BMW G 650 GS (2011-2017) Maintenance Schedule
This is the maintenance schedule and service intervals for the BMW G 650 GS made between 2011 and 2017. It’s also the same maintenance schedule for the Sertão, which has longer-travel suspension and wire-spoke wheels, but otherwise has the same drivetrain and frame.
The BMW G 650 GS is a single-cylinder adventure motorcycle from BMW. It’s a re-styled resurrection of the BMW F 650 GS, which was last produced in 2007 before taking a little nap during the global financial crisis.
But the G 650 GS has a lot in common with its predecessor — a single-cylinder 652cc four-valve DOHC fuel-injected engine producing 35 kW (47 hp) and 60 Bm (44 ft-lb) of torque.
The G 650 GS has a twin-spark head to aid with combustion and delivers massive fuel economy and usability all over the world. It comes stock with ABS brakes in many regions and most years of production.
It’s quite different to the smaller capacity modern BMW G 310 GS, which is more of an urban adventure bike.
The maintenance schedule is identical for the Sertao, which was a slightly more off-road-focussed version with wire-spoke wheels, longer-range suspension, and cool graphics.
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BMW G 650 GS Service Intervals
The BMW G 650 GS single-cylinder adventure bikes have 10000 km / 6000 mile service intervals, at which point you should change the oil and filter and check the valve clearances, as well as perform a whole host of checks on the bike for leaks and ease of movement.
Every two services (every 20000 km / 12000 miles), change the spark plug and air filter.
The G 650 GS has a liquid-cooled engine, so ensure you keep the coolant fresh at the appropriate interval.
Finally, keep the chain maintained, especially when riding “adventurous” routes.
What you need to service your BMW G 650 GS
If you are doing a basic service on your BMW G 650 GS, you need at least some motorcycle maintenance tools.
Aside from that, you need the following items specific to the BMW G 650 GS.
| Part | BMW G 650 GS spec |
|---|---|
| Oil | The manual requires SAE 15W-50 oil that meets spec JASO MA2 or API SJ, recommending BMW Motorrad Advantec 15W-50. |
| Oil filter | The part for the oil filter is 11412343118. You can also use a Hiflofiltro HF151 filter. (Note these are bare oil filters — you have to remove the cover.) |
| Spark plug | The standard spark plug is a DR8EB type. |
| Air filter | The air filter is part number 13718534200. It’s a bare foam air filter |
| Brake fluid | You can use any brand, though BMW recommends BMW DOT 4 brake fluid. |
| Coolant | Use an ethylene glycol pre-mix suitable for motorcycles. You can’t go wrong with BMW coolant. |
| Chain maintenance | You need to regularly clean and lube the chain. Use a Motul chain care kit or one of its components. |
| Cable maintenance | Protect all cable life is good for lubricating cables and ensuring they move freely. |
Maintenance schedule for the BMW G 650 GS
Below is the maintenance schedule for the BMW G 650 GS.
It shares a lot with the BMW F 650 GS, though the schedule was updated somewhat.
| x 1000 km | 1 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x 1000 mi | 0.6 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 |
| [D] Read fault memory with BMW Motorrad diagnostic system | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Oil change, engine, with filter (BMW Motorrad Advantec 15W-50, HF151) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check coolant level (BMW Coolant) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check and lubricate chain drive (Motul chain care kit) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check/adjusting clutch play | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check the steering-head bearing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check ease of movement of side stand | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check freedom of movement of throttle cable and check for kinks and chafing. Lubricate (Protect all cable life) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check spoke tension (Sertao), adjusting if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check specified torque of threaded fasteners with torque wrench: engine / main frame, engine / engine carrier and cylinder head / main frame | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check specified torque of threaded fasteners with torque wrench: main frame / rear frame, frame bottom truss / main frame and engine carrier / main frame | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check specified torque of threaded fasteners with torque wrench: exhaust system | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check specified torque of threaded fasteners with torque wrench: footrest plate / main frame and center stand / main frame | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check specified torque of threaded fasteners with torque wrench: reaction links (G650GS 0188 & 0135 & Sertão) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check tire pressures and tread depth | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check lights and signaling equipment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check valve clearance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Empty drain hose from intake air silencer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check battery acid level | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Change brake fluid, front and rear brakes (BMW DOT 4) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check front and rear brake pads for wear | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check front and rear brake discs for wear | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Visually inspect brake pipes, brake hoses and connections | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Lubricate footbrake lever | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Function test, engine start suppression | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check battery charge state | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Replace all spark plugs (DR8EB) | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Replace air filter element (13718534200) | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Check chain take-up roller and slider rail | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Replace the fuel filter | ✓ | ||||
| Final inspection and check of roadworthiness | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| [D] Confirm BMW Service in on-board documentation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
About the BMW G 650 GS
The BMW G 650 GS is the last of a breed of motorcycles that BMW no longer produces — 650cc thumper motorcycles.
Prior to the BMW G 650 GS, BMW had been making single-cylinder adventure bikes for a long time — back to the 1993 F 650 Funduro.
The G 650 GS was among the heaviest of its class (including motorcycles like the Kawasaki KLR650), but also the most advanced, with fuel injection and optional (sometimes standard) ABS brakes. Coming from BMW, the motorcycle of course offered the support of BMW dealer networks.
The stock BMW G 650 GS weighs 191 kg (422 lbs), and the G 650 GS Sertao weighs 193 kg (426 lbs) with its travel gear. This isn’t lightweight, but nor is it heavy, particularly when you remember that it’s not meant to be a performance machine.
On top of being a go anywhere/do-anything kind of motorcycle, the BMW G 650 GS has really good fuel economy, using around 60 mpg (US; 74 mpg UK) when riding at freeway speeds.
The engine might not sound impressive, making 35 kW (48 hp) at 6,500 rpm and a modest torque of 60 Nm (44 ft-lb) @ 5,000 rpm, but it’s still ample to take you up to and cruise at freeway. In the places you take it, the G 650 GS feels perfect.
Being a BMW, you can get the G 650 GS with a ton of factory accessories, including heated grips, a tall windshield, cases, and much more. If you buy one used, they often come pre-fitted, saving you a lot of hassle (and money).
THe BMW G 650 GS has a single 300mm front disc brake with a 2-piston caliper. The front suspension is a conventional fork, non-adjustable, and the rear shock is adjustable for preload and rebound damping.
The G 650 GS looks fairly off-road capable, but in reality its suspension travel isn’t that great — it’s 170mm at the front and 165 mm at the rear.
The BMW G 650 GS Sertao was a higher-spec motorcycle, more suitable for off-road travel. Here’s how it differed:
| Spec | G 650 GS | G 650 GS Sertão |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension travel | 170mm front / 165 mm rear | 210mm front and rear |
| Wheels | Cast alloy, 19 inch front / 17 inch rear | Wire spoke, 21 inch front / 17 inch rear |
| Off-road gear (engine guard, high windscreen, hand protectors) | Optional | Standard |
Manual for the BMW G 650 GS
The above maintenance schedule came from the manual for the BMW G 650 GS, as well as from consulting parts catalogues online.
You can get it from BMW’s website here.
