BMW C 650 GT 2015, road test

It costs a lot, but offers a lot. After extensive testing, about a year ago, its brother C 600 Sport we were pampered by what we could define as the best scooter on the marketwithout hurting anyone. Performance at the top of its category, unrivaled comfort and great practicality also given by the roomy under seat. A product with few defects, price excluded.

BMW C 650GT 2015: It would be useless to deny it, among the many commercial successes of BMW Motorrad, which even in times of crisis continues to set new records and aims to overtake manufacturers that were once very distant in the sales rankings, we cannot put the two maxi scooters C 600 Sport and C 650GT. It may be due to the demanding price, it may be due to the loyalty of the customers of the two main competitors (T-Max and Burgman 650) or the unattractiveness of the scooters for Elica motorcyclists, but the numbers are not what anyone would have expected. We are now about 3 years after the launch and the situation (we took into consideration the data for the whole of 2014) sees a peremptory 4-1 in the comparison between T-Max and C 600 Sport, and a more balanced 2-1 between Burgman 650 and C 650 GT. According to the numbers, the competitors win hands down, but if we get into the saddle the belief is that among the many reasons for these results there are not many linked to the quality of the product. For us, obviously it is a partly subjective judgement, the C 650 GT is from many points of view the best scooter you can buy together with his brother electric C Evolution, but that's a whole other topic. The only real flaw is the plastic on the rear shield and around the handlebar area, which appear lower than the general quality of the vehicle, as well as the expected level given the price paid.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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A single platform for two scooters with markedly distinct personalities

The purpose was quite clear, to declare war on the two sacred monsters, the sporty Yamaha T-Max and the touring and super comfortable Suzuki Burgman 650 (the “Ciccio” for its admirers), with a pair of scooters sharing a frame and engine. A double dress that makes them very different, at least compared to what we would not have expected. The names lie, because the displacement remains the same, as does all the rest of the mechanics. However, what changes are the aesthetics, the heights in the saddle, the shape of the handlebars, the aerodynamic protection, the dimensions of the compartment under the saddle and more. A significantly different approach, developed on the same platform. We had also taken them to the limit on the track, where the differences become much smaller once you become familiar with them, but it is in daily use that the two souls stand out the most. The “Sport” is perhaps more appealing from an aesthetic point of view, but the C 650 GT is designed to pamper, even more than to appear. We always come back to the comparison with the two competitors, one devoted to sportiness and a fashionable look, the other attentive above all to comfort. It sells more with the image, but those who pay attention to the matter will prefer a few dozen more liters of capacity in the underseat compartment to the braking system derived from the company's super sports cars (the reference, for those who haven't caught it, is to the T-Max 530 MY 2015). The C 650 GT is not at all ugly or poorly cared for from an aesthetic point of view, mind you, but it loses some of the aggressiveness of the "Sport", for example the horizontal rear shock absorber is more hidden and elegantly hidden by the plastics of the scooter , While the front superstructures are more extensive, to better protect the driver from air and weather. The front is pleasant with daytime LED light, which remains lit for a few seconds even after switching off, to illuminate the area in front of the vehicle, making it easier to open the garage, for example. In the saddle dimensions, comfort and protection are worthy of a granturismo, you travel on the motorway as comfortably as on an RT 1200. The passenger also has a lot of space in the saddle, even if the position is rather high, as well as having comfortable support for the feet at his disposal. In fact, these are not removable platforms, but a continuation of the main platform and the feet are well protected even from possible collisions with obstacles. Excellent level of finish, included in the large compartment under the saddle, where it is possible to house two large helmets (and still have space), equipped with a piston to facilitate opening, light and 12 volt socket. What almost everyone complains about is the quality and fit of the plastics on the rear shield, which are not up to the quality of the vehicle., some vibrations are also not uncommon. Sin, a note that is out of place in a very good context. The idea of ​​two mobile bulkheads is good, essentially two diverters in the area below the large electrically adjustable windscreen, to be kept open to have fresh air in the summer, but closed in the cold months.

Engine and performance:

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An engine that can do exactly what a GT maxi scooter needs

The 647 cc twin-cylinder is capable of around 60 horsepower, a lot also in the maxi scooter category, but thanks to the CVT transmission and electronics calibrated to have a curve of regular and full delivery right from low revs, is able to make us travel without jerks and vibrations even with a little gas in city traffic. In fact, what is surprising is not so much the bad sound and the performance, which are very high, but almost predictable in light of the expectations, but rather the "softness" and comfort with which the C 650 GT took us around in all situations, from the city to the highway. A true grand tourer, as the acronym says, also from a performance point of view. If you "hang" on the throttle it is able to outrun most of the competition, it leaves room for someone in terms of initial inspiration due to the size and calibration of the transmission, but when extended, it is capable of almost 180 km/h. Translated, this means that at 130 per code you travel well below its limits, with a rather low speed and minimum vibrations. The two balancing countershafts with which the engine is equipped certainly help in this. A smooth and smooth unit, but capable of exalting the rider thanks to very high power. The delivery becomes angry and is accompanied by a crescendo that is also interesting in terms of sound when you want to have a bit of fun. Just to give you an idea, after 3 days of using the BMW C 650 GT we got into a car with over 200 HP and were surprised by the poor acceleration and responsiveness. The transition from 2 to 4 wheels is fine, but we are still talking about a scooter, what a scooter! The torque limitation system is identical to the C 600 Sport, not a truly advanced traction control, as BMW usually uses for motorbikes, but a device capable of limiting excessive accelerations that are detected by the sensors on the rear wheel in the event of loss of adhesion (a system which cannot be excluded).

Ride and handling:

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A grand touring scooter like no other

Even with the C 600 Sport we were not limited to city use. Thanks to the comfort qualities that its sporty brother is also capable of, we had traveled around 700 km mostly on extra-urban roads and on the motorway, often even in a jacket and tie, without fearing rain or cold. In this case lThe bar is raised again, because of the aerodynamic protection (and therefore also in case of bad weather), it's really very good. windshield with electric adjustment it offers sustained protection if positioned high, while freeing the view in city use from any discomfort that corners and edges may cause. And if the outside temperature gets cold, the grips are heated, as are the seats for the driver and passenger. The gem is the third option, in addition to the two classic levels, with the possibility of using the automatic level, which regulates the temperature optimally independently. The seat is just 780 mm from the ground, 30 less than the Sport, to promote a more comfortable posture and provide better support even to those who are not very tall. The C 650 GT is comfortable, perhaps the most comfortable among scooters. There is plenty of legroom and with feet forward it can easily accommodate people over 90 metres. Not just comfort though, because it is also the smoothest scooter you can drive. It comes close to the Honda Integra in terms of stability at high speeds, well above other real scooters, let us remember that Integra is a motorbike "dressed" as a scooter, with 17" wheels and unique solutions that distance themselves from the concept of a scooter. In the city you pay for the great comfort with a significant size, but you still get through small spaces, paying attention to the size of the mirrors, which are reclining (even if not electric like on the Burgman 650). The handling is excellent, Thanks to low center of gravity and perfect balance. Unlike the C 600 Sport, the shape of the saddle and above all the handlebars closer to the rider, are favourable a more relaxed and less front-loaded riding position. The posture changes, but the chassis is the same. Once you get over the initial sensation, as we have already said, the performance and grip are the same. We noticed it on the track, and you can also understand it on roads open to traffic when you're looking for the limit. In our opinion this is a big advantage for the C 650 GT, capable of similar performance, but with greater comfort. As with Sport, a positive note is deserved side stand which integrates the parking brake control. When you open it, you avoid dangerous situations that are difficult to manage given the almost 260 kg involved, about 10 more than its Sport brother. Braking is very good, even if the effort on the levers in more decisive braking is perhaps too important for a scooter.

Price and consumption:

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The price is the sore point, consumption is a happy surprise

11.750 euros list price, plus options. There are many reflections that can be made, negative or positive. It offers a lot, it is clear, but with such a figure it is difficult to think that the price is low. What we can tell you is that if they asked us to choose a scooter among all those on the price list, without having to worry about the cost, we would take the C 650 GT. The only one that was able to amaze us and convince us the most is its brother C Evolution, which however has enormous differences, associated advantages and disadvantages, given by the electric motorization and its peculiarities. Sore points (or positive ones if the interpretation is that of the buyer) come from the retention of value over time. If we look at used adverts you can get great deals, even for examples with very few kilometres. We also had a little thought. However, with a view to keeping it for a long time, this aspect becomes less important. excellent instead the measurements we have made regarding consumption. The data is surprising at 130 km/h: 3.6 liters per 100 km (that's almost 28 per liter!). average data, including many city routes without skimping too much on the accelerator, it is around 5 liters per 100 km. 20 with a liter, not bad, especially when compared to the competition. Only the Honda Integra does better, not by much, and it has a dual-clutch gearbox which is sporty, but not as smooth and practical, especially in city driving.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Comfort, performance, dynamic qualities and consumption

We do not like it:
Price, maintenance of value over time

BMW C 650 GT 2015: the Motorionline Report Card

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Test clothing:
Jacket: Tucano Urbano Trip
Gloves: Tucano Urbano Squid 9801
Helmet: Givi 20.6 Fiber-J2