New owner of a BMW F650GS Dakar!

[beanz]

In 2004, I had to sell my RG150 to pay for UK flight tickets... but now I'm back in the saddle... of a F650 Dakar of all things!

So, obviously I've entered a whole new world of motorcycling, and I'm keen to find out stuff... like:

1. Where in Auck services such beasts?
2. Is the clunk/jerk normal when I shift from neutral to 1st?
3. Am I short? Or is it normal to only just reach the ground with tippy toes?
4. What are some good upgrades to make?
5. Are spare parts hard to get in Auck?
6. What are common bits to break?
7. Is there a "reserve tank" thing going on?

You get the idea. I've found a service manual, so will give the standard stuff a go sometime soon... oils & filters & coolant.

Thanks guys for any info, and I look forward to meeting new adventure riders sometime.

Chris

[CBobR]

Hello, I used to have an '01.
I'll try to remember some answers as it's been a couple of years
1) http://www.experiencebmw.co.nz/ Knowledgable enthusiasts
2) No?
3) Not that bad for the style of bike?
4) Sump guard/Crash bars
5) See 1)
6) ...check out the http://faq.f650.com/main.html all the common failures are covered
7) I can't remember

I highly recommend having a good read of the f650.com FAQ
Good luck. Nice gravel bike.

[beanz]

Hey, thanks CBobR! I'll have a good read of faq.f650, and check that clunk out.

[Sam I Am]

didn't they make them in two seat hights ?

[Frodo]

I used to have an F650 Funduro so make the following comments:

1. Where in Auck services such beasts?
Learn to do most maintenance yourself - its not difficult, is much cheaper and may be better than done by some bike shops. www.f650.com has a wealth of info.

2. Is the clunk/jerk normal when I shift from neutral to 1st?
The F650 has much more rotating mass than your 150 so it will clunk more when that mass comes to a sudden stop when shifting to first. It will be more noticeable when the engine is cold and the cold engine oil makes for more clutch drag. Nevertheless, check to make sure your clutch cable is properly adjusted.

5. Are spare parts hard to get in Auck?
I found that even if parts had to come from Europe, they arrived quickly and were not excessively expensive. There is another thread here on getting stuff directly from Europe.

6. What are common bits to break?
The water pump is the biggest weakness of this bike. Keep an eye on the weephole below the pump. See www.f650.com for details. They are a very reliable bike that should give a long service life.

[What?]

The fuel warning light comes on when there is about 4 to 4.5 litres left (17.5 litre tank), so 100Km on "reserve" is do-able.
Not much goes wrong with F650's generally.

[Mystic13]

1. Where in Auck services such beasts?
Experience BMW in Kingsland, although riders head out to Hamilton or Mount Motorcycles in Mt Maunganui.

2. Is the clunk/jerk normal when I shift from neutral to 1st?
It's a BMW and this is characteristic.

3. Am I short? Or is it normal to only just reach the ground with tippy toes?
Nope, they're tall.

4. What are some good upgrades to make?
Sell it before it breaks down. Never ride in the middle of nowhere without another rider.

5. Are spare parts hard to get in Auck?
They're bloody expensive.

6. What are common bits to break?
Check the forums and google for others. there are usually long lists of all the common failures including those that go on for years. Also check which year the front forks stop breaking. I think yours might be the first year where they strengthened them. If not I'd replace the front forks. From memory the bottom's were breaking off on them leading to a minor accident. I'm pretty sure it's the Dakar's. If I've got it wrong let me know and I'll edit. (off to google now) Been to google now. It's up to 03 for the GS and Dakar, with bikes built in 02. So you're bike is good. But they had "catastrophic" failures with serious rider injury. Unfortunately BMW have a poor record in my opinion with bike reliability on the more modern bikes. And poor form when it comes to rider safety.

[thepom]

Mystic know,s his stuff....the only trouble I had and a friend too was the speedo stopping and bmw in chch spent four hours trying to find the prob to no avail,they only stopped because I could not afford the labour,,,,,,

They are truly great fun and great tank range ,when I go off road I take the mirrors and indicators off as they are the only things that ever got broken,tough bikes all round,but a bit heavy.

They are tall bikes but you can get lowering kits for the suspension and seats with bits cut out if you feel the need,good luck and good times....

[Waihou Thumper]

and indicators off as they are the only things that ever got broken,tough bikes all round,but a bit heavy.

Got the floppy, flexible indicators? I have dropped, crashed and banged the indicators on the KTM, had the light dangling from the stem even...you might say, but I guess the design means I can snap them back on, they fit back together and still work....I was very impressed with the design....
Nice floppy rubber stalks....
Maybe you could pop some on if they will fit against the fairing, it might save a bit of time and hassle for off road/on road etc.....