Bmw G650gs Sertão
BMW G650GS Sertão
RIDING IMPRESSION
Better the second time around
MOTORCYCLE MANUfacturers don’t talk about reincarnation, but we’re seeing it in action here. The 2012 G650GS Sertão is nothing less (or much more) than a reactivation of the popular, long-running F650GS Dakar dual-sport Single.
Why bring it back now? Simple. BMW’s North American dealers said they wanted under-$10K models more clearly recognizable as starter bikes. In response, BMW launched the streetaimed G650GS worldwide in 2010 and now brings you the Sertão, named after the remote backcountry of northeastern Brazil.
Following the Dakar template, the Sertão employs longer-travel suspension and a 21-inch front wheel for improved off-road abilities. The 41mm Showa fork strokes 8.3 in., as does the rear axle that’s controlled by a single Sachs shock with remotely adjustable spring preload. (The front and rear travel for the basic G650GS is 6.7 in. and 6.5 in., respectively.) Two-channel ABS is standard. Minor styling changes separate the Sertão from the Dakar, including plastic flank scoops like those on the R1200GS and a redesigned instrument cluster.
The Sertã proved surefooted during the bike’s press introduction at the RawHyde Adventures ranch in Southern California, as well as on the trails around nearby Castaic Lake. It feels lighter than its claimed 426-pound curb weight—just 6 lb. less than the Kawasaki KLR650—would suggest. On the fireroads and water crossings that made up most of the ride, the Sertäo flattered the abilities of the riders who don’t get off the pavement as much as they should.
A lightweight Single makes a great backroad weapon, the less well-maintained that road the better. On secondary roads, the Sertäo was indeed a sharp tool with light, accurate steering and abundant cornering clearance. Its Brembo-based braking is fine for off-road and adequate for the street.
Basically unchanged from its last appearance, the 654cc, dohc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine makes a claimed 50 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 44 footpounds of torque at 5000. It pumps out good power from 4000 rpm to the tickmark supposedly denoting a 7000rpm redline on the fussy bar-graph tach; the engine’s actual rev limit is 7500 rpm. You’ll spend much time in the upper half, so it’s good that the instrumentation includes a red shift light. A counterbalancer quells vibration so well that the Sertäo is smoother at 80 mph in fifth gear than at 65 and is amazingly highwaycompetent—more serene at speed than a KLR. A big gap between first and second gears and the lack of a sixth cog are our two primary complaints.
The $8650 sticker seems a lot for an entry-level bike, but BMW dealers don’t see it that way. The Sertäo fits perfectly into BMW’s plans, just as it did in its previous life as the Dakar.
Smooth-running engine Decent handling onand off-road
Versatile entry-level machine
Needs lower first gear
Needs taller top gear
$9000 Is entry-level?
