BMW F 650 GS review, test ride and video

BMW Motorrad’s always had confusing motorcycle nomenclature, but the F 650 GS has to be among the most difficult of BMW bike names to understand. In a nutshell, this parallel-twin isn’t a 650, but a 798cc bike. 

The baby GS is now available in India through Navnit Motors, and we've just hopped off after a short ride. As expected of any BMW, the 650 is a top quality motorcycle that looks the part – a capable and aggressive adventure bike, even if it comes with alloy rims instead of wire-spoke wheels. The F 650 GS is a tall bike, not much smaller in feel than big brother, the R 1200 GS, even for a six-foot tall rider. The front end is BMW signature, with an offset headlamp unit. The bike switches and adjustable levers feel very BMW, along with unique turn indicator operation buttons, and an oddly located front brake master cylinder unit that bobs around in a position too high for our liking over the handlebars. Instruments are nicely laid out, a mix of analogue and digital display counters with all the essentials in place.