BMW F 650CS Scarver

Poised at the intersection of performance and styling, the city-savvy 2005 F 650 CS redefines the term ”urban assault vehicle.” Combining BMW’s new 2 SPARK ignition system with an on-board computer system five times as powerful as the original, the new F 650 CS has significantly increased fuel efficiency giving you more metro miles to the gallon.

Agile and downright fun to ride, the new F 650 CS provides other added enhancements including new 3 position adjustable clutch, the now standard on-board power socket, and super-smart stuff bay.

For customization, you can choose from four startling color schemes with optional side cover and seat accent options. Other optional accessories and features include ABS, rear touring suspension, a hard-box audio system, anti-theft alarm and the sleek chrome kit.

Built to trump the tests of inner city traffic, the new 2005 F 650 CS also offers a smooth, punchy ride on one-day getaways and weeklong vacations.

FEATURES:

Combined with the dual headlight and the greyish-blue-tinted windshield, the F 650 CS comes with an entirely new face from the front.

The low-beam headlight in ellipsoid technology provides a bright, efficiently bundled light beam, the high-beam headlight in free-form technology ensures broad illumination of the road ahead. A small parking light is housed conveniently in the middle, beneath the two headlights.

The windshield mounts, storage compartment rail and luggage rack – are now finished in a stark, opaque black.

No less than five different, easily interchangeable inserts are available for the new storage compartment. Instead of the softbag featured as standard, a frontbag is available both as an optional extra and as special equipment. The frontbag is finished in blue/gold color-matched to the motorcycle. Absolutely watertight with its lockable inner bag, the frontbag comes additionally with a separate pouch for valuables, a bag for the rider's mobile phone, and a removable map folder. For even greater convenience, the frontbag converts easily into a backpack for the rider.

The F 650 CS comes with a 3.9 gallon fuel tank cleverly located in the frame triangle beneath the seat, in the interest of a low centre of gravity and optimum handling. The tank filler manifold, in turn, is positioned conveniently on the right-hand side of the seat, which is available at two different height s: 30.7” (standard) or 29.5” (available as an option). The lower seat height options also incorporates the use of 150/60 ZR 17 rear wheel and 150/ 60 ZR 17 front wheel.

The F 650 CS comes with a single-disc brake at the front with a two-piston floating calliper. The rear brake consists of a single-disc brake with a single-piston floating calliper.

It almost goes without saying that ABS anti-lock brake technology is also available as an option on the F 650 CS, in this case specially developed for BMW’s single-cylinder model series.

The fully controlled three-way catalytic converter and the oxygen sensor are integrated in the silencer made of polished steel. This not only saves space but also reduces emissions and is therefore friendlier on the environment.

Just one look at the right-hand side of the rear wheel reveals the two outstanding innovations on the F 650 CS never to be seen before in this combination on a BMW motorcycle: the single swinging arm and toothed belt drive.

Introducing toothed belt drive, BMW is opening up a new chapter in rear-wheel-drive technology in the company's 80-year history of motorcycles: For no less than 70 years - from 1923-1993 - all BMW motorcycles were built exclusively with the drive shaft so typical of the BMW marque.

The process of fitting and removing the rear wheel on the F 650 CS is even easier and just as clean as on BMW's motorcycles with shaft drive: After removing the silencer, all the rider has to do is open up a central bolt to remove the wheel with ease. Both the sprocket and the drive belt remain on the swinging arm and do not have to be taken off.

The single swinging arm on the F 650 CS convincingly continues BMW's tradition of innovative wheel guidance systems. This heritage dates back to 1980, when BMW introduced the rear-wheel swinging arm for the first time on the R 80 G/S (the BMW Monolever). The efficient and beautiful single swinging arm on the F 650 CS is made of aluminium.

This helps to significantly enhance the stability of the suspension and running gear. Also made of aluminium, the wheel mount rests eccentrically on the swinging arm bearing point, making it much easier to fit and remove the rear wheel and ensuring simple, precise adjustment of belt tension.

BMW’s 2 spark ignition system and improved catalytic converter improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions and keep the new F 650 CS easily compliant with current exhaust emission standards.

Road Test

At first glance the BMW 650CS somewhat reminded me of the odd looking and not so popular Aprilia Moto 6.5 styled by Phillipe Starke, but as I looked more closely it soon became clear that this was not just a fashion exercise but a definite re-think of the commuter motorcycle. BMW have taken the concept of the F650 Funduro and redesigned both the frame and swing-arm to come up with a bike that not only stands out but performs as well. This bike attracts people wherever you go, not for its stunning looks or desirability, but because it's just so obviously different. Park it next to any superbike and I'll guarantee you that this slightly wacky 650 will get all the attention. People have commented so far on the big hole where the tank used to be, the huge exhaust, the projectile looking front end, the colour scheme, the belt drive, and the list is growing as more and more people see it!

BMW have succeeded in creating a bike that not only appeals to the seasoned rider but also to the new or nearly new rider. This bike is expected to be bought by a different kind of rider, so BMW say, they predict that 40% of sales will be to customers who don't already own a bike. This suggests the 650CS is not designed for us 'old hands', but with everyone’s past groans and gripes about bikes in mind, here's what the boffins at BMW decided to do about it...The 'hole where the tank was’ has been designed to accommodate all sorts of different gizmos and gadgets, and to provide a solution to that ever popular gripe about where do I put my helmet when I go shopping or to work. BMW have thoughtfully moved the fuel tank under the seat and therefore made space to fit your helmet and a range of interchangeable equipment including a bag, a hard storage box and even a waterproof audio system with speed sensitive sound! Not forgetting the pillion, BMW have also given some thought to them as well with two tank (or not as the case may be!) mounted grab handles as well as a great rear rack and the option of (wait for it!) heated rear grab rail, how cool is that! Include the optional heated grips, ABS and hazard lights and you get a complete package for just about anything you want to throw at it. It also comes is some really funky colours in both metallic and non-metallic so you can design away the tank/side panels/seat combos until you drop!

Riding the F650CS is somewhat different also. It has a re-worked version of the Funduro's 650 motor in it which has been tuned for more torque at lower revs, a very low seat height giving that 'sitting in' feeling, and you have the option to get it even lower if you really want. The wide bars and rainbow switchgear match the bike perfectly to give you that 'being part of' feeling when you ride it.The overall riding position is very good, with the high bars and low seat combination making you sit upright giving you a great view both ahead of you and around/over cars. You sit in this bike and because of the style of the bars your wrists don't get stressed therefore making traffic and slow filtering a pleasure instead of a task. To add to that the combination and effectiveness of the small front screen and wide and very comfortable seat makes both town and long rides a pleasure. With the frame being similar to the 650GS it has a tendency to fall a bit into corners, this is due to the trailie type geometry it is based on, but it is also stable when it does it, so no worries there. It handles most bends and roads very well and is a pleasure to chuck around at low speeds in traffic and to blast around out on the open country roads. With it's 17" wheels and road tyres it feels a bit of a Supermoto but hasn't got the radical performance of say a CCM R30, just a lot more gentle but equally as rewarding for most riders.

The suspension has no adjustment, but there’s very little dive from the front on the brakes and it flies over potholes, speed bumps and so on without any problems at all, and despite that incredibly large exhaust can (fitted with catalyser and oxy sensor) there are no grounding problems, except the hero blobs which you can definitely get down on both sides! The brakes work well as a single disc set up front and rear. There's plenty of stopping power but it does lack a bit of feel. Our test bike was fitted with the ABS option at a cost of £345 and I did manage to give it a good test in the wet when a Volvo estate decided to stop mid corner on one of Oxford’s finest potholed roads! Not a hint of a slide and a complete stop on a wet road, very impressive indeed. I'm sure that this option will be taken up by a lot of safety conscious customers. Pulling away is from lights and at junctions etc is just plain easy. The motor is torquey with the exception of 1st, which is a little short, but second seems to be the best traffic gear although I did have problems with the neutral selection, which may just be down to the fact that it is a belt drive, and it was new. Maybe after a few more miles (under its belt!) it will loosen up.

Maximum power comes in at around 6500-6800rpm producing 50bhp and 44ft-lbs of torque with the rev limiter coming in at 8000rpm. I don't see the need to rev this motor that high as the torque just makes you short shift up to 5th and stay there using the throttle and the torque produced for all the corners and overtakes! If the corners get a little tighter then drop to 4th but gear changes on this bike are really minimal out on the open road. After trying it out in traffic I was pleasantly surprised that it has a decent comfortable cruising speed of between 80 & 90mph. At these speeds the screen is working well deflecting the oncoming air well out of the way of your helmet and top half (very surprising for such a small screen). If you really want to you can work it a bit more and get about 110-120mph indicated, and with a 17.3lt tank getting about 48mpg you don't have to stop for fuel every 5 minutes.

Verdict

There are the usual and unusual BMW extras including ABS, heated grips for both rider and passenger, fitted luggage, tank boxes and bags, audio equipment, CS clothing and the list goes on. Also with this bike comes a full 2 year unlimited mileage warranty and super quiet low maintenance belt drive for the people who don't want to get their hands dirty with chain lube and the like! This bike is definitely for the urban poser and country lane blitzers amongst you! It handles well, cruises well, is great in town and looks the part with its ultra modern styling. It is agile and confidence inspiring for the first timers, yet totally satisfying for the more experienced riders. This bike is very well sorted and deserves to sell like hot cakes. If this is the type of bike you are looking for then you could do a lot worse that the BMW F650CS.Pay a visit to the BMW website, there you can design your own bike and play around with colour choices and all the accessories.

Source motorbikestoday.com