Topic: Honda cb650 vs BMW F650

[juntjoo]

So I'm considering a BMW F650. Nighthawk is in the shop and may cost more to fix than buying a new(used) BMW off Craigslist. All I know is that one has four cylinders whereas the other one, so one revs better(smoother?) whereas the other vibrates more I think at least at higher revs. And also maintenance on one cylinder is much easier. I kinda don´t want to leave my four banger but I might just end up fixing it on my own some day down the road. So I just wanted to get input on comparing these apples to oranges as I´m not really that familiar with either. Thanks

[jgger]

BMW Builds a good bike, HOWEVER......... when it comes to repairs BMW stands for Bring More Wampum. They can be costly to repair.

[juntjoo]

BMW Builds a good bike, HOWEVER......... when it comes to repairs BMW stands for Bring More Wampum. They can be costly to repair.

Thanks. What about how they differ in riding experience as far as the engine/power is concerned? Why does one manufacturer choose one type of engine(single cylinder) vs another (inline four or V for that matter) and what does that mean for the rider?

[CBJoe]

BMW Builds a good bike, HOWEVER......... when it comes to repairs BMW stands for Bring More Wampum. They can be costly to repair.

Thanks. What about how they differ in riding experience as far as the engine/power is concerned? Why does one manufacturer choose one type of engine(single cylinder) vs another (inline four or V for that matter) and what does that mean for the rider?

There's probably an encyclopedia of answers to those questions.  The two bike have almost absolutely nothing in common....especially depending on the years of F650's your looking at (Fuel Injected vs Carb'd).

Are you looking for a dual-purpose machine?  Or just something comparable to the 650?

[juntjoo]

BMW Builds a good bike, HOWEVER......... when it comes to repairs BMW stands for Bring More Wampum. They can be costly to repair.

Thanks. What about how they differ in riding experience as far as the engine/power is concerned? Why does one manufacturer choose one type of engine(single cylinder) vs another (inline four or V for that matter) and what does that mean for the rider?

There's probably an encyclopedia of answers to those questions.  The two bike have almost absolutely nothing in common....especially depending on the years of F650's your looking at (Fuel Injected vs Carb'd).

Are you looking for a dual-purpose machine?  Or just something comparable to the 650?

Well, I'm not looking for a cruiser or crotch rocket. So it fits that criteria. It looks like the BMW is a comfortable ride. I read they aren't used much as off road as much as comfy street bikes but it's nice to have that option. If maintenance wasn't an issue I like four cylinders powering my ride, but what are the advantages of single cylinder engines as far as performance or anything for that matter besides ease of maintenance? Thanks

[juntjoo]

The F650 is targeted as an urban commuting bike. Single cylinder equals high fuel mileage, low emissions, lightweight. Easy to ride and simple to repair.

Another option is the F800. It’s a parallel twin, belt drive, plenty around used. Comes in a few variants from street, tour, dual purpose riding. A great small, inexpensive bike for daily riding in urban, suburban and weekend rides. A bit under powered for serious touring.

Thanks for the info!

[Scott S]

 What's your budget? There are tons of great used bike options out there.

[juntjoo]

What's your budget? There are tons of great used bike options out there.

Actually it's starting to look like I'm going to salvage my nighthawk. The Harley mech apparently dropped a bolt(Harley bolt) in the head, according to current capable mechanic, so the bill shouldn't be too high to fix it up. I gotta get down to the shop (a couple towns away) to check things out, take pictures, see if there is a mark on the piston to match the mysterious mark on the valve, in case I gotta take him to court. So I'm probably going to have new mech fix it up.

But had I decided to let it go/part it out, I would have looked to spend around 2g's, not much more.

[RAFster122s]

A Wee-Strom (650 VStrom) is a great bike too and capable tourer if you do not weigh a lot.

[juntjoo]

A Wee-Strom (650 VStrom) is a great bike too and capable tourer if you do not weigh a lot.

I do not. 160lbs tops. I like my 650 and imagine 750 would be the highest I'd go at my current skill level as a new rider. I'll check out this "wee-Strom". Probably won't be getting another bike soon but eventually I'll probably want at least two for one goes down.

... Pretty sweet the vstrom. And it's a v-twin. Would that be a compromise between the single cylinders and inline fours? Not as economical as the single but more than the fours? And do more cylinders equate to smoother and higher rpms?

[05c50]

What year is the F650? Like other people have said, the two bikes are completely different. The 650 is a BMW in name only. The engine is made by Rotax and the chassis made by Aprilia. The early models (Funduro and Strada) have a cult following. Like other Thumpers of similar design (think KLR650) they are a good reliable bike, but the engine is a little noisy and does vibrate, especially at highway speeds. A common problem with the early ones is that oil drain plug threads strip out of the case easily. There's a couple ways to repair it.

..........Paul   

[juntjoo]

What year is the F650? Like other people have said, the two bikes are completely different. The 650 is a BMW in name only. The engine is made by Rotax and the chassis made by Aprilia. The early models (Funduro and Strada) have a cult following. Like other Thumpers of similar design (think KLR650) they are a good reliable bike, but the engine is a little noisy and does vibrate, especially at highway speeds. A common problem with the early ones is that oil drain plug threads strip out of the case easily. There's a couple ways to repair it. 4

..........Paul

Thanks, yeah, I think I like the inline fours better overall, or at least v twins.

[juntjoo]

V, parallel twin, single or 4 cylinder, they all have their idiosyncrasies. They all have benefits, drawbacks, and all can be highly fuel efficient.

Singles are the most vibrating due to asymmetric mass rotating. Twins are next, fours are the least vibrating in general because of mass balance. But the nature of a motor’s rotation is what many seek, referring to it as their character. If you’ve not ridden many bikes of differing cylinder count, you’ll struggle to understand.

Personally, the triple is my presence. Smooth, torque-filled, and ample ponies to run. Triumph makes a good one but they’re outside your target budget. BMW made a K75 that is an awesome ride, again a bit more money than you stated.

Take some time and ride lots of bikes. Then decide.

Triple?? Didn't even know they existed til now! Crazy. Well, not so much. Okay. Interesting. Now I want K75. Next time...

[70CB750]

That BMW has a Rotax in it.  Former colleague of mine got it for his wife - and ended up riding it more than his 1100 or whatever he had. 

[juntjoo]

https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/col/mcy/d/bmw-f650-st-gs-great-bike/6666298188.html

This is the f650 st I was looking at. But I'm going to fix my nighthawk so no present need for another bike. But it looks like a nice deal. Who knows, maybe I'll change my mind. There's another nice looking 750 out there too...


https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/col/mcy/d/honda-nighthawk-cb-750/6651676884.html

[BomberMann650]

The bmw f650 shares that rotax powerplant with my desert race quad. 
It makes some good vibrations.  Nothing obscene.  They are reasonably smooth and plenty strong under load.  Dynojet carb upgrade and an AMR ignition cdi was a good step up for stock performance.
Really can't speak highly enough of that engine.  I've put mine through lots of abuse and long steep hill climbs.  Splashed through some sandy water and flipped it upside down.  Hasn't quit on me yet.

Of course, now that i got my hands on a big bore piston, i'll be bolting that on with a port polished head and intake this winter.  Gonna have a 720cc monster when I'm done.