2016

[Snowdog]

I went to look at the 2016 models today. Both the GT and Sport were updated successfully in looks, in my opinion, although, nothing drastic. The GT looked a lot better than the previous version, yet the Sport is still better looking. The stern of the GT is rather "Burgman" fat, and I found the "Helix tire bump" in the underseat storage unexpected. ( Past Helix owners will know what I am talking about.)
The reason I went was to see if they were more comfortable then my Sport. Nope! Neither one, not for my body anyway. Maybe if the back rest on the GT was adjustable it would be an excellent feature. I am surprised with all the gadgets these bikes have that an adjustable backrest isn't one of them.
I didn't take a test ride, so can't comment on any changes there. I am not a speed demon, so having different ratios in the cvt wouldn't be a game changer for me. I was looking for comfort.

For the past few days, I was excited about buying a 2016, I didn't give the salesman a deposit. I will keep my 2013. But, if you don't have one, get a 2016.

Yes, I suspected the trade in value of my 2013 Sport would not be good, and I was right. The depreciation is keeping up with my payments, and if I hadn't been making larger than required
amounts, the trade in value would have been less than I owed!! This is fueled by people who buy bikes and don't ride them!!

 

[Sparkrn]

Did it have cruise control? I wish!

 

[Paul]

Thank you Snowdog. Looked at the 2016 sport on Tues., so much easier to get on the centerstand, ain't buying one!

 

[Snowdog]

I didn't try the centerstand.
Of course I wanted to see how high the windshield would go on the GT, but, it was broken!

 

[Skutorr]

I didn't try the centerstand.
Of course I wanted to see how high the windshield would go on the GT, but, it was broken!

...at least BMW is consistent...

 

[JaimeC]

Are you SURE it was broken? When I took delivery of my 2013, I thought it was broken too. Unlike my K1200LT which has a simple electric motor to raise and lower the shield the C650GT windshield is controlled by a computer. When you push the button there is a momentary delay while the computer assesses the current position of the shield before moving it. Why make something simple when it can be needlessly complex, right?

You have to push and HOLD the button for a second or two before the screen moves. OH! And as postings here can confirm, sometimes the computer gets "confused," doesn't know where the shield is, and therefore refuses to move it. Then it has to be reset by the dealer tech. Like I said, why keep something simple when it can be made needlessly complex?

 

[Snowdog]

Are you SURE it was broken? When I took delivery of my 2013, I thought it was broken too. Unlike my K1200LT which has a simple electric motor to raise and lower the shield the C650GT windshield is controlled by a computer. When you push the button there is a momentary delay while the computer assesses the current position of the shield before moving it. Why make something simple when it can be needlessly complex, right?

You have to push and HOLD the button for a second or two before the screen moves. OH! And as postings here can confirm, sometimes the computer gets "confused," doesn't know where the shield is, and therefore refuses to move it. Then it has to be reset by the dealer tech. Like I said, why keep something simple when it can be made needlessly complex?

The salesman couldn't get it to go!!

 

[JaimeC]

The salesman couldn't get it to go!!

Great way to make a sale...

 

[Skutorr]

My brother went by the BMW dealer near him today to look at a new 2016 C650 Sport in Valencia Orange that I told him was there. Basically, the fit & finish was amazing, all the tolerances were tightened-up, the flimsy-feeling doors and cheap-looking plastic parts were all GONE, and if he had to choose between it (in white) and his white Tmax 530, he'd choose the BMW (assuming there were no "teething problems" with it). He was THAT impressed. Not enough to drop almost $12,000.00 out the door, but nevertheless impressed.

He also said there was an unsold 2015 C600 Sport there and it looked crude & unfinished in comparison, while the C650 Sport was equal or superior to anything coming out of Europe or Japan. Damn!

He also said, that at almost the SAME price, the F 800 GT was an AMAZING bike and fit him like it was custom-tailored. Unless someone was looking for a C650 GT, why buy the C650 Sport when you could just put panniers on an F 800 GT? Good point. It will be interesting to see how they sell in the US this time around, to say the least. I can guarantee that they will finally kick ASS in Europe...

 

[Beerman]

I looked at the F800GT Skutorr. It's a very nice looking bike, and lighter than the C650 - but I think it comes down to how much you value the no-shift, weather protection, in-built storage and practicality of a scooter vs bike. I'm still weighing it up.

Beerman

 

[JaimeC]

The F800GT was on my radar as well, but I opted for the C650GT three years ago.

 

[SteveADV]

...He also said, that at almost the SAME price, the F 800 GT was an AMAZING bike and fit him like it was custom-tailored. Unless someone was looking for a C650 GT, why buy the C650 Sport when you could just put panniers on an F 800 GT?...

Yup, good ergos are an amazing thing. One more reason to not let a forum make up your mind. Go look at your top 3 choices and compare in person. Figuring all that stuff out is part of the game.

..... I think it comes down to how much you value the no-shift, weather protection, in-built storage and practicality of a scooter vs bike...

That's the thing. It really does depend on how much YOU value what the bike has to offer vs the cost. Like Skutorr's brother said, he really liked the bike but couldn't personally see spending that much. Others will feel the value is there.

Hey Skutorr and Jaime.....Didn't Yellasei go with the F800GT? Or was it the 650?

 

[grey.hound]

I looked at the F800GT Skutorr. It's a very nice looking bike, and lighter than the C650 - but I think it comes down to how much you value the no-shift, weather protection, in-built storage and practicality of a scooter vs bike. I'm still weighing it up.

Beerman

I'm still wrestling with that thought. I keep saying I'm not adding a second bike, but keep thinking looking.

 

[Skutorr]

Went to the BMW dealer after teaching today and saw the new 2016 C650 GT (in BLACK) and sat on a f 800 GT. My thoughts?

The trim pieces around and below the handlebars are a better texture, with nice, new glossy black pieces EXACTLY where they are on my Tmax. The back end is W-I-D-E-R and more Burgman 650 looking. In black it's Darth Vader's Maxi-scoot! The new exhaust looks great, but they then hid it under a big heat shield... Overall it's some nice touches, but nothing radically different appearance-wise. I asked the owner if he was getting any Sport's in, and he told me they aren't importing them into the U.S. Right. I let him know there was one on the showroom floor at the dealer in San Diego, and they are also on the BMW Website. He basically didn't care, as he was never able to unload the C600 Sport's he had, until he drastically discounted them. He sold all his C650's though. A lot in 2013, less in 2014, and even LESS in 2015.

He also recently took two Tmaxes in trade...both for new, discounted Aprilia Mana GT's. H-m-m-m-m-m.

 

[Snowdog]

I looked at the F800GT Skutorr. It's a very nice looking bike, and lighter than the C650 - but I think it comes down to how much you value the no-shift, weather protection, in-built storage and practicality of a scooter vs bike. I'm still weighing it up.

Beerman

I looked at the F800GT also and rejected it for the same reasons. Once you ride a notcher, it's tough to give up all the comfort features.
The big one for me was the forward lean riding position of the 800, my back won't do that for long.

 

[Snowdog]

Went to the BMW dealer after teaching today and saw the new 2016 C650 GT (in BLACK) and sat on a f 800 GT. My thoughts?

The trim pieces around and below the handlebars are a better texture, with nice, new glossy black pieces EXACTLY where they are on my Tmax. The back end is W-I-D-E-R and more Burgman 650 looking. In black it's Darth Vader's Maxi-scoot! The new exhaust looks great, but they then hid it under a big heat shield... Overall it's some nice touches, but nothing radically different appearance-wise. I asked the owner if he was getting any Sport's in, and he told me they aren't importing them into the U.S. Right. I let him know there was one on the showroom floor at the dealer in San Diego, and they are also on the BMW Website. He basically didn't care, as he was never able to unload the C600 Sport's he had, until he drastically discounted them. He sold all his C650's though. A lot in 2013, less in 2014, and even LESS in 2015.

He also recently took two Tmaxes in trade...both for new, discounted Aprilia Mana GT's. H-m-m-m-m-m.

All they need to do to sell sports is build em with electric windshields.

 

[SteveADV]

An electric windshield would be a great addition to the sport. That along with the new look would be a real plus for sales, IMO. Then, cruise control as an option these things...

 

[Skutorr]

Good point! The Gilera 800 (which became the Aprilia SRV 850) had an electric windscreen and riders loved it. To be "sportier" Aprilia took it off for the SRV 850 re-badging...

 

[grey.hound]

I think the biggest thing would be cruise control. I don't care, but a lot of people want it. On a "Grand Tourer" that should be standard. The sport model should also come standard with the "sport" windscreen. I'm just sayin. If they want to attract the target buyer, make them attractive to that buyer. Also, I think the C650 should be renamed "Sport Tourer". Dealers could also show them with some of the optional accessories.

I know they originally marketed these as urban mobility but come on, 550-575lbs don't exactly screem mobile.

 

[Sparkrn]

I think the biggest thing would be cruise control. I don't care, but a lot of people want it. On a "Grand Tourer" that should be standard. The sport model should also come standard with the "sport" windscreen. I'm just sayin. If they want to attract the target buyer, make them attractive to that buyer. Also, I think the C650 should be renamed "Sport Tourer". Dealers could also show them with some of the optional accessories.

I know they originally marketed these as urban mobility but come on, 550-575lbs don't exactly screem mobile.

I so agree with the cruise control. I would trade my GT in this minute for one with cruise.