Why am I enjoying this 650GT so much??

[GSMetal]

I bought my 2014 with 12,000 miles on it this past February in the middle of a very raw, rainy, snow. I kind of bought it on whim. It was cheap enough, as most bikes are in Wisconsin in February and I put it on a trailer and brought it home.

I have been a longtime motorcyclist for over 42 years having more (non-Harley) bikes than I can remember. Last year, I sold my ST1300 after 10 years. I wasn’t driving it and I thought I was getting out of motorcycling so I got rid of it. But, as so often as I do, I started looking at classified ads to see what might strike my fancy. Then a few maxi scooters started showing up in my feeds and the next thing I know I had announced to my wife that I was interested in getting a Maxi Scooter - much to her surprise.

And so, I found one and brought the little guy home. It had $2000 work of accessories and another $1800 worth of maintenance work to it so I thought it was a good deal.

Once the weather warmed up I got out to take it through its paces. Initially it was one big ‘Meh’. Driving motorcycles for decades this was really a big change - seating position, no clutch, weird looking, etc. Over my motorcycle career, I’ve driven just about every type of bike including off road in Baja, Death Valley and Sedona plus plenty of long distance runs on road.

But the little guy has grown on me. I’m still not thrilled with the seating position, but the ease of getting on and off of the thing along with how easy it is to maneuver in the city environment is pretty cool.

This past weekend I went to test drive a R1200RT and I couldn’t believe how HUGE the thing was. This is a bike I wouldn’t think twice about buying and yet I’m going to take a pass on this one.

I’m not sure how long I’m going to keep this little guy but for right now it’s exactly what I need and I’m enjoying it.

 

[Sherlock]

Great you are enjoying the scooter. Likewise I too have been a keen bike rider, dare I say 52 years now. Anyway I just love my 650 GT and such a contrast to the Ducati Multi 1200s. I have considered doing a tour on the GT but don’t find it quite as comfortable as the Multi. Even adjusting the seat back rest doesn’t make much difference. The only reason my wife loves the GT is it has a heated seat. Now she wants heated seats in the Series 2a Lightweight. Enjoy.

 

[Ceesie76]

Congrats on discovering one of motorcycling best kept secrets - well, in the US anyway. Elsewhere in the world, hundreds of millions are enjoying the scooter benefits daily. I came over in 2018 from Geneva having ridden a Honda 300 scooter for years and first vehicle I got was my 2016 C650 Sport and couldn't be happier. For long distance commuting I got a K1600 GTL but for all else I take the Sport.
Funny you call it a little guy - it's really still quite heavy, compared to the F800 ST I briefly also had.

 

[RollaCosta]

BTW I have just gotten Aprilia SRV 850 for my second bike. It is better for touring, a little worse in the corners. Much more plush suspension. And it needs a lot of customization work! (Just like my C650 Sport did)
If you have С650 GT, you need no SRV 850

 

[Seán1959]

I bought my 2014 with 12,000 miles on it this past February in the middle of a very raw, rainy, snow. I kind of bought it on whim. It was cheap enough, as most bikes are in Wisconsin in February and I put it on a trailer and brought it home.

I have been a longtime motorcyclist for over 42 years having more (non-Harley) bikes than I can remember. Last year, I sold my ST1300 after 10 years. I wasn’t driving it and I thought I was getting out of motorcycling so I got rid of it. But, as so often as I do, I started looking at classified ads to see what might strike my fancy. Then a few maxi scooters started showing up in my feeds and the next thing I know I had announced to my wife that I was interested in getting a Maxi Scooter - much to her surprise.

And so, I found one and brought the little guy home. It had $2000 work of accessories and another $1800 worth of maintenance work to it so I thought it was a good deal.

Once the weather warmed up I got out to take it through its paces. Initially it was one big ‘Meh’. Driving motorcycles for decades this was really a big change - seating position, no clutch, weird looking, etc. Over my motorcycle career, I’ve driven just about every type of bike including off road in Baja, Death Valley and Sedona plus plenty of long distance runs on road.

But the little guy has grown on me. I’m still not thrilled with the seating position, but the ease of getting on and off of the thing along with how easy it is to maneuver in the city environment is pretty cool.

This past weekend I went to test drive a R1200RT and I couldn’t believe how HUGE the thing was. This is a bike I wouldn’t think twice about buying and yet I’m going to take a pass on this one.

I’m not sure how long I’m going to keep this little guy but for right now it’s exactly what I need and I’m enjoying it.

Just sold my 07 Blackbird and bought this low mileage 2016 model. It gets delivered to me next week. The blackbird was my third but I'm afraid father time as caught up with me and I'm looking for something a little more relaxed. I'm optimistic about spending a lot of time on the roads with this BMW.

 

[Delray]

Funny you call it a little guy - it's really still quite heavy

Not just one "little guy" but three in seven paragraphs.

A C 650 GT is a 575-lb. mid-size motorcycle. A 400 GT might be a "little guy," but even that is a stretch. A Burgman 200 would qualify.

For comparison, the GT's weight is within striking distance of a '25 BMW R 1250 RT. Google up a picture of that beast and see if you'd call it a little guy.

Equally baffling are people who call GT's "scoots." That sounds vaguely diarrheic, and certainly not an accurate description of a machine with this build-quality, power, handling and creature comfort.

(I've owned six and loved them; I'm entirely biased ;o)

 

[davepen]

My GT is bigger, and heavier than my GS...

 

[RollaCosta]

All you need is try to put my Aprilia SRV850 onto the central stand. GS or GT feel like toys after that. With its 275Kg kerb weight, it is a cruza-scoot. I am literally forcing myself not to “pull the clutch in” at stops as the weight feeling and vibes from its 90 degree twin are very cruisery. Luckily it all just works as the rear brake. I just don’t have to find the neutral before releasing it…

 

[Seán1959]

I bought my 2014 with 12,000 miles on it this past February in the middle of a very raw, rainy, snow. I kind of bought it on whim. It was cheap enough, as most bikes are in Wisconsin in February and I put it on a trailer and brought it home.

I have been a longtime motorcyclist for over 42 years having more (non-Harley) bikes than I can remember. Last year, I sold my ST1300 after 10 years. I wasn’t driving it and I thought I was getting out of motorcycling so I got rid of it. But, as so often as I do, I started looking at classified ads to see what might strike my fancy. Then a few maxi scooters started showing up in my feeds and the next thing I know I had announced to my wife that I was interested in getting a Maxi Scooter - much to her surprise.

And so, I found one and brought the little guy home. It had $2000 work of accessories and another $1800 worth of maintenance work to it so I thought it was a good deal.

Once the weather warmed up I got out to take it through its paces. Initially it was one big ‘Meh’. Driving motorcycles for decades this was really a big change - seating position, no clutch, weird looking, etc. Over my motorcycle career, I’ve driven just about every type of bike including off road in Baja, Death Valley and Sedona plus plenty of long distance runs on road.

But the little guy has grown on me. I’m still not thrilled with the seating position, but the ease of getting on and off of the thing along with how easy it is to maneuver in the city environment is pretty cool.

This past weekend I went to test drive a R1200RT and I couldn’t believe how HUGE the thing was. This is a bike I wouldn’t think twice about buying and yet I’m going to take a pass on this one.

I’m not sure how long I’m going to keep this little guy but for right now it’s exactly what I need and I’m enjoying it.

Just part exchanged my 07 Blackbird for the 2016 650GT. It's actually heavier than the Blackbird!!. Weight is low down so not too bad .

 

[RollaCosta]

I am remorsed by majority outright rejecting the idea of maxi-scooters.
In their mind, maxis are bundled together with Vespas and other small fry. And then they drop out of motorcycling altogether because it is not convenient, easy or safe. Or there is no HD that excites or suits their budget...
Could solution to impending industry crisis be right there?
Perhaps it takes new kind of bravery, the one Victory Motorcycles were unwilling to show (or screwed up by marketing oversized non-LAMS CVT motorbikes with nice fashion ladies, like they did to the Vision 800 concept)?
For example, CFMOTO is developing an integrated 800cc with e-CVT as can be seen https://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle-news/cfmoto-developing-cvt-motorcycle/