Although noticeably heavier and slower to steer than the Sport, the GT is the scooter that inspires a little more confidence in the corners as the extra 12kg of mass help to flatten out any mid-corner bumps. The GT's seat is more than comfortable enough for long journeys, and the lower back support helps keep you upright and prevents the onset of back ache. The footboards are wide and spacious, so you'll find somewhere for your feet no matter how tall you are. The 270mm twin discs up front struggle to bring the heavy GT to a stop with any urgency - a good squeeze of the back brake is required too.
The 647cc parallel-twin motor provides plenty of punch, BMW have made changes to the CVT transmission for better acceleration in traffic and a higher top speed. On the greasy roads of Valencia the new-for-2016 Automatic Stability Control (ASC) is forced into action when I ask for the full 60bhp straight away, but it doesn't hinder acceleration too much.
The new scoot is mechanically very similar to the original, and we're aware of no problems, so the 650 should be a solid machine.
At over £10,000 the GT is extremely expensive for a scooter, especially when it doesn't really offer much more than the compeition.
There's space under the seat for two full face helmets, two cubby holes in the front, an electric screen, ASC (Automatic Stability Control), and wind deflectors at the bottom of the screen. The GT also has Side View Assist as an optional extra for £360, which motifies you when there's somebody in your blind spot within five metres via orange warning triangles on the mirror stalks. It’s a smart idea, but the lights were just out of my peripheral vision. In heavy traffic they’re constantly on and passing trees or walls too close on county roads can set them off. The mirrors on the GT are some of the best I've ever used.