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Hello from the fine state of Pennsylvania I have been a life long Dirt biker with a few Scooters mixed in . I was at a few dealers with my wife looking at a Adventure bike and we both really liked the new BMW 650 GT . So I am here to learn about these fine bikes .
 
Dirt Dud said:
Hello from the fine state of Pennsylvania I have been a life long Dirt biker with a few Scooters mixed in . I was at a few dealers with my wife looking at a Adventure bike and we both really liked the new BMW 650 GT . So I am here to learn about these fine bikes .
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Welcome ... start reading ;-)
 
Bornfree said:
Go to the post (you wrote) you want to delete ... click on the "edit" button in the bottom right ... when that page opens ... click on the "delete" button in the bottom right.
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Risking sounding like a complete idiot .... But I cannot see a 'delete' button (Chrome browser) ??? after clicking on 'edit'
Perhaps I haven't got the access rights or is there something in the 'settings' which I need to adjust.
Almost wasting too much space here for this task ...
 
dukdukman said:
Risking sounding like a complete idiot .... But I cannot see a 'delete' button (Chrome browser) ??? after clicking on 'edit'
Perhaps I haven't got the access rights or is there something in the 'settings' which I need to adjust.
Almost wasting too much space here for this task ...
Click to expand...

Interesting ... hmmmm ...
When I do it, the new window offers 4 box choices: Save; Go Advance; Delete; or Cancel
I'm using Chrome as well. I do not understand why you are not seeing that.

I just did it for this post and edited it by adding this line ... and I'm looking at those 4 boxes right now. when I'm done adding this, I'll click Save.
Oh well, you're about to become a Beamer Rider soon ... don't sweat the small stuff ... just Ride Safe!
 
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Got my 650GT blue last week...is a 2015 with 150 miles and but went into service in Nov 2016, so has 3yrs warranty less 3 months...got from local used bike business (not a dealer). Lived in Port Charlotte, FL since June 2015 and sold my 2008 Burgman 400 scooter shortly after arriving for several reasons but always enjoyed the scooter. Then found some groups to ride with and joined the American Legion and their AL Riders require more than 400 cc bikes, so got the BMW 650. Sort of got out of touring years back so sold my 2004 Moto Guzzi California EV Touring bike. But it sounds like this bike is great for touring if I want to. For several years I was a Rider Coach for the MSF...started riding in 1967 with a Honda 300 Superhawk....a classic. Sold it when military didn't bikes on the navy base, so got a MGB. That's enough I figure. Best wishes to all.
 
Hello from Bedford in the UK. I have been lurking around the forum for a while as I considered converting to the C650GT from my decades of ownership of several Honda FJS600 Silverwings.
I have always ridden scoots (and yes, I was a Mod in early sixties Liverpool) with my first bike being a Dayton Albatross powered by a Villiers 250cc twin and it could exceed 45mph!
This December gone, at the end-of-year sales, I bought a one year old 1100 miles 2016 C650GT in frozen bronze with the low seat option. The low seat just about makes for tip-toe stability when stopped (but not for any rear-paddling) with my 29inch inside leg.
I’ve only limited use so far but I have found the ‘basics’ (engine, suspension, acceleration, general comfort and top speed) of the bike to be excellent. However, I have to say, IMHO, that the stupidly expensive Side-View-Assist is less than useless: I am currently working on covering the warning triangles with a wide-angle mirror that will cover the blind-spots!
I am also in the process of trying to fit a CalSci screen (my thanks to Bornfree, JaimeC, TwoPort and others) and currently failing miserably. I will add more to the ‘Larger Screen for C650GT’ post.
 
Hey Grample, Glad you are with us. Sounds like you favor the CGT over your other scooters. How come the change from the Silver Wings and what are the advantages to the CGT? I mean, you are an experienced scooter dude and probably can provide some insight to others that might be wondering the same thing.
 
C650GT v Silver-Wing

SteveADV said:
Hey Grample, Glad you are with us. Sounds like you favor the CGT over your other scooters. How come the change from the Silver Wings and what are the advantages to the CGT? I mean, you are an experienced scooter dude and probably can provide some insight to others that might be wondering the same thing.
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Hi SteveADV,

Thanks for the welcome. To be honest I am more just old than experienced. Basically my move from the Honda Silver-Wing to the C650GT is simply down to wanting a change after decades of owning ‘Wings.

The Honda is well sorted, if now somewhat older, technology and is so very reliable that I have never experienced a fault during twentysomething years of ownership. With loads of after-market kit readily available, the weather protection, comfort, on-board storage, and handling up to 75mph are all excellent. The design would have gone on forever had it accommodated larger wheels and a more efficient but slightly larger engine. New it costs less than 70% of the price of a new BMW but it is now a discontinued model.

The C650GT has a bit more power, torque, stability at speed and top-speed than the Honda and it gives noticeably more ‘feel’ at higher speeds. Strangely, the BMW is easier to man-handle even though it is a bit heavier than the ‘Wing and this is useful to me as the BMW seat height (low seat option) is borderline acceptable to my short legs. The BMW seems well sorted for the basics (love the newly modified engine characteristics and its new growl) but it does seem less well sorted for the add-on goodies - the screen travel that loses its reference points rather easily and a Side view Assist that simply does not work for me (and in place of which I would have preferred a couple of slightly-wide-angle secondary mirrors - and I’m working on providing that).

My most urgent task is to source an aftermarket screen that provides the really good weather/wind protection that I am familiar receiving from the Givi venturi one on the Honda.
 
Grample,

Welcome. I'm a convert from a Silverwing, although not nearly the years of experience as you on one, but a steady mover from scooters from 50cc>150cc>250cc>500cc to my current C650GT. I agree with many of your observations, the Silverwing was a great ride, reliable, semi-easy to work on besides all the tupperware removal, but it was older technology that needed a facelift and updates. For me the wheel size was an issue at highway speeds, especially on rough roads and the BMW has felt stable at any speed I've reached.

The Silverwing does have some excellent online support, information and parts availability as well as lower cost of ownership. The online presence and information is getting better for the BMW as the numbers of owners are growing.

I'm in the same boat with the 29" inseam but I ended up opting for the regular seat with heated option. I was a bit concerned at first, but as I have gained experience it has not really been an issue with one foot down or occasionally both feet on tip toes. I've found that sometimes it just easier to get off and push it around to park or move rather than attempt from the seat. That was a plus for the Silverwing. My only concern would be riding 2-up (wife has no interest anyways) as not sure how easy it would be to do the one foot down trick with 2 riders.

Overall, I was a bit unsure at first when I made the switch, but now I don't think I could ever go back. I only hope we see more aftermarket accessories and parts available in the future. (A nice set of modern hard cases would be my next upgrade...

Stay safe and enjoy the new ride,
 
Hi bicyclenut,

A belated thanks for the welcome.

Unless your 29” is bigger than my 29” (schoolboy snigger) then you are a brave man. I feel as though I am on the edge of safety even with the low seat: maybe too many years of comfort on the ‘wing.

And I couldn’t get my wife on a bike even if she was hog-tied and comatose……… although now that I think about it then maybe that might be fun.

My go-to accessory supplier for the ‘wing was always Givi but apart from the tail rack and top box they seem to have completely abandoned the BMW scooters and I couldn’t source their at-one-point-listed replacement screen at all. Although I never felt the need for side cases for the ‘wing at least they were available at reasonable cost. Good luck in your hunt for a set.

My next upgrade will likely be the Kaoko throttle control which I found on the ‘wing to be great for relief from grip-spasm on long trips.

May we always keep the plastic and the soft pink bits off the scratchy stuff!
 
Grample said:
....My next upgrade will likely be the Kaoko throttle control which I found on the ‘wing to be great for relief from grip-spasm on long trips.....
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dukdukman has tried the Excel product. The knob looks like it might be easier than the Kaoko. New product here in the US though, so maybe not available in the UK yet.
image.webp
 
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SteveADV said:
dukdukman has tried the Excel product. The knob looks like it might be easier than the Kaoko. New product here in the US though, so maybe not available in the UK yet.
View attachment 1909
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shouldn't be a problem. Not available at all in Australia, but if you speak to the bloke - Tom - he psoted mine to downunder. I might be the first Australian user .....:cool:
 
Hello, newbie here, owned many motorcycles and scooters...New to the 2014 BMW C650GT world. Have a bum knee and it brought my this way. Rode the scooter from Atlanta to Raleigh NC yesterday. 400 miles, day 1. My butt is soar, but safe. Things I learned on the ride...thing does 80MPH no problem, sometimes more...great wind protection, need a better seat, NOISY motor... I do like it, VS. others on the market. Just thought the motor would be more refined. My Suzuki Burgman 650 was a lot quieter, but not a nice looking. I will be chatting along the way here. Thanks
 
Hey Paul,

Glad you're here. Yup, the engine noise is a little loud compared to some bikes but powerful (as you found out on your trip home). I think you'll be very happy with your purchase. Thoughts on the bike from new owners is especially welcome, so keep us up to speed on your thoughts.
 
Hi everyone, I am a newly endorsed rider and just got a C 650 GT last weekend. My eventual goal is to tackle the Victory Vision sitting in the garage but it'll take me some time to work up to it what with the shifting and stuff. My husband has been working with me and this morning I made a short ride that included freeways and parking lots and construction, so I feel semi-accomplished now. I look forward to learning about the bike with you all!
 
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