F650gs
 

Since the revival of my R25/3 i've been enjoying the two wheeled thing so much i'm starting to think maybe i'd like something modern w/ fancy stuff like brakes and abs and electric start and turn signals.

Are these good 'around town' bikes? I'd hate to give up the R25 but it's kinda tempting to have something that i could ride to an appointment that i actually had to make (vs. a 50+ yr old bike that might decide i'm not going anywhere).

What got me thinking was the other day when my bike just quit on me. Was in a safe spot but it occured to me that a vintage bike is not quite the same thing as a vintage car. Turns out it was just a simple wiring issue (my own fault) but still.....

Do mean the single or the twin? The model designation is a bit confusing even for me, and I've had a 650 Dakar for a few years and rented a F650 (800cc twin) in Austria. Both are great rides, the 800 is better on the open road, the single is a bit lighter so could be nicer in town.
Jim

F650 is a twin, G650 is a single. I think the twin is nicer to ride but it depends on where you're going to ride it. The single can get buzzy on the freeway.

As much as I love the old R bikes, whenever I get seriously thinking about them I ponder where/when I'd actually ride it. There is no way I'd commute on one in LA, and other than a short spin to a local "bike night" or maybe a cruise up Pacific Coast Highway, I really can't see riding it. Manual start, drum brakes, etc? Not on a daily basis...

i get the vintage bike problem. i'd happily ride the BMW F650GS. good bike, reliable, enough umph to get you there, good fuel economy.

well the thing is i'm in a perfect area for a vintage bike. my office is about 1.5 miles from my home and i live in a small rural town of approximately 2500 ppl. took a ride today that included maybe 1/2 mile if 55mph highway (never got to that speed and found the experience to be decidedly unpleasant) and then 5 or so miles of 35 - 45mph backroads. the backroads were a joy.

the bike gets all kinds of attention but then case in point i blew a fuse about 1/4 mile from home and had the great joy of pushing the rest of the way (have a whole box of fuses on the bike now;) ). of course one guy who has seen me pushing the porsche past that very spot asked what the problem was. he didn't have a fuse handy but was happy to hear it was a simple issue. he loves the bike. been getting a lot of that. everybody wants to know how old it is, etc. etc.

so, it is a joy and seeing as i really don't care for highway riding and have plenty of empty country backroads nearby i suppose i'll just hang on for now. probably wouldn't turn away an overpaying buyer but not going to look for one either.

btw was looking at older F650's. 2001, 2, etc. 50hp singles with modern equipment and the idea that i could follow some dirt roads once in a while.

intersting to note that i sat on a sportster at the local HD joint yesterday when inquiring about having a new set of tires mounted. have sat on these many times before and always thought 'wow, what a perfect seating position'. no more. turns out my little beemer is a somewhat sporty ride with the handlebars i have on it now and i like it that way.

mine gets all kinds of attention to. i just get sick of wrenching on it. my perfect plan would be to have modern bike that i trust and the '77 bonnie cafe.