Author Topic: Swede’s New Italian Bike  (Read 2345 times)

Offline SmithSwede

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Swede’s New Italian Bike
« on: April 09, 2021, 05:22:37 PM »
So I finally pulled the trigger on a “new” bike.   

I have owned a 2016 Triumph Street Triple since new, but never bonded with it after 5 years and 25K miles.  It never gave me a bit of trouble, but was frankly boring and uncomfortable for long trips.   Only somewhat fun if you played Racer-Boy on it, so I was pretty sure it would kill me one day. 

The Triumph is now gone.  Replaced with a 1999 BMW F650 Funduro.  A 650 cc thumper with the 19” front spoked wheel and dual sport tires.  Enough luggage space to supply a regiment. 

These early F650s were actually made by Aprilia in Italy.  Thus now all my running bikes are Italian—Guzzi V7, Ducati 900SS, and now my little Funduro. 



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Offline flip

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2021, 05:33:59 PM »
Nice!
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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2021, 05:46:15 PM »
 You're gonna hate that thing .

 Dusty

Offline Ncdan

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #3 on: April 09, 2021, 05:47:33 PM »
Is parts available?

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #3 on: April 09, 2021, 05:47:33 PM »

Offline bad Chad

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #4 on: April 09, 2021, 05:56:27 PM »
Super dependable from a friend who has had one for (his wife) for years.  She and he, both seemed very happy with it over all.
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Online Muzz

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #5 on: April 09, 2021, 06:50:40 PM »
When I was considering my new bike back in 2003 I was looking at the belt drive CS650 Scarver (what a name :rolleyes:).  My wife wanted to get that one but having done over 200,000 miles on nakeds I just could not get used to the headlight always pointing straight ahead.  As I never wanted chains again I went with the Breva, which I would have to say is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden.

I found the CS to be quite good to ride with certainly enough performance to be a capable performer.
« Last Edit: April 09, 2021, 06:52:33 PM by Muzz »
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Offline Perazzimx14

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #6 on: April 09, 2021, 07:06:34 PM »
A buddy (260# and his friend 120# ish) rode a F650 US route 50 coast to coast and back a few years ago. He said it was a bit cramped :grin:

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Offline Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2021, 07:09:59 PM »
A buddy (260# and his friend 120# ish) rode a F650 US route 50 coast to coast and back a few years ago. He said it was a bit cramped :grin:

Didn't Blaine have two of his (both red) catch fire? Location of the voltage regulator IIRC.
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Offline Guzzistajohn

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #8 on: April 09, 2021, 07:12:59 PM »
Funduro....

Isn't that a popular dish at the Mexican restaurant? :evil:

I'm all in on the wet burritos myself. Not to mention those tasty refreshing adult beverages.

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Offline Gliderjohn

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #9 on: April 09, 2021, 07:43:28 PM »
 :thumb:
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Offline joe-dean

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #10 on: April 09, 2021, 07:49:18 PM »
<br
 />

here is it's cousin aprilia pegaso two carbs five valve head true dual exhaust, I owned this bike for several years great fun

Offline Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #11 on: April 09, 2021, 08:35:56 PM »
<br
 />

here is it's cousin aprilia pegaso two carbs five valve head true dual exhaust, I owned this bike for several years great fun

I put 9k miles on my brother's. Great fun indeed.

Charlie

Offline SIR REAL ED

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #12 on: April 09, 2021, 09:13:35 PM »
So I finally pulled the trigger on a “new” bike.   

I have owned a 2016 Triumph Street Triple since new, but never bonded with it after 5 years and 25K miles.  It never gave me a bit of trouble, but was frankly boring and uncomfortable for long trips.   Only somewhat fun if you played Racer-Boy on it, so I was pretty sure it would kill me one day. 

The Triumph is now gone.  Replaced with a 1999 BMW F650 Funduro.  A 650 cc thumper with the 19” front spoked wheel and dual sport tires.  Enough luggage space to supply a regiment. 

These early F650s were actually made by Aprilia in Italy.  Thus now all my running bikes are Italian—Guzzi V7, Ducati 900SS, and now my little Funduro. 





You'll love it.... provided the right roads are on your agenda.

The 650 singles are very versatile.  Great platforms for just about any machine you want to create!

Enjoy! 
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Offline 80CX100

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #13 on: April 09, 2021, 09:27:21 PM »
Congrats on the new bike,

I love big singles, I hate riding into the city/burbs, but when I was forced to a big single was my favorite ride of choice, very nimble and responsive.

I knew that the BMW650 had been made by a few different companies, I didn't realize that Aprillia made them for a few years, was that an engine of their own design and production or one supplied by Rotax?

Wishing you many safe miles and smiles on it.

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Offline Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #14 on: April 09, 2021, 09:45:15 PM »
I knew that the BMW650 had been made by a few different companies, I didn't realize that Aprillia made them for a few years, was that an engine of their own design and production or one supplied by Rotax?

Rotax designed and built during that era.
Charlie

Offline LowRyter

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #15 on: April 09, 2021, 09:49:11 PM »
I've heard the Street Triple is a pretty nice bike. 

Funduro?  Sounds like fun.
John L 
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Offline guzzisteve

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #16 on: April 09, 2021, 11:56:19 PM »
You should have bought an Aprilia, they are easier to work on than the Beemer. You have to take less stuff apart. Better engineered all the way around.
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Offline Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #17 on: April 10, 2021, 08:31:17 AM »
You should have bought an Aprilia, they are easier to work on than the Beemer. You have to take less stuff apart. Better engineered all the way around.

Having worked on my brother's Pegaso more than a few times, I can't imagine how the F650 could be worse.  :shocked:
Charlie

Offline Shorty

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #18 on: April 10, 2021, 09:25:10 AM »
 :thumb: I always wanted one of those. Nice find!
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Offline sdcr

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #19 on: April 10, 2021, 10:03:54 AM »
Why?

You're gonna hate that thing .

 Dusty
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Offline delrod

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #20 on: April 10, 2021, 10:09:54 AM »
Why?

Mostly because of the grief he will get from us. And the rally atendees letting it fall over in the gravel
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oldbike54

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #21 on: April 10, 2021, 10:13:18 AM »
Why?

 You would need to have heard the discussions the two of us have had to understand what that meant . I've learned he will do exactly the opposite of what I suggest when it comes to buying motorbikes , telling Swede not to buy something assures he will buy it , and the reverse is also true , although he will still blame me for a bad choice  :grin:

 So it is an inside joke  :laugh:

 Dusty

oldbike54

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #22 on: April 10, 2021, 10:15:45 AM »
Mostly because of the grief he will get from us. And the rally atendees letting it fall over in the gravel

 And this also  :laugh:

 Dusty

Offline SmithSwede

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #23 on: April 10, 2021, 01:36:30 PM »
Well, Thumper and I have already had a bonding experience.   Ran out of gas riding home last night in the dark and rain.  Fortunately I was about 500 yards from a gas station. 

Somebody needs to get used to those old fashioned fuel petcocks.  I think I had it set to RESERVE.
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Offline PJPR01

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #24 on: April 10, 2021, 02:58:04 PM »
There’s a funny story on ADV about a guy who just bought a BMW Prescott and apparently the fuel strips are faulty and misleading.  Does yours have fuel strips?

PS...only Ducatis are allowed to fall over at the rally, but only if there are a minimum of 10 people standing around to witness the event!
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Offline Perazzimx14

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #25 on: April 10, 2021, 03:02:02 PM »
There’s a funny story on ADV about a guy who just bought a BMW Prescott and apparently the fuel strips are faulty and misleading.  Does yours have fuel strips?

PS...only Ducatis are allowed to fall over at the rally, but only if there are a minimum of 10 people standing around to witness the event!

There is a spam of from around 2004 thru 2009ish where fuel strips were used in the RT and GS/GSA fuell cells (possibly others). They are know to fail. In fact BMW did a 9 year extended warranty on them.
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Offline SmithSwede

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #26 on: April 10, 2021, 03:05:37 PM »
 Nope.  No fuel strips.   Just a basic petcock.  Like all my bikes from the 70s.

Some of you whippersnappers are probably too young to know what a fuel tank petcock is. 
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oldbike54

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #27 on: April 10, 2021, 03:15:44 PM »
Nope.  No fuel strips.   Just a basic petcock.  Like all my bikes from the 70s.

Some of you whippersnappers are probably too young to know what a fuel tank petcock is.

 Are ya sure that thing isn't a BSA ?

 Dusty

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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #28 on: April 11, 2021, 06:02:09 AM »
I’ve been wondering about those..pop up pretty frequently for a modest price considering the quality

https://vermont.craigslist.org/mcy/d/south-hero-2003-bmw-f650-gs-low-mileage/7304653506.html



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Re: Swede’s New Italian Bike
« Reply #29 on: April 11, 2021, 07:50:46 PM »
Funny, that bonding thing. I just sold my 1998 F650 Funduro and bought my new-to-me 2012 V7 Classic with the proceeds. I never bonded with the F650 in the way I instantly did with the V7. But, the F650 was a GREAT bike. The Rotax engine was a marvel. Gotta love that thumper torque. My son and I bought it together, and I rode it from Rhode Island to Minneapolis where I put it in a rental storage unit, flew to Seattle, gave my son the keys to the bike and the storage unit and a mileage airplane ticket to Minneapolis and he rode it the rest of the way to WA state. That bike just pulled and pulled and pulled but for some reason, I just never bonded to/with it. My son kept it for a few years and then sold it back to me and I had it trucked back to me in RI. Then I sold it and bought the Guzzi...

My only advice is don't let the carbs gunk up with old fuel....(ask me how I know), aside from that, I think you'll love it
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