Test bike: BMW C650 GT

When BMW brought an abundance of glamor, prestige and, if you will, snobbery to the segment of these increasingly popular two-wheelers in 2013 with the introduction of its scooter twins, we were the ones who were among the first to be seduced by it, convinced that a lot of new things won’t happen in the coming years.

We were right. The competition offered some new or refreshed models, but there was no real progress in terms of performance and driving characteristics. BMW thus remains the leading scooter in the hunt for the envious glances of passers-by. With modest refreshments, the design is even more convincing, and the Germans have also dedicated improvements to cycling, engineering and equipment. Therefore, the C650GT will appeal to everyone, even those who are not convinced by the latter. There is a less pleasant but very convincing argument for this. Price. Everyone knows that this scooter is ridden by successful people, and success is in itself a very powerful aphrodisiac.

You can read (how and more) about how this scooter rides and what it can do in our online test archive. Roughly speaking, this scooter should ride even better with small geometric changes, but I find it difficult to confirm this thesis. Three years have passed and the driving characteristics already seemed excellent to me at that time. The scooter on the road invites dynamics, instills confidence and consequently forces you to exaggerate. Don't forget to be careful here, when overdoing it, the C650GT also picks up a few meters on its own without warning. When driving for two, the central stand is in quick contact with the asphalt.

And what is actually new? Here it can be seen that Bavarian engineers listened to customer criticism. That's why the drawer now has a 12-volt socket of standard dimensions, the drawer has a useful fence that prevents objects from flying out of it, and they have slightly changed the throat of the fuel tank filler pipe in order to reduce fuel spills. .

In terms of technology and safety, the blind spot sensor is to be commended for its pioneering rather than usability, and this BMW also knows how to dedicate itself to a bend. The mechanics remain virtually unchanged, with the exception of the variomatic rear-wheel drive transmission system, which makes the C650GT even more vibrant on paper than its predecessor. In practice, I didn't feel this very strongly, but the scooter is very responsive and brakes harder with the engine compared to others.

There are practically no reasons against it. In the world of scooters, it is almost unparalleled, and it can also play the role of a motorcycle quite well. The boundaries are mostly vague and elastic, at least in the minds, and in a two-wheeled world, the rules are more rigid. The BMW C650GT is a scooter. Great scooter.

text: Matyaž Tomažič, photo: Grega Gulin

• Basic data

  Sales: BMW Motorrad Slovenia

  Base model price: € 11.750,00 XNUMX €

  Test model cost: € 13.170,00 XNUMX €

• Technical information

  engine: 647 cc, 3-cylinder, 2-stroke, in-line, water-cooled

  Power: 44 kW (60,0 hp) at 7750 rpm

  Torque: 63 Nm at 6.000 rpm

  Energy transfer: Automatic transmission, variomat

  Frame: aluminum with steel tubular superstructure

  brakes: front 2 x disc 270 mm, 2-piston calipers, rear 1 x 270 disc, 2-piston caliper ABS, combined system

  Suspension: front telescopic fork USD 40 mm, rear double shock absorber with adjustable spring tension

  Tires: before 120/70 R15, rear 160/60 R15

  Growth: 805 mm