Press Kit Model Year 2001: THE F 650 GS: THE LIGHTWEIGHT ALTERNATIVE WITH HEAVYWEIGHT POTENTIAL

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey...After building more than 60,000 examples, just
exactly how do you update the most successful single-cylinder bike in BMW
history? In the case of BMW's F 650 single, the answer is simple: improve
everything.

For 2001, the company has buffed its lustrous twin-cam, 652cc engine to an even
higher sheen, then wrapped an all-new motorcycle around it. The new F 650
bristles with such leading-edge features as antilock brakes, electronic engine
management and a three-way catalytic converter. These features are not only
unheard of in the single-cylinder class, they represent refinements shared with
no other bikes on earth--except other BMWs. Reflecting the change, the
lightweight adventure-tourer also gets a new look and a new designation: the F
650 GS.

In revising the F 650, BMW's engineers considered everything from the
powertrain to the chassis. To bring it up to the standards of its stablemates,
they deleted the previous twin carburetors and equipped the engine with the BMW
engine management system. A reworked cylinder head with an intake design
borrowed from BMW's high-performance six-cylinder M3 help boost the 652cc
single's output to an even 50 horsepower, with the kind of broad powerband
loved by neophytes and experts alike. A reshaped exhaust system narrows the F
650 GS's rear profile and houses the first fully controlled catalytic converter
on a single-cylinder engine.

Carrying the new powerplant, a new frame with wider rectangular side beams and
additional crossbracing provides an even more rigid connection between steering
head and swingarm. The revised chassis also places the F 650's fuel tank under
the seat, where its central location improves handling even further. A
sidesaddle fuel filler provides the perfect functional and visual highlight to
the GS's all-new styling. Finally, front and rear disc brakes get a complete
upgrade via the first optional antilock system ever offered on a
single-cylinder motorcycle.

Despite the new hardware, one part of the bike's mission remains the same. The
F 650 GS illustrates even more clearly that with BMW, even the owner of the
most affordable model still experiences the full BMW experience. Rather than a
mere stepping stone to larger, better-equipped offerings, the F 650 GS offers
its owners a level of performance, load capacity, sophistication and equipment
that builds long-term commitment. In addition, by offering such traditional BMW
options as heated handgrips, hard saddlebags and a large-capacity top box, the
F 650 GS moves even further ahead of other lightweight offerings.

* Be sure to download the attached files for more detailed information about
the F 650 GS for 2001. The press kit includes:

- Text
- Highlights
- Specifications
- Prices
- Photos