Test scooter BMW C600Sport vs C650GT

Menus

• Between Zyva and Bobo
• Discovery
• In the saddle
• In the city
• On the highway
• Departmental
• Braking
• Comfort
• Duo
• Consumption
• Convenient
• Accessories
• Conclusion
• The differences between the C 600 Sport and the C 650 GT

Between Zyva and Bobo

One would have thought that after the success of the C1, the brand’s first foray into the scooter segment, BMW would have buried everything that comes out of the motorcycle. And the release of the S1000RR, the ultimate sports bike, could have reinforced this idea of ​​a motorcycle altogether. But the scooter is developing and BMW has been engaged for three years in urban mobility with several concepts up to electric. The arrival of scooters therefore follows a development logic and an ambitious objective of 10% of the brand’s sales … And as for the 6-cylinder available in two versions, BMW has also developed its maxi-scooter in two versions: a Sport version with the C600 and a GT version with the C 650 GT. So white beanie and white beanie? Trial in a large European and urbanized city: Madrid !

The two BMW maxi-scooters are twins … at heart: despite apparently different code names and displacement, they both indeed share the same chassis based on a perimeter frame made of steel tubes and a unit. aluminum and the same engine: a 650 cc inline twin, developing 60 horsepower for a torque of 66 Nm, the most important power in the category (if we forget the GP800). Entirely developed and designed by BMW, the engine alone is produced by Kymco before being assembled in the brand’s German factory. One would have thought that the mapping would have been changed for two different personalities, but no, everything is identical in terms of engine and chassis for the two models that only 12 kilos separate. So, everything the same? Far from it !

Discovery

Externally, little brings together the two maxi-scooters, which are more cousins ​​than brothers. With two very different looks, the two scoots display two very distinct personalities and two different uses. With the C650GT, we find a direct affiliation with the 1200 RT, the most touring model of the brand with opulent and enveloping shapes. It’s a big scooter, with all the “Executive” baggage: a low seat at just 780 mm, a higher handlebar, an adjustable backrest, a large electrically adjustable windshield, adjustable deflectors, a large 60 liter trunk. , wide steps. It’s the protection and comfort of a big business scooter. We then notice the differences with turn signals integrated in the mirrors, a front pilot light with 3 vertical LED guides of the most beautiful effect and which can bring a plus to the level of visibility with respect to other vehicles. The whole offers a wise and well provided profile, well in all respects.

On the Sport side, we have lightened, visually but also in terms of equipment to give a lighter and more airy model, which begins with a saddle 30 mm higher to peak at 810 mm, and a tapered rear, even air. The handlebars are tighter and lower, giving the impression of dominating the road more while being more picked up. The saddle loses its large adjustable backrest. The turn signals are integrated into the fairing. The trunk thins, with this idea of ​​a false bottom – the FlexCase – able to unfold when stationary to accommodate a helmet … whose doubt remains however when the long resistance. The windshield is smaller and can be adjusted, but by hand and therefore without the electricity fairy. The look of the headlight is sharper and the mirrors more tapered. Simple passenger footrests here replace the GT’s wide running boards. The look here is more rogue, more sporty, more aggressive. Zyva! He snatches !

Otherwise, the two models share standard ABS as well as a center stand, not to mention an ingenious handbrake mounted and integrated into the side stand. The side stand is unfolded, and the handbrake is immediately locked without additional maneuver.

In the saddle

On the GT, we immediately find its marks. We naturally step back to find our back leaning against the backrest, which holds well. The feet are just tiptoeing for the 1.70m rider, but the low center of gravity means that you don’t feel the weight of the scooter swinging to one side or the other. Better still, you can be back in the saddle and touch the ground, which is not always the case on scooters from other brands where the simple fact of being at the end of the saddle or not allows you to touch the ground. The hands fall naturally on the handlebars and the hand, foot and seat triangle appears natural.
Sport side, despite a higher saddle of 30mm, the difference is not obvious and the feet do not touch the ground less. The cockpit is significantly different in terms of storage compartments compared to the GT, but the dashboard is strictly identical between the two models. We regret on the Sport model the absence of tachometer which would have given an additional sporty side.

We therefore find an analog speedometer offering excellent visibility. To its right, the digital screen offers all the information: 8 stick fuel gauge, partial double trip, date, time, average and instantaneous consumption, exterior temperature but also the heating status of the handles or the saddle (normal or maximum). *), front and rear tire pressure * and warning messages (when a bulb fails). The connection to the automotive world is obvious here and pushed almost to the end compared to the current production.

* Note: heated accessories, tire pressure are part of a specific pack, optional.

On the other hand, if the meter is easily readable, the digital meter is less obvious to read on all occasions, due to the large amount of information that is there (and perhaps also to age).

Brake handle and contact on the handlebars on the right, starting, the twin cylinder snorts in a metallic noise which does not make think of a 650 but rather a lower displacement. The mirrors are rather small and too tapered for the GT, but can be adjusted without worrying about a support on the mirror placed on a pivot, and traditionally for the Sport model. If the mirrors of the GT model appear larger, on the other hand they offer poorer visibility than those of the Sport model which offer an excellent rear view..

In the city

With a stroke of the right handle, the C650GT starts slowly at first and then finds its rhythm. In fact, the variator first seems to take its turns – and we wait – then gives a catapult effect by propelling forward. Suddenly, we do not really feel the sixty horses during the stopped start. It is not the cavalry that arrives at a gallop as one might have believed with the figures announced, but everything remains effective. It must be said that the empty weight of 261 kilos, nearly 100 kilos more than a sports car of the same capacity, slows down the ardor and potential inclinations of the mill. But beware, there is nothing anemic about it. We still feel that it is a 600 (647 cm3 to be precise).

Its small size allows it to slip naturally between cars, without fear of touching, especially the mirrors. Its very low weight allows maneuvering at low speed without feeling the weight engage the driver. Everything is very manageable.
Pullman comfort was expected with the GT, but the single rear shock absorber is firm, pushing any holes in the road up into the dorsals. The comfort here is more sporty. Suddenly, we are surprised to find the same impressions and the same comfort on the sport model, despite a saddle that appears to be less well equipped on the outside. There, on the other hand, with a sporty look, we expected sporty comfort, and the expected and experienced comfort is in line with expectations. The two models quickly appreciate each other for their unruffled behavior. None of the models do not come apart, under any circumstances, even on the road connections taken under acceleration. Only the accelerations intervening on white bands can let feel the beginning of sliding, for the GT but not for the Sport, which shoes two different mounts, respectively in Metzeler and Pirelli Diablo. As for braking, there is nothing to say as the efficiency and the easy handling are at the rendezvous. If we take only the left lever, we quickly feel the ABS come into action with jerks in the left hand. And when you take both levers at the same time, whether it’s the C650 GT or the C600 Sport, both models stop just as easily and quickly, providing a good feeling and excellent bite..

On the highway

Once launched, the C650GT really takes its turns and then provides real and clear acceleration. We feel the scooter stuck to the asphalt and maneuver easily at high speed without swaying behavior. On the contrary, the chassis is healthy and the scooter seems to be on a rail, whatever the condition of the road. The screen in the high position provides good protection from the wind but depending on the helmet causes eddies which make it quickly preferable to lower it completely, this point being valid for both models. In the low position, the sport and the GT deflect the wind very well on the top of the bust, without the helmet taking any swirl. Suddenly, it is quite possible to cruiser at the maximum speed of 180 km / h, while we arrive at the switch at 9,000 rpm. It is also the occasion to check the excellent calibration of the meter, since the GPS then validates a good 178 km / h. The calibration checked at all speeds confirms the accuracy of the meter. Even at this "extreme" speed, the wind is correctly deflected on the upper body, without causing any particular pressure on the helmet. The large curves are taken without batting an eyelid at the same speed, without feeling any particular sausage, which may exist at the level of the competition. The frame confirms its excellence with a flawless course holding.

This heading and stability at high speed, even in large curves and without parasitic reaction on a deformed pavement are the great success of the two models, especially compared to the competition which often suffers from a perfectible heading, that this either for certain models 400 or 600.

Departmental

Back on departmental roads, the two models offer good fishing, sympathetic, with a better sensitivity for the Sport model compared to the GT, because of its less weight, especially during sequences of acceleration and braking in laces with a sporty driving. The whole does not have the approval of a manual gearbox, but still allows you to drive quickly, even too fast. In fact, we would like to have the possible disengagement of automatic gears or at least sport or touring modes with different settings of the response to the throttle to really do an arsouille in the mountains. Because if this is not the vocation of the GT, the Sport model still allows to send big gas and encourages a little more muscular driving, especially on hills. Downhill on the other hand, despite a disengagement announced below 15 km / h, it almost seems to be coasting when decelerating, and you have to give a little gas to feel the grip. The engine brake is suddenly quite nonexistent here.

Braking

ABS is standard on both BMW models … leading to think about its more and more systematic generalization on more and more models in the future, while ABS is not yet standard on all maxiscoots. Whether it is the front or rear brake lever, both offer an excellent feeling. The rear brake used alone easily triggers the ABS, but the simultaneous use of both offers powerful and safe braking, while offering a certain progressiveness, well felt at the handle allowing the braking to be adjusted very finely..

Comfort

The Sport model offers a firm seat and sport tuned suspensions. Suddenly, if the pavement deteriorates, comfort deteriorates just as quickly. Suffice to say that the model does not appreciate the gendarmes lying down taken with a little speed and makes it known in a dry way. That said, the whole is homogeneous and does not lead to real criticism. Conversely, the GT model offers a firm seat and suspensions … also firm, even if officially they are set more "flexible". It’s the flip side of a flawless cape outfit, with a stiff frame and suspensions that are anything but soft. We lose in comfort, but especially in expected comfort … because who says GT suggests Pullman, which is not the case. This does not prevent that after a day of driving, the posterior does not feel particularly affected. No softness therefore, but in any case, a good base.

Duo

If the Sport model is more spartan for the passage, the passenger is more than an eventuality, especially as the engine allows to have enough power to continue to offer a good will of the engine for the duo. Both models have wide passenger side grips, which provide a good grip, even with heavy gloves. And above all, the passenger seat is also heated with two heating positions, accessible via a button easily accessible for the passenger, located on the right. The duo is therefore really possible, in both cases.

Consumption

The on-board computer indicates instantaneous consumption as well as overall consumption. This varies between 5 and 6 liters maximum depending on the driving … with an average closer to 5.2 l in normal use. That said, at stabilized speed, at 90 km / h on the national road, instantaneous consumption is given for 4.5 liters. With a 16-liter tank, we therefore have a range that can vary between 250 and 350 kilometers depending on the driving..
There is a central gasoline inlet hatch, which is unlocked on the handlebars, but above all has a tank cap connected to the frame. So, no need to look for a place to put it when filling. Likewise, the hatch is protected from any lateral movements that could lead to its tearing (reference to certain scooters whose hatch placed on the side does not survive very long for this reason).

Convenient

Both versions offer two storage compartments at the front, the left of which can be locked with a key, also offers a 12V socket of the cigarette lighter type. If the two storage compartments of the two versions do not open in the same way (confirming functional differences and not just aesthetic), they both have the same capacities and the same practicality … and not in detail, the left storage compartment locks automatically as soon as the scooter is parked and blocked. On the other hand, the opening cylinders seem a bit fragile and will surely require a little care from the owners of the machines..

The two scooters differ in their capacity under the saddle. If the GT offers a large storage space of 60 liters effectively allowing to accommodate two helmets on all occasions, it is not the same for the Sport, which has difficulty in accommodating a jet helmet (depending on the jet) in working order. Admittedly, when stationary, the Sport has the innovative Flexcase system, which allows a bag to descend which then grazes the wheel and allows an integral to be accommodated inside. But if in working order, the underside of the scooter and the Flexcase offers a thick plastic shell, once unfolded, there is only a canvas, certainly thick and in Kevlar, but which should not withstand a good blow of a cutter to extract the precious contents.

Still under the saddle, LED lighting illuminates the interior. The advantage of this lighting besides the more reliable appearance of LEDs compared to a bulb lies above all in lower consumption, which should avoid ending up with a dead battery, for having left the saddle ajar one night, without counting that in any case the lighting under the saddle switches off automatically after a certain period, once the key is removed.

Accessories

Despite a standard version already well equipped with the central stand, the adjustable windshield, BMW offers many equipment including the HighLine pack which offers LED daytime running lights, a heated saddle, heated grips, tire pressure indicators front and rear for only 795/895 euros extra. To this can be added a chrome pack, as well as a Top-Case support and its associated 35-liter Top-Case, but also a 12-liter central tunnel bag or even aspherical mirrors and of course an electronic alarm ( 210 €) and a specific ABUS lock to lock the handlebars with the body of the scooter. Given the success in theft of this type of scooter, we regret that an electronic alarm system is not perfectly integrated as standard..

Conclusion

The two new BMW scooters are a real discovery and a success, which are inserted between the Tmax 530 and the Burgman 650. The GT is clearly aimed at the urban. Not very fun, but very plush and practical, it offers excellent dynamic behavior and equally excellent braking. The heated grips and saddle will undoubtedly be systematic options to face the harsh winter conditions. Sport will be aimed at those who want a slightly more fun machine and not just for the metallic blue color, thanks to its more dynamic everyday capabilities, on condition that they agree to give up on the practical aspects. Less fun than a Tmax but easier to handle than a Burgman, the two models should allow BMW to take market share from the two current references in terms of maxi-scooters … but also within the mark with the RT. Because if there is a motorcycle often used in France as a big scooter in town, it is the RT. And here the C650GT offers a small footprint, for as much useful storage and protection, for a significantly lower price. There is no doubt that many future potential buyers of RT may prefer this urban and easy-to-use version. The two scooters will also make it possible to have not a Burgman nor a Tmax, but a BMW with the image that goes with it .. and a price all in all "reasonable" since they are both displayed at respectively 11,100 and 11,450, or almost the same price as a T-Max (€ 10,999), but also almost twice the price of a first price roadster. Everything will be available at all the brand’s dealers from April for the Sport and by June for the GT model. BMW hopes to sell as many of each and 2,300 in the coming year … In view of the dynamic capacities, the price and the look, the objective seems almost modest for two machines which risk cutting croupiers against competing models having changed little over the past few years.

Strong points

• holding cap
• braking
• equipment
• options

Weak points

• price
• firm comfort for the GT
• risk of theft for Sport (as for TMax)

Competitors: Aprilia SRV 850, Gilera GP 800, Piaggio X9 500, Suzuki Burgman 650, Yamaha T-Max 500

Datasheet
BMW C600 and C650

The differences between the C 600 Sport and the C 650 GT

BMW C 600 Sport	BMW C 650 GT
Ergonomics
Position with low handlebars; saddle 810 mm high; passenger footrest	Position with handlebars raised, saddle with adjustable backrest height 780 mm; passenger footboards
Windshield
Mechanical adjustment in three positions	Electrically adjustable over a range of 10 cm.
Bodywork and design
Adjusted fairing; slender rear part	Fairing more encompassing
Headlights, indicators and rear optics
Indicators integrated in the fairing; double headlights flanked by two position lights; LED rear optics with individual indicators.	Turn signals integrated in the mirrors; double headlight with a parking light; LED rear optical assembly with integrated turn signals
Storage volume
Variable storage volume FlexCase – Holds 2 helmets stationary but just one jet in working order	Compartment of about 60 liters in the rear part. Holds 2 full face helmets.

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