BMW F650 CS

This was a bike launch with a difference. No sweeping corners of an international grand prix race circuit. And no scenic mountain switchbacks carving through the sweet scents of a Snowy Mountains eucalypt forest.

No siree, the only carving going on here was in and out of city traffic. And the only scent was that of inner-city markets and car exhausts.

It was certainly a bike launch with a difference, but one that was designed to show the attributes of BMW's new F650 CS Scarver to the fullest.

Scarver? Huh? What on earth is a Scarver...

RECREATIONAL PURSUIT
"Carving skis changed the face of recreational skiing a few years back, and that's what BMW wants to do with motorcycling," explained Cameron Cuthill, BMW's motorcycle marketing manager.

"Motorcycling competes with other recreational pursuits such as skiing, rollerblading, skating, windsurfing and so on.

"The F650 CS is designed to attract a whole new range of rider, from returning riders to first timers to city dwellers looking for a convenient and fun way to get around. In fact our target group is 80 percent non-BMW riders.

"The CS is designed to cut through city traffic in a fun way for all. Hence Scarver..."

Okay Cameron, point taken, but I'm still not sure about the Scarver tag. Perhaps in Europe. Maybe I'm just an old fuddy duddy.

Nevertheless, the Scarver delivers on its promise - as my day of swinging through Melbourne's 'burbs, both inner and outer, proved.

PROVEN DONK
I've been a fan of BMW's F650 engine right from the outset, and after sampling it in CS guise I have no reason to change my mind.

Relatively smooth for a single, the fuel-injected Scarver sat comfortably on the freeway with 100kmh registering at 3900rpm. It would even pull snatch-free in top from 60kmh through the five-speed box. Elephant stamps all round.

There's ample poke for overtaking or getting away from traffic lights, which is what you'd expect from a 50ps 650cc powerplant anyway.

What I didn't like though was the intrusive induction roar through the airbox intake snorkel every time I opened the throttle. The intake is positioned just below the handlebar inside the left front fairing panel, and was quite annoying. No, make that very annoying.

I partially stuck my hand over the intake at one stage to see how much quieter things could be made, but I must've misjudged the breathing ability of the one-lunger. My glove nearly got sucked off and the engine all but died as it asphyxiated with my paw disappearing up the snorkel. Quite interesting when you're on a busy city street...

SURPRISE PACKET
Chassis-wise, at first glance the Scarver seems pretty basic. Suspension is non-adjustable, and the geometry is very conservative.

However, due to the high and wide 'bars the Scarver feels a lot lighter than its 189kg wet weight, and it can be (wo)manhandled through traffic and around carparks quite easily.

In fact, I wouldn't have minded sampling the CS on the Buell BattleTrax course (refer Firebolt test, page 20) - it could well have been a surprise packet. And with ABS as an option, the ol' Slapper Bracks may not have performed his Superman impersonation so dramatically!

Speaking of options, ABS adds $1010 to the Scarver's $13,635 asking price, although heated grips, the StuffBag and the rear rack are included. You also get a choice of seat heights (and colours), with most BMW dealers offering a try-before-you-buy arrangement.

Other nice touches include the non-expanding nylon brake lines, quality Bridgestone BT010 rubber and convenient StuffBay.

There's also a comprehensive range of Scarver rider gear and fashion clothing - including a fetching F650 CS blue bucket hat. I'm sold!

MISSING PANNIERS
What I didn't like though was the plasticky switchgear, and I would have liked to try slightly lower handlebars. I also find it strange that BMW doesn't offer a pannier option for the CS, even if it's the marque's slimline city panniers. After all, if the Scarver is a 'citybike' then surely apartment dwellers would prefer something solid to house their briefcases and laptops in for the trip to work, or uni.

The other thing that is love it or hate it is the styling, with BMW going out on a limb with the Scarver. There's plenty of translucent coloured plastic, a la an Apple iMac computer, to add to the avant garde looks. I've got to admit that the look grew on me as the day progressed - maybe I'm not as fuddy duddy as I think...

TARGET MARKET
The Scarver is comfortable, competent, convenient and classy. Pricewise, at $13,635 ($14,645 with ABS) it's up against other mid-capacity motorcycles such as Cagiva's $11,990 Raptor 650, Ducati's $11,495 M620ie, Kawasaki's $7990 ER-5 and $11,790 W650, Suzuki's $9990 SV650 and perhaps even Triumph's $13,390 Bonneville.

Of course, that's if you're looking at the traditional mainstream motorcycle market.

BMW argues that the Scarver's real competition is not so much mainstream motorcycles but the general recreational market, and perhaps the new breed of superscoot such as Piaggio's $11,295 X9 SL500 and Yamaha's $12,499 TMax.

Time will tell, and BMW should be commended for thinking outside the square. If the Scarver ultimately attracts more people to motorcycling then that can't be a bad thing.

GOING SCARVING?
Personally though, I reckon BMW is aiming a little too narrowly with the F650CS. It's a competent motorcycle in it's own right, and deserves to be let out of its city environs on weekends.

Still not sure about the name though - "Pass the key, I'm heading out for a short scarve" just doesn't sound right...