The BMW F650ST was the original trailie. It offered the rider fun, rideability, practicality and, above all, a BMW. Due to growing competition, the ST was inevitably replaced by the F650GS. The GS was a user-friendly big trailie with redesigned body, beefed-up engine and again it was a BMW. 

2002 sees the third update to this impressive range. The F650CS is the latest addition to the F650 range. 

The CS’s styling is, to say the least, questionable, and is sure to split opinion. However, BMW plans to capture a new biking public. It is designed to appeal to young buyers, new to biking. With the fuel tank located under the seat, a very useful depression above the engine is available for other practical uses. Like a speaker system – this can be linked to your own portable CD player –, a hard plastic box or it can be fitted with a helmet-locking device. 

The CS features colour plastic body panels. Available colours is a gorgeous metallic gold, sleek metallic blue and a nearly bearable baby blue. The CS does draw enough styling cues from other BMW models, but still maintains an unique character. A stumpy tail section draws strongly from the recent R1100S models. It has a decent grab rail and a transparent plastic luggage platform. 

A flowing half fairing gently breezes into the plush seat. A small fly-screen is attached to more transparent plastic screen mounts. Another unique touch is the extremely practical tank-mounted grab rails, which is also translucent plastic. This feature will aid the pillion when the throttle is opened. The weird look of the CS is finished off by the double headlamp in streetfighter guise.

The chassis of the CS features a steel twin-spar frame and, a first for the F650 range, single sided swing-arm – stylish. It also houses a 652cc, dohc, 4-valve, single-cylinder engine, producing 50bhp@6800rpm and 46lb-ft@5500rpm.

These figures should make the F650CS an unintimidating bike and perfect for commuting or as a convincing introductionary motorcycle. Either way it should attract new people onto motorcycles. 

A new toothed belt replaces the chain drive that is found on previous F650s. This drive-type is a first for BMW. This makes the CS clean and ensures for low-maintenance. 

Suspension is by telescopic forks at the front along with a rising-rate monoshock at the rear. Both of which are adjustable. Reliable braking is by a 300mm, 2-piston calliper disc at the front and a 240mm, 1-piston calliper disc at the rear with ABS as optional. 

The F650CS will not be mind-blowing. It will rather offer the rider functionality, reliability and ease of use. The F650CS is an easygoing urban bike. Perfect for ‘riding in the middle of town, going to work, riding to university, or for a spree down the boulevards.’ Perfect.