Pondboy's BMW F650GS News

Late January

Well, it had to happen. Pondgirl's succumbed to my persistant nagging and let me order a new '04 F650GS. So a few weeks ago we wandered into Cooper Reading BMW and ordered a nice yellow one. It's coming with Heated Grips and ABS as they seem to be standardising initial production to that spec for efficiency reasons.

This all started with me admiring a 650 Cagiva while we on Holiday in Menorca last summer. Every day I would walk up the road to get the bread & rolls and there it was, looking more and more like my perfect bike. A couple of times I saw the owner and his girlsfriend tanking off up the road on it, looking Extremely Spanish and Extremely Cool.

ot much came of it until I saw a F650GS in early January. It looked good and promised the same performance/handling characteristics as the Caviga and the local BMW dealer is our nearest bike shop. Pondgirl agreed to come and have look at one at the dealer and test the pillion arrangements were to her liking. I was already sold, then the salesman mentioned the new '04 models were being launched on the 13-14th March. within days of my birthday. Unable to resist such karma, I duly signed an order and paid the deposit.

My bike now is going to arrive on my Birthday in 11th March, just before the official launch. Many thanks to Tim Angus at Cooper BMW for being so obliging. As soon as I get it, I will be posting loads of pictures.

Just spoken to Tim again and he is going to let me take some pictures of the bike from boxed arrival at the workshop, through the build process, finishing with me getting the keys on 11th March. Isn't he good to me.

Born Again training day
After 24 years without a motorbike I was not sure if the reasoning behind buying a bike was sound, but having just spent a day doing Cooper Bike Training "Born Again" refresher training, I have realised reason is not a factor to consider. Biking is just too much fun to be justified in any rational way.

By the way, Malcolm, my trainer was brilliant. He found out what I knew, gave me some great advice and made sure I was doing the right things at the right time. If you are getting back into biking I can heartily recommend taking some such course. As soon as I get comfortable on my bike I think an "Advanced Motorcyclist" course will be in order.

What joy to carve a turn again. To roll on that throttle and power up the road. Absolute bliss.

Modifications
Just ordered a Touratech front mudguard which Coopers will fit before I get the bike. The modifications have already started!!

Any accesories or modifications suggestions? Email me here I rather fancy putting a set of 17" supermoto type wheels on as I will mainly be using the bike on the road and would like to max out the grip and already excellent handling of the bike.

Until my Birthday I will be sitting around in my new motorcycle gear, reading everything I can lay my hands on (mainly The Police Riders Motorcycle Roadcraft manual) and chafing a lot.

For those that are interested, according to the brochure, the changes in the '04 F650GS include:-

Twin spark plug engine for better mpg and cleaner exhaust emissions.

Extended front upper mudguard a la F1150GS.

Revised venting round the oil cooler.

Revised clear glass headlamp for improved illumination.

New windshield for less buffeting.

Clutch lever adjustable in three stages for different sized hands.

Instrument binnacle and dials colours have been changed for improved visibility.

(There may be other changes, but until I get the bike and manual, its hard to say.)