2012 BMW G650GS Sertao Owners

[Yossarian™]

Originally Posted by Durden

Whats the general thoughts around this G650GS Sertao vs. F800GS

I'd say that you should move past the brand and also investigate bikes from other manufacturers.

DL650
Versys
Tiger 800

[Desertbilly]

I haven't seen anyone claim it's a major innovation in any way -- just an update of the reasonably popular Dakar. Sure, everyone would love if they'd shaved 30 - 50 pounds off of it, but that's clearly not going to happen.

I sold a 1200 Adv a few years ago as just way too heavy (for me, at least) to do anything very technical on, and moved to an RT as a vastly better tourer, again for me. Now I'm thinking I need a new lightweight adventure tourer in my stable, for dirt and gravel around the AZ and the other four corner states. I'll consider a Sertao in the next year, as well as a 690 Enduro (or 690 Adventure, if it materializes).

The Enduro has an 80-90 lb weight advantage, more power and more suspension, but the Sertao has (or will have) more comfort, more aftermarket everything, easier maintenance and more reliability. So I don't know which way I'm going to go, but I'm glad to have the choice.

[GAS GUY]

Originally Posted by Desertbilly

I haven't seen anyone claim it's a major innovation in any way -- just an update of the reasonably popular Dakar. Sure, everyone would love if they'd shaved 30 - 50 pounds off of it, but that's clearly not going to happen.

I sold a 1200 Adv a few years ago as just way too heavy (for me, at least) to do anything very technical on, and moved to an RT as a vastly better tourer, again for me. Now I'm thinking I need a new lightweight adventure tourer in my stable, for dirt and gravel around the AZ and the other four corner states. I'll consider a Sertao in the next year, as well as a 690 Enduro (or 690 Adventure, if it materializes).

The Enduro has an 80-90 lb weight advantage, more power and more suspension, but the Sertao has (or will have) more comfort, more aftermarket everything, easier maintenance and more reliability. So I don't know which way I'm going to go, but I'm glad to have the choice.

You make a good point, a 650 gs would compliment your RT nicely.

[Durden]

Originally Posted by Yossarian™

I'd say that you should move past the brand and also investigate bikes from other manufacturers.

DL650
Versys
Tiger 800

I've actually owned a number of XLs (100,150,250,650), a KLR 650, KLX 250s, and Yamahas over the past number of years and have taken many long distance trips with these Japanese bikes (including Canada to Mexico on the KLR). I have enjoyed all those, but they just seem very basic (they work fine, but I have never 'loved' them).

I'm now looking for something a bit more technically advanced (ie. fuel injection) and have test rode a few BMWs and fell in love. I may be in the honey moon phase of BMW enduros, but I can always trade up again in a few years. The 1200 was amazing, but WAY too much bike for exploring the back country, the old 650s are nice, but heavy and a bit small for eating up miles. I was leaning to the F8, but have concerns around reliability.

I'm sold on the BMW for my next ride, just need to determine if the F8 is worth the extra $$, of if something like a new Sertao or used 2008 Dakar would suffice.

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by Yossarian™

I'd say that you should move past the brand and also investigate bikes from other manufacturers.

DL650
Versys
Tiger 800

+1

But if he wants offroad, the Tiger 800XC is his only choice of the three, and
that'll cost as much as a 800GS which is universally praised more @ offroad
conditions.

For road riding, both the Kwak and DL650 would be better IMHO, cheaper
and more reliable they most bikes on the planet ATM.

[trainman]

I've always wanted a BMW 650 GS, but for one reason or another never bought one. I've had KLR's, 650 V-Strom's, DRZ 400S's. and a 1200GSA in the last 4-5 years, but at age 66 and not riding as much as I use to, I'm wanting to settle down to just one bike. This not because I can't ride, it's because I just don't care to ride that much anymore. A bike that I can do 200 mile days with some light offroad is what I will always stay with, that is a duel sport bike. I've been looking for a used Dakar, but just can't find a super nice one at this time and I'm a picky buyer, pretty much the bike has to be factory stock, or with very few addons. I think the Sertao will be my next bike if I don't find a super nice Dakar before them.

John

[Psychout]

Originally Posted by trainman

I've always wanted a BMW 650 GS, but for one reason or another never bought one. I've had KLR's, 650 V-Strom's, DRZ 400S's. and a 1200GSA in the last 4-5 years, but at age 66 and not riding as much as I use to, I'm wanting to settle down to just one bike. This not because I can't ride, it's because I just don't care to ride that much anymore. A bike that I can do 200 mile days with some light offroad is what I will always stay with, that is a duel sport bike. I've been looking for a used Dakar, but just can't find a super nice one at this time and I'm a picky buyer, pretty much the bike has to be factory stock, or with very few addons. I think the Sertao will be my next bike if I don't find a super nice Dakar before them.

John

I agree with you - I too was looking for a nice used Dakar, but honestly...a lot of owners have upgraded them and are hanging onto them - main point being that they are reliable.

I just wish they put some decent forks on these, but at the end of the day its a tried and proven setup for the Sertao...which for me is a low risk purchase. The price is really the selling point and if people want to upgrade it to be more off road suited...drop the $2.5k on new forks and you will still have the bike for another 10 years of fun.

Anyone gone to a BMW dealer to yet to find out when these bikes are arriving on show room floors?

[Durden]

I really like the Dakar/Sertao setup. Ive been looking for a used Dakar, but get a kick of owners wanting a huge premium thinking the bikes are *that* special. Thanks, but I'll spend a few grand extra and get a new Sertao, or for the same price get a lightly used F800GS - twice the power for 10 lbs more weight.

Rumors are that BMW is going to push the Sertao as the most common single (as opposed to the standard G650GS), if thats the case there should be a lot of good used ones on the market soon (next few years).

My hunt continues.....

[BogeyMan]

As far as I can tell this is a "parts bin" bike. They must have had a bunch of the 650 singles lying around. Add to that a pair of spaghetti leg forks (non-adjustable, cos they're cheap). Same steel frame as the older G650GS. Crappy rear shock. Warmed over slightly higher tech instrument cluster.

Don't get me wrong, the [old] F650GS (now of course rebadged as the G650GS) is a good little bike (I know, 'cos my wife has one and I'm the resident mechanic). But to call this thing a "new model" is insulting.

[petepuma]

My local dealer just got one of these today, regardless if you think its just a dakar or not, it is quite a nice
Lookin bike. Price is $9500.00' ...... Thats kinda steep if you ask me, not sure if its 3 grand better than
Than a KLR?

[leafman60]

Ive already posted on several similar threads.

1. Is the BMW worth the extra money over a KLR or DR ?

The BMW is almost 50 perecent more hp than the japanese singles. The BMW runs so much smoother, especially at highway speeds, it is in a whole different league. Try one and you will see. Whether these advantages are worth the cost is up to the buyer.

2. Sertao ?

I prefer the 19 inch front wheel on the regular GS version. It handles better on the road and does just fine on the dirt. This is not intended to be a hard-core dirt-bike but rather a dual-sport. If you like running some curvy, two-lane sporty roads with this light weight little mount, that 19 inch front will turn quicker and offer better traction.

[PullingG's]

I believe the Sertao also includes includes heated grips, aux outlets, etc. Not $3k worth of little extras but can add to extra HP as mentioned and decide if it has that extra value. For folks without a lot of jake or looking for that second bike...probably not enough to offset. For folks going on a longer dual sport / adventure tour - maybe?

[petepuma]

No doubt the BMW is a better bike, it is on my short list to replace my '05 Klr....the standard GS just feels to small for me, I'm 6'2 the sertao fits better and I'm used to the 21" front wheel.

sent from my 3D EVO on tapatalk

[Durden]

I suppose the next question is: Is the $3K bump to a F800GS worth it, or is a Sertao with $3K worth of kit a better value?

[Cal]

I suppose the next question is: Is the $3K bump to a F800GS worth it, or is a Sertao with $3K worth of kit a better value?

I vote for $3K worth of extra kit. Personally I don't need the extra power of the 800 and I like using regular gas in my 07.
On a recent trip my friends f800 used about 30% more fuel than I.
$3000.00 could buy all your accessories and a 2 week trip somewhere