By Mark
I’m not an off-road rider by any stretch of the imagination, unless you count the occasional out-braking myself going into corners.
However, I did recently test a BMW 650 GS and I can firmly say I was not impressed.
The reason I wasn’t impressed is because it was a single cylinder and I hate single cylinder motorcycles. I know there are lots of you that like them but I fail to see the virtues I’m afraid.
The bike just chugged and chugged and chugged, twin-cylinders are much the same. Sure this is a sweeping statement but the single and twins I’ve tested have been chuggers. I much prefer the smoothness of a four-cylinder any day of the week.
The reason I’m telling you this is that I’m not going to be singing from the rooftops at the announcement from BMW of a new 650 GS, the G 650 GS Sertao, so you should probably go and test it if it’s your thing. I will say that I do like the styling of this and the original, hence me testing one!
BMW are saying it’s a single cylinder endure for off-road and everyday use and are even using the words ‘sporty’. It looks sporty, I doubt the performance is going to thrill you, but then that’s not really what the bike is designed for.
The engine is a liquid-cooled, high-torque (according to BMW), fuel injection, double ignition and two overhead camshafts. The 652cc displacement delivers 48hp at 6,500rpm and you can have it reduced to 34 hp should you so desire.
BMW have also lengthened the spring travel (210mm front and rear) and made the bike turn tighter.
The bike is available in: Aura White / Arroyo Blue with Sertao lettering and there’s the usual massive amount of accessories available.
