BMW C650 SPORT (2015 - on) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Annual servicing cost: £250
Power: 60 bhp
Seat height: Medium (31.5 in / 800 mm)
Weight: High (549 lbs / 249 kg)

Prices

New £9,600
Used £4,700

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
3 out of 5 (3/5)

Scooters certinly make sense as easy, practical urban transport, but neither the Sport or its larger brother the C650 GT make enough sense to warrant spending almost £10,000 - especially with cheap touches such as the cubby holes. 

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Sport makes light work of twisty roads, dropping into corners with ease and enthusiasm and responding well to more aggressive rider inputs, although once in the corner the Sport has a tendency to be upset by bumps. A good firm squeeze of both levers is required to bring the Sport to a stop in a hurry. The seat on the Sport lacks the comfort of the GT - lower back ache sets in all too soon - and you never quite feel like you're sat in the correct place on the seat.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The 647cc parallel twin puts out 60bhp and feels much livelier in the Sport model due to the lighter weight compared to the GT. It's a capable engine, propelling the bike upto motorway cruising speeds with ease, and providing enough oomph to ease past cars once you get there. On greasy Spanish roads the traction control will activate when giving it full throttle from a standing start.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The 650 is mechanically very similar to the C600 Sport, and we're aware of no problems with the 600, so the 650 should be a solid machine.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
2 out of 5 (2/5)

At £9,600 there's no getting away from the fact the C650 Sport is an expensive scooter, and despite the price it doesn't offer any more than the competition.

Equipment

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Sport comes with a manually adjustable screen, two cubby holes under the handlebars for small items and enough space under the seat for two helmets when the bike is stationary thanks to the clever BMW Flexcase which expands above the rear wheel. The Highline model also comes with heated grips and heated seat.

Specs

Engine size 647cc
Engine type liquid-cooled, 4V parallel twin
Frame type Tubular steel
Fuel capacity 15.5 litres
Seat height 800mm
Bike weight 249kg
Front suspension 40mm upside down forks
Rear suspension 115mm travel Monoshock
Front brake 270mm twin discs, 2-piston floating calipers
Rear brake 270mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper
Front tyre size 120/70 ZR15
Rear tyre size 160/60 ZR15

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption -
Annual road tax £117
Annual service cost £250
New price £9,600
Used price £4,700
Insurance group -
How much to insure?
Warranty term -

Top speed & performance

Max power 60 bhp
Max torque 46 ft-lb
Top speed 111 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range -

Model history & versions

Model history

2012: BMW C600 Sport and C650 GT introduced
2015: Both models updated 

Other versions

BMW C650 GT: The SPort's bigger, more touring-focused brother.

Owners' reviews for the BMW C650 SPORT (2015 - on)

3 owners have reviewed their BMW C650 SPORT (2015 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your BMW C650 SPORT (2015 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 3.7 out of 5 (3.7/5)
Engine: 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Value vs rivals: 3.3 out of 5 (3.3/5)
Equipment: 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Annual servicing cost: £250
5 out of 5 Best Scooter around
17 October 2016 by Simon

Version: Highline

Year: 2016

Annual servicing cost: £250

Fantastic scooter which is equally at home in town and on the motorway. Whilst bike is quite heavy to move around when stationery it is very easy to manoeuvre on the go and also easy to filter through traffic.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Great - copes well with bumpy roads and brakes are responsive

Engine 5 out of 5

Powerful, smooth and reasonably efficient

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

New bike but so far so good

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

Quite an expensive bike but probably the best scooter you can buy at the moment

Equipment 5 out of 5

Heated seats and grips are great

Buying experience: Bought from Riders in Cardiff. Great dealer. Delivered to the other side of the country. Was preregistered and saved a decent amount off listed price

4 out of 5 BMW must do better.
18 April 2016 by Fred

Version: highline

Year: 2016

feels under developed and a bit crude. goes ok and looks good.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

rides ok but needs more ground clearance. The brakes need a good wrench to stop the bike quickly

Engine 4 out of 5

engine is smooth but feels crude for a bike this expensive, sounds good though.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

corrosion on bike parts after 2 weeks. (winter), Still going ok no problems

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

more like a £8000 product, when you've put the bits on (box etc) its over 11 grand

Equipment 4 out of 5

nice touches, lockable box, checking the oil and tyre pressures on the display. A hugger is a must, mud gets everywhere

Buying experience: New from BMW dealer. No problems but still waiting for my GPS holder after 4 months.

5 out of 5
22 March 2016 by converted

Version: Highline

Year: 2016

CVT transmission exceeds my expectations coming from a sport bike. Smooth power delivery and comfortable effortless cruising. My choice came down to Burgman or C650 sport but very happy with the choice of the C650 sport. This bike, sorry...(scooter) is a fun ride that is deceptively fast. I don't need 180HP to ride to work.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5

Buying experience: exceptional customer service from BMW dealer

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