03 650 Dakar maintenance

[Beetroot]

Hi all,

I am looking at buying a 03 650 Dakar.
I've read up a fair bit about them and they sound like the bike for me.
I had a DR650 but want something more comfortable on the road, I don't mind sacrificing some off road ability to get a much smoother ride.

The one I'm looking at has had a service recently from a BMW specialist and had no problems.
The bike has done 95,000kms, that's about 60,000miles.

Just wanting to know what kind of mileage you can get out of these bikes before you need to start look at doing engine work, or clutch or gear box stuff.
And what kind of price it is to get the parts, I'm confident I can do the work, just not sure of the price of parts.

Cheers

[Waipukbiker]

Unless you specificly want a Beemer, Have you thought about a KLR650, Lot less kms for the same price, Moore comfy on the road than a DR plus a bigger tank and still does the job off road, bit heavier but not a prob for a good rider.
My DR has a modified seat so no probs with road comfort and now a bigger tank so Im good for about 350 kms. Just hope you have thought it through well before spending ya hard earned bucks.

Cheers

[Transalper]

My old 2000 F650GS (same as Dakar except the 19" vs 21" front wheel and taller suspension) was more shuddery and just as vibey as the DR650 IIRC.
And just when you think your coming on the cam, getting it to pull, it red lines.
Awkward to stand on too.
Guess how you see it may depend upon how you define 'smooth'.
Just saying take it for a decent test ride first.

[thepom]

The service manual goes up to 120 k......so it should be good for another 25k,......they have a fuel filter that when blocked stops the engine....120 odd dollars to replace on a service....avoid it by putting an in line filter in before the bmw one..... transalper is right....parts expensive but I,ve had two and found them great fun untill it goes wrong.....I now ride an xt600....more fun,more reliable,cheaper ,lighter and more power.....try other bikes first.....good luck....

[Beetroot]

I was looking at a KLE 500 but it sold, and the BMW was my next option.

I have considered the KLR but there isn't any in my price range at the moment I think they are just a bit hard on the eyes.

The main thing I didn't like about the DR was the hard seat, small tanks and lack of fairing/windscreen. It really needed a wind screen.
I know I could have brought all the mods but my the time I spent the money I could have just brought something else that'd still be better.

The only thing I'm worried about with the BMW is the kms, I know they are known to go for ever, but if it does crap out, will it be an expensive fix.

[pete376403]

While looks are subjective, KLRs aren't THAT bad to look at when you're riding one, and they do make a pretty nice road bike that can handle a bit of off road.

[Padmei]

Agree with the above re KLRs - great comfy bikes which will go anywhere if you want them. Parts are cheap, easy to work on. i'd think long & hard before spending money on a well used BMW.

[Beetroot]

Looks aren't the biggest concern, mainly the price and maintenance will be the deciding factors.

I used to live in the Waikato, and wasn't far from Auckland so had a lot of options available, but down here there isn't so many options.

[JATZ]

Agree with the above re KLRs - great comfy bikes which will go anywhere if you want them. Parts are cheap, easy to work on. i'd think long & hard before spending money on a well used BMW.

:rofl: :rofl: :killingme: :killingme:

Oh the irony.... :D
Get the Beemer. If it's been maintained it should be o.k. But all bikes break down and be prepared to spend some extra coin fixing a euro bike.

[pete-blen]

BMW....:facepalm:

KLR...:yawn:

XT660R....:cool:


I'm leaveing now....:whistle::dodge::dodge::dodge:

[pampa]

I had a Dakar up to 85000K no problems other than crashing it, then once fixed it sold it and it was going really well.

Parts are expensive if you buy them on BMW NZ, I sourced many parts from overseas and it wasn't too bad. I now ride same engine with more power and less weight G650X :niceone:.

While everybody seems to think that KL|D R are good, which is true for 35 year old design, the fuel economy and power delivery of the beemers is beyond those bikes moding limits and with all regular mods you still can't get same power that the stock BM has. I get 230k of 9L of fuel regularly the Dakar had more fuel and also a very good range

Now note I haven't owned a DR or KLR (simply didn't like them not even to test them) and in the end IMHO that counts too, but what do I know.

[Cpt Lepi]

Did a trip around Europe on one of these a couple of years ago. Found it to be very comfy but heavy and always would of liked a little more power. Got all my parts from Motoworks in the uk which should give you a good idea of pricing as I imagine (that means I dont really know) that they would be competitve after shipping. Met alot of people riding them with miles that were double that and no real problems although almost everything on mine broke and the big end went at 20000ish kms on clock. I doubt the odometer was accurate and the last guy really abused it.

I will be selling my adverturised KTM 625 SXC in the near future if thats a option for you but will be a couple more than the Bmw. I live in Christchurch if you want to chat about either.

[Beetroot]

An update.

I was really keen on the BMW but it'd sold before I could buy it which was annoying.
I then went and looked at a DR650, which I didn't really want but I was running out of options.
But what do you know, that sold too.

So I was thinking that I'll be stuck with getting a road TF125 or something.

But then a bike that I wasn't that keen on turned up, on trademe.
An 03 KLR650, now I was never that keen on the KLR but the price was right and it rode well and was in good condition, so I brought it.

I'm pretty happy with my new purchase, its going to do everything I hoped for which is great!
Just looking for some rides to do now, I'm thinking either the Lees Valley ride, or mailings pass.

[pete376403]

Welcome to the dark side!

Let the farkeling commence! (seriously, check the doo, they are considered a known point of failure in the gen 1s. KLR650.net has lots of information (some good, some not-so) and http://www.watt-man.com/ is a mine of good info as well

[Transalper]

Good to hear you got something now.

Do Lees Valley first, Mailings is harder.
Over in the 'Looking for Christchurch Adventures (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/133817-Looking-for-Christchurch-Adv-Rides/page70)' thread we just done Molesworth/Mt Altimarlock and there are several people looking at Lees Valley possibly even this weekend but have not posted as not firm plan yet.
What day works for you or you going to go it alone?

[Beetroot]

I'm meant to work Sat form 5pm, but hoping to get that changed to Sunday so I can go out on Sat. But it don't really matter which day really.
When does the rainbow road and Molesworth close?

I'm not to worried about my riding ability when it comes to difficulty of a track, I took my DR incredible places with the worst back tire you could imagine, and I've ridden heaps off road on my Gasgas EC300.

I've notice on the KLR the gearbox is pretty clunky, worse than my DR was, I assume that's normal?
And first gear feels pretty low too.

[Transalper]

Molesworth is already closed due to the fire risk.
Rainbow is due to close Easter Monday but is also closed this Saturday for a cycle race.
Was just suggesting the easier and closer ride is usually a good idea to get acquainted with the new to you bike.

[Padmei]

You will find the KLR to be the best bike you will ever own. Clunky is a subjective term. My airhead is very clunky.
Check out klr650.net for all the business about them but don't get sucked into the chicken little panic that seems to recirculate there. The Doo is the most important thing to check if it has been done. If it has no worries but if you're unsure it will pay to check it out. It is the counter balancer adjustment doo hickey. The spring sometimes goes slack & the old pre 07 models had a quite thin doo that could break- the later ones are quite substantial.
I think there is still a KLR therad around here if you do a search.

[Beetroot]

What is the doo?
Excuse my ignorance.

Its had a veiw mods from the last owner like a fork stabilizer clamp thing, and oilier and a bigger front brake.

That's a shame those rides are closed, I'll have to wait till summer.

Oh and thanks for the advice transalper, the bike will probably take me a little bit to get used to, the riding position feels a bit foreign, but I'm loving the shelter from the wind compared to the DR.
The lees valley will probably be a good first ride and it's not that far away so that's a bonus.
Turns out I have to work Sat night, but if a group is heading out and it will fit in with me, I'd be keen to get to know some people, this town/city is foreign to me and I haven't done any substantial adventure riding, so some tips might come in handy.

[pete376403]

Doohickey - unofficial name for the balancer shaft drive chain tensioner lever. Gen I KLRs had a doo that was not as robust as it could be, when it broke results could be bad - bits end up in the cam chain, cam chain jumps the sprockets, valves meet piston = serious carnage.
Kawasaki redesigned it for the gen IIs so it's better, but still not perfect. Plus Gen IIs have doo spring issues.
See here - http://www.klr650.marknet.us/doohickey.html

You can inspect it by removing the engine left side cover, if you need to replace it then the alterator rotor needs to come off. I have the removal tools if you need them.
Not a big job but certainly one worth doing. EagleMike http://www.eagle-m-e.com/ sells a replacement doo that is far superior to the kawasaki Gen 1 part, and probably better than the gen II part as well

[Beetroot]

Oh yea I get you.

The previous owner has already done that mod, which is great, means I don't have to do it.

Used the bike to commute today, was great in traffic.
I'm beginning to like this bike.

[Transalper]

...
That's a shame those rides are closed, I'll have to wait till summer.....
Turns out I have to work Sat night, but if a group is heading out and it will fit in with me.....

You still have two weeks up until Easter Monday to do the Rainbow in season after the cycle race is done this weekend, plenty of other stuff around the place to fill in time though.
Nothing happening this weekend by the looks, guys I was hooking up Lees Valley with have family stuff so I'm likely doing single track with another at the Waimak this weekend instead.

[Transalper]

'Looking for Christchurch Adv Rides (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/133817-Looking-for-Christchurch-Adv-Rides/page71)' thread has kicked in to life again, Lees Valley next Sunday (24th March 2012)

[pete376403]

There is also a "KLR riders out there" thread you may be interested in