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BIKES: BMW C 600 Sport And BMW 650 GT Introduced
SPEED's Neale Bayly reviews the new BMW C 600 Sport and BMW 650 GT.
BMW C 600 Sport and BMW 650 GT Introduced
It was no coincidence that BMW chose the crowded streets of Madrid, Spain, to introduce their new C600 Sport and C 650GT Maxi Scooters to the world’s press. As we move fast forward into a world of increasing populations, escalating gas prices, and ever more crowded streets and highways, BMW is reacting to these challenges by launching their new Urban Mobility program. At the IAA show in Frankfurt last September, BMW kicked this off by displaying their new concept electric scooter. They also announced their plans to bring two conventionally powered scooters to market, and the launch in Spain this spring was an opportunity for 240 journalists from around the globe to put them to the test.
With ninety years of motorcycle experience behind them and the most sophisticated, technologically advanced machines currently available, whether you want to spend your time sport-touring, traveling, adventure riding around the world, or powering around your favorite racetrack, BMW motorcycles are the class of the field. So it’s no surprise that they would be expanding their business into the urban mobility sector, and it was no surprise after spending two days in the saddle that I would come away from Spain so impressed with the new Maxi Scooters.
Born from the desire to create a machine that has the functionality of a scooter, with the riding pleasure of a motorcycle, both the C 600 Sport and the C 650GT come equipped with a quiet, smooth parallel twin cylinder water-cooled engine. Displacing 647 cc, expect power to be around 60 bhp at 7500 rpm, with a solid 48 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm. With a 90-degree crank pin offset, a 270-degree firing order and twin balancer shafts, vibration is almost non-existent and, thanks to the cylinders being tilted forward at a 70-degree angle, the engine can sit very low in the frame. This allows the scooter to be a step-thru and helps with mass centralization for better handling and maneuverability. Electronic fuel injection is used, and double overhead camshafts open and close four valves per cylinder. Once this fuel mixture is burned, the spent gasses exit through a stainless steel exhaust system with a closed loop catalytic converter and O2 sensor. Always ahead of the curve, BMW has designed this to meet the new, upcoming Euro 4 standards.
Where, on conventional motorcycles, the idea of a clutch, six gears, and both a foot brake and a hand brake that need to be operated in tandem can be overwhelming to a new rider, the maxi scooters have a user friendly, directly integrated CVT (continuously variable transmission) and handlebar operated brakes. Once the engine is running, all you do is twist the throttle to go and squeeze the levers to stop. Aided by anti-lock, hydraulically-operated disc brakes for increased safety, the simplicity of the system was apparent from the first moment we left the parking garage and hit the crowded Madrid streets.
Within seconds, we were thrust into the frenetic city traffic, and with all my attention focused on the oncoming confusion of cars, buses, scooters and pedestrians; the ease of operation was much appreciated. I started out on the C 600 Sport and was immediately impressed by the handling, as we ducked and dived through small gaps in traffic while attempting to keep up with our European guide. Changing direction with the lightest nudge on the bars, this sharp steering doesn’t come at the expense of high-speed stability, as we would find out the following day when we hit the open road.
Responsible for these abilities, both the Sport and the GT share the same tubular steel bridge type frame, typically found on motorcycles. A single sided swing arm houses the rear shock absorber. This is exposed to allow adjustment of the preload for varying load-carrying situations, although, unlike modern motorcycles, there is no damping adjustment. In the front, there is a non-adjustable inverted fork, with no provision for adjusting the damping either. The new maxi scooters roll on lightweight die cast 15-inch wheels, compared to a motorcycle’s regular 17-inch rims, and wear very sport style tires that are as wide as a mid-sized sport bike. This is part of the reason the bike turns and steers so quickly and is able to take high-speed corners with confidence. There are some nuances that are not directly similar to a conventional motorcycle on corner entrance and exit, but nothing that will alienate an experienced motorcycle rider.
After lunch on the second day of the test, I switched from the Sport to the GT, and the difference was immediately apparent. With wider handlebars, a lower seat that’s more focused on touring with its adjustable back rest, it tips the scales at 575 pounds, compared to the Sports’ 550. So, while there isn’t a huge disparity here, the bigger electrically adjustable windshield, more protective fairings, and space to add a luggage rack all add to giving it a more substantial feel. There are also some minor differences to the instrument cluster, although both machines use a large, round analogue speedometer with a smaller digital display to the side for all the other relevant information. This consists of trip counters, a temperature gauge, fuel gauge, and a small area for engine rpm. There are also symbols for the heated equipment to show what setting you have chosen, and to turn this equipment on and off, or to adjust the temperature there are clearly marked buttons on the right side switchgear. On the left hand side, you will find a button to check your trip meters, or scroll through all of the options available on the digital display.
BMW has put a lot of thought into the functionality and safety of their new maxi scooter. The engine won’t start with the side stand down, and the machine can’t roll away either if you are parked on a hill, as the stand activates the rear brake once deployed. To add fuel, simply turn the ignition key down and to the left, which opens a small door below the front of the seat. Turn the key to the right and depress it to open the seat, which lifts from the rear. Underneath, you will find enough storage for two full-face helmets on the GT. The Sport has its own unique expanding Flex storage system, and this can hold a full-face helmet and other items when you are parked. Both maxi scooters have central locking and small compartments in the front fairing for additional storage of smaller items.
There is also a complete line of accessories available for both scooters, from tinted windshields to alarm systems. You can add a luggage rack and top case to the GT, and there is an Akropovic exhaust canister available to add to the Sport’s street credentials. Both machines have the ability to house BMW’s navigation system, which sits below the instrument cluster making it very easy to use on the move. With LED turn signals, an on board USB charger, and a cell phone storage compartment, nothing has been overlooked with the new maxi scooters. Powered by a smooth, flexible engine, wrapped in sleek, stylish bodywork, BMW’s first foray into urban mobility with the C 600 Sport and C 650 GT makes an extremely attractive proposition for those in search of alternative transportation.
With ninety years of motorcycle experience behind them and the most sophisticated, technologically advanced machines currently available, whether you want to spend your time sport-touring, traveling, adventure riding around the world, or powering around your favorite racetrack, BMW motorcycles are the class of the field. So it’s no surprise that they would be expanding their business into the urban mobility sector, and it was no surprise after spending two days in the saddle that I would come away from Spain so impressed with the new Maxi Scooters.
Born from the desire to create a machine that has the functionality of a scooter, with the riding pleasure of a motorcycle, both the C 600 Sport and the C 650GT come equipped with a quiet, smooth parallel twin cylinder water-cooled engine. Displacing 647 cc, expect power to be around 60 bhp at 7500 rpm, with a solid 48 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm. With a 90-degree crank pin offset, a 270-degree firing order and twin balancer shafts, vibration is almost non-existent and, thanks to the cylinders being tilted forward at a 70-degree angle, the engine can sit very low in the frame. This allows the scooter to be a step-thru and helps with mass centralization for better handling and maneuverability. Electronic fuel injection is used, and double overhead camshafts open and close four valves per cylinder. Once this fuel mixture is burned, the spent gasses exit through a stainless steel exhaust system with a closed loop catalytic converter and O2 sensor. Always ahead of the curve, BMW has designed this to meet the new, upcoming Euro 4 standards.
Where, on conventional motorcycles, the idea of a clutch, six gears, and both a foot brake and a hand brake that need to be operated in tandem can be overwhelming to a new rider, the maxi scooters have a user friendly, directly integrated CVT (continuously variable transmission) and handlebar operated brakes. Once the engine is running, all you do is twist the throttle to go and squeeze the levers to stop. Aided by anti-lock, hydraulically-operated disc brakes for increased safety, the simplicity of the system was apparent from the first moment we left the parking garage and hit the crowded Madrid streets.
Within seconds, we were thrust into the frenetic city traffic, and with all my attention focused on the oncoming confusion of cars, buses, scooters and pedestrians; the ease of operation was much appreciated. I started out on the C 600 Sport and was immediately impressed by the handling, as we ducked and dived through small gaps in traffic while attempting to keep up with our European guide. Changing direction with the lightest nudge on the bars, this sharp steering doesn’t come at the expense of high-speed stability, as we would find out the following day when we hit the open road.
Responsible for these abilities, both the Sport and the GT share the same tubular steel bridge type frame, typically found on motorcycles. A single sided swing arm houses the rear shock absorber. This is exposed to allow adjustment of the preload for varying load-carrying situations, although, unlike modern motorcycles, there is no damping adjustment. In the front, there is a non-adjustable inverted fork, with no provision for adjusting the damping either. The new maxi scooters roll on lightweight die cast 15-inch wheels, compared to a motorcycle’s regular 17-inch rims, and wear very sport style tires that are as wide as a mid-sized sport bike. This is part of the reason the bike turns and steers so quickly and is able to take high-speed corners with confidence. There are some nuances that are not directly similar to a conventional motorcycle on corner entrance and exit, but nothing that will alienate an experienced motorcycle rider.
After lunch on the second day of the test, I switched from the Sport to the GT, and the difference was immediately apparent. With wider handlebars, a lower seat that’s more focused on touring with its adjustable back rest, it tips the scales at 575 pounds, compared to the Sports’ 550. So, while there isn’t a huge disparity here, the bigger electrically adjustable windshield, more protective fairings, and space to add a luggage rack all add to giving it a more substantial feel. There are also some minor differences to the instrument cluster, although both machines use a large, round analogue speedometer with a smaller digital display to the side for all the other relevant information. This consists of trip counters, a temperature gauge, fuel gauge, and a small area for engine rpm. There are also symbols for the heated equipment to show what setting you have chosen, and to turn this equipment on and off, or to adjust the temperature there are clearly marked buttons on the right side switchgear. On the left hand side, you will find a button to check your trip meters, or scroll through all of the options available on the digital display.
BMW has put a lot of thought into the functionality and safety of their new maxi scooter. The engine won’t start with the side stand down, and the machine can’t roll away either if you are parked on a hill, as the stand activates the rear brake once deployed. To add fuel, simply turn the ignition key down and to the left, which opens a small door below the front of the seat. Turn the key to the right and depress it to open the seat, which lifts from the rear. Underneath, you will find enough storage for two full-face helmets on the GT. The Sport has its own unique expanding Flex storage system, and this can hold a full-face helmet and other items when you are parked. Both maxi scooters have central locking and small compartments in the front fairing for additional storage of smaller items.
There is also a complete line of accessories available for both scooters, from tinted windshields to alarm systems. You can add a luggage rack and top case to the GT, and there is an Akropovic exhaust canister available to add to the Sport’s street credentials. Both machines have the ability to house BMW’s navigation system, which sits below the instrument cluster making it very easy to use on the move. With LED turn signals, an on board USB charger, and a cell phone storage compartment, nothing has been overlooked with the new maxi scooters. Powered by a smooth, flexible engine, wrapped in sleek, stylish bodywork, BMW’s first foray into urban mobility with the C 600 Sport and C 650 GT makes an extremely attractive proposition for those in search of alternative transportation.
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