BMW F650 1999

By a series of coincidences, we've managed to play with a few of the big-single offerings lately, including Honda Dominator and Yamaha SZR660. The BeeEm firmly treads the middle road between those two adventure and sports extremes in the one-lunger road-oriented class.

Something very much in the BMW's favour is the lack of surprises. It's a good entry to the world of medium-size bikes on that basis, as the controls are conventional, the power predictable, while there's plenty in the way of brakes and reasonable suspension.

Our unit was set up way too low on the rear spring preload, which made it vague and, at times, wobbly through fairly easy turns. Fortunately the fix was a simple twiddle of a knob on the left side of the bike - which is unusually convenient in this day and age.

We covered just shy of 1000km on the bike, with experienced and comparitively new riders on board. The overall verdict is good. It's able to pull 160km/h, and cruise at around the 120-130 level comfortably, with a near six-foot rider, panniers, and a backpack on board. All day, while returning something in the vicinity of 19km/lt. That gives a cruising range of 300-plus kay, which is plenty.

Steering is neutral, braking from the single disc at each end more than adequate, and the overall suspension package is fine for mostly road use.

A relatively tall and narrow fairing and screen package makes long hauls at 120-130 a pretty comfortable affair. However riders over six feet tall might cop a little wind noise around the helmet. A squirt up a good gravel road suggested the bike will be easy to live with on the occasional off-tar adventure. The road-oriented rubber tended to float over soft gravel. But the lack of mass, comparitively low seat, combined with wide handlebars and predictable power delivery made the whole plot very easy to manage.

We tried riders varying in height from 162cm to 190 (5'5" to 6'4") on the machine, and all declared themselves comfortable.

Negatives for this bike are the slow gearchange and that it can't be left to idle on the sidestand thanks to an over-designed cut-out circuit. We also think the instrument panel looks low-rent, despite the high level of equipment (including an analogue clock).

Positives are the cache of the Bimmer spinning propellor logo and the general ease of use. Practical touches like a decent fuel range, inclusion of a centrestand and a proper luggage rack on the rear are very welcome.

Nice bike, though the big clanger at the moment is the price. (Guy Allen)