BMW G650X-moto

I was given the opportunity to test ride this bike. Thought I'd share my thoughts on it here. This is BMW's answer to the SuperMoto craze we're having in Europe these days. With speeding cameras everywhere sportbikes are becoming less practical so this kind of bike is making more sense as it gives more fun at smaller speed figures. This particular bike has a great little engine, although it doesn't feel so little mind you as it's very torquey and makes big progress from 0 to traffic beating speeds. You really feel like you own the road on this whilst traffic filtering. Needs little effort to wheely as well, in fact I'm no expert at this but was actually having trouble keeping the front on the ground.

Flaws I found (in my opinion as maybe they make sense to others) are the hard seat, useless mirrors, too hard rear shock and high rear end pushing me too far forward. I guess the rear height problem could be fixed quite easily as the rear Sachs shock could be height adjusted but the seat is a real problem as it makes high milage impossible without walking like a rancher on arrival.

Cornering is far too easy if a little nervous due to all the forward weight bias. Overall a well made bike which looks expensive and special but will need some fiddling with to make your experience with it more rewarding.

[the_lone_wolf]

interesting choice, why the beemer?

Well actually I was given the keys by a friend who does a TV program on cars and bikes as he had it for a TV article. He said he'd like to have my opinion on it so instead of going directly to the gym in the morning I sort of took the long way round. Would you refuse an opportunty like this

Interesting! It looks like they are now making seats purely for the looks and lines that comfort sadly, I thought the pointy SV was already heading that way.

High? Tell me about it, especially with the air shock on the X-Challenge which rises up as you try to get off

My X-Challenge is up for sale (at the right price ) if anyone fancies a bit of something different...don't we all from time to time

My X-C has the X-Moto seat on it as its a bit lower, it is a plank.

By the way the X-moto can be picked up quite cheap over here as they are sitting in delears didnt catch on, but dont think they are making any more, same with X-Challenge, just the reworked far eastern engined X-Country now last time I looked.

I took the liberty of posting your bike here white rabbit. It looks the business. Does it have the same frame and components (except for enduro wheels and mudguards) as X-moto then? It certainly looks like it does.

I wonder why the X-moto didn't sell in UK. It looks good enough, has quite enough power for what it is. Maybe because people buying that type of bike prefer KTM? But surely servicing the BMW is cheaper and less frequent than KTM. How much are X-motos selling for then?

Looks the dogs danglies, shame that it'd be pretty useless to own, except as Sunday afternoon tool.

look nice bike's i wouldnt buy one though as you can get a ccm much cheaper that's probably gonna be better at the job.

I love the X-Moto it looks superb, never riden one though. £3k buys you one with virtually no mileage at the moment.

Yes the X-motos are virtually being given away, well they are not, but you know relatively. I don't know, maybe the brand doesnt sit well with the intended market. Maybe they are tamer than the 'real thing'. Probably former, which verges towards a hatred by some

The X-C is pretty similar, diferrent forks and an air shock.

Setting aside the moto, what the X-Challenge has going for it as a dual-sport is that it has 6k service intervals with the old Rotax engine, so its more like a 'modern day' DRZ. But as said above its pricier etc. It is the best put together bike I have had (exceeding the 12GS) and built by Aprillia.

X-Challenges were going for 4k our of dealers, mine is priced up as its blinged and.....well you can't get one now easily . Chancing my arm really, I am in two minds to keep it. A new shock would sort the air shock 'character' and then it would be great, but then I have made a KTM 690E really...who knows.