800GS vs KLR

heard that the engine was built in taiwan..
anyone with facts to confirm this?

That is either a misunderstanding (450), or a deliberate misrepresentation.
The engine is a rotax.

BMW, in partnership with Kymco, have a factory in Taiwan. At present they are building the new G450 dirt bike there. Also, a new F650 Dakar single is said to be coming this year. Small details are missing, like, is the motor built in Taiwan too? Or just the bike? Is it a Rotax? Or BMW built?

Another persistent rumor indicate Rotax too have also looked to Asia to produce some engines. True? I have no verification.

BMW also imply that the current F800GS/F650GS now built in Berlin at the Spandau plant, using a Rotax built motor, will, in future be built in Taiwan as well.

You hear all kinds of rumors and BS but if you follow interviews with the head honchos like David Robb among a few others, you can sometimes get a clue as to what plans might be.

KLR tinkerer, Thanks for all that info! I don't think people realize the load on the engine and tranny when you go to that 16 tooth sprocket. my theory is that HP= rpm x torque If you use more rpm to get the same hp to push against the wind you will need less torque to do it. I realize there are other variables here but I'm always nervous when gearing up past stock. I suppose leaving it stock gearing only helps until you want to go 85 next and it would have blown up then i'm sure.

I couldn't have even run that first day with you!!

"I rode 1100 miles, 1421 miles, then 1491 miles"

If the motor is stock I wouldn't sweat a 16T sprocket. I ran 14, 15, 16 on my KLRs and so did everyone else I knew and we never had a KLR motor snag exept for the doohickey on one of mine which broke and even ridden that way for 1500kms didn't hurt anything. Sadly most of the problems we had were from doing maintenance. Stripped threads and such. The less we did to these bikes the better off we were. After 10,000 or so Kms even valve adjustments were a waste of time.

I actually think people overestimate the 'extra load' from the 16t...

I'd agree with most of that, but it doesn't hurt to check the valves once in awhile, as I found out when my '87 wouldn't start because the valve clearances were nearly nuttin'. :eek1

This has been a great thread. I have also been doing the KLR vs. F8GS debate. It is really quite a complement to the KLR that it stands up so well to the significantly more expensive BMW. There doesn't seem to be any "victor" in this debate, just pro's and con's mostly related to spending more and getting more. The venerable KLR is still one helluva great bargain. There's just something about the simplicity of the KLR that is appealing.

Yep, I have to agree with you bill77.

The KLR is a great bike for the budget minded guy, or an entry level adventure motorcycle.

I wanted a bike that could do highway and could do trails. It did everything well.

After a few long day adventure trips 500-600 mile days, and a week long trip doing the Labrador loop, I wanted something more road worthy, without giving up too much off road. The F800GS was the answer.

And to have fun on the trails, I bought a DR350SE that neede some TLC. I can afford to thrash this little wonder of a bike in the woods without ever worrying that it'll cost me big bucks.

I just have to wait another 4 months for summer to come back.

Bought my son an 08 back in May, drove it home from the dealer and the 1st thing we did was drain the oil and change the filter with Rotella 10W-40 diesel mineral oil. Bike will run all day at 75 mph with no oil consumption. Bike now has 9K on it and it takes 4 oz to top it off between oil changes....what oil consumption problem? The oil is the problem not the engine, its too slick and blows by the rings.:huh

New F 650 motor is made in China, that comes from my local BMW dealer, that killed the sale for the wife. She won't buy anything from China, she's looking at a DR and KLR now. Probably have one or the other by the 1st of the year.

Geez, how many times do we have to stomp on these "rumors?" :huh The F650 and the F800 motors (both 798ccs, BTW) are built in Austria by Rotax. Your dealer is misinformed. Tell your wife that unless she also has something against the Austrians as well, she can safely buy that F650.

David

True for now. But perhaps the dealer was referring to the new F650 single coming down the line? An all new F650 Dakar single is rumored, I'm sure you've heard about it.

While I certainly support your wife "boycotting" Chinese goods, I would suggest she check her closets, underwear draw, shoes, kitchen pots and pans, coffee maker, toaster, and on an on .... or anything bought at Wal-Mart (who I boycott! for their strident anti-union stance)
I'd bet most are Chinese sourced items, despite the Euro or American name on the label. Check the
"Made IN ..... " part. Are we fed up yet? Ready to actually take action against this? Don't bet on it. Americans are very short sighted, selfish and most of all
stupid. (proven by the fact that middle class American elected Bush .... twice. and now look where we are! )

Also, the DR650 is still made in Japan but keep in mind, Suzuki has long had facilities in Korea and China. All Suzuki cars are made in Korea and lots of other Suzuki stuff is made in China. I love my DR650 and had two Vstroms (Chinese made plastics!) but fact remains, ALL the big four have been in China quite a while, and not just China, but elsewhere in Asia and other regions. They are all world companies now. Only way to survive. GM have been in China over ten years too BTW.

Fact is, BMW are very late to this migration ... to their loss.

BTW, Kawasaki has had a plant in Thailand for over ten years now. ALL KLR's are built there .... motors, frames ... the works.

Honda has also had a Thai plant for over ten years (lots of smaller, Asia market bikes built there, none come to USA) .... and Triumph have been there now since 2000. :eek1
Beautiful stuff coming off the Triumph line .... I saw it all being unpacked when visiting the Triumph UK factory in Britain in 2003.

Changing world now.

I believe that the G650GS is in fact built in China. It is the single cylinder model. I recentlly read a review on this bike and it was noted there. You can read it here:
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/73/1962/Motorcycle-Article/2009-BMW

Happy Holidays

TC

Why do you keep referring to a new F650 single "coming down the line"?
Assuming you mean the G650GS, it's been in showrooms for nearly two months now.

:huh

And I'm with WoodWorks, can everybody please get it right from now on? The G450X motor is built in Taiwan, the G650GS motor is ASSEMBLED in China.

"F" motors are all Rotax, all Austrian.

Thumpercrazze's link was dead but perhaps the one below will work?

Well I was wrong ... or perhaps someone at BMW was fibbing a bit.
This bike is nearly identical to the "old" F650GS single. And get this: the claimed dry weight is an astounding 387 lbs. My guess is the true dry weight will be over 400 lb.s with the wet weight going up to perhaps 440 lbs. or thereabouts. Too heavy for a single IMO.

The initial reports I'd heard from BMW said ALL NEW G650. Oh well.

The bike is built at Kymco, Rotax copy motor, frame built in Berlin.
Lets hope they didn't source the electrics to India


http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/73/1962/Motorcycle-Article/2009-BMW-G650GS-First-Ride.aspx

I haven't seen these "new" G650GS singles in California yet. And it's hard to get it right ... even BMW dealers screw this up. So give me a break on this shit, it's all in flux and you're gonna see a lot of changes in coming years.

According to the review the "new" G650 single is totally built in China, at the Kymco factory, using "Rotax blueprints". So, NOT just
assembled, but built ... according the review linked above.

As far as ALL "F" designated bikes having Rotax motors? Well bubba, any bets that all changes in the next few years?

New G650GS at my dealers today (San Diego).

You can't even see the present, how can you see the future?

Buy the GS.