Bart Miller
New member
Good advice! And thanks, everyone. I really appreciate it.
BMW dropping the C650 in the USA ?
- Thread starter Super Dirt Dud
- Start date
Delray
Well-known member
"I would really push to sit on the bike"
That is sound advice. It's a very distinctive ride. I rode a 650 GT yesterday and forgot how "vertical" it feels. The Burgman feels like you're kicking back in a recliner (both highly enjoyable in their own way).
I ended up buying the BMW C 650 GT I sat on yesterday, so I'm back in the saddle again! Waiting for it to be delivered this afternoon. I have a two-bike household again, BMW and Burgman. Will update with pics and more to the story once I get the bike cleaned.
That is sound advice. It's a very distinctive ride. I rode a 650 GT yesterday and forgot how "vertical" it feels. The Burgman feels like you're kicking back in a recliner (both highly enjoyable in their own way).
I ended up buying the BMW C 650 GT I sat on yesterday, so I'm back in the saddle again! Waiting for it to be delivered this afternoon. I have a two-bike household again, BMW and Burgman. Will update with pics and more to the story once I get the bike cleaned.
EvilTwin
Active member
Congrats on getting another one. What did you end up with?
Delray
Well-known member
"Congrats on getting another one. What did you end up with?"
I bought a 2013 C 650 GT in Platinum Bronze Metallic at a Ducati Triumph dealer in Pompano Beach, Florida. The bike was a trade-in and well-kept. I paid $3,900 ($4,370 with tax and title).
Tupperware and seat are near-perfect. Pretty much needs "the works" on maintenance but I enjoy doing that. It's a little higher on mileage than I prefer at 15,100 but the bike just felt good. I talked to BMW about recalls and the BMW dealer that serviced it before I bought it, so I was pretty well-informed (in particular, the boogeyman chain tensioner failure that killed pre-2016 engines had been addressed on this bike).
I cleaned my new GT for six hours yesterday afternoon and evening. Charged the battery and took it for my morning cruise to the beach. I was immediately reminded why I owned and loved two of these bikes. This isn't a scooter. It's a freaking BMW motorcycle, superbly built and a blast to ride.
Off-the-line pace is not as brisk as Gen. 2.0 bikes (2016+), although the "growl" added in later years is heard on this one thanks to a $400 GRP aftermarket muffler (I also got the OEM muffler in the deal). From my two earlier GT's, I had a GIVI screen and the DVD of the Service Manual.
And how about this for service: The bike was delivered to my door with a license plate, same day I agreed to buy it. That probably has something to do with the customer service involved in selling $100,000 Ducati's, but man, I liked it!
Photo after I cleaned it from stem to stern ....
I bought a 2013 C 650 GT in Platinum Bronze Metallic at a Ducati Triumph dealer in Pompano Beach, Florida. The bike was a trade-in and well-kept. I paid $3,900 ($4,370 with tax and title).
Tupperware and seat are near-perfect. Pretty much needs "the works" on maintenance but I enjoy doing that. It's a little higher on mileage than I prefer at 15,100 but the bike just felt good. I talked to BMW about recalls and the BMW dealer that serviced it before I bought it, so I was pretty well-informed (in particular, the boogeyman chain tensioner failure that killed pre-2016 engines had been addressed on this bike).
I cleaned my new GT for six hours yesterday afternoon and evening. Charged the battery and took it for my morning cruise to the beach. I was immediately reminded why I owned and loved two of these bikes. This isn't a scooter. It's a freaking BMW motorcycle, superbly built and a blast to ride.
Off-the-line pace is not as brisk as Gen. 2.0 bikes (2016+), although the "growl" added in later years is heard on this one thanks to a $400 GRP aftermarket muffler (I also got the OEM muffler in the deal). From my two earlier GT's, I had a GIVI screen and the DVD of the Service Manual.
And how about this for service: The bike was delivered to my door with a license plate, same day I agreed to buy it. That probably has something to do with the customer service involved in selling $100,000 Ducati's, but man, I liked it!
Photo after I cleaned it from stem to stern ....
EvilTwin
Active member
Thats a pretty bike. Good price too and you didnt have to mess with DMV. Not sure how FL is working these days but in VA it will take you about 2 months to get a title and registration done if you have to do it yourself. Thats one of the reasons I bought mine at a dealer since they could put temp tags on it and cover the dmv stuff.
At 15k does the chain need to get replaced? CVT belt too? Yes it is quite a hoot to ride, very un scooter like. BMW dna shows. Are you going to change the rollers out? Tires new or newer?
At 15k does the chain need to get replaced? CVT belt too? Yes it is quite a hoot to ride, very un scooter like. BMW dna shows. Are you going to change the rollers out? Tires new or newer?
Delray
Well-known member
"Not sure how FL is working these days but in VA it will take you about 2 months to get a title and registration done if you do it yourself"
It was great being handed a registration and seeing the plate on the bike. Florida DMV isn't bad. It's 100% based on appointments, which take a week to ten days. Time inside the DMV is actually shorter.
"At 15k does the chain need to get replaced?"
BMW says 24,000 miles for the chain, same as the spark plugs and gear oil. Riders on this forum have said they've done 30k on the original chain AND belt. My immediate concern is figuring out how to test chain tension and adjust with chain rails #1, 2, 3 and 4. That's new to me after Burgmans and Silver Wings. I also have an urge to drain the old chain oil and install new.
"CVT belt too? Are you going to change the rollers out?
Belt was due at 12,000 miles and I know firsthand the PO's dealer didn't do it. I haven't cracked the case to look at the belt's condition, but given the age of the bike, I will change it. Looks to be a lot like a Silver Wing belt change. Mistoboshi belts are apparently the exact same product with a nicer price, $108 vs. $438 with "BMW" stamped on it. I will install Dr. Pulley rollers, 28 grams. Couple forum guys said that weight improved speed off the line. This GT is definitely not as quick as my '16 or '17, but after 10 mph it absolutely rips.
"Tires new or newer?"
Tires look to be mid-life. Shinkos, cheap-but-good. I just put them on my Burgman -- my maintenance skills have evolved to the point where I take the tires off the bike and drive them to a dealer for beading (TWO MINUTE PAUSE WHILE THE AUTHOR GOES TO THE GARAGE TO CHECK DATE STAMPS). Glad you asked about the tires. Date stamps say they were made in late 2016 so they're fine, age-wise. Always good to know with older bikes.
I will update brake fluid and pads plus coolant, plus CVT and air filters immediately. Last time I did all that on my '17 GT, I waited until all the fluids and parts and tools were in the garage, then took all the plastic off and did everything at once (well, over three days being "at once"). That worked pretty well. I will also change the oil. The dealer said they did that yesterday, but I'm not confident they used 15W50 or changed the filter or cleaned the tube strainer.
What year is your GT? Have you done any maintenance or add-ons?
It was great being handed a registration and seeing the plate on the bike. Florida DMV isn't bad. It's 100% based on appointments, which take a week to ten days. Time inside the DMV is actually shorter.
"At 15k does the chain need to get replaced?"
BMW says 24,000 miles for the chain, same as the spark plugs and gear oil. Riders on this forum have said they've done 30k on the original chain AND belt. My immediate concern is figuring out how to test chain tension and adjust with chain rails #1, 2, 3 and 4. That's new to me after Burgmans and Silver Wings. I also have an urge to drain the old chain oil and install new.
"CVT belt too? Are you going to change the rollers out?
Belt was due at 12,000 miles and I know firsthand the PO's dealer didn't do it. I haven't cracked the case to look at the belt's condition, but given the age of the bike, I will change it. Looks to be a lot like a Silver Wing belt change. Mistoboshi belts are apparently the exact same product with a nicer price, $108 vs. $438 with "BMW" stamped on it. I will install Dr. Pulley rollers, 28 grams. Couple forum guys said that weight improved speed off the line. This GT is definitely not as quick as my '16 or '17, but after 10 mph it absolutely rips.
"Tires new or newer?"
Tires look to be mid-life. Shinkos, cheap-but-good. I just put them on my Burgman -- my maintenance skills have evolved to the point where I take the tires off the bike and drive them to a dealer for beading (TWO MINUTE PAUSE WHILE THE AUTHOR GOES TO THE GARAGE TO CHECK DATE STAMPS). Glad you asked about the tires. Date stamps say they were made in late 2016 so they're fine, age-wise. Always good to know with older bikes.
I will update brake fluid and pads plus coolant, plus CVT and air filters immediately. Last time I did all that on my '17 GT, I waited until all the fluids and parts and tools were in the garage, then took all the plastic off and did everything at once (well, over three days being "at once"). That worked pretty well. I will also change the oil. The dealer said they did that yesterday, but I'm not confident they used 15W50 or changed the filter or cleaned the tube strainer.
What year is your GT? Have you done any maintenance or add-ons?
Last edited:
EvilTwin
Active member
Mine is a 19 and I bought it new with about 5 miles on it. I did change the break in oil at about 800 miles, it has about 1400 on it now. Still a new baby. Did you get the odb2 adapter and software to update the service date? I had that from the previous bike and this one is mostly the same except it has the standard odb2 port rather than the round bmw version.
Delray
Well-known member
"Did you get the odb2 adapter and software to update the service date?"
I borrowed one for a few minutes at an AutoZone store once to check a code on my car. Otherwise, I know diddly about ODB2's and software and bikes. How would it help on the bike? Where is the port on the GT? Would it also benefit my Burgman? Inquiring minds want to know!
I borrowed one for a few minutes at an AutoZone store once to check a code on my car. Otherwise, I know diddly about ODB2's and software and bikes. How would it help on the bike? Where is the port on the GT? Would it also benefit my Burgman? Inquiring minds want to know!
EvilTwin
Active member
Its on the right side looking forward. You need to either get the gs 911 adapter (300 bucks) or go the cheaper way with an adapter from amazon for about 50 and the motoscan software which will only run on android for about 30-40 depending on which version you get. What this will let you do is access the ECU and update things like the service date and turn off the service light. This will pretty much work on any BMW bike, but has no applicability to any other brand.
MotoScan – App für professionelle BMW Motorrad Diagnose
www.motoscan.de
MOTOSCAN APP for BMW Motorcycles
Just bought a OBD link MX and downloaded the Motoscan APP. Seems to work well for resetting service reminders and deleting fault codes. What else can...
advrider.com
Delray
Well-known member
Good picture, thanks (worth 1,000 words). Not sure I'd use that enough to justify, but I saved the info for future reference. What is it with BMW and PC's and Androids? Have they not heard of a little company called Apple? I have to buy a PC-Windows laptop today to run the DVD for Service and Repair!
EvilTwin
Active member
Thats like my RT, it had the round port under the seat and you get an adapter for about 20 to plug the same odb2 dongle into.
EvilTwin
Active member
I really enjoyed riding the RT. Mine was a 2009. Very smooth, sharp handling. I think I put about 4-5K miles on it in about a year of ownership. Easy to go too fast and not notice it. Only thing that was tough was the seat height. I have a 29" inseam and even with the low corbin seat, it was still a stretch. I also had mini floorboards on mine that dropped the feet down about an inch and it had barbacks for the handlebars. Fit and finish were top notch. All the power accessories like seat, windshield and heated grips. Mine had the big top box as well as the side bags, but I never rode with the side bags. It also had the adjustable suspension. Brakes were linked on the front so that you could pretty much not use the rear foot brake and it would stop fine. Maintenance on the big boxer was easy too.
On the down side, the transmission was a little bit clunky, at least going into first. Lots of glare on the instruments in daylight. But it did make me appreciate what BMW builds into bikes that make them special.
The c650 is about the same weight and size as the RT. Fit and finish are very good, maybe not quite up to the RT, but 10 years difference. Both the RT and the c650 are sill German built, but the RT engines are still German where the C is a kymco sourced motor. The C is also pretty easy to go too fast on. I recently replaced the OEM screen with a vstream and on my last two rides out noticed that I was pushing 70 and didnt feel it. Ride is also very taught and handling is excellent. Every review I have read on the C says its the best handling scoot and I dont doubt it. Much tighter than my old silverwing.
Minister of Etc
Member
Bart Miller
New member
Just wanted to thank everyone again and tell you that we were able to take delivery yesterday of a 2020 GT in silver. My wife is thrilled. So glad we pushed forward instead of waiting to see what the future holds. Safe riding, everyone!
jorgebri60
Member
I've put this on my last 2 bikes (650gt included). While not electronic, better than nothing and really good for resting your right hand.
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DrCohen
Active member
I'm using this one on my C650GT. Same idea, but 10% of the price. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GQVQ7P2