BMW Motorrad has launched the F650 GS motorcycle in India today, priced at a relatively optimistic Rs. 9.99 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). The German automaker has brought the 2012 BMW F650 GS as a completely built unit (CBU) resulting in the rather high price. To be retailed through two dealers across India, Deutsche Motoren and Navnit Motors, the F650 GS might not have any direct competition but won’t set the sales chart on fire. Powered by a 798 cc parallel twin engine, the F650 GS produces a power output of 71 BHP and a torque output of 75 Nm.
The BMW F650 GS is more of a adventure tourer than anything else and features a trellis frame. It has a top speed of 185 km/h, with ABS (can be turned off) being provided as standard. The front features a 300 mm disc brake, while the rear braking duty is taken care off by a 265 mm disc brake. Mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, the BMW F650 GS has a fuel tank capacity of 16-litres, giving it a range of 300 kms per tank of fuel. The bike is not light by any standards, weighing in at 235 kgs. BMW has given the F650 GS rather high seat height of 820 mm.
While BMW Motorrad is not looking at any volumes in India, the company could learn a thing or two from Harley-Davidson, which has taken the Indian motorcycle market by storm. The American automaker has got its complete range of motorcycles in India and has commenced CKD operations on few of the models. Harley-Davidson is also setting up a plant to locally produce its cruiser bikes, giving the company a massive cost advantage. Could BMW Motorrad show similar commitment?
