bike advice - similar to BMW 650 GS

Hi Guys and girls,

I have last week sold my GPX250 and am now looking for a bike that
will give me a bit more pleasure than the normal commuting needs of my
previous bikes. I have been riding for 10years, always on 250 or less,
they have been;

GPX250
TZR250
RG 250
DT175
DT175 (again)
GS185

As you can see, they have all been for commuting (with exception to
the TZR being my first bike. I am currently riding an Aprilia RS250
(its a load of fun for sure), but as i say, it is gouing to be for a
weekend rider and something that my wife can come along as a pillion
on. I dont know how comfy the small RGV or RS will be with a pillion.

So, what I am looking for is a BMW650 adventurer style, or a TRX850
Yamaha, or an RGV250 (they seem to be a fair bit cheaper than the
aprilia's, but harder to come by in good condition.

Is the BMW a good choice for commution and pillion needs?
What year did they change to EFI (I cant find an accurate answer on
Google)
What is a good year model to look out for?

Is the RGV a bad choice? (I am prepared to accept the extra
maintenance of the 2-stroke)

Can you think of any other bikes that may be something i havent
thought of? The 250-2stroke has the advantage of cheaper yearly
registration (in sydney, the difference is $250/year to $800year once
you step upto a capacity of more than 300cc).

I am on my open licence and my budget is around $6k.

Thankyou for your thoughts and ideas - I can smell summer already ;-)

James.

 

I would think that if your scope includes the F650 and the RGV, then
there are probably quite a few other choices available.

The F650 will handle two-up touring with some ease, unless you and your
pillion are both significantly substantial people. Since you will be
looking at used bikes, include the Aprillia Pegaso. It's almost
identical to the F650, except (I think) some models had five valves.
Some claim it is superior.

It's a great commuter as well. I have commuted on one, and I have
accompanied riders on F650s and Pegasos on extended tours, and they seem
to be able to hold their own as fun machines.

Moike

 

Isnt that 650GS a Rotax powered bike made by Aprilia in Italy?

Have not Aprilia the same thing [kinda?]

Save your pennys <$10k buy a NEW FZ6 Yamaha, just a great all round bike and
would be my choice if i was going into the 2 wheel field again

CDIHL

 

Which bit of "my budget is $6k" did you fail to comprehend?

He should buy a Pegaso and be done with it ;-)

Jules

 

This bit : "Save your pennys <$10k "

Roger that !

CDIHL

 

RGV

want a good one?? in Syd

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~glenmark/RGV/

or even a ripper RG250 ?? original 10K
since you have already had one

email me

 

Why would you swap an RS250 for an RGV ? The RS is a better bike.
Assuming the RS is borrowed, then yeah the RGV is a good bit of kit,
paging J5 for further comment !

If you want to carry a pillion who is taller than 5' nothing and bigger
than 40Kg I suggest the TRX or the BMW - putting a pillion on a 2stroke
250 is cruel to both the machine and the pillion.

I currently have a KR1 250 and had a TRX for a couple of years. The TRX
has two flaws as a pillion bike - the seat is rock hard (get a sheepy)
and the pillion pegs to seat is pretty close coupled. On the other hand
it has shed loads more torque and power and can cope quite easily with
having the pillion there without slowing you down too much. If your
pillion has willingly ridden on the RS then both the TRX and the BMW are
a better option than that.

The F650 is definitely the best of the 3 options for pillion comfort,
but that's about all I'll say for it, I don't think much of it. It's
underpowered, overweight, a sloppy handler and has suspension that makes
me think of 50's American cars.

I'd buy the TRX, bangs for bucks it's a great buy. On the other hand for
the money you have and given your penchant for strokers, seriously
consider an early 600 SuperSports, you should be able to get a good ZX6
or similar for the money. You'll find the way they handle and feel far
closer to the smokers than the bmw or the trx.

There's a fair bit of options around for that money, more info about
what you like / don't like might help.

JL
--
http://www.johnhowardlies.com/
The lie:
"We won't just automatically click our heels and follow the Americans."
John Howard, September 2002
The facts:
But one year earlier John Howard offered George Bush a blank cheque just
two days after September 11, 2001 when he said: "I've indicated
Australia will provide all support that might be requested of us by the
United States in relation to any action that might be taken."

 

Actually the thought just occurred to me, I know someone who has a
bandit 250 for sale, excellent pillion bike, surprisingly sporty for a
naked bike (goes quite well when you get used to it revving to 14 or 16
grand). Stays in your cheap rego zone and will keep it's value well
being learner legal

Contact me for more info, or google it....

JL

 

Rotax isn't made by Aprilia
It is as far as I know an austrian engine.
The engine is used both by BMW and aprilia in their big singles.
The efi model is the scarver which is the bmw cs650.

 

Quite a variety of stuff you're looking at.
Moike said it all...
The F650 Beemer or the Pegaso are a nice compromise and give you some
relaxed riding as well (if required).
Up to year 2000 both were built by Aprilia in Italy, then BM went to EFI and
started building in Berlin.
Aprilia followed later in 2000 with EFI.
Engines for both have been and still are the Austrian Rotax 655 model
singles.
BM as a 4-valve, Aprilia as 5-valve.
Up to year 2000 I'd rather prefer the Pegaso, after both got EFI i'd love to
see the BMW engine in the pre-2000Pegaso frame/ fork.
having had the luck to ride all pre/ post 2000 models of either brand, the
older Pegaso with USD forks has a gem of a frame/ fork combo, the current
BMW 650 series (all models) has got the best Rotax based 650 engine on the
market so far...it's stronger and smoother than the Aprilia version (of
course, we're talking small margins here, but still...)
Aprilia is rumoured to ditch the Rotax engine soon and go with the Yammie
660 single instead (the new version as found in the new XT660), but keep
building the Peg, we'll see.

cheers
pete

 

Sorry, I just re-read my original post - I didnt make it very clear
about the RS250 Aprilia i was on yesterday - it was a loaner and I was
very impressed with how it performed 1up. I needed something to
compare to because my RG and TZR, by comparison were very sick puppies
indead!

I am only considering the RGV since there are many spares available,
lots of knowledge and the parts price and initial price is less than
the aprillia. The cheapest apprilia i have seen is a 99 with low KMs
at $7500 - still out of my budget.

I havent thought about the TRX mentioned earlier, i will take a look
at it.

The BMW has a certain appeal to me - I just plain like the look of
them, though i have not ridden one yet. The BMW650 should retain its
value pretty well, since in NSW this bike is now learner legal (we
moved up from 250 to 660 with some exeptions a year or so ago).

Pillion is not my nmber 1 concern though - I really am not so
confident that my wife will in fact come on any or many rides with me
- she just not really that sort of girl - but if I do get her on the
back - she will be much more inclined to come again if it is not on
the 250 2stroker. She would be most at home on the armchair feel of
the virago cruisers, bt I dont like them.

So, I will add the TRX to my list and see what is on offer - thanks
for the advise so far.

The Pegaso, I cannot seem to find in my price range?

The other important point is maintenance - do any of these bikes stand
out as high maintenance cost bikes? remember, I am comming from the
reliable as all GPX250.

James.

 

I don't think think the TRX is a particularly comfortable pillion ride, then
again I've never done it myself but I know someone who has. The pillion pad
isn't too forgiving.

Sorry to sound like a scratched record but maybe you should consider a
Yammie Fazer 600. Should find one for around $6000. I've got one but am
planning on keeping it for a year or so.

Russell

 

No argument, it's not a particularly comfy pillion seat (stick a sheepy
on it and it's apparently acceptable). I only commented because the orig
poster raised it - it's certainly better than a 250 stroker but that's
really not saying very much.

JL
--
http://www.johnhowardlies.com/
The lie:
"We won't just automatically click our heels and follow the Americans."
John Howard, September 2002
The facts:
But one year earlier John Howard offered George Bush a blank cheque just
two days after September 11, 2001 when he said: "I've indicated
Australia will provide all support that might be requested of us by the
United States in relation to any action that might be taken."

 

I know that, a good customer though

Yes Bombardier [sp] Austrian made Canadian owned,of which are now trying to
buy the Aprilia group!

Yes correct

Did not know that,BMW now build the bike themselves.

CDIHL

 

In order of preference if I wanted a 250 2 stroke I'd buy RS, RGV, KRx
that's about the order for both performance and availability of parts.

It's not the first bike I would have suggested for your parameters (but
then the F650 is the *last* bike I would have suggested on what you've
been riding to date). TRX is a good bangs for bucks equation - it'll
keep up with stuff twice the cost on the road (obviously not so on the
track).

Like Russell(slocoach) said consider a Fazer, I'd add a Hornet to the
list, maybe the GS500 or ER5 or ZR7 - relatively inexpensive new so you
can get quite a young one for the money and they're low maintenance
anyway,maybe Bandit 400 or 600. Or an older 600 sports (CBR600F/ ZX6
etc) high volume of sales means you get more bangs for your second hand
buck and cheaper parts.

JL
--
http://www.johnhowardlies.com/
The lie:
"We won't just automatically click our heels and follow the Americans."
John Howard, September 2002
The facts:
But one year earlier John Howard offered George Bush a blank cheque just
two days after September 11, 2001 when he said: "I've indicated
Australia will provide all support that might be requested of us by the
United States in relation to any action that might be taken."

 

Are these just a random selection of bikes you found in the trading post
adverts in a particular price range ?

Nev..
'03 ZX12R

 

Depending on your size and shape, even the front seat on a TRX can be
none too flash.

Dunno about anyone else, but, as usual, I'm confused.

Wasn't the original poster asking about a decision between an RGV 250
and a BMW 650 GS?

I can see the attraction of the RGV (assuming you can fit on it!) and I
can see the attraction of the BM 650 but those attractions are almost
mutually exclusive.....

Apart from the Pegaso, which is relatively rare compared to the BM 650,
there really isn't too much on that style.

The stinking fast 250 strokers are also getting a bit thin on the
ground. :-(

Almost all other bikes fall someplace in between those two.....

How about a TZ250 (with 350 barrels) and a DT175, both using the same
number plate?

<shrug> what was the question again?

regards,
CrazyCam

 

Nope, he asked about RGV vs F650 vs TRX

insert

Which as Paulh implied is a bloody odd combo of possible choices

Beer ?

JL
--
http://www.johnhowardlies.com/
The lie:
"We won't just automatically click our heels and follow the Americans."
John Howard, September 2002
The facts:
But one year earlier John Howard offered George Bush a blank cheque just
two days after September 11, 2001 when he said: "I've indicated
Australia will provide all support that might be requested of us by the
United States in relation to any action that might be taken."

 

Depending on your height perhaps you should consider something like a Honda
Dominator or Transalp