BikeTest: BMW G650 Xchallenge For ages now, I've looked across the Dublin Mountains while out on test-rides and thought, "I wonder what's on the other side of that hill over there?"
So when BMW offered a G650 Xchallenge to test, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to ride up there and find out.
The beauty of bikes like the G650 is that unlike more extreme off-road bikes, it's possible to throw on your gear and go exploring on a whim without having to load the bike up on a trailer or leave a vehicle parked somewhere vulnerable and remote.
This bike is better suited than most to such excursions thanks to its tidy dimensions and light weight (160kg wet) which make it more fun to throw around on the rough stuff, particularly if you're still finding your off-road feet.
Even if things do go pear-shaped and it ends up on its side, the G650 has thoughtfully designed bodywork, sturdy pegs and damage-resistant bars; so all you have to do is scoop it up (not too difficult, even on your own) and carry on riding.
Powered by a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke 650cc engine, the G650 churns out about 53hp and 60Nm of torque - far from staggering figures but more than enough for off-road amusement.
On the street, the G650 took off with reasonable vigour and zipped nicely up through its five-speed gearbox. But unsurprisingly, it felt short of puff on the motorway especially with its upright riding position and zero faring giving it the aerodynamic properties of a chest of drawers.
On country roads and forest trails, however, the G650 felt adequately perky and it was quite a decent handler too, despite its off-road bias. The long travel suspension (270mm front and rear) wasn't nearly as bouncy as I had expected and helped to keep the bike composed and comfortable over poor surfaces while also resisting pitch and dive when accelerating and braking.
It also seemed to relish being banked hard into corners, although the all-terrain tyres and high centre of gravity made it rather skittish in the wet.
The riding position is decent and the ergonomics are mostly excellent, but I did have issue with the seat which is a bit too hard and narrow for prolonged use. I also found the G650 Xchallenge's 930mm seat height to be a real problem as well, not only on road but off road also.
As I came to a halt in traffic, I could just about get the ball of my foot onto the asphalt (I'm 6ft tall, by the way). But as soon as I rested my weight on my foot, the bike springs would recoil causing me to wobble disconcertingly.
Off road, it also made it extremely difficult to put a reassuring foot down to steady myself on loose terrain, and once it even caused me to lose balance and lay the bike down when the front wheel bogged down in some tall grass.
The air-suspension is adjustable for load, but not height, so you simply have to learn to cope with its high seating position, although the upshot is incredible ground clearance and a view of the world that few other bikes can manage.
Having ridden over that faraway hill that had long been calling me, I was a little disappointed to find it really didn't go anywhere of interest.
So I aimed the G650 at a nearby forest where recent tree-felling had turned the terrain positively apocalyptic.
It was here that the G650X really impressed, skipping over rocks and logs with surprising ease, and tracking predictably and faithfully even when powering uphill through mud and gravel.
Each of the controls play their part in making the G650 Xchallenge a pleasure off-road- the light clutch, the perfectly modulated throttle, the quick steering and powerful yet sensibly-calibrated brakes all conspire to flatter the rider and make the bike as predictable and controllable as possible.
Its impressive ground clearance also meant that I could wade through seriously deep troughs without filling my boots with muddy water.
Of course, for more extreme stuff you'd be better off with something more hardcore but if getting airborne or rock-hopping isn't really your thing, then the G650 Xchallenge is a surprisingly competent and entertaining off-road machine.
It's also a decent commuter and a reasonable back-road companion as well, and can be ordered with panniers and a retro-fit 34hp restrictor as well, broadening its appeal further.
It's not for everyone, the BMW G650 Xchallenge, but if you've got an adventurous streak and a pair of stiletto riding boots, then this could easily be the machine for you.
Factfile
Engine:652cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC single-cylinder
Performance:0-100km/h in 4.0 secs, 165km/h top speed
Transmission:Five-speed multi-plate wet clutch
Frame:Steel bridge tubular frame with bolted cast aluminium components
Dimensions:Length: 2,205mm. Width: 825mm (excl. mirrors). Wheelbase: 1,500mm. Seat height: 930mm
Weight:160kg (with fluids), 144kg dry
Suspension:45mm USD telescopic forks, cast aluminium swingarm with air-spring/strut