-
Home
-
Latest Headlines
-
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
New Models
BIKES: 2012 BMW G650GS Sertao First Ride
BMW has brought back its single-cylinder 650 dual sport motorcycle, formerly known as the F650GS Dakar, for the 2012 model year.
We actually think that if you equipped the Sertao with proper off road tires and dialed the suspension in, this would be a true off-road weapon in the proper hands. (Photo: Motorcycle USA)
BMW has brought back its single-cylinder 650 dual sport motorcycle, formerly known as the F650GS Dakar, for the 2012 model year. With its roots running back to 1993 and the original single-cylinder F 650 Funduro, the G650GS and G650GS Sertao represent the next stage on the evolution of the BMW GS lineup. Like the original, the Sertao is more than a dual sport because it’s aimed squarely at the burgeoning adventure touring segment, and more specifically, the entry-level adventure touring rider. BMW had hoped the twin-cylinder F800GS would fit the bill these past few years, but the demand for a low-cost, even less-intimidating ADV bike helped facilitate the return of one of our old favorites.
The Sertao is one of the ultimate multi-purpose motorcycles. It’s designed to handle off-road conditions, starting with its 21-inch spoke front wheel and 17-inch rear. The OEM Metzeler Tourance EXP tires aren’t necessarily the greatest for off-road, but they are great on the street and did an admirable job in the dirt. The G650GS is tall with a 33.9-inch seat height, (low by German standards perhaps, so an optional 35.4-inch seat height in available for taller riders) and offers pretty decent ground clearance, plus it’s relatively light at a claimed 426 pounds. A beefy steel skid plate protects the front of the engine and frame rails. Hand guards keep brush and the elements away from the rider’s hands. The tall windscreen offers a fair amount of wind protection but the narrow bodywork leaves the rider’s legs exposed as we found out on a particularly cold stretch of during our road test.
The most apparent difference between the old Dakar and the new Sertao is the appearance. The new version features the now familiar BMW asymmetrical headlight arrangement, as well as the GS-style bodywork made popular by the F800GS and R1200GS. The dash houses an analog tach with a clean LCD screen that offers speed, dual trip meters and a clock – plus a trip meter that tracks how many miles you’ve gone once the bike hits its one-gallon reserve. Curiously, there is no fuel gauge.
At the heart of the Sertao is a counterbalanced, twin-spark 650 Single. The fuel-injected engine churns out an ultra-mellow 50 horsepower and 44 lb-ft of torque. The powerband is linear, with no real peak or surge, so it is ideal for new riders and works very well off-road. BMW claims the 650GS is capable of getting 74 mpg if you keep the speed at 55 mph. that would equate to about a 270-mile range. We would expect it to be in the 50 mpg range at normal speeds but we will have to wait to confirm all of that later when we conduct a full test.
Now, in case you missed the memo, all BMW motorcycles come with ABS as standard equipment these days. Since the Sertao is designed specifically to explore off the beaten path and in the dirt – it is good to see that BMW made it very easy to turn the ABS on and off. Simply toggle the ABS switch on the left handlebar when the bike is stopped and the rider can be ABS-free.
For the rest of this article visit MotorcycleUSA.com
The Sertao is one of the ultimate multi-purpose motorcycles. It’s designed to handle off-road conditions, starting with its 21-inch spoke front wheel and 17-inch rear. The OEM Metzeler Tourance EXP tires aren’t necessarily the greatest for off-road, but they are great on the street and did an admirable job in the dirt. The G650GS is tall with a 33.9-inch seat height, (low by German standards perhaps, so an optional 35.4-inch seat height in available for taller riders) and offers pretty decent ground clearance, plus it’s relatively light at a claimed 426 pounds. A beefy steel skid plate protects the front of the engine and frame rails. Hand guards keep brush and the elements away from the rider’s hands. The tall windscreen offers a fair amount of wind protection but the narrow bodywork leaves the rider’s legs exposed as we found out on a particularly cold stretch of during our road test.
The most apparent difference between the old Dakar and the new Sertao is the appearance. The new version features the now familiar BMW asymmetrical headlight arrangement, as well as the GS-style bodywork made popular by the F800GS and R1200GS. The dash houses an analog tach with a clean LCD screen that offers speed, dual trip meters and a clock – plus a trip meter that tracks how many miles you’ve gone once the bike hits its one-gallon reserve. Curiously, there is no fuel gauge.
At the heart of the Sertao is a counterbalanced, twin-spark 650 Single. The fuel-injected engine churns out an ultra-mellow 50 horsepower and 44 lb-ft of torque. The powerband is linear, with no real peak or surge, so it is ideal for new riders and works very well off-road. BMW claims the 650GS is capable of getting 74 mpg if you keep the speed at 55 mph. that would equate to about a 270-mile range. We would expect it to be in the 50 mpg range at normal speeds but we will have to wait to confirm all of that later when we conduct a full test.
Now, in case you missed the memo, all BMW motorcycles come with ABS as standard equipment these days. Since the Sertao is designed specifically to explore off the beaten path and in the dirt – it is good to see that BMW made it very easy to turn the ABS on and off. Simply toggle the ABS switch on the left handlebar when the bike is stopped and the rider can be ABS-free.
For the rest of this article visit MotorcycleUSA.com
2014 Star Motorcycles Bolt
LATEST HEADLINES: MOTORCYCLING
-
BIKES: 2014 Star Motorcycles Bolt
Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman rides the brand new Star Motorycles… -
BIKES: Neale Bayly Rides Peru Tests Eclectic Group Of Willing Participants…
Final original series produced under SPEED™ banner premieres… -
GEARBAG: The ICE Device
For $10, they send you five small capsules, 10 data forms, an ICE… -
BIKES: AMA Go Ride! Month Wraps Up
AMA Go Ride! Month in April 2013 concludes today after a month-long… -
BIKES: 2013 Honda CB1100 First Ride
Check it out as MotoUSA gives Honda's concoction of old and new-school… -
BIKES: Kawasaki Videos Win Four Awards At NY Festivals
Two Kawasaki promotional videos have been recognized as being among… -
BIKES: Organizational Changes For MAG Media Group
MAG Media Group (MMG), a division of Motorsport Aftermarket Group,… - More News
