spring loaded . THAT TENSIONER IS NOT DEPENDABLE . Your call if you still want to take a change & HOPE the tensioner doesn't fail which would usually waste your engine

 

[Delray]

When I take a look is there anything specific to this model

You say it has a good dealer service history. Then it should be easy to check if the CVT belt and rollers were changed at 12,000 miles, as the maintenance schedule calls for. That's around a $1,000 job at a dealer. On the other hand, you could buy a Mitsuboshi belt and BMW variator holding tool and do the job for 10% of the dealer cost.

What others mentioned about the mechanical chain tensioner is important. Highly likely you have a mechanical tensioner, because it's rare for someone to update to hydraulic by adding an oil line. I've always wanted a red GT and 2013 was the only year. I've gotten to the point of making a deal several times, only to walk away because of the tensioner. If it fails, you have metal shards flying into your engine, which will kill it dead.

Hydraulic tensioners were introduced in the second half of the 2016 model year, so some '16's have mechanical tensioners and some have hydraulic. Look for the oil line leading to the tensioner to verify, under the bike (there's a thread and photo of this). Personally, I'd buy a 2017 through '20, then you never have to worry. But if you get a ridiculously good deal on a '13, a price so good you could lose the bike and be okay with that, it might be worth a shot. That's the only way I'd buy a '13.