The one thing that surprises those who sit on the Xmoto for the first time is the excessive height of the rider seat. Fortunately, the bike can be adjusted thanks to a shock absorber with separate travel and preload settings. Up front, the Xmoto features a fully adjustable, 45-mm up-side down fork. Both the front and rear suspensions have no problem soaking up road obstacles like bumps and potholes. However, I would have liked a slightly firmer setting in front, one that would be more suited to a superbiker type of riding. The aforementioned seat is designed for aggressive maneuvers (narrow and hard), so it quickly becomes uncomfortable under normal riding conditions.

The rider seat rapidly becomes uncomfortable because of its firmness.

Ultra-powerful brakes
The Xmoto benefits from the most powerful braking system in BMW's 650 lineup. There's a 300-mm disc with a 4-piston calliper up front, and a 240-mm disc at the back. This setup provides mind-boggling braking power; you only need one finger on the front brake lever to lift the rear end of the bike several inches in the air. Apply the rear brake and the Xmoto will skid happily, much to the delight of the rider. These Brembo brakes, however, are extremely hard to modulate during emergency maneuvers. At least, the antilock braking system is excellent and provides all the safety you need with such a sporty bike. It is possible to turn off this system via a push-button near the left handlebar -- a must-have feature on any superbiker-type machine.

The brakes are very powerful and backed by an excellent antilock system.

With the G 650 Xmoto, BMW is trying to lure in younger customers. Yet, being young usually means not having a lot of money, and the Xmoto is certainly not cheap, especially compared to rivals. Nevertheless, it proves to be versatile, dynamic, extremely fun to ride and even fuel-efficient. And since the resale value of BMW bikes is generally above the average, the Xmoto is even more tempting.


Styling
Engine efficiency
Fuel economy
Agility
ABS brakes

Engine vibrations
Brakes are hard to modulate
Comfort
Excessive height



Price


Photo Credit : Philippe Champoux