BMW - comfort costs extra

I had a go on an F650, found it uncomfortable and found it hard to believe
that they sell a comfortable seat as an optional extra.

Here's my email to them and their reply;

My email to BMW;



I had a test ride on the F650 GS and found the seat to be quite
uncomfortable after 30 minutes. The very helpful salesman told me about the
comfort seat option available at extra cost. I thought this quite unusual. A
world renowned motorcycle manufacturer makes a motorcycle with an
uncomfortable seat and then wants to charge customers extra for a
comfortable seat.



I was told I could have a lower seat (uncomfortable version) option at no
extra cost.



Tell me; is it true that you want me to pay extra for a comfortable seat?



I was also told that it wasn't possible for me to test ride an F650 GS with
a comfort seat fitted - do you know of a dealer that has a demonstrator with
the comfort seat? I couldn't possibly buy an F650 GS unless I was convinced
that I could remain comfortable on it for 200 miles or so in a day.







Their reply;





Thank you for your email to BMW Motorrad Customer Information.



I am sorry to read that you found the F650GS uncomfortable to ride after
just 30 minutes, BMW Motorrad carry out extensive testing to ensure comfort
and safety on all our vehicles. The F650GS is available to order directly
from the factory with either the standard seat or a lowered seat, and will
therefore be the only types of seats available on any demonstrators. The
comfort seat is a chargeable optional accessory as it will require fitting
once the bike has arrived at the dealers.



Please contact me again if I can be of any further assistance.




A BMW won't be replacing the Transalp so I suppose they've saved me some
cash.


John

 

<snip>

The 'comfort seat' has been a BMW option for years.

Bear in mind that you're dealing with a company who's native language is
German so their are subtle nuance's of meaning of words in play here.

 

^^^^^
there're

 

Why, they're shit.

Buy a Versys - everyone I know who's tried one back to back with a F650
has gone for the Kawasaki

 

Thank you for your valuable contribution.

 

NAHAY?

 

I looked at the Versys but it's the same weight as the Transalp and I was
looking for something lighter, possibly better finished and with a better
resale value. What I really want is a modern take on the KLE500 I'm steadily
wearing out. The KLE is slimmer and lighter than the Transalp and the riding
position is perfect for me. Unfortunately it's low on power, has crap brakes
and is not very well finished. It's fine on the lanes and bendy A roads
around here (Mid-Wales) but isn't as good as the Alp for all day rides on
bigger A roads and motorways.

I'm being reduced to the idea that I may have to research how to improve the
KLE with an aftermarket exhaust system, air box & jetting changes and a
replacement front brake. I could then buy one of the inexpensive low mileage
ones that come up on eBay and spend the winter disassembling it, getting it
painted nicely and putting new bits on it.

I've had a look on Biketrader and it appears that low mileage Versys can be
had for around 4k - I'll take a ride down to M&P and take a closer look at
one.

John

 

What about a 650 Vstrom?

 

Looked at it. Same price (new) as a Versys but 10kg heavier - possibly
heavier than the Transalp. It's 24kg heavier than the KLE. Also the finish
on a 1 year old one looked very ropey - although I don't know how hard a
life it had had.

I guess I'm looking for that perfect single bike to replace the three I run
now. I dream the impossible dream.

John

 

Dreaming about a super KLE? Not impossible, but certainly unique and
probably worthy of being defined as a new psychiatric illness.

 

Indeed. Even with four, I still feel I *need* two more (a full-on
tourer & a little 'pop into town' bike). Then there's the 'want' list...

Weight's the big issue. If money was no object & you could afford to
get a bike custom made out of titanium, magnesium & cf, you could get
away with far fewer bikes.

 

<snip>

So you initially ruled them out because of what the spec sheet said,
without trying one out? Tut-tut! You should read the reviews and
comparisons instead; in every test I've seen so far the Versys comes
out ahead of the BMW and the V-Strom.

 

wessie wrote:

Sounds like he needs something like a KLE650.

 

<snort>

 

Gixer thou.

 

Thought about looking at an XT660 of some description?