BMW realised that, in spite of success in the tough Paris-Dakar rally, their 650cc Funduro singles spent 99 per cent of their life on city Tarmac and less than one weekend a year on the rough stuff they were designed for. BMW introduced the Starda (Street) version with road wheels a couple of years back, but now they've shaken the desert sand right out of the big single and introduced the F650CS.
With Supermoto styling and bug-eye headlights incorporated in the neat fairing and fake gas tank unit, the F650CS looks the perfect tool for the local rat run. City commuters and touring riders please form an orderly queue.
Seat height is a lowly 780mm (30.7in) and there's an optional 750mm (29.5in) seat unit for the vertically challenged. Like the F650GS off-roader, the CS comes with its 15-litre (3.3gal) fuel tank in the frame triangle beneath the seat to keep the centre of gravity down low.
The Rotax-derived liquid cooled four-valve power unit and the five-speed gearbox have both been carried over from the GS. Mods to the airbox and exhaust mean maximum power of 50bhp now comes in at 6800rpm A learner-friendly 25kW (34bhp) version is available.
But the most outstanding feature of the F650CS is the single sided swingarm and toothed drive belt. Toothed belt drive is quiet, clean, requires no lubrication, is easy to service, and it lasts at least twice as long as a drive chain.
The beautiful aluminium single swingarm gives a high level of torsional stiffness for precise steering. Elegant, silver-painted 17in three-spoke cast aluminium wheels are also new.
The CS comes with a single-disc brake at the front, with a two-piston floating calliper and sintered metal brake linings. The rear-wheel brake is also a single disc. Like on all BMW motorcycles, ABS is optional.
BMW also offer an audio system with integrated, weather-proof speakers and an amplifier with both manual and speed-related volume control. You can use a portable CD, MC or MD player.
With 110mph potential and an ability to cruise at the ton all day, the CS makes a viable alternative to bigger touring bikes. The BMW single can cover 200 miles on a tank-full. And despite suspension leaning more towards comfort than sports handling, the CS can be thrown through bends with confidence. Riding to work is a pleasure again.
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