BMW F650 GS DAKAR

[101stpathfinder]

I just bought a BMW F650 GS Dakar in Phoenix, AZ, I live in West Palm Beach, FL (2300+ miles).

How is the stock set up for long distance? How agressive can I knock this ride out?

Any advice would be most welcomed. No time to plan.........

Thanks, Tony

 

[beemerdons]

Tony, after we exchanged private messages yesterday, I thought of something: Send a private message to Fred W! I remembered that Fred W had owned (or still owns, perhaps) an Aprilia Pegaso with the Rotax 650 engine, the same engine BMW uses in their singles.

When are you leaving on this trip? If you have a week's time for an answer, I could copy and paste your question to both www.azbeemers.org/forum and to www.bmwmoa.org for answers from AZ Beemers and BMW MOA members. The Dakar low gearing may be slow!

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

Tony,

Go for it! The ergonimics I think you'll find are more comfortable than sitting on a crotch rocket for a much lesser distance..... As far as aggressive, I am assuming speed is your top concern given that your travel distance is great. I would say you could comfortably push the bike to 65-70 mph, but may begin to notice a little buzzing, depending on if the bike is still set up with stock front and rear sprockets. The bike itself could handle faster speeds, but obviously aren't designed/intended for these purposes.

I think if you can maintain a good IBA mindset combining good rest stops and strategies, the moderate speed will not be a problem in covering the miles.

Good luck and let us know how things turn out either way! Keep an eye on your oil.

 

[beemerdons]

DE OPPRESSO LIBER: Many thanks for jumping in and helping Tony out. Tony knows I have over 500K on BMW's since March of 1969, so he sent me a PM for my thoughts. But, in all of those years and miles: I have no experience whatsoever with the BMW singles, I have only ridden twins 600cc and up.

I did relate to Tony that in 2006 my best friend Uri Schumm and I rode Spain for two weeks. I rented a BMW R1150 Rockster and Uri rented a BMW F650GS. By the end of the second day Uri already hated the Rotax single. The speed limits are virtually ignored on the Spanish Autopistas and he could not keep up. It also did not have the pulling power in the mountains of Spain to allow him to stay up with the pack of BMW twins in our group.

 

[101stpathfinder]

Tony, after we exchanged private messages yesterday, I thought of something: Send a private message to Fred W! I remembered that Fred W had owned (or still owns, perhaps) an Aprilia Pegaso with the Rotax 650 engine, the same engine BMW uses in their singles.

When are you leaving on this trip? If you have a week's time for an answer, I could copy and paste your question to both www.azbeemers.org/forum and to www.bmwmoa.org for answers from AZ Beemers and BMW MOA members. The Dakar low gearing may be slow!

Don, Thanks for the info- searched for sites but just plain will have to ride this one by trial and error!

Flying into Phoenix with road atlas and riding gear. I left a helmet in Houston, TX last Oct. so I can pick that

up on the return. I may consider secondary highways if the slab doesn't feel right. Need to be back in Florida

for work on Monday. Should be an adventure- I haven't ridden an enduro since my Suzuki TS250 (First bike)

That year was 1975! I have NEVER ridden a BMW! Let the adventure begin!!!

 

[101stpathfinder]

Tony,

Go for it! The ergonimics I think you'll find are more comfortable than sitting on a crotch rocket for a much lesser distance..... As far as aggressive, I am assuming speed is your top concern given that your travel distance is great. I would say you could comfortably push the bike to 65-70 mph, but may begin to notice a little buzzing, depending on if the bike is still set up with stock front and rear sprockets. The bike itself could handle faster speeds, but obviously aren't designed/intended for these purposes.

I think if you can maintain a good IBA mindset combining good rest stops and strategies, the moderate speed will not be a problem in covering the miles.

Good luck and let us know how things turn out either way! Keep an eye on your oil.

Thanks for the advice! Can I push this bike at those speeds for 20 hour time frames? This bike is barely broken in

with under 4600 on the clock, which is a concern of mine. I do not do motels in route, so I am thinking Houston will

be my only real "Stay". I hate I-10, it is so fricken' boring- but direct. I am going to bring a cramp buster and some jel-padded

gloves, as I suspect vibrations will be an issue. I would run spot but am limited by my "Situation". I will have to do a ride report

and give a good laugh to readers, along with tainting my reputation (Even further)

Be back Monday- I hope!

 

[DeweyIsgod]

Try Highway 90 from somewhere in western Louisiana all the way to Biloxi. It's a lot more interesting that I-10 and will only add about an hour over the course of the trip.

 

[Fred W]

Hi Tony,

Finally I get to pay you back for some of those great LD adventure stories at NAFO!! :thumbsup:

As Don mentioned, I did own an Aprilia Pegaso for a while, which is the direct equivalent of a BMW F650 Funduro. Very little difference. The riding position and engine will probably not be a problem for you. I had no problem riding mine around all day, and I'm no iron butt guy. The one place you may get a little discomfort is in that iron butt. Compared to an FJR the seat is pretty narrow. But the rear seat is considerably wider and flat. By sliding back in the seat and taking more of a leaned position to the bars you can extend the times between stretching.

I had no problem blasting along at 75-80 (indicated) on mine. It actually smooths out considerably when you get up in the rpms.

Have fun!!

 

[101stpathfinder]

Hi Tony,

Finally I get to pay you back for some of those great LD adventure stories at NAFO!! :thumbsup:

As Don mentioned, I did own an Aprilia Pegaso for a while, which is the direct equivalent of a BMW F650 Funduro. Very little difference. The riding position and engine will probably not be a problem for you. I had no problem riding mine around all day, and I'm no iron butt guy. The one place you may get a little discomfort is in that iron butt. Compared to an FJR the seat is pretty narrow. But the rear seat is considerably wider and flat. By sliding back in the seat and taking more of a leaned position to the bars you can extend the times between stretching.

I had no problem blasting along at 75-80 (indicated) on mine. It actually smooths out considerably when you get up in the rpms.

Have fun!!

The speed info is good news- the seat info........ I did a SS1000 with the FJR stock seat, I thought I was gonna die.

This means trouble for me... wonder if I can take my "Day Long" and duct tape it on

 

[pmspaul]

Good luck on your ride. If you haven't found it yet, the Advrider forums LINK would have plenty of info and people with experience on your GS.

 

[Fred W]

Hi Tony,

Finally I get to pay you back for some of those great LD adventure stories at NAFO!! :thumbsup:

As Don mentioned, I did own an Aprilia Pegaso for a while, which is the direct equivalent of a BMW F650 Funduro. Very little difference. The riding position and engine will probably not be a problem for you. I had no problem riding mine around all day, and I'm no iron butt guy. The one place you may get a little discomfort is in that iron butt. Compared to an FJR the seat is pretty narrow. But the rear seat is considerably wider and flat. By sliding back in the seat and taking more of a leaned position to the bars you can extend the times between stretching.

I had no problem blasting along at 75-80 (indicated) on mine. It actually smooths out considerably when you get up in the rpms.

Have fun!!

The speed info is good news- the seat info........ I did a SS1000 with the FJR stock seat, I thought I was gonna die.

This means trouble for me... wonder if I can take my "Day Long" and duct tape it on

Yeah, I remembered you being a Russell guy, as I am. Which is partly why I mentioned the seat being substandard for long hours.

I can just see you in the boarding line at the airport carrying your Russell and a roll of duct tape under your arm!

I had the same issues with my V-strom seat and just sent that seat out for Russell-ization this winter. :thumbsup:

 

[Blind Squirrel]

If you are lucky, you might be able to pick up an ATV seat cover at a Walmart Stearns Black ATV Seat Cover

A lot of the dual sport guys use them as a cheap alternative.

 

[beemerdons]

https://faq.f650.com/frames.htm Guten Morgen Anthony, just for you Tony, because you are Mein Freund: I went to my underground BMW Command bunker in my basement here in my home in Arizona and contacted Hans und Dieter at Bayerischen Motoren Werke Mottorraden AG in Berlin; using the short wave radio set that BMW Fabrikeschen provides me with.

Mein Bleu und Weiss BMW Roundel tattoo on my butt was also a gift from the BMW Factory for being a loyal customer for 42 years! According to Hans, ex Waffen SS und Dieter, ex Stasi Polizie: If the previous owner of this machine has not changed his sprockets out from the stock ones - the gearing on the BMW Dakar is the same as on the BMW F650GS!

I try to limit my secret communiques to Hans und Dieter, they are a violent and radical force you do not want to anger or reckon with. However, I did have to contact them last month to report that SkooterG had sold off his BMW R1200GS. They will be breaking Skooty's kneecaps very shortly now! Death to BMW Traitors! Deutschland Uber Alles, Schatzie!

 

[rickcorwn]

My limited experience with the BMW single was this summer in Alaska when I rented one for a few days. It was a GS not the Dakar version but I'll bet that little bugger will run 90mph all the way home and not complain a bit. You'll be turning the motor kind of hard but the point is freeway speeds won't be a problem. The seat might make you squirm some later in the day but hey it's a stock seat, they all do that. My biggest gripe about the F650 GS I rode was the windshield or non-windshield. It seemed to direct the wind right at my helmet. Compounding that problem was the fact I was wearing my dual sport helmet which catches a lot of wind to begin with so that kind of sucked.

Vicki Johnston rode a F650 GS to 14th place in the 2007 IBR so hike up yer skirt and ride that little bike

 

[Blind Squirrel]

https://faq.f650.com/frames.htm Guten Morgen Anthony, just for you Tony, because you are Mein Freund: I went to my underground BMW Command bunker in my basement here in my home in Arizona and contacted Hans und Dieter at Bayerischen Motoren Werke Mottorraden AG in Berlin; using the short wave radio set that BMW Fabrikeschen provides me with.

Mein Bleu und Weiss BMW Roundel tattoo on my butt was also a gift from the BMW Factory for being a loyal customer for 42 years! According to Hans, ex Waffen SS und Dieter, ex Stasi Polizie: If the previous owner of this machine has not changed his sprockets out from the stock ones - the gearing on the BMW Dakar is the same as on the BMW F650GS!

I try to limit my secret communiques to Hans und Dieter, they are a violent and radical force you do not want to anger or reckon with. However, I did have to contact them last month to report that SkooterG had sold off his BMW R1200GS. They will be breaking Skooty's kneecaps very shortly now! Death to BMW Traitors! Deutschland Uber Alles, Schatzie!

That's the problem with drinking the BMW Kool Aid. Once you are in, you are in for life! :dribble:

 

[dcarver]

I used to ride 500c singles fairly long distances (300 - 400 per day)but they were older iron. Stuff like XT and TT 500's. The real problem was with my eyes. The lack of protection quickly led me to a set of full on goggles. I imagine the newer stuff is much better.

..and like the other guy said, keep a check on oil levels..

...and stay off the iState as much as possible

 

[beemerdons]

https://faq.f650.com/frames.htm Guten Morgen Anthony, just for you Tony, because you are Mein Freund: I went to my underground BMW Command bunker in my basement here in my home in Arizona and contacted Hans und Dieter at Bayerischen Motoren Werke Mottorraden AG in Berlin; using the short wave radio set that BMW Fabrikeschen provides me with.

Mein Bleu und Weiss BMW Roundel tattoo on my butt was also a gift from the BMW Factory for being a loyal customer for 42 years! According to Hans, ex Waffen SS und Dieter, ex Stasi Polizie: If the previous owner of this machine has not changed his sprockets out from the stock ones - the gearing on the BMW Dakar is the same as on the BMW F650GS!

I try to limit my secret communiques to Hans und Dieter, they are a violent and radical force you do not want to anger or reckon with. However, I did have to contact them last month to report that SkooterG had sold off his BMW R1200GS. They will be breaking Skooty's kneecaps very shortly now! Death to BMW Traitors! Deutschland Uber Alles, Schatzie!

That's the problem with drinking the BMW Kool Aid. Once you are in, you are in for life! :dribble:

Jawohl Blind Squirrel, Sie sprechen Richtig! Es geht mir gut! Blut und Sturm! Arbeiten Macht Frei! Oberfuhrer Stanley

 

[101stpathfinder]

Murph's Law seems to be in play right now... I got sicker than a dog Wednesday, thought it was just

food poisoning or something. It must have been a touch of flu. I truly have not been thinking clearly

for "Some time" now...

I truly screwed up with this purchase. I did a fly and ride to Phoenix. I was in such a hurry when I

arrived, I didn't investigate my concerns. When I got on the bike- I rode it home. I was confused when

the owners wife said the exhaust pipe went with the bike- I should have got suspicious then.

( There was an extra exhaust pipe in a box sitting besides the bike)

I got on the bike, started it- I was concerned about the lack of power in the lower gears. Almost like starting

off two gears too high and the idle sucked. On the highway it performed wonderfully! I got it home (After about 55 hours)

2368 miles later. I had one sore ass and had to make an unusual amount of "Rider Stops"

Now I had time to look it over. One exhaust pipe was black, the other was not pushing ANYTHING out.

No flow what so ever. The bike idles badly and has no get up and go at low speeds. I could not even think

of pulling the front end off the ground or spinning the back tire out in gravel. At high speeds it was fine. I am

not a good mechanic, Does anyone have any ideas as to the problem? Does anyone have a good BMW mechanic you

would advise me to go to in Florida? Can I do this myself? I am gonna have her send the exhaust piece in the mail

and take the time to look closer at the problem. I thought the problem was caused by the bike sitting for a year

without being ridden. The bike was "serviced" 50 miles before I bought it. I guess I was just too trusting.

I am too exhausted to go out to the garage right now and look for the problem. If anyone has any ideas

please share them with me.

On a positive side...

The ride was OK. The bike is light and nimble. Once I get the problem solved I think this will compliment my FJR

nicely! Two mods already noted: A Day Long saddle and a better wind screen.

Thanks, Tony

Her name... "Thumpurrr"

 

[beemerdons]

Tony, only one of the exhaust pipes on the bike is functional, the other is for a ridiculous stylistic exercise only. This is truly one of the dumbest things that BMW has ever done, next to removing the rear circlip on the Type 247 transmissions back in 1980!

Get your hands on the spare exhaust pipe you were offered as soon as possible, this was a very expensive aftermarket fix for this stupid fiasco. Kit allows you to achieve fully operational dual exhaust system and the F650GS will then run great at all RPMs!!!

https://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/ Tony, I mentioned to you on the phone and by private message: Join BMW MOA Forum as soon as possible. Dues are $40 yearly and you get a discount on your BMW tattoos!!!

Also, send a private message ASAP to our FJRay here on the FJR Forum from LaPine, OR. Ray S. is an expert on the ROTAX 650 engines, he probably has an incredible collection of tuning tricks for you to try out!