2001 BMW Dakar

[windboy]

Hi Guys,

Anybody with experience on the black and white dakars? any nasty hidden teething glitches?

I heard about a recall on the fuel tank and injectors.

They're the first ones with injection and ABS, also run the single spark heads.

any comments appreciated...

later,

[Crisis management]

Why?

You saw how many of those things broke down getting to Whangmomona, are you really ready to live dangerously?

It's the bloody invisible friend again, isn't it!

[tri boy]

Hmmmm, next you'll want a pipe n slippers.
Can't help you with any tech info on BMWs, but always willing to poke a bit of shit your way. ie Fat old men ride Beemers, cause there gut wobbles in sync with the bike chassis.

[CBobR]

Hi Windboy,

I owned a 2001 until recently, which I sold with 30,000km, mine did not have ABS though.
It was very versatile. The main weaknesses I discovered were the fork seals and electrics.
The electrics were relatively easily solved with a can of marine CRC, I never found a cure for the fork seals though. They are easy enough to change after you have done one set.

Other things that happened to mine which are commonly reported on the www.f650.com technical FAQs were:
-Failed oil pressure switch
-Holed radiator (the guard traps stones and rubs through)
-Broken sidestand switch
-Failed clutch position switch
-Bent handlebars
-Fuel tank trims falling out (getting picky now )
-Swingarm end plates vibrate loose
-Rear mudguard lasts about 1/2 of the first offroad trip
-Faux fuel tank panels mounting tabs are a little weak.

On the plus side, it puts up a decent showing on and offroad, comfortable, unbelievable fuel economy, long service intervals so very cheap to run. Some people complain about jerky injection, but mine was perfect. I think they upload a better fuel map when you get it serviced which makes it smoother. Oh another thing, Experience BMW are legends and know the bike inside out. I highly recommend Neil the parts guy.

[windboy]

Hi Windboy,

I owned a 2001 until recently, which I sold with 30,000km, mine did not have ABS though....

Thanks CbobR,

Sounds like you had quite a living experience with it. Good to hear all the nasty bits, most of the time people only tell you the nicer things...! the f650.com link has a lot of good info.

Cheers for that.

Hmmmm, next you'll want a pipe n slippers.
Can't help you with any tech info on BMWs, but always willing to poke a bit of shit your way. ie Fat old men ride Beemers, cause there gut wobbles in sync with the bike chassis.

Why?

You saw how many of those things broke down getting to Whangmomona, are you really ready to live dangerously?

It's the bloody invisible friend again, isn't it!

Well... what was I thinking? I left myself wide open for you guys! I remember about the whangamomona, was not impressed!

Swapped bikes with my invisible mate for more than 2 weeks (not sure why!) and unfortunately, got very addicted with the feeling of the dakar. When I jumped back on the tranny I couldn't stand the extra weight!

2001 are being priced similar to my tranny vintage, there's one with low milage and a few extras that may just justify the "living dangerously" bit...

Thanks for the warnings too guys!

[Transalper]

...Swapped bikes with my invisible mate for more than 2 weeks (not sure why!) and unfortunately, got very addicted with the feeling of the dakar. When I jumped back on the tranny I couldn't stand the extra weight!....

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. I prefer the DR too. Only things i like about the Dakar are the fuel economy and soft seat.

I owned a 2000 F650GS before getting the Transalp (still have the Transalp but usually ride the DR650 now).
My F650 had cables that freyed often, speedo sender issues, awkwardness in usually simple servicing things like oil changes and battery/air filter checks. Also the need to get torex tools, and its got a water pump that is known to fail every 30 to 40000km. Mine leaked at 33000km.

The Transalp is best of the 3 if you take a pillion, the DR is still capable but not really good two up. BMW is kind of in the middle, but you probably worked that out already.

[Zukin]

Well as for that fat bellied old man, I think they are bloody good

Maybe I don't ride as well as some, but in my own opinion they are brilliant for the roads (both tar and gravel)
I grin everytime I get on the bike, which just does it for me!
And thats what bikes are all about, it they make you smile then its the right bike!
Dont get them because they look cool, or go fast, but how you feel when you ride it

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

They are very nice on the road, good on the gravel, but not as good "offroad" as such.
Are you looking at just the Dakars?

Cheers Scott

[Oscar]

Hi Guys,

Anybody with experience on the black and white dakars? any nasty hidden teething glitches?

I heard about a recall on the fuel tank and injectors.

They're the first ones with injection and ABS, also run the single spark heads.

any comments appreciated...

later,

I had a Black & White Dakar.
It was a big mistake.
You see I wanted an adventure bike. Something that would go where I wanted too (and to be fair, I wasn't expecting it to be a full on trail bike).
The Dakar is excellent on the road, capable on gravel, mediocre on grass/clay tracks and downright dangerous on anything more difficult.

Whomever designed the engine obviously got a bonus if he cracked 50hp, and did it. But he did at the expense of low end torque - well, I think it had no low end torque - it just hard to tell when the Mickey Mouse fuel injection won't let it idle under 1800 rpm! The result was almost an oxymoron - a peaky big single...

I was labouring under the illusion that it was an adventure bike, and it may be - but not unless a deal of money is spent. And being as how they're bloody expensive to start with, and there are any number of cheaper, more capable bikes out there - why bother?

[Zukin]

I had a Black & White Dakar.
It was a big mistake.
You see I wanted an adventure bike. Something that would go where I wanted too (and to be fair, I wasn't expecting it to be a full on trail bike).
The Dakar is excellent on the road, capable on gravel, mediocre on grass/clay tracks and downright dangerous on anything more difficult.

I was labouring under the illusion that it was an adventure bike, and it may be - but not unless a deal of money is spent. And being as how they're bloody expensive to start with, and there are any number of cheaper, more capable bikes out there - why bother?

Whilst I own a GS, I do agree with most of Oscars post!

But I got mine for exactly what I wanted it for, and it fits the purpose perfectly, so it fits my intended purpose
Tar seal Roads and gravel roads, but like Oscar said I don't think I would want to use it elsewhere, although it could be strong enough to handle the conditions, it takes you so much longer to get to the end, and then you probably dont enjoy it as much!
That is why I have the DRZ too

Cheers

[cooneyr]

...Whomever designed the engine obviously got a bonus if he cracked 50hp, and did it. But he did at the expense of low end torque - well, I think it had no low end torque - it just hard to tell when the Mickey Mouse fuel injection won't let it idle under 1800 rpm! The result was almost an oxymoron - a peaky big single...

Interesting. I rode the Rainbow on one and found it a little lacking in the torque department compared to the DR650. Sure it has more top end but thats not where I spend most of my time anyway.

Cheers R

[CBobR]

awkwardness in usually simple servicing things like oil changes and battery/air filter checks.

I found this also, the faux tank design is not good, 16 (?) screws into plastic. And you need to remove it for many tasks. An annoyance if you do your own maintenance.

won't let it idle under 1800 rpm!

Another good point. Offroad I found I needed to use a lot of clutch to get around the high idle. Engine braking on steep descents was a problem.

Overall I did like the Rotax engine though, reliable (no matter what the oil light said (note: there is an updated oil pressure switch available)), economical, and okay power. I did a lot of higher speed gravel on my commute so was happy for the smoothness and power in the upper rev range. I found the bike perfect for this type of riding.

[Oscar]

I found this also, the faux tank design is not good, 16 (?) self tapping screws into plastic. And you need to remove it for many tasks. An annoyance if you do your own maintenance.

Another good point. Offroad I found I needed to use a lot of clutch to get around the high idle. Engine braking on steep descents was a problem.

Overall I did like the Rotax engine though, reliable (no matter what the oil light said (note: there is an updated oil pressure switch available)), economical, and okay power. I did a lot of higher speed gravel on my commute so was happy for the smoothness and power in the upper rev range. I found the bike perfect for this type of riding.

Try riding it down a very steep wet grassy hill...clutch don't help. Oh and the other good news is that with no engine braking available I used to thrash the back brake on the gravel. The stupidly small reservoir meant the rear brake overheated and disappeared after 10 minutes...

You shouldn't have got me started on this POS, i could go all night.
What amazes me is that the big brother series GS100/1100/1150/1200 are so good. In comparison with KTM's (and I own two, currently) - for roughly the same price, the 640 comes ready to go, very little modification required. The GS650 needs a lot spent on it to be anywhere near the orange bike.

In the final analysis, I guess you can take your pick. Was the GS650PD:

1. A cynical marketing ploy to take advantage of BMW's previous success with ADV bikes?

2. A cynical marketing ploy to cash in on a growing Adv bike n00b market (esp. in the US)?

3. A very badly designed bike, considering it's intended purpose.

4. All of the above.

I will say, however that I rode a later (twin spark) version and the engine was a lot better.

[helenoftroy]

Hmmmm, next you'll want a pipe n slippers.
Can't help you with any tech info on BMWs, but always willing to poke a bit of shit your way. ie Fat old men ride Beemers, cause there gut wobbles in sync with the bike chassis.

I am NOT a fat old man with a wobbly gut.Old??well heading that way

650GS I rode didnt thrill me

Love the low centre of gravity,stability and torqe of my old boxer.Shes an ugly old draughthorse but shes taken me over most of the South Island this year(shingle & seal)Perpetual grin every ride

XL & Beemer perfect combination for me at the moment

[Crisis management]

Well that seemed to press a few buttons, I think Hi-fives all round for that response Tri-boy, who shall we pick on next?

Good on you Windboy, I think you'll find the Dakar more to your taste than the TA, how did you get on with seat height, better than the TA ora bout the same?

How about a ride in the near future...not this weekend but maybe the next?

[warewolf]

What amazes me is that the big brother series GS100/1100/1150/1200 are so good. In comparison with KTM's (and I own two, currently) - for roughly the same price, the 640 comes ready to go, very little modification required. The GS650 needs a lot spent on it to be anywhere near the orange bike.

Hear, hear! I looked long and hard at the F650 for many years. Twice with money in hand I passed it over; first up for a Honda NX650 Dominator, the second time for the 640. For the same (my) money, the KTM wins over the BMW with:

• More power - not that I particularly care, but if you are factoring the BMW's power as a plus, it loses against the KTM
• Less weight - important
• Much better suspension - very important
• Dirt-worthy pedigree (it's a somewhat civilised enduro bike, rather than a ruggedised road bike) - it's all in the details

The BMW's biggest plus is that it may be more comfortable on the highway - we won't mention the KTM's higher speed or better overtaking punch - but I've done a couple of the Rusty Nuts' Grand Challenge 1000 Miles in 24 Hours events on the 640, so it can't be too uncomfortable on long trips.

What's that saying? Gear for the tightest corner or steepest hill? Tyre for the worst conditions? Dirt bikes are surprisingly capable on-road, the converse is not true.

I grin everytime I get on the bike, which just does it for me!
And thats what bikes are all about, it they make you smile then its the right bike!
Dont get them because they look cool, or go fast, but how you feel when you ride it

Hear, hear! Totally, utterly 100% agree.

Adventure bikes are by their very nature a compromise. There's plenty of people out there on F650s doing it; where's your compromise?