2001 BMW Dakar

[Garry.W]

Touche.


I didn't even know the Motu was on - I don't know how my name got on the list.

Wierd, and too bad - be good to catch up with you again, perhaps another Khan or two sometime

Someone's talking about a Waikato Assault later in the year, maybe then.

[Garry.W]

Hey, I resemble that remark!

Actually as I remember that incident it was no reflection on the rider or the bike but rather one of lack of communication. Still feel a little bad about that, rider was expecting assistance at the same time we expected he was gunna gun it, so we jumped cleared!

Was bloody funny though

[tri boy]

My cue, I think.
Presenting Dakar/Boat Anchor in it's natural enviroment...

Thats a tricky little bit of sand there. (the fat Scrambler struggled a bit).
Fun getting back up at high tide.

[young1]

Thats a tricky little bit of sand there. (the fat Scrambler struggled a bit).
Fun getting back up at high tide.

Where is that?

[Garry.W]

Where is that?

Bottom of the steps on the coastal side of the Marakopa tunnel

[tri boy]

Where is that?

Waikawau beach ramp, on the coast between Awakino and Marakopa.
Tunnel access.
One of the little treasures in store for people on the spring Waikato ride.

[Garry.W]

Waikawau beach ramp, on the coast between Awakino and Marakopa.
Tunnel access.
One of the little treasures in store for people on the spring Waikato ride.

Gorgeous, and I'm up to giving it another shot

[young1]

Waikawau beach ramp, on the coast between Awakino and Marakopa.
Tunnel access.
One of the little treasures in store for people on the spring Waikato ride.

A fantastic part of the country, I went there (by car) a few years ago - it was quite sad as a fishing boat had sunk recently and the locals were all out looking for the bodies.

Not sure about taking the KTM up there with the current tyres but would try it on the DR.

[Crisis management]

One of the little treasures in store for people on the spring Waikato ride.

Well, spring has sprung up here, so how about you start thinking about a few dates, my calendar is filling up already and I don't want to miss this one Tri-boy.

[tri boy]

Well, spring has sprung up here, so how about you start thinking about a few dates, my calendar is filling up already and I don't want to miss this one Tri-boy.

Plan to have a pow wow at Clints ride, and try and come up with a date that suits as many as possible. PM any free dates between Sept - Nov, and will throw those in the mix.
Still plan to make it a 2 night gathering due to travel distances. A rain date may also be a consideration as NZ spring isn't the most settled time.(have to be a cyclone though).

[alfonz]

shit a lot of advice from a lot of people i have riddin with alot of the guys that have posted advice about the dakar i own one a 2000 gs they go any where you to go off road or on they are heavy to pick up but have plenty of power but you nneed to drop a tooth on the frount sprocket for off road give you a smoother ride thet do miss some times because of the side stand switch dont over fill oil tank as they split at seam when oil heats up other that that if you maintain them they will go well everybody has their favorite bike or make i give mine shit and it still goes all the bikes i see on avd rides sothing goes wrong with all of them at one time of other so hope this helps . go on get one you know you want to

[windboy]

I've been flat out for the last week and althought I did read the replies, never had time to post a proper reply...

It's funny you should say that, swapped DR650 with a F650Dakar in Lees Valley for a short while there and the Dakar man said he liked the DR. .....

Agree about the two up thing transalper but at 1.73m and 74 kg, the tranny is a bit top heavy for me when I go by myself. When I bought it I thought just cause of the low seat it would work for me but never considered the high CoG. It's by all means a better touring bike than the F650 (smoother engine, overtaking grunt, brakes, etc). After riding a 2004 dakar for 2 weeks even though the seat was taller, I felt more confident on the dakar on and off road...

...I looked at both the Dakar and the F650GS, and preferred the GS because it was a little lower for this short arse ...

It would be nice having a little lower seat but I trade the 19" front on the f650 for a taller seat on the dakar... The other more offroad features surely can't hurt...

I had a Black & White Dakar.
It was a big mistake....

Well Oscar, sounds like you're spot on the comments on the black and white dakar. After searching on the web I found most of the stuff you mentioned was listed there. I knew the twinspark solved most of the issues but wasn't sure how bad the earlier glitches were. Thanks for the input man.

Hear, hear! I looked long and hard at the F650 for many years. Twice with money in hand I passed it over...

Mr warewolf, I agree on what you saying, however, my riding isn't very agressive. A 640 adventure would be wasted on me (haven't got the size or riding skills for it). I also commute on the bike to work everyday. Being in jafaland means that most of the offroad riding is preceeded and followed by a long road ride, I sat on the 690 SM and even found that seat hard (I heard the adventure one is harder) but I guess if you look hard enough you'll find a fancy gell one a top $$$. cheers for the reply anyway... anyd good on you for doing the 1000km once again!

The early Dakars were not brilliant to be honest, but certainly adequate for most "adventure" type rides. I hung onto my Funduro until the 03 Model came ... (04 onwards) if your budget can stretch that far, its a bit livelier and easier on fuel consumption....

Thanks Garry, shame I didn't get to meet you at the wwwww ride but we won't comment on the reasons here. Funny you mention the budget... On a single income things are very tight at the mo. The black and white dakar popped in my mind cause I'm determined to do the ride through the SI passes listed on a recent thread, for that reason was looking at close to $1000 for hard panniers setup. Buying a 2001 dakar with the panniers included was going to workout the same (plus a sneaky trip to CHCH to pick her up); here the main reason of me going into the forum to find out about the black and white horse...

shit a lot of advice from a lot of people i have riddin with alot of the guys that have posted advice about the dakar ....:

Thanks alfonz, all the stuff before applies to your reply too. Cheers.


To be honest the tranny hasn't been a bad bike for me at all, has gone everywhere I pointer it (same as alfonz) but realised how much easier it would have been for me on a dakar after testing one for 2 weeks.

My offroad involves gravel and the odd beach ride, anything too knarly and I know any 250 on knobblies would rip the league, hence I find it a waste getting something much more offroadworthy like a 640 or a DR. If I were to use all it's potential I would go for something smaller (like colin's drz). I guess a comfier seat and "touring/commuting" features are more important for me.

As someone said in this forum (or maybe another one), ultimately the bike's got to give you that feeling when you riding it, goes beyond what the specs and everybodyelse's opinions are... Also there's a inherent compromise on every adventure bike, you pick the one that less bothers you...

Maybe I'll just have to sit and wait for a cheaper 2004+ (w/panniers...?), I guess there's always the chance of winning the lotto and wouldn't have to bother you all asking for your suggestions...

Lastly, was it not you triboy that used up a whole can of marine CRC on the scrambler on the way to whangamomona that weekend????? Had to take a kip while the electrics dried up in someone's barn????

Thanks again everyone for your inputs

later,

[warewolf]

Mr warewolf, I agree on what you saying, however, my riding isn't very agressive. A 640 adventure would be wasted on me (haven't got the size or riding skills for it). I also commute on the bike to work everyday. Being in jafaland means that most of the offroad riding is preceeded and followed by a long road ride, I sat on the 690 SM and even found that seat hard (I heard the adventure one is harder) but I guess if you look hard enough you'll find a fancy gell one a top $$$. cheers for the reply anyway... anyd good on you for doing the 1000km once again!

Technical riding is me, hence my bike choice. It's good that you know what you want - many don't!

Just to clarify;

• Umm, size-wise, you are within 2cm of my height and you are 4-8kg heavier. Part of the appeal of the 640 is that it is 23kg lighter than the beemer - so it's a lot easier for me to throw around. I thought the height would be an issue, but the bike is so beautifully balanced and suspended it is a pure delight to ride.
• I bought the 640 when I was living in jafaland. "Straining at the leash" is how I would describe commuting on it. You are right, the worst part of any decent ride there was droning along the motorway.
• The 640 Adventure seat is soft, for some years now the comfort seat has been standard, only $125 too! (The shop damaged mine during the PDI so they gave me a new spare. Some KTM prices are surprisingly reasonable.) Not gel but dramatically softer than the proper enduro plank on the EXC200. The SM would be softer than the 640 Hard Enduro, but it would have to be something pretty special to beat the seat on the Adventure by much.
• That's 1000 miles or 1609km.

Your Trannie is pretty new, by all accounts they are just as capable as the Dakar; same shit, different smell. So here's a thought from left-field: save your pennies, keep the trannie, go do some training courses to get the control over the trannie you feel is missing vs. the beemer, skills you'll port to any subsequent bike you'll own. Spend some of the money not spent on changing the bike on more aggressive tyres.

But then, sounds like you are in lust...go the Dakar! Buy the bike you lay awake at night dreaming about.

[OV Lander]

I have an '01 Dakar, and I have to say it suits me. I love the riding position, the comfort and the balance of the bike. Just load up the Jesse aluminium luggage set and go!

Only recall I am aware of was for the installation of a stronger rear brake braket. Was recalled as it was found that under certain braking conditions it could bend - not that I have found that to be the case...yet.

Only other glitches:
- requires a full and solid shift from 1st to 2nd, otherwise can drag and stick in N
- can stall on take-off - requires some extra herbs from time to time.

Eitherway, simply love the stability of the 21" wheel.

OV

[Pampera]

[QUOTE=CBobR;1170577]I found this also, the faux tank design is not good, 16 (?) self tapping screws into plastic.

I have owned my 2001 Dakar for 6 1/2 years and have not found this feature, my one uses exactly the same fastners used to hold any sports bike fairing together. My Gas Gas certainly holds the tank covers to the tank with self tappers but not the Dakar.