Bikesales Staff•20 Sept 2012

REVIEW

Long-term update: BMW G 650 GS Sertao

Name: Long-term update: BMW G 650 GS Sertao
Brand: BMW

It's been a big few weeks, with plenty of miles on the bitumen and dirt, not to mention some inadvertent panel damage…

The G 650 GS Sertão long-termer has only been with us for a short period, and we’ve already packed a lot in – including an accidental meeting with a tree. More on that later.

As a commuter, the $13,350 all-rounder ($12,700 for the non-ABS version) has been a faithful servant from the get-go, with its comfortable seat, upright sitting position, light controls and capacious cockpit making for a fuss-free journey to work. It really is a bike where you feel you’re getting ‘full value’ from the engine in that you can utilise all the power (48hp) and torque (60Nm) on offer – but it still takes a concerted effort to keep the big single on the boil. That’s just the nature of the beast, so to speak, and the gear ratios are quite wide too. The bike has a five-speed gearbox.

Pushing hard on the Sertão – ie keeping it revving above 6000rpm – is way more fun than logic suggests on twisty roads, even though the front wheel is a 21-incher. But it’s a skinny little thing with 90/90 dimensions, so there’s still enough agility to get amongst it – and when it’s time to slice through sand and ruts on dirt roads it comes onto its own.

Even though the Sertão has been revved quite liberally on occasions, its fuel consumption is still miserly. We’ve averaged about 4.5lt/100km in the first few thousand kilometres, which is on a par with what midget bikes likes the Honda CBR250R. With the 14-litre tank, that’s a working range of around 280km.

BMW brakes are always solid citizens, and in the Sertao’s case it’s no different. Brembo hardware is the retardant at both ends, wrapped around single discs. My only criticism of the package is ABS on the rear, which feels quite ham-fisted and lacks refinement. The ABS intervenes quite early and is too severe in its application.

But the great thing is that ABS is switchable on the Sertão, which befits its off-road leanings. It’s that desire to explore which BMW Motorrad had in mind when it launched this harder-edged version of the G 650 GS, complete with longer-travel suspension.

The Sertão also differs over the standard G 650 GS with a higher 860mm seat height, revised suspension tuning, spoked wheels rather than alloy rims, an aluminium bash plate, an extended front guard, a higher screen, and its own unique white/blue colour scheme

Visit the BMW G 650 GS Sertão in Bike Showroom

We’ve taken the Sertão bush a few times now, with minimal preparation: dropping air pressure on the Metzeler Tourance EXP hoops, removing the rubber inserts in the footpegs, and just some minor ergonomic adjustments.

On winding dirt roads, the Sertão is in its element. It doesn’t get upset by sharp-edged ruts or corrugated roads, and the front-end is a pillar of strength.

And the good thing about the Sertao is that there’s only 192kg to lug around, which compared to big-bore adventure bikes makes it a featherweight – and puts its power-to-weight ratio into some sort of positive context. I recently rode to Uluru via the Oodnadatta Track, and what I would have given for a lighter bike when the roads began to deteriorate – and as fatigue set in at the end of a long day in the saddle. The Sertao would have been in its element.

But first-rate machinery can’t make up for poor decision making, and I have a broken windshield bracket on the Sertao to show for that. A recent jaunt into the bush started without much fanfare before one particular track tightened up appreciably and before we knew it – I was joined by a KTM 525EXC and Yamaha TT-350 – a snotty, rut-ridden waterlogged gully greeted us.

Hubris got the better of me and I tried to make my way down, but it was obviously too much for the Tourance hoops – understandably, as their terms of reference don’t reach that far. Destiny was then out of my hands as I cannoned straight into a tree stump on the side of the track, snapping the windshield bracket at the base, which left the instruments and windshield in limbo.

As it turns out, a replacement bracket costs $210, and it’s currently being air-freighted in from Germany.

Anyway, with the help of my TT-350-riding mate, we righted the Sertão and I limped home and gave the bike a clean and zip-tied the instrument panel in place. It was due for its first service the next day, thanks to Southbank Motorcycles in Melbourne.

The first service cost $250, with a few extra bucks for the fitment of a 31-litre top box, which retails for $689.

The top box, operated with the ignition key, has already come in very handy as a utility device, including transporting a mate’s car alternator in for repairs!

Next up for the Sertão is to get the replacement bracket fitted – I am missing the protection from the screen -- and, with more long-haul and off-road adventures on the horizon, we’ll be looking at a tank bag, higher windscreen, headlight protector, Barkbusters, etc. With those few bits and pieces the Sertao will be even more bulletproof – perhaps I can have another dig at that gully…

SPECS: BMW G 650 GS SERTÃO

ENGINE

Type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve, single-cylinder

Capacity: 652cc

Compression ratio: 11.5:1

Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

Maximum power: 48hp (35kW) at 6500rpm

Maximum torque: 60Nm at 5000rpm

TRANSMISSION

Type: Five-speed

Final drive: Chain

Clutch: Wet

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR

Frame type: Steel bridge

Front suspension: Telescopic 41mm fork, non-adjustable, 210mm travel

Rear suspension: Monoshock, adjustable for preload and rebound, 210mm travel

Front brakes: Single 300mm disc with twin-piston radial Brembo calipers, optional ABS

Rear brake: Single 240mm disc with single-piston Brembo caliper, optional ABS

Tyres: Metzeler Tourance EXP

Sizes: Front 90/90 R21, rear 130/80 R17

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES

Claimed wet weight: 192kg

Seat height: 860mm (900mm option)

Wheelbase: 1484mm

Fuel capacity: 14 litres

OTHER STUFF

Price: $12,700 (add $650 for ABS)

Colour: Aura White/Arroyo Blue

Test bike supplied by: BMW Motorrad Australia, www.bmwmotorrad.com.au

Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres

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Long-term update: BMW G 650 GS Sertao

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