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BMW F 650CS Scarver
The CS is BMW's 2002 take on the F650 Strada bike. Like the Strada, the CS is a lightweight roadster, aimed at novice motorcyclists and commuters. Based around the F650GS engine and chassis, the CS's engine shares its advanced engine management system and cylinder head design. The chassis is similar, with the exception of the road-biased wheels and tyres, and a low-maintenance belt drive. Around town, the F650CS is as easy to ride as the scooters it aims to supplant in European city centres. Soft suspension gives excellent comfort, and low-down weight distribution means good balance. Where a conventional bike has its fuel tank, the CS has an adaptable space which can hold luggage, helmet or a stereo.
Road Test Ever heard of David Robb? Well, now you have. This bespectacled chap stands behind all of the controversial two-wheeled stuff that's been coming out of Munich lately, prompting the established Beemer fraternity to wonder where it's all going to end. Before you rule him out as just another sophisticated European designer, the guy's an American, a bachelor of the famous Pasadena Art Center Automotive Design department. His team's latest creation, the F650CS, has left many a journo a bit perplexed to say the least. What the hell IS that? I mean, previous incarnations of the F650 family could still be somehow related to street-oriented dual-purpose mounts--"Funduros" in BMW's terms. But this?! The new F650CS "Scarver" seems to have carried the street-terizing of the F series to its final resting place, an all-street model, while breaking a few rules in the process. For instance, one look at the available color range for the CS (with mix'n match
panels) will convince you that some fashion designer had a hand in the choice,
surely not the sort of stuff that'll attract the hardcore black leather crowd.
But that's entirely OK with BMW, the F650CS is clearly targeted at a
non-traditional, new riding crowd. Snowboarding youngsters that haven't grown up
on Triumphs, maybe girls who want their scoot to look as cool and up to date as
the transparent faceplate they just fitted to their Nokia cell-phone. Rule
yourself out if you are over 30 or have grease under your fingernails--and check
out Robb's interview on the CS.
Mechanically, it's a totally new model, with only the engine being carried over
from the GS. While leaving its off-road origins behind, the CS got rid of its
spoke wheels, which are replaced by cast 17" items shod with street tires. A
belt final drive replaces the old chain and is mated to a single-sided rear
swing arm. The novel combination of these elements, especially the bold rear
belt wheel, gives the rear end peculiar and powerful looks while requiring near
zero maintenance or cleaning. The frame, although similar to the one on the GS,
has larger section tubes which serve as the oil tank for the dry sump engine.
Those strangely decorated panels on the flanks are there to prevent any
fashionable baggy nylon trousers from melting on the hot frame tubes.
Switch on, injection fuel pump does its little
whirling noise, ABS check light turns off, press the starter button without ever
touching the throttle and engine starts pumping steadily. First gear goes in
with a slight clunk and off we go. In the first urban maneuvers, the CS feels a
bit strange, the long reach to the handlebars feels a little odd initially but
after a few minutes and at higher speeds, the seating position comes into its
own. The CS is amazingly happy to change directions and avoid the city's
potholes, while the low seat height conveys a sense of security that new riders
will surely appreciate. Gut feeling also says that the engine management chip
has been somewhat remapped since throttle response is far less abrupt than the
one I remember from the GS. Although a single, the 650's power unit likes to rev
rather than plonk Honda-XR style. Source Motorcycle.com
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Any corrections or more information on these motorcycles will be kindly appreciated. |