Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128610
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presents the
adequate in performance, but we
didn't care much for the annoying
squeak the rear brake exhibited. Antilock brakes are available as an option
for the F650, but we have not yet ridden one with ABS. On bikes
equipped with ABS, an easily accessible switchbox allows you to turn the
ABS on or off as desired. Heated
grips are also available as an option.
The futuristic instrumentation cluster is pleasing to the eye and easy to
read, and most of the control buttons
are larger - and in some cases simpler to operate - than other BMW
motorcycles. We soundly applaud the
F650's use of more traditional all-inone switchgear for the turn indicators.
Comfort is one of the F650's strong
points.
Need a place to store small knickknacks? Well, BMW provides you
with a small locking compartment in
the F650's tailpiece. Beware, though,
that the lock will trick you into thinking that the plastic cover piece is
firmly attached to the bike when
actually it is not. A bump later, and
your F650 will be a few ounces
lighter.
Although the unusual side-access
fuel cap looks full NASCAR (cool),
we sometimes question its handiness.
One of our editors has fuel stops
down to a science on "regular" bikes,
where he can get in and out of a gas
station in record time by not having
to leave the machine's seat, but with
the F650, employing the side-stand
and dismounting is required.
We've been living with the F650
for nearly a month now, and we're
happy to report that we're not even
close of being bored with it. We say
that because usually, after a few days
of commuting on any single-cylinder
street bike - most likely a dual sport
bike - we're already looking for
something else to ride, something
with an extra cylinder or two. But the
highly engineered F650GS is different. It has many unique features, distinctive looks, above-average comfort
and, overall, just plain good performance, which make it easy to overlook the single cylinder thing. And
the price. When you look at what you
get for $8600 - fuel-injection, ABS,
heated grips, a fully adjustable shock,
off-road capability, come to mind the F650GS is certainly worth looking
into. Even the "standard" model
looks good at $8100. After all,
64,000 people can't be wrong.
I:N
AMATEMR M~ DAY
Clil\MIPI([)NSHIPS
Weekend Overnight Camping
May 12- 13, 2000
$40 per Vehicle
Inside Parking Pass
$10 per Vehicle
Entry Fee
Race the
AMA 125/250
National1tack!
Ticket Prices
$35 3-day Fri. Sat. Sun.
$25 Sun. only
6 yrs. to 12 yrs. $15.00
Pre-Entry
Post Entry
$45.00
Pee Wee
$15.00
Mail Entry to: Glen Helen Racing Inc.
P.O. Box 6950, San Bernardino,
CA 92412
Gate Fees
Must purchase 3-day ticket to
spectate or compete.
No Friday or Saturday only
tickets available
Gates Open: Wednesday. May
10th,2000
Saturday, May 13
Gates Open:
6:00 am
Sign-Up Opens
6:00 am
Practice
7:30 am
Racing Starts
8:30 am
Gates Close
12:00 am
Classes: Seniors, Women, Quads
Jr Vets, & 4-stroke. All skill levels
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