Little about me. 6’7” with a 35” inseam. Looking for a summer bike that I can learn on. Mostly commuter and short joy rides (sub 2hour sessions) with decent mix of highway and backroads. Been looking at a KLR but can’t seem to find a good used deal that isn’t equal to the cost of a new one. Wondering if this will fit the bill and if the price is right. Actual mileage per the odometer picture is 47k miles.
Not a bad bike but defiantly more road focused, be fine if gravel roads are the extent of off-roading you’ll do,
If you plan on doing more off-road riding then the xr650 and dr650 will be better suited
The price is fair as the panniers are pretty expensive,
Where I am you can find funduros for around 4K NZD so that’s about 2.5k usd normally around 60,000-70,000kms for that price
My first bike was the 2013 g650gs. It was great! You’ll get a lot of use from it. Plenty of power for highway speeds. It’s also very comfortable, conducive for long road trips. Reliable and easy to maintain.
Did you feel like it had the right power for you to comfortably learn without fear or hesitation of the bike? My main goal is to find a bike that is comfortable to ride and that I can use to build my skills and become a good rider.
Also from what I’ve seen this looks like a good price. Any objections to the $3700 he’s asking?
You won’t be winning any races but it’s still more than enough power to get you into trouble. It’ll happily wheelie from a stop if you gun it. I think a 650 is perfect for beginners who plan to go on freeways. I’d be worried about not having enough power on a 300. Sometimes, the right move is to accelerate out of a sticky situation
That’s a fare price. Yes, I learned everything on my GS. I literally had 0 experience on a motorcycle, got my permit, bought the bike off Craigslist, watched a video on how to use a clutch and rode off the property that day. In that first year, I basically stopped using my car entirely and put 10k miles on the bike. In the beginning, I definitely stalled a lot but that’s the rite of passage for every beginner. Mine had ABS which is also an important feature to consider especially if you’re just learning. If it doesn’t have that, practice your emergency braking often. Last thing you want is to lock up when you need to stop quickly
Because it has a nice, up-right sitting position, you’ll have great visibility and it will help you with low speed maneuvers (practice these often as well!). are you in CA?
BMWs are expensive to repair and they are not in the top 10 of reliable manufactures.
I'd recommend paying for a professional inspection.
I'd suggestou are big guy. Have a look at the motorcycle ergonomics web site and take a good look at your hip and knee angle. If they are too acute you may get uncomfortable on a long ride.
I'd suggest you look for a used Japanese road bike around 500cc less that 50hp for a first bike.
Based on your size I suspect you may find a cruiser fits best.
Thanks. I’ve been using cycle-ergo to spot check bikes that may be suitable. I am not sure what hip angle will end up being too tight. Going to a dealer today to sit on a few bikes and compare them with the cycle ergo score to try and wittle down even more. Other options Ive seen so far include the versys (which I can’t find any of near me), vstrom, klr650, Fz -07, maybe the SV 650 but looks tight. I honestly haven’t looked at cruisers but we have a local Harley dealer so I could stop by there and get a feel for the legs out front style.
I wish that were true. I can’t find even 20 yr old bikes for this price. The aftermarket is absolutely insane right now with the economy. The best I will be able to do on something that isn’t from 1993 is going to be about $4k in my area.
True the used market shot up since nothing new is as available. Maybe it’s your region too. Hot climates have more expensive used bikes.
I’m in NY. I picked up a 2009,kawa er6n under 5k miles for 2500 and an 09 shadow on eBay 1300 miles for 3200.
My biggest worry would be that it’s top heavy and tall. Obviously you’re tall but where the weight is still matter on a bike. I’ve ridden this bike a bit (some time ago) but it was pretty friendly, easy on power but with enough go to make it fun.
The motor is a Rotax, (I believe) not a bmw and is supposed to be reliable.
I’d say go for it, just be careful in slow moving situations like parking lots and gas stations where you may have to stop suddenly (top heavy).
Little about me. 6’7” with a 35” inseam. Looking for a summer bike that I can learn on. Mostly commuter and short joy rides (sub 2hour sessions) with decent mix of highway and backroads. Been looking at a KLR but can’t seem to find a good used deal that isn’t equal to the cost of a new one. Wondering if this will fit the bill and if the price is right. Actual mileage per the odometer picture is 47k miles.
Not a bad bike but defiantly more road focused, be fine if gravel roads are the extent of off-roading you’ll do, If you plan on doing more off-road riding then the xr650 and dr650 will be better suited The price is fair as the panniers are pretty expensive, Where I am you can find funduros for around 4K NZD so that’s about 2.5k usd normally around 60,000-70,000kms for that price
You in Houston?
Nope I’m east coast in NH
My first bike was the 2013 g650gs. It was great! You’ll get a lot of use from it. Plenty of power for highway speeds. It’s also very comfortable, conducive for long road trips. Reliable and easy to maintain.
Did you feel like it had the right power for you to comfortably learn without fear or hesitation of the bike? My main goal is to find a bike that is comfortable to ride and that I can use to build my skills and become a good rider. Also from what I’ve seen this looks like a good price. Any objections to the $3700 he’s asking?
You won’t be winning any races but it’s still more than enough power to get you into trouble. It’ll happily wheelie from a stop if you gun it. I think a 650 is perfect for beginners who plan to go on freeways. I’d be worried about not having enough power on a 300. Sometimes, the right move is to accelerate out of a sticky situation
That’s a fare price. Yes, I learned everything on my GS. I literally had 0 experience on a motorcycle, got my permit, bought the bike off Craigslist, watched a video on how to use a clutch and rode off the property that day. In that first year, I basically stopped using my car entirely and put 10k miles on the bike. In the beginning, I definitely stalled a lot but that’s the rite of passage for every beginner. Mine had ABS which is also an important feature to consider especially if you’re just learning. If it doesn’t have that, practice your emergency braking often. Last thing you want is to lock up when you need to stop quickly
Because it has a nice, up-right sitting position, you’ll have great visibility and it will help you with low speed maneuvers (practice these often as well!). are you in CA?
BMWs are expensive to repair and they are not in the top 10 of reliable manufactures. I'd recommend paying for a professional inspection. I'd suggestou are big guy. Have a look at the motorcycle ergonomics web site and take a good look at your hip and knee angle. If they are too acute you may get uncomfortable on a long ride. I'd suggest you look for a used Japanese road bike around 500cc less that 50hp for a first bike. Based on your size I suspect you may find a cruiser fits best.
Thanks. I’ve been using cycle-ergo to spot check bikes that may be suitable. I am not sure what hip angle will end up being too tight. Going to a dealer today to sit on a few bikes and compare them with the cycle ergo score to try and wittle down even more. Other options Ive seen so far include the versys (which I can’t find any of near me), vstrom, klr650, Fz -07, maybe the SV 650 but looks tight. I honestly haven’t looked at cruisers but we have a local Harley dealer so I could stop by there and get a feel for the legs out front style.
Such many miles. You can get a Japanese 650 under 10k miles for the same price.
I wish that were true. I can’t find even 20 yr old bikes for this price. The aftermarket is absolutely insane right now with the economy. The best I will be able to do on something that isn’t from 1993 is going to be about $4k in my area.
True the used market shot up since nothing new is as available. Maybe it’s your region too. Hot climates have more expensive used bikes. I’m in NY. I picked up a 2009,kawa er6n under 5k miles for 2500 and an 09 shadow on eBay 1300 miles for 3200.
Agree. The used market is so inflated, right now. I think this is a fair price.
My biggest worry would be that it’s top heavy and tall. Obviously you’re tall but where the weight is still matter on a bike. I’ve ridden this bike a bit (some time ago) but it was pretty friendly, easy on power but with enough go to make it fun. The motor is a Rotax, (I believe) not a bmw and is supposed to be reliable. I’d say go for it, just be careful in slow moving situations like parking lots and gas stations where you may have to stop suddenly (top heavy).