BMW G650X Challenge Thread Index

Between the front of the mudguard and front wheel is not a good idea. If it's even possible

Parabrisas are closed due to Covid, so I am considering other options. Do any of you have experience with the Isotta screen? https://www.rs-motorcyclesolutions.de/de/windschild-bmw-g650-xchallenge-hoehe-350mm.html

Simple but effective. Thanks

I was fortunate that the PO reinforced the sub-frame with extra supports.

High guys. We have just bought an X challenge with a stock seat--and they are tall!--we would like to fit the low seat option but none exist in BMWs system(no surprise there). The part number is 71607710844 (X moto low seat). We are in the UK but would be happy to buy one from anywhere really. So if anyone has one for sale then please get in touch. Alternatively a secondhand stock seat would be useful---that we can get re-sculpted and upholstered.

OK - It sure has taken some time, but I have finally bonded with the XChallenge I bought last year. I now see what a great bike it is but I had problems seeing past these (mainly minor) issues in the beginning, since they pointed towards a neglected bike and that gives me that nagging doubt:

- The "recent service" the PO claimed was performed was obviously not very recent: Black stinking oil, much metal on the oil plug and an air box that looked like this: https://advrider.com/f/threads/bmw-g650x-challenge-thread-index.335086/page-1128#post-42165549
- The genuis PO had mounted a USB stick directly in the air box cover using long screws penetrating the air box. Luckily he had not ridden it after he did it. (Removed and holes filled now)
- After cleaning the air box and the throttle body the bike ran like shit, probably due to me being an idiot and not resetting the throttle body. Runs fine now.
- Warped brake discs
- Leaking fork legs
- Slightly loose hand grip on the throttle. Only enough to have the bike loosing a little speed constantly and generally behaving strange. Easy fix as soon as I found out.
- Crazy tall bike. Still is.

The main issue has been the combination of an older battery and the decomp issue leaving me stranded far from home a couple of times. I have spent far too much of my life pushing motorcycles that f***** wont start, but this one is luckily far lighter than my other lumps of steel. I am however turning 50 this year, so I must admit that while pushing and panting my thoughts wandered in the direction of newer, presumably more reliable rides. There are not many alternatives that spring to mind:

Honda CRF300L or Rally:
Light, reliable, new, cheap, probably need new suspension and I suspect I would miss torque and power

Honda CRF450L:
Like over, but more powerful, better suspension, surprisingly expensive and needs service as often as smaller KTMs, which was much the point of buying the X.

Yamaha WR250F:
Like a more dedicated CRF300L with even less torque, but higher price.

Husquvarna 701/KTM 690:
These I really like, but I fear they are too "ready to race" for my gravel ambitions and will push me to ride over my talent. I had a 990 Adventure for some years and ended up commuting in twice the legal speed limit daily. Not good.
Apart from the CRF300L all of the above are over my budget. A smart man would have sold the other 9 bikes (yes, it is a diagnosis, but one is going out next week) and bought what he wanted, but still I think the right bike for my use is a simple and light low maintenance bike with decent suspension and a big torquey engine. Which crashes well. Which I plan to do a lot since I am a novice in the loose stuff. Apart from a Honda XR650, much else does not spring to mind.

So I am keeping the bike. I should have found most of the issues had I done my homework before bying, but most of them are easily fixable and I presume that the Rotax 650 takes neglected service better than most engines. All fluids are now fresh. I put in a new lithium battery last week (still have to do the decomp, but the new battery overcomes the issue so far) and went for a long ride. This bike is impressively fun and surprisingly comfortable given its 2x4 seat. The exhaust burnt a hole in my trousers, so a Leo Vince is planned and so is a front screen and a weak gear lever (in addition to the brake discs and the decomp). After that I am good to go:


2007 G650 XChallenge with 23000km
- New TKC80s
- Touratech skid plate
- Lower footpegs
- Voigt +30 Bar Risers
- Handguards
- Luggage rack
- Wilbers rear suspension (no piggyback)

Good looking XC! Hope it serves you well for another 23000kms

I also recently bought an Xc, and yes, they are ridiculously tall. I was very fortunate as the PO had a spare seat that he lent me to experiment on for sculpting. I was able to sculpt it down and was able to get at least approx. 1 1/2" or more seat height reduction. I will post some photos. What limits how low you can sculpt is the channel they built in the seat pan to accommodate the silly air pump for the silly OEM rear air shock. Right in that area is where my foam is a little less than an inch thick after shaving. I did a test ride of a few hundred km and my butt survived pretty well, my Versys X 300 is actually worse. I will post some photos later on.

What is decomp ?

Good analysis of all the alternatives out there. Unless you want to spend some serious money on a new 701 or 690 there is not much choice. The XC really is somewhat of the Unicorn everyone wants. Reliable, reasonable weight etc. and you can get them cheap for what they are. I also looked at a XR650L. The stock seat height is even higher, although the one I was considering was lowered to the point of me almost flat footing. The owner used lowering links (opinions vary on those). I think the X was simply ahead of it's time. In 07 everyone thought the behemoths that Charlie and Ewan used was the way to go. Having a financial meltdown in that time period didn't help. I am also starting to bond with the X, did some gravel running yesterday and it flies ! Nice torquey engine and does very well on the highway.

Here is the sculpting I am currently working on. Check the tangs on the frame that they are going into the slot on your seat. My tangs were bent down and the seat was sitting on top. Probably added over a 1/4" to the height (every bit counts)

Also, pay attention on where your air pump channel is, try to leave at least an inch of foam in that raised area. The raised part I left near the rear is not necessary, it is only there because that is where I stopped shaving. Level that part right to the end as it would be much easier to re-cover. Really doesn't matter how much foam in that area unless you intend to have a pillion.

@uski The Seahorse SE56 micro case is a popular option to mount on the skidplate.
You could compare it's size to check if the one from amazon works.
I'm very happy with mine. I use it to carry some small tools, a tubeless repair kit and a set of 20cm (8") tirelevers.

And..I would really recommend you take it to a shop to have the shaving and re-covering done. I was lucky that I had a seat to experiment with. Getting the foam nice and smooth and even is not easy. Keep in mind that Seat Concepts sells a foam and cover kit in the event the seat has to be returned to normal

thanks for the thoughts and pics--I've sculpted and recovered several seats so this doesn't give me the shivers. I use an angle grinder and very gentle sweeps just touching down at an angle--and this leaves a nice smooth finish. I have a decent air stapler which is essential in attaching the cover--and there is technique to that as well. My motto--never pay anyone to do a job that you can do yourself(and being retired I can take my time on zero labour rate!)

Wish you lived close by, I would send my seat to you ! I may try the angle grinder trick. I tried sand paper but I would be too old to ride by the time I got it smooth !

I have used an electric carving knife to contour several different seats, including the Seat Concepts kit currently on my Xch. The electric knife makes it easy to get a smooth finish.

Picked up a passenger on the weekend.

Your a chick magnet

No point in grousing about it.
Just got to let it fly