BMW F 650 ST 2000 — Specifications

When BMW decided to put the F 650 GS in the spotlight, the F 650 ST found itself in the shadow of its own family. Unfair, for a machine that deserves a closer look. Born in 1997 and carried through to 2000, this "Street" version of the Funduro carved out its own identity by stepping away from off-road riding to embrace the tarmac with greater conviction.

Beneath the revised fairing beats a 652 cc single-cylinder engine by Rotax, the same Austrian supplier that powered the Aprilia Pegaso at the same time. The two engines are cousins, but not twins: the BMW F 650 ST uses a 4-valve cylinder head where the Italian used 5. The result is 48 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 57 Nm of torque at 5,200 rpm — honest figures for a kerb weight of 191 kg fully fuelled. Top speed is limited to 161 km/h, which clearly positions the machine for mixed urban and A-road use, not motorway cruising in a suit.

What concretely sets the ST apart from the GS is precisely this road-focused direction. The front wheel drops from 19 to 18 inches, rear suspension travel is reduced to 120 mm, compared to 170 mm on the 41 mm telescopic hydraulic fork up front. The seat height of 785 mm remains accessible for a rider of average build, and getting to grips with the bike requires no particular experience certificate. For the BMW F 650 ST, an A2 licence is in fact sufficient to enjoy it fully, the power output being compatible with regulatory restrictions.

General comfort is convincing in town and on decent roads. The seat is comfortable, the riding position natural. However, the rear shock absorber lacks progressiveness on damaged surfaces, and that is where the ST's road-going promise shows its limits. Wind protection is just adequate at sustained speeds; with the standard fairing, extended motorway stints become tiring. A tall screen is a must if you plan on legs of more than two hours. This is not a deal-breaking flaw — it is simply a factor to factor into the purchase budget of a used BMW F 650 ST.

At 6,790 euros on the price list in 2000, the ST was reasonably positioned against the single-cylinder roadster competition of the era. Today, on the used market, BMW F 650 ST forums bear witness to a loyal community and a well-established reliability record, which keeps values at respectable levels. BMW F 650 ST parts remain available, and the fact that Rotax is behind the engine sometimes simplifies sourcing through Austrian engine specialists. It is not the most exciting machine in its segment, nor the most versatile, but it gets the job done with a Bavarian solidity that inspires confidence. For an urban rider looking for a reliable, easy-living motorcycle with no technological fuss, the F 650 ST remains an option worth considering, even a quarter of a century after it first went on sale.