BMW riders - Thoughts on G 650 GS Sertao?

[Flounder]

Oh boy. New twist.

Option A: Pick up a new BMW Sertao in mid October or November.

Option B: Hold out until April of next year and buy a 2006 KTM 950 Adventure from a buddy. This particular bike has less than 7,000 miles and has almost never seen dirt. Looks showroom new. The price? Much less than the Sertao.

What say you? I realize this kind of takes things in a different direction. Trailsurfer, didn't your ride buddy have a KTM 950/990?

[Ponyracer]

What is a KTM like seat height wise? I'm looking at the base GS650 for my wife as she's 5'6" and I know they have the seat height options. Sorry for the hijack.

[Flounder]

What is a KTM like seat height wise? I'm looking at the base GS650 for my wife as she's 5'6" and I know they have the seat height options. Sorry for the hijack.

The KTM? Muey tall. I've only sat on a GS650 once and the seat height felt pretty low, but I have a 34" inseam. 5'6" seems doable.

[trailsurfer]

Between the BMW G650 Sertao and the KTM, I think I would go for the KTM. I have ridden that bike quite a bit, and it is a blast. It is like a giant dirt bike, that absolutely rips.

[goodtimes]

Between the BMW G650 Sertao and the KTM, I think I would go for the KTM. I have ridden that bike quite a bit, and it is a blast. It is like a giant dirt bike, that absolutely rips.

I'd say the opposite - for exactly the reason you cite in the last sentence. The 950 is a freekin' monster. Big, fast, tons of suspension - but very unrefined compared to the BMW. Given the stated purpose (commuting, zipping around Preskitt [sic], etc), the BMW is a better choice, IMO. One concern would be the overall size . . . I'm not a big guy, and the F650 (single) that I had was just a touch small IMO. Of course, I guess that all depends on how you like 'em.

[colodak]

What is a KTM like seat height wise? I'm looking at the base GS650 for my wife as she's 5'6" and I know they have the seat height options. Sorry for the hijack.

I'm 5'11 with a 33" inseam, I can straddle a stock height GS650 with my feet flat on the ground, the Sertao, is about 1.5" taller so I'm on my toes. My wife is 5'2", she could not get on the GS650.

[Bullsnake]

I have owned a 1200GSA, F800, F650 Dakar, and rode the Sertao a few weeks ago at our local BMW shop, and it's a decent bike. Having seen a few of your other bikes (Didn't I catch a glimpse of a nice Duc 900 SS in one shot?) I would definitely suggest you ride a Sertao before you pull the trigger. It seems that the Sertao is just a tarted up version of the standard 650 with a little longer legs - not that it is a bad bike, but if you love to be a bit of a hooligan there just isn't a lot of snot there, and no really good way to get to it.

How soon are you looking to jump in? I may be moving my 990 ADV as soon as I make a run out to Colorado the end of June, and would make you a smoking deal on it - the hooligan factor is DEFINITELY there (Say wheelies in second and third while ripping up a gravel road) and it makes short work of long pulls of pavement. JP1.jpgJP2.jpg

This, was dropped off by this yesterday, and I don't think the 990 will see much use this year after my trip to the mountains.


Either way good luck, and let me know what you end up with!

[Flounder]

Thanks, Bullsnake.

I've got such a busy summer ahead I'm not likely to pull the trigger until mid fall. I'm so eclectic with my bike selections, I'm all over the place. Yes, I've owned a few Ducatis and loved them all. I think I have cured myself of that now that they're far out of financial reach for me.

I do like the idea of the KTM, largely because I've yet to own one. I also understand what you're saying about the sedate nature of the Sertao.

So the question is: Jekyl or Hyde?

[Bullsnake]

Being an avid cyclist, I would compare the Sertao to some sort of a 105 Gruppo hybrid (stepping into flame suit...), and anything by Katoom to a full on,hair on fire downhill bike sporting full XTR or Red. The Bimmer, while neat, is very sedate, and becomes quickly overwhelmed with anything more technical than gravel lanes and level B roads. It is crazy heavy for what it has under the hood, and is corked up an unbelievable amount (that "cool" dual exhaust is actually a single exhaust with a side mount catalytic converter, and weighs enough to keep an aircraft carrier stationary at sea). A stock KLR will hand it it's hat, and will also feel like a mountain goat in comparison out on the trail. All said though the Sertao is a neat bit of kit, and they are a comfy ride for a smaller bike.

The KTM isn't all sunshine and lollipops either though - rear tires can become prohibitively expensive if you ride it at anything approaching half it's potential, and you want to make sure you have a good set of goggles as June bugs will cave in a lesser pair at 110 mph+. Joking aside it is a big beast, but once you have the hang of it it's a lot of fun.

If you were just starting to ride I would suggest the Sertao, but with your riding experience I would sure think you'd have a lot more fun on a 950 or 990!

[goodtimes]

So the question is: Jekyl or Hyde?

Why does it have to be "or"? You know you want two bikes. Or three. Maybe four. (five???).

Really, comparing a Sertao (which is really just a modern version of the older F650GS Dakar) to a 950 or 990 Adventure won't get you anywhere - they're different bikes for different (although slightly overlapping) purposes. Your best bet is to decide what you want the bike to do - then go from there.

If you want a giant dirt bike with a ton of suspension, a ~37" seat height that is hard as a brick, 35mpg, and is a b**** to move around in tight spots - the 950/990 will leave you with a big-assed smile on your face.

If you want an efficient (70+mpg), easy to maneuver bike with a seat that is 3 or 4" closer to the ground, has enough power to get out of its own way (but not enough to eat tires like the big KTM), to run around town & hit light to medium roads/trails with - well, the 650 (Sertao or standard GS) is a better bike.

Comparing price of a used KTM to a new BMW is hardly fair either.

And why just those two? Why not a 690? Better economy than the big KTM, better suspension & lighter than the BMW...or maybe an older Dakar? Prices have come down . . .