Faults:

Nothing

General Comments:

This bike is a solid machine. It is fairly heavy for its physical size but handles well. Shifting, braking, and cornering are all well controlled. The suspension is a bit stiff, however. All the original series BMW f-twins, (650-700-800) use the same liquid cooled Austrian Rotax “804” motor, but the front sprocket is smaller on the 800 to make it seem faster. This twin cylinder engine uses a unique 3rd rod and bobweight counterbalancer which keeps it smooth below 4000 rpm. The fuel tank is under the seat. Optional but very functional and expandable OEM luggage is well integrated into the design.

As with all BMWs, replacement parts are shockingly expensive, and the compact liquid cooled parallel twin design makes accessing the top end for valve checks or spark plug changes a laborious undertaking. Oil changes are easy, though, and the cast wheels and tubeless tires on the 700 ease patching a puncture on the road.