Really happy with my GT

[exavid]

I have almost 6000 miles on my GT and really like this scooter. In fact I like it enough that I just sold my K1100LT and am now a full time scooter boy. I find the scooter is a lot more comfortable for me, my K bike was hard on my old knees. I could ride it for about an hour before my knees would begin to ache. With the forward foot position on the GT I can ride all day in comfort. The handling on the GT is nearly as good as the K1100, not quite as fast on the throttle or in the twisties but still plenty for some fun in the hills. After the recall for the timing chain and an update on the computer early on I've had no problems with the GT. It's long wheel base, not much shorter than my old Goldwing, really makes for straight tracking on the freeway and little problem with crosswinds and turbulence from trucks. Last winter I rode the GT in some pretty cold weather in the mountains but with the heated seat, grips, and my Gerbings jacket liner and gloves plugged in it was comfortable. I even had to turn down the heat in my gloves in 28 degree weather. The scoot's fairing which I thought looked a bit too avant garde at first proved to be excellent at weather protection. The 15" wheels give the scooter a better ride on rough surfaces as does it's good suspension.

I've owned two Silverwing scooters and a Burgman 650 but they really can't compete with the 650GT in my opinion. If the longevity of this scooter proves out it will be the last scooter or bike I buy because it serves so well as an errand runner, tourer and just plain fun machine. I no longer feel the need to keep a motorcycle as well as this scooter.

 

[JaimeC]

I'm waiting till the K1200LT hits the 200,000 mile mark before I make any decision. I have only a little over 10,000 miles left to go. Unfortunately, the wife isn't as comfortable on the C650GT as she is on the K1200LT so unless something comes along she likes just as much, I'll be riding the K1200LT for the forseeable future. I don't expect to hit 200,000 miles this year anyway (unless I park the C650GT for the rest of the summer... and that ain't happening).

Really, the only time I REALLY prefer the C650GT is when I'm stuck in traffic. Otherwise, the K1200LT is a far better long distance mount and just as good for bopping around town. But all the fun ends once I get stuck in traffic. Out on the road, it does have a REAL electronic cruise control. The weather protection from the fairing and Aeroflow windshield is far superior to the coverage provided by the C650GT with Aeroflow. I can pack a LOT more gear for two people in it, and I have my stereo to play with on the road. As far as leg comfort, I have a set of highway pegs I can use to stretch out, but I'm more than likely to just stand up and stretch, then sit right back down. The K1200LT also has about 100 miles more range per tank, and gets nearly the same mileage (though it requires a slightly more expensive grade of gasoline than the scooter). Oh, and the tires on that 850 lbs behemoth last TWICE as long as the tires on the scooter too. Go figure!

 

[SteveADV]

Purpose built bikes; the K top of the line touring and the CGT top of the line UMV. Crossover, sure, but the best in their specific category, I'm guessing (disclosure: never driven a K but they sure look purty).

 

[wsteele]

So in a post I said I was going to sell the c650 GT. well after the dealer offer me $3500.00 and I had bought a new Honda CTX700D I have changed my mind The Honda is good mechanically but you have to add a windshield and I have ordered a Corbin saddle because the seat is sh- t also I had to add floor boards the pegs are not very good, like I said the mechanics work really well but you have to add stuff to make it a good bike to ride I have to say the BMW came with all the parts necessary and you really didn't need any thing more. I have to take back my put down about the maintaince of the BMW it really is a complete bike and is worth what it cost. Please forgive Me I'll be a good boy

 

[exavid]

Coming from GWs I do know what a great touring bike is. I loved riding my K1100LT. It was a real museum piece with 12,000 miles on it and not a single scratch on the paint. But old knees didn't like sitting on it for much more than an hour at a time. On the GT no leg problems. Much more convenient in town than the LT or GW, With trunk and tail bag on the rear seat it will carry more than my GW. My wife prefers to ride on the back of the GT over the LT. Bigger seat and heated on the GT. I do road trips and I use a bike for most errands around town more often. Since I had planned on getting down to one bike for some time it didn't take too long to realize the one that I really needed to keep was the GT. So far it's proving the right choice for me. Tires? I don't know I'm approaching 6k on the bike and the tires look like they'd do another 6k. We'll see, however fast they go overall tires will be cheaper for the scooter than my GW.

 

[toomuchvinyl]

Glad to hear all of this praise for the CGT. I have ridden a '06 Yamaha Vino 125 for a little over 9200 miles now and am trying to get a C650 GT ordered. I've gotten accustomed to twist and go and would welcome the additional power and highway capability. I'm looking forward to taking delivery and getting to know it.

 

[Skutorr]

I have ridden a '06 Yamaha Vino 125 for a little over 9200 miles now and am trying to get a C650 GT ordered.

WOW! You are going to LOVE IT!

 

[Gnslngr]

Purpose built bikes; the K top of the line touring and the CGT top of the line UMV. Crossover, sure, but the best in their specific category, I'm guessing (disclosure: never driven a K but they sure look purty).

Well, can we say the best luxury touring? Because the RT is one great sport tourer as well. And the C600 Sport is, well, the best bike ever made.

 

[SteveADV]

Well, can we say the best luxury touring? Because the RT is one great sport tourer as well. And the C600 Sport is, well, the best bike ever made.

Ha, yeah, you're right. Lots of categories.

 

[SteveADV]

....Since I had planned on getting down to one bike for some time it didn't take too long to realize the one that I really needed to keep was the GT....

I've had my Road King, the KLR, and even the CGT up for sale thinking that one way for sure to find out if you want to keep a bike is to put it up for sale. I love all three but admit that while the Road King is a work of art (art being subjective, of course) there is more form than function when compared to the other two. So, I am selling the RK. While I also would like to get down to one bike, there are places I can go with the KLR I would not take the CGT. At this point I will settle for being a two bike guy with more miles on the Beemer and more dirt on the KLR.

 

[exavid]

Sounds like a good plan to me. I wanted to keep two bikes and will miss the K1100 as it was such a great example of a 20 year old bike that was like new as well as its great handling. Coming from a GW I loved the low end grunt the inline four had on the K bike. It just wasn't to be, my age is beginning to show up and I'm not ready for knee replacement just to keep a bike. I do have to say the looks of the K1100 is to me the best looking BMW bike I've seen. The real old beemers look great but the LT was a fine mix of just the minimal fairing to make the bike a good cold and wet weather ride but still looks like a motorcycle with a fairing not a plastic behemoth. I know it sounds blasphemic but I just don't really take to the R bikes. I've ridden my brothers R1150 and his newer R1200 and didn't like the more massive fairing and having all the plastic covering everything.
On consolation is that the C650GT will do everything I can ask it to do with aplomb. It even will eat a Harely sporty off the line and take it at the top end. I know, I've done it a couple of times. A Silverwing scooter will do it off the line but not at the top end. It's the 883 stock sporty I'm referring to not a 1200, I haven't had a chance to match up to one of those. All in all I'm satisfied with the GT and hope they last a long time because I hope to be riding this one for a long time.

 

[toomuchvinyl]

Glad to hear all of this praise for the CGT. I have ridden a '06 Yamaha Vino 125 for a little over 9200 miles now and am trying to get a C650 GT ordered.

Ordered Saturday. They found the color I wanted (Quartz Blue) with standard seat height new in the box in a warehouse in New Jersey. Hope to see it before the end of June. Can't wait!

 

[Skutorr]

I looked it up...what a great color! The factory examples don't do it justice. See what I mean:

 

[exavid]

The only downside of selling the K1100LT and keeping the GT is the LT is a great looking bike while my GT looks like Batman might like riding it. Not having a cape and mask I'll just have to do. Looks aren't everything... which is good for me too.

 

[tlippy]

exavid - I just picked up mu C650GT from a private party in Eugene and rode it home to Redmond last Friday. My Harley's on the block. It's scooters for now on for me !!!!!

 

[exavid]

Ordered Saturday. They found the color I wanted (Quartz Blue) with standard seat height new in the box in a warehouse in New Jersey. Hope to see it before the end of June. Can't wait!

Not bad, but of course it's not as fast as the red ones.

 

[exavid]

exavid - I just picked up mu C650GT from a private party in Eugene and rode it home to Redmond last Friday. My Harley's on the block. It's scooters for now on for me !!!!!

Congratulations! I think you're going to like this one.

 

[toomuchvinyl]

Not bad, but of course it's not as fast as the red ones.

And, if these are anything like collector cars, "Resale Red" adds at least 15% to the value!

 

[exavid]

In my garage are a 2015 Chevy Equinox, 2001 Jeep TJ and my GT. All red of course.