BMW G650X Country

“I’ll have the engine again. Children are on their own, and my wife thinks I'm smarter than I was 15 years ago when I was looking for her attention without a helmet on my head after school. I would like it to be like jumping on business and doing small purchases, to visit my mother in the village, and to drive around for an evening coffee. I'm not going to travel with him, as the family RV is air conditioned and can hold much more luggage than a suitcase full of a two-wheeled vehicle. I really won't be riding motorcycles anymore, but choppers are still too boring for me. Hmm, I like this BMW Country: not everyone has it, the power is just right, and behind the modern design is some pleasant classic. "

So the future owner of the new G650X Country might think. This one is closely related to the derivatives of supermoto and enduro, only it is simpler and calmer in design. Something similar, at the time very advanced in design and probably not very successful, was shown 12 years ago by Aprilia with the Moto 6.5. Is it a coincidence that the Country is also made in Italy? Otherwise, along with this year's novelty, we could also promote Triumph's Scrambler, which is a kind of modern antiques with a retro look, but then the competition will run dry. There is no such or at least approximately similar motorcycle on sale today, which is good for the owner in terms of exclusivity.

Technically, the motorcycle is simple. The frame is a steel tube with an aluminum sub-frame that holds the seat and fuel tank (it's under the seat), and the green fuel fill port is on the right side, which is impractical for those used to seated refueling. on a motorcycle. The engine is a classic BMW for the class, but for the more energetic trio, it's been lightened and sharpened up a bit so it can handle 53 horses. This is three more than the F650GS can do - sounds small, but, believe me, familiar.

The village is pleasantly sharp and doesn't stop until 180 km/h! Ha, definitely respectful information for a single cylinder engine. But don't overdo it with speed, as the bike is completely devoid of wind protection, and due to the "playful" geometry, it can be confused by bumps or crosswinds at higher speeds. Chasing him around the city and its environs is a real pleasure. Imagine Ljubljana on a Friday afternoon and show me a more suitable means to rotate between standing quads. Maybe a scooter? Already in the city, as in the country, you can also ride on rubble.

You can easily overcome forest roads on which traffic is allowed, because there are already so many “off-roads” in it. If the moderately soft suspension puts too much pressure on your back, stand up, but don't be averse to (for off-road purposes) the undersized handlebars and the wide seat between your legs; this is NOT an SUV. The country is also impressive in fuel consumption, which when tested was from 4 to 8 liters per hundred kilometers.

The new G650X-Country is an elegant product. Nothing special and not for everyone, but still nice to look at. When we tested it, it was mostly girls who were interested in it. Because it's simple and not too powerful. However, they found that it is not as low as it first appears and therefore requires a driver of at least 165 centimeters. The otherwise comfortable front seat is slightly tilted forward and therefore torments the buttocks more than it should be, while the rear seat sits and holds (by the handles) well. On hot summer days, it is hindered by the exhaust, which, despite thermal protection, can warm the passenger's left leg.

In the end, the only unpleasant surprise is the price, which is much higher than that of similarly designed motorcycles. But since you won't find the same guy in stores, you have no other choice if you catch your eye.

BMW G650X Country

Base model price: 8.262, 30 euros.

Price of the test car with ABS equipment: 8.941, 16 euros.

Engine: 4-stroke, single cylinder, liquid-cooled, 652 cc, 3 mm electronic fuel injection

Maximum power: 39 kW (53 HP) at 7.000 rpm

Maximum torque: 60 Nm @ 5.250 rpm

Transmission: 5-speed gearbox, chain

Suspension: Front 45/240 mm inverted telescopic fork, rear single shock with 210 mm travel.

Tires: front 100 / 90-19, rear 130 / 80-17

Brakes: front disc 300 mm, rear disc with a diameter of 240 mm

Wheelbase: 1.498 mm

Seat height from the ground: 840-870 mm

Fuel tank: 9, 5 l

Weight without fuel: 148 kg

Sale: Avto Aktiv, Ljubljanska cesta 24, 1236 Trzin, phone: 01 / 5605-766, www.bmw-motorji.si

We praise and reproach

+ usability

+ live aggregate

+ ease of driving

+ fuel consumption

– price

Matevž Hriba, photo: Aleš Pavletič