BMW F650CS

BMW F650CS

Manufacturer BMW Motorrad

Also called Scarver

Parent company BMW

Production 20012005

Predecessor F650 Strada

Class Standard[1]

Engine 652 cc (39.8 cu in), water-cooled four-

stroke single DOHC, 4 valves

Bore / stroke 100 mm 83 mm (3.9 in 3.3 in)

Top speed 109 mph (175 km/h)[2]112 mph (180 km/h)[1]

Power 50 bhp (37 kW) @ 6800 rpm (claimed)[3]

34 bhp (25 kW) @ 6500 rpm (restricted)[2]

44.2 hp (33.0 kW) (rear wheel)[1]

Torque 62 Nm (46 lbfft) @ 5,500 rpm(claimed)[3]

59.9 Nm (44.2 lbfft) (rear wheel)[1]

Transmission 5-speed, cable-actuated wet clutch, toothed belt

final drive

Suspension Front: 41 mm telescopic fork, fork stabiliser

Rear: Die cast aluminium single-sided

swingarm with rear wheel axle adjustable via

Excenter, central strut controlled by means of

lever system

Brakes Front: 1 disc, 2 piston floating caliper; Rear: 1

disc, 1 piston floating caliper; ABS optional,

diameter front: 300 mm (12 in)

rear: 240 mm (9.4 in)

Tires Front: 110/70R17

Rear 160/60R17

Rake, trail 27.9, 3.4 in (86 mm)

Wheelbase 1,493 mm (58.8 in)

Dimensions L: 2,142 mm (84.3 in)

Seat height 780 mm (31 in)

Optional 750 mm (30 in) seat

Or 810 mm (32 in) with optional 150 series rear

tires and high seat
 Weight 189 kg (417 lb)(claimed)[3]

196 kg (432 lb)[1] (wet)

Fuel capacity 15 l (3.3 imp gal; 4.0 US gal)

Fuel consumption 46.1 mpg-US (5.10 L/100 km; 55.4 mpg-imp)[1]

Related F650GS

The BMW F650CS was a standard motorcycle made by BMW Motorrad from 2001 to 2005. CS
stood for city/street,[2] as it was aimed at urban commuters and it was also known as the
Scarver, a portmanteau of street and carver.[3] The CS was the third generation in the F650
single series, after the 19932001 F650, and 20007 F650GS.[4] It was known for its offbeat
styling intended to attract new motorcyclists.[5][6]

Contents
[hide]

1Design
2Performance
3Sales
4Notes
5See also

Design[edit]
The F650CS was designed by American David Robb,[3] Vice President of BMW Motorrad
Design from 1993 to 2012,[7][8][9] and designer of
the R1100RT, K1200RS, R1200C, R1100S and K1200LT.[10] The bike was the result of a
partnership between BMW and Aprilia.[2]

The storage compartment where most motorcycles have the fuel tank.

Many elements of the design, such as the striking colors used for the coordinated body panels,
the Space Age instrument panel, translucent passenger grab handles, and slickly serviceable
storage compartment had a consumer appliance feel and appearance, "remind[ing] you of
current computer peripherals such as HP ScanJet printers."[3][11] Its small transparent wind
screen seemed "iMac-inspired",[5] and the use of translucent polycarbonate elsewhere hinted
at Apple's style at the time.[6] The addition of superfluous oblong slots with incongruous rubber
inserts along the sides of the aluminum frame led Rider magazine to quip that it was
"overstyled".[12] BMW "ripped a page from the strategy book of Apple Computer Inc" with its
three "youth-oriented" color choices, azure blue metallic, golden orange metallic and beluga
blue.[13]

One of the F650CS removable bag options.

To help attract the fashion conscious buyer,[11] the F650CS had special color options for the
side panels, either to match the other body panels or in aluminum, and a choice of two seat
colors, for a total of 24 permutations.[5] This modularity extended to the multi-use top storage
compartment, which came with a small removable soft bag, and was used for an optional
larger soft shoulder bag, or a hard plastic case which could have added an audio system with a
CD player.[5] The ignition key matched all three different locking compartment options, and the
audio system was integrated with the speedometer so that it automatically increased the music
volume at higher speeds and increased the bass at low speed.[6]
While the F650CS was similar to the GS released in 2000, it had several unique features
including a single-sided swingarm, toothed belt drive, modular soft case baggage, and a
storage area in what would traditionally be the top tank of the bike.[4] The fuel tank was instead
placed underneath the rear half of the seat, with the fuel filler cap on the right hand side of the
rear of the bike.[4]

A toothed belt drive is cleaner, quieter, and more responsive than a chain drive, and requires less
maintenance, but has greater power losses.

Traditionally, BMW has favored shaft drive,[14] but for the first time chose belt drive for this
application for its advantages in cost and weight over shaft drive, and because it did not require
the frequent cleaning, lubrication, and adjustment of roller chain drive, as well as lasting longer
than a chain and running quieter.[2][12] Using belt drive was consistent with the intent to attract
new motorcyclists who might not be comfortable with the mechanical chores normally
associated with motorcycling.[2] Though belt drives have greater power loss than chains, which
are typical of high-performance motorcycles, they do not suffer from chain lash, since chains
must be kept slightly loose but belts remain tight at all times, meaning the responsiveness of
the drivetrain is comparable to a heavier and more costly shaft drive.[4][5]

Performance[edit]
The Rotax single-cylinder engine was low-powered compared to the liter class superbikes that
could be had for the same price at the time, but considered on its own merits the bike's 44.2 hp
(33.0 kW) (rear wheel)[1] was more than adequate for spirited riding in an urban setting, and the
59.9 Nm (44.2 lbfft) rear wheel torque[1] allowed for easy acceleration when maneuvering in
traffic.[6] Testers found the handling light and quick, and surprisingly enjoyable in low-speed
twisties and canyon curves.[3][6][12] Acceleration was tested at 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in
4.72[1] to 5.47 seconds[12] and 13.07 seconds to the mile at 99.9 mph (160.8 km/h).[1] Braking
60 to 0 miles per hour (97 to 0 km/h) was 116.5 to 118.5 ft (35.5 to 36.1 m).[1][12]

Sales[edit]
Initial press reaction among motorcycle critics was uniformly positive, particularly praising
BMW for taking a bold and innovative risk, and for their willingness to break traditional molds
and entice consumers other than the typical motorcycle rider, though they worried that the
cachet of the BMW label would not be enough to justify the premium price.[3][2][4][5][6][11][12] It
appeared at a time when most motorcycles were increasing in horsepower and specialization,
and the F650CS went against those marketing trends, aimed instead at urban commuters,
non-traditional riders, new motorcyclists, women, and shorter riders.[3][4] The model was one
example of BMW's efforts to combat becoming too much of an "old man's brand", and expand
beyond their famous touring machines into new markets.[5] The bike's designer David Robb
said that, "If we want to offer something to new people we have to offer something new."[6] The
large storage space and ease of use suggested the F650CS could attract scooter commuters
as well as motorcyclists.[5][11] BMW estimated 40% of sales would come from non-
motorcyclists.[11] It was BMW's first entry-level motorcycle since the R65 of 19781984.[15] The
F650CS was derived from the dual-sport F650GS single, which was BMW's top selling model
worldwide in 2001.[16]
In its Canadian advertising campaign, the bike was tied with images of extreme sports in
unlikely locales, like snowboarding down Mount Everest and windsurfing whitecaps in the
Pacific Ocean, accompanied by lines such as "You feel the urge to windsurf across the Pacific
Ocean... but what you really need is a ride on the new F650CS."[13][17] Hendrik von Kuenheim,
president and CEO of BMW Group explained that, "These riders want a bike that expresses
their individuality and expands on their already exciting lifestyle."[13] Ads were placed in lifestyle
magazines rather than specialty motorcycle magazines.[13]
But for the year 2002, Motorcyclist magazine described the F650CS's sales as an "unmitigated
flop", which languished alongside other lightweight European motorcycles that consumers
found too expensive outside their home markets.[18] Three years later, in 2005, the F650CS was
discontinued, and the F800 series was introduced in 2006, but it was a different class of
motorcycle, aimed at the middleweight sport bike segment, for riders looking to upgrade from
their first bike, or return to motorcycling, rather than the beginning motorcyclist market.[19][20] The
F800 had a straight-two engine, not a single, and though it shared belt drive with the F650CS
and boasted its own technical innovations, it did not push the design envelope with the kind of
unusual features found on the CS, nor did it elicit commentary for the polarizing nontraditional
styling the CS was noted for.[19][20][21]