BMW C650Sport and C650GT scooter comparison

Menus

• The age of reason and maturity
• Discovery
• In the saddle
• Contact
• In the city
• Highway
• On departmental
• Comfort
• Braking
• Consumption
• Convenient
• Conclusion

The age of reason and maturity

Car manufacturer, BMW had logically unveiled its maxi scooters in 2012 with the arrival of the C600 Sport and C650GT. Of BMW design, the models were surprised by the partnership with Kymco, even if the logic of relying on a recognized industrialist and with its own range was consistent. The objective announced for the propeller brand was to compete with the TMax with an equivalent price and sales ambitions to match. In fact, the GT has sold just as much as the Sport in the world, with more than 27,000 models sold in total, with just 5% more for the GT in France compared to the Sport. Three years later, BMW is therefore putting the cover back to correct the flaws of youth but also to increase the model in range, to be more at the level of what the customers of the mark are entitled to expect. The novelties hardly affect the price, even if it is appreciably on the rise, but bring more both aesthetically and technically. So, what to take the step? Test in Spain for a comparison in Valencia and in the Hispanic pampas…

Discovery

Of the two models – Sport and GT – it is perhaps the Sport which benefits from the most important changes, in any case visual, since the model has been completely revised in terms of its dynamic design. BMW, however, did not renew the genre and we recognize the lineage of the Sport model.

However, many details make it a new model in its own right, a marked improvement over the previous vintage would only be at the level of the quality of the plastics. BMW has taken the model up a notch and is now at the level expected when it was released in 2012.

More at the heart of the model, the CVT transmission benefits from new settings and new clutch linings to provide greater nervousness at start-up. The chassis benefits from new settings of the springs and shock absorbers to offer more comfort while allowing a sportier ride. ABS and especially ASC traction control are now standard, providing increased safety.

And when it comes to safety, BMW is the first manufacturer to also include a steering aid for the blind spot control with Side View Assist (SVA) thus bringing to "the motorcycle" what already exists on certain cars indicating the presence of an object in the blind spot. But only the GT model has this new safety system.

In the saddle

We step over the BMW C650, with this huge, fairly wide central bridge. The saddle is also wide and allows you to barely put your toes on the ground. Fortunately, the scooter is well born and above all well balanced, allowing easy handling without causing overweight or particular sway. Suddenly, even on the tips of the feet, we manage to perform the maneuvers at a standstill, including recoil without problem. But for those who would find the saddle perched at 800 minutes too high (805 mm for the GT), there is a 780 mm model.

The hands rest naturally on the handlebars whatever the model, but the GT offers more room for the long legs and more freedom of position. The passenger also has real turntables on the GT while the passenger of the Sport will be content with rubberized toe clips..

If the controls are identical between the two models, as well as the speedometer (except for a specific wallpaper for each model, a little more Sport or GT depending on), the impression is different..

As much as the GT offers a wide and high bubble, space and a sedan feel, the sport is more stripped down. This stripping results for example by a manually adjustable bubble for the Sport but electrically for the GT. The mirrors themselves are smaller for the Sport (but offer comparatively just as good rear view to the rear) compared to the GT. And only the GT also has the blind spot detection system.

Note the "gills" located at the rear of the GT, necessary to house the ultrasonic sensors involved in the detection of blind spots, indicated by a light signal at the branches of the mirrors. An optional system only on the GT model (sport does not offer it) for 495 euros.

On the counter side, there is therefore an analog speedometer on the left, completed on the right by a digital instrument panel, complete and readable, the indications of which alternate thanks to two buttons on the left stalk, distinguishing the two trips from other information such as clock, consumption average and instantaneous, average speed, exterior and engine temperature, front and rear tire pressure. The 8-stick fuel gauge and tachometer are visible all the time. If the fuel gauge is clear and visible, the tachometer (on the far right) is on the other hand almost illegible unless you really take your eyes off the road for several seconds..

Contact

If the two models do not have exactly the same overall line, the double exhaust, rewarding, snorts with a serious sound, just as rewarding as the aesthetics. Real work has been done by the brand at this level, which immediately raises the new vintage up a notch compared to the 2012 model. Car manufacturers are working on the sound of the doors closing. The sound of an exhaust strongly contributes to the felt character of a model, now for the C650 closer to a motorcycle than to a scooter. What to crack the bikers? the real ones ?

Both models offer storage compartments at the front, of which the one on the left is locked with the Neiman. As much on the other hand, the Sport pocket are qualitative and close well, as much that of the GT model is not at the level with an all plastic closure which deserves a better finish. On the other hand, inside there is a cigarette lighter socket allowing the recharging of mobile or other electronic gadget. Cote place, you will accommodate a large phone or a small compact camera.

Start … Immediate compared to the old vintage. So we no longer have this rise in speed which only triggered a real movement after a few seconds. It is finally instantaneous and the reaction of the scooter concomitant with the action of the throttle. BMW had announced a work done only on the CVT, but between the sound and the behavior, one would think that it is about a new engine. The rise in the towers is gradual, fluid and dynamic now allowing an instinctive and pleasant handling, finally putting the model at the level of the competition.

If frame and engine are identical between the two models, the sport seems lighter and suddenly more maneuverable, especially at low speed. There is however "only" twelve kilos of difference between the two models. But the GT has a more imposing fairing at the front which explains this additional weight and this heaviness felt in comparison, especially during low-speed maneuvers. The GT’s exterior build is also larger, with 55mm longer in length and 39mm more in width. It is this set which gives this impression of greater heaviness for the GT and de facto greater maneuverability for the Sport, while the chassis is itself identical with the same caster angles and caster to the wheel..

In the city

Starting, energetic, with no downtime, the C650 soars dynamically and weaves its way through traffic just as easily, including between cars. The Sport here offers additional handling and ease compared to the GT. It also gives the impression of being a little more dynamic, perhaps simply because of the twelve kilos of difference to take compared to the GT. However, it does not transform its driver into a mindless pilot; I am the first to admit it with shame, I have a more aggressive ride once on the handlebars of a TMax, which encourages play. Sport does not generate this genetic transformation while being pleasant. And it’s also better for other drivers and their own license.

Both rear and front braking is effective. The rear is very pleasant, being efficient despite a slightly hard grip and above all allowing it to stop in line without taking off. The front pumps more easily on hard braking, letting the front fork sink sharply on its 115 mm travel.

What about the mortality angle warning system fitted to the GT and exclusively to the GT? The intention is commendable. Now, in town, it kicks in quite easily. We thus "played" with two scooters in order to see at what times and distance they ignited on one of the models. There is sometimes a lag time and overall it works. But it also lit up by itself, in the countryside, when no obstacle existed several tens of meters away. The only possible explanation is the passage near the bushes on the side of the road. There is still a bit of progress to be made, but despite everything in town, it can occasionally alert against an oversight of lateral control. In any case, BMW presents it well as a plus and not as a system allowing to get rid of adjusting in the rearview mirror or forgetting the lateral control. Now, at 495 euros the option, we will prefer other options before this last one.

Highway

The C650 sets off naturally on the motorway. At 4,000 revolutions at 90km / h and 6,000 revolutions at 130 km / h, the engine purrs under its maximum power and with room for up to 9,000 rpm. You can then reach a good 170 km / h easily while being able to nibble a few more kilometers hours once well started. The stability is impeccable at this maximum speed, including in large curves allowing the scooter to register naturally in bends. Only the bubble in the maximum high position can cause a slight flutter in the steering, a sensation that disappears as soon as it is returned to the low position. In any case, the protection of the bubble is effective whatever its position. Even if in the low position, we feel a little more air support on the shoulders, this support is not annoying. Above all, whatever the position of the bubble, it does not cause parasitic noise in the headphones. BMW has announced that it has made changes after going through the wind tunnel. The result observed today is effective.

On departmental

At ease in town, imperturbable on the motorway, the C650 naturally returns to departmental roads. You can just as easily choose to roll up, quickly, as to have a more aggressive driving with accelerations followed by hard braking. The really strong braking in town which made you plan are less felt here, especially since the model accepts to be manhandled in the sequences. It tilts naturally in a curve, or even helps driving, without oversteering. So we can have fun on its handlebars. And if the sport offers a little more ease faster, the GT is not very far.

Comfort

The comfort offered by the two C650s is of an excellent level and identical. The defects of the road are well erased while ensuring good stability. Result, we can take the gendarmes lying down quickly enough without bouncing back. For comparison, comfort is above a TMax and below a Burgman, noticeably softer..

If the saddles are aesthetically different between the two models, their comfort is identical.

Braking

The rear brake is a bit harsh but sufficient in town. It is especially reassuring by allowing to stop online. The front brake is more spongy at the handle but ultimately offers a good feeling and bite allowing to stop hard and short, to the detriment of a significant dive of the front fork.

We note the double fixed 270 mm disc with floating calipers with 2 pistons and above all beyond the original ABS, ASC, traction control, also original. And on a slightly wet road or simply filled with earth as we have encountered, the latter starts up gradually and without stalling, providing additional assistance and safety..

Consumption

The on-board computer indicated, depending on the users and their driving, an average consumption varying between 4.8 and 5.5 liters per hundred, knowing that there had been a lot of town and mountain. There is no doubt that smoother driving should allow consumption to drop below 4.5 liters per hundred, which is pretty good for the category. With a 15.5-liter tank, the range ultimately varies around 300 kilometers..

Convenient

The GT offers room for a large modular (Shoei Neotec type, placed opening towards the wrong, but not the other way around) and a jet, plus some small business.

The Sport will be satisfied by riding a single helmet but allows two when stationary, thanks to the flexcase system, allowing a reinforced bag to be lowered under the saddle and thereby increasing the capacity when stationary. Note that a safety device prevents starting the scooter when the flexcase is lowered. Even if this pocket is reinforced, it is however more sensitive to being forced than the saddle of the GT.

Putting on a center stand is not always easy on large scooters or at least requires effort. BMW announced that it has reworked the kinematics to make it 30% easier to put on the power plant. And it is indeed the case. We do not confirm the figure of 30%, but the setting on central is indeed instinctive and requires almost no effort, unlike some motorcycles of smaller displacement.

In any case, the side stand is also original. Better still, when it is deployed, it automatically activates the parking brake. And indeed, side stand deployed, it is impossible to move the scooter. Ah, if all scooters could be equipped like this !

Conclusion

BMW was targeting the TMax and the Burgman in 2012, respectively, but was far from it. The 2015 vintage reduced the gap enormously, really bringing the two models into the big leagues. Thus, even if the 2015 vintages are significantly more expensive than the old models, the price increase, compared to already high prices for scooters, is fully justified, to the point that someone who would find an old "sold off" model (as far as we can find a BMW model on sale), we would recommend the new one anyway. Engine approval on the rise, overall quality on the rise, overall valuation bring the models closer to new models than just facelifts. Only the price, at still 11,350 and 11,650 euros for the Sport and the GT respectively (excluding options) can make us think about alternatives motorcycles with less expensive luggage with a versatility for longer trips larger.

Strong points

• Motor
• Look

Weak points

• Price

The comparative technical sheet of the BMW C650 Sport and GT

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