Re: be caught dead on one (F650)

[Bob Hadden <kbhadden@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Just one guys opinion, but I think this F650 bashing is a bit out of 
control.  Having ridden both bikes, I can tell you that if you want to 
go touring, both bikes will do it, but the oil head has obvious 
advantages to size, power and comfort.  Particularly for two up riding.

But when the road gets two lane, curvy, and below 80 mph, the thumper 
is quicker through the corners, and accelerates just fine.  This is 
just a super bike for back road blasting.  Did a track day two years 
ago where the lead bike was a F650CS.  With no long straight for top 
speed, no one wanted to get in front of that guy.  There is certainly 
no lack of acceleration in the CS, but you do have to twist the grip to 
get it.  Vibration is well within limits in my opinion.

Yes, two up riding is not recommended for this bike, but it would make 
a super second ride and great fun for local joy riding.  Don't put too 
much faith in the whining you read on the internet about surging and so 
on.  Our example has been pretty smooth and there are plenty of these 
bikes with  major trouble free miles on them.

Bob Hadden '98RS

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