Opinion sought on two BMW bikes

I need to make a choice between two used BMW bikes that I saw here. One
is a 2003 F650CS and the other a 2001 F650GS Dakar.

Both are in excellent condition, not abused and have been maintained
throughout at the BMW dealership.

The 650CS is being quoted at USD 4400 and the 650GS for USD 3300.

The prices seem reasonable.

I'd greatly appreciate your opinion on the reasonableness of the quoted
price and of the bikes generally.

The F650's are fun bikes, and are used by many for long distance touring
as well as local commuting. Either model.

If I buy it, I intend to use the bike largely between home and office
and within city limits generally. No off-roading :)

For commuting and city riding, I would probably select the CS street
model, rather than the dual-purpose GS. The GS is taller; how do you fit
on them?

Are you in Dubai? Maybe the GS would be better...

Thanks, mate. Very difficult to find sand inside Dubai (workplace) and
Sharjah (residence) to drive around, if that's what you meant :)

Ok, you don't leave town then...

Need to mention here that I've never driven any bike above my Zundapp
175 cc, so affordability apart, there's a limitation on whether at all
I can handle a 1.2-liter type bike. And I'm nearly 40 already :(

1.2 liter? F650s are 0.65 liter. And you're a youngster...

Yep, know that. What I meant was that I wouldn't be able to afford the
1.2-liter type yet, thus settling for a smaller one, apart from the
trepidation of being able to handle something that's 1000 lb. Even my

Bit of an exaggeration there ... new R1200's weigh between 470-570
pounds, wet.

Oh. I've a catalog here of the K1200LT and that showed a dry weight of
circa 800 lb. Guess I should've made allowances for the non-tourer type
bikes :)

Btw, is it true that the Harley Davidson VRod has a Porsche engine? If
yes, I'd shudder to even look at its price tag although it should be a
missile to drive. Anyone here who's ridden a VRod?

It has a Porsche designed engine and I have ridden a Street Rod.
It was quite powerful enough for me. A little slower off the line than
I expected but it moved along quite rapidly after that. Handled very
steadily too although not too nimble due to the rather shallow rake.

Being able to afford them is another matter, eh?

300 lb Zundapp gave me lots of trouble whenever I had to put it on the
main (center) stand :)

Beemers are well balanced and easy to lift onto the centerstand. Always
have been, since /5 days at least.

Ha! Made my day, thanks. Now when last was it that someone called me a

Last time you talked with a retired guy? I've been riding longer than ..
since before you were born.

'youngster'? :) :)

Should have added that friends of mine, husband/wife - he's 72 years old
and she's 70 - traded their R1100RTs a couple of years ago for an F650GS
for him and an F650CS for her. He is even a bit short in the leg
department. They love them.

You can handle it.
Just keep it sane and get some training if you can.

I'd probably go with the GS myself. Whichever one I went for,
I'd probably pay to have it inspected by a competent shop.
Service records are a big plus as well.

I stand about 5'7" and don't really think seat height would
be a major issue.

They are both decent.
Depends on which feels better to you.
The Dakar has a pretty high seat height and a chain.
The CS is a bit cramped with rear set foot pegs and a belt.
I prefer the standard GS model myself. but a Dakar for 3300 isn't bad.