$1,995
Worcester, Massachusetts
Category
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Engine
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Posted Over 1 Month
1997 BMW F650 ST, The BMW F650, better known as the Funduro, has been one of the success stories of the 1990s for the German company, with over 64,000 units sold. The heart of its appeal is the simple, easygoing nature of the Rotax derived single cylinder engine, which makes it an ideal bike for beginners, or those who just ride for relaxing fun.Formerly manufactured under license by Aprilia of Italy, the all-new F650 for 2000 onwards is now made in Germany and features a redesigned chassis, more powerful engine, and a welcome dash of street style too.With optional extras like heated handlebar grips and variable rider´s seat height, the F650 makes a credible solo touring machine, with the ability to cruise comfortably all day in the 60-75mph speed range.For BMW the F650 is an important bike, representing as it does a serious effort to break into a totally new sector of the market with an entry-level machine. The Funduro name is a combination of fun and enduro, which sums-up the bike’s dual-purpose nature. But it’s the price that reveals more, as it puts the F650 in a different league to previous BMWs. In Britain, at least, the F650 is barely more than half as expensive as the R1100RS. It costs only £140 more than Honda’s NX650 Dominator, and will almost certainly be cheaper when the yen’s strength forces Honda to raise prices in the near future. Whilst the F650’s engine is impressive, its chassis is more so, at least for the road riding for which the bike is primarily intended. The steel frame, which uses the engine as a stressed member, and the steel deltabox swing-arm are suitably rigid. Perhaps though, the key to the BMW’s road going poise is in its suspension, with 170mm of axle movement at the front and 165mm at the rear. Serious dirt riding is not perhaps what the F650 was built for. Most enthusiasts will never take it off-road, and instead will be impressed by such road-friendly details as the wide and clear mirrors, the broad dual-seat with its built-in carrier and pillion grab-handles, and the four-gallon tank that allows a range of well over 150 miles. This is a practical roadster that you could ride around town in the week, and load up with a passenger and luggage for a longer trip at the weekend. The bike may have been named the Funduro, but this winter ride was no fun at all. The motorway was slippery and jammed with cars, the temperature was barely above freezing, and the low a
