About to purchase a USED 650GT, I have a few questions, help please.

[Akkis]

Hi everyone.

I just joined the forum and did a few searches to see if anyone had answered the questions I have already. So I am about to purchase a used C650GT. Let me start with a little backstory.

I live in NYC and I had a 2007 Triumph Bonneville which I just sold since I felt that driving a moto in NYC was not really as fun as I thought. So much traffic and the bike would get super hot. I also own a Vespa GT200 which I drive everyday to and from work.

I figured I would sell both bikes and switch to the C650GT so I could take longer trips (which is what I used the Bonneville for) and still drive comfortable in NYC (what I mainly use my Vespa for).

- I found a deal for a used 2014 C650GT for $7700 with top case (5K miles) with warranty until 2017. Is this a good deal? Should I worry about the number of miles?

- Also I am 6'2 and drove my friends C600 and felt that I was a little cramped in space (legroom wise). Will the GT have a similar feel? Is the seat a little higher as well?

- Regarding the windshield, with my height will it actually cover my face when it is up?

- I also worry about resale value, should I assume the minute I purchase this bike I do not expect to get anything near what I paid if I ever decide to sell?

- Since I am in NYC lanesplitting is a big thing, should I assume my lane splitting days are over with this bike?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

Akkis

 

[yellasei]

i can't speak for the price, a fellow american could answer this better than me. the usage question would be yes, the GT would do everything the others would do and you could still have fun. being cramped on a Sport, hmm, i always found the Sport to have the better legroom and to me (5'10) the GT always feels cramped.
the screen should work fine but with many, many aftermarket taller screens around i should think you will find one that suits yourself.

 

[Boulder Bob]

Greetings Akkis, I have a 2013 GT that has a little over 6,000 miles on it. I wouldn't worry about a scooter with 5,000 miles on it unless it's been really thrashed about. I'm 6' tall and found that the stock windscreen (set up to look over the screen) did a pretty good job of protecting me from wind and rain. The lower body protection is awesome. You'll love riding with dry warm feet. Leg room is adequate for me but I ride without the seat bolster and got an extra inch or two room. I just have a sheepskin pad covering the attachment area. The seat and riding position are actually quite comfortable for me. The price seems about average retail. I just listed mine Monday here in Colorado at $6,900 but haven't had any calls yet. I checked national listing before I listed mine and didn't see any listed below $7,000.
If you do spring for the one you're looking at make sure that all the recalls have been completed. The next significant service will be at 12,000 miles. Mine has been completely reliable. I think you'll love it in NYC and generally lane splitting should still be an option. Good luck!

 

[Scorpion56]

Hi Akkis. Your question comes up pretty often here. Jaime can answer the lane splitting in NY question. There's a link below to a recent thread which covers a lot of your questions. I test drove both scooters and thought the GT had better leg room than the Sport. I'm 5-11 and find the GT very comfortable for full day rides. I added a Wunderlich wind deflector to the windscreen because the wind was in my face with the windshield all the way up. Good luck with your decision. Here's the link to the thread. Hope it works.

http://www.bmw-scooters.com/forum/m...n/957-looking-scooters-muddle-california.html

 

[wsteele]

I have a 2013 650 gt with 14000 + miles on it it has top box (29 liters) and a Aeroflow wind screen and is warranty until May of 2016 has had all updates also new tires had to replace rear tire had a nail in it looking for $6300.00

 

[TwoPort]

Splitting lanes is a way of life in California. The 650GT is fantastic in that regard - and especially balances well at low speeds if you have to navigate a bit for cars too close. I find it more stable than my old Vespa LX 150 splitting lanes.

 

[Akkis]

Hi Akkis. Your question comes up pretty often here. Jaime can answer the lane splitting in NY question. There's a link below to a recent thread which covers a lot of your questions. I test drove both scooters and thought the GT had better leg room than the Sport. I'm 5-11 and find the GT very comfortable for full day rides. I added a Wunderlich wind deflector to the windscreen because the wind was in my face with the windshield all the way up. Good luck with your decision. Here's the link to the thread. Hope it works.

http://www.bmw-scooters.com/forum/m...n/957-looking-scooters-muddle-california.html

Thanks for the reply everyone. I am pretty excited to be purchasing the bike. I guess my biggest concern was the resale value.

Cant wait to get on this thing and drive it home. Now I need to get rid of my Vespa

 

[SteveADV]

I'm 6'2" and find the bike fits me perfectly. I prefer the Aeroflow wind shield to the original but that is kinda nitpicking.

 

[hickeybond]

hi! i am also 6'-2" and fits me perfectly! better than my burgy of swing! i also have a brand new, never on the road aeroflow touring windscreen that you can have for $100 if you buy the scooter..although in my neck of the woods, i have come across a 2013 650gt with lower seat and a few other things for $6750.00 only has 1500 miles on it.

 

[JaimeC]

Lane splitting in New York with a C650GT:
1) It's not legal
2) If you do it anyway, it's far easier to lane split with the scooter than a full-dress touring bike with saddlebags (don't ask me how I know this).

 

[Akkis]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I was planning on picking up the bike this weekend but the dealer called me and told me there was a nail in the back tire so they need to replace. Hopefully it will be ready by next weekend. I am super excited to join the club.

Any accessories you recommend? I definitely want to get a Tucano for winter (i drive all year round). Anything else?

I was thinking of getting the BMW rain suit to keep in the top case in the event I get caught in a downpour. Hopefully the dealer can give me a good deal since I am paying cash for the entire thing.

 

[Akkis]

I purchased and picked up the bike.

Initial impressions, its pretty awesome. Going from the Vespa to this is amazing. Very comfortable and stable. The bike also came with the wind rubber things on the side. Not sure they are doing anyhting but still very cool.

I did notice that when I start and drive the bike shortly it will tell me CHECK OIL but after a little while it goes to OK. Should i be nervous at all?

 

[JaimeC]

Did you check the oil?

 

[Akkis]

I plan to do it tomorrow after i drive to work since i read you cannot check the oil while the engine is cold. Wasnt sure if it was normal for it to start like that then go to OK after the engine gets hot.

 

[Scorpion56]

Not normal (except for ABS light, which stops blinking at 10 mph). Oil light should just come on, then go out during the diagnostics self check prior to engine start. I'd warm the bike for a few minutes then turn it off a few, and check the stick just to make sure that you can see oil most of the way up to the normal range on the stick before you head out. But you can also check as you're going to work. When stopped at a light, cycle through the info button (left cluster under trip) until you see "oil" on the display. You either get an OK or Check message. Bike needs to be perfectly still and stopped. The oil check display is NOT available while the bike is moving. I'd also stop on the way to work and get a quart to put under the seat so you can use it if you find that the stick says you're way low.

 

[SteveADV]

Even a knucklehead non-mechanical dweeb like me can check the oil in minute so don't hesitate to do it as soon as you can (center stand).

Be careful when you put the cap back, making sure it is properly threaded. I heard of a guy who didn't and blew a bunch of oil all over the place down there (like I said...a knucklehead ).

 

[Akkis]

Morning all.

I checked the oil and it seemed like it was right at the middle of the dipstick mark between min and max.

 

[wsteele]

They suggest that you get the bike up to temperture and put on center stand and then check the oil if your between min and max your OK

 

[JaimeC]

When I first got my scooter I had the oil light coming on a LOT, especially if the engine was still hot from being parked for a brief time before starting out again. A software flash seems to have fixed that issue because I haven't seen it since.

 

[Akkis]

I put some oil in today and checked it and now the oil falls between 3/4 and max. The problem hasnt happened since.

I think that solved the problem. I am loving my C650GT. It is awesome.