2001 BMW Dakar

[tri boy]

Hmmmm, next you'll want a pipe n slippers.
ie Fat old men ride Beemers, cause there gut wobbles in sync with the bike chassis.

Saw that comment in a "Two Wheels" magazine twenty odd years ago. And it still works......I like BMW riders, no really, I do....

[Oscar]

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.

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?

Two points.

1. This is basically the difference (between GS650 & LC4e) in a nutshell: "..civilised enduro bike, rather than a ruggedised road bike.." brilliant.

2. You did 1,000 miles on an LC4? You're a braver man than me, Gunga Din...

[Garry.W]

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,

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 because I knew BMW had some issues to sort. The 03 Dakar I bought was great, went pretty much anywhere I pointed it (and Oscar's seen it upside down - but that's my riding rather than any problem with the bike) and I had no problems with it during 80,000kms of mostly adventure type riding. Yes, I spent some money getting it to how I wanted it (lighter and better low end), and yes, I sold it for a tad over half what I paid for it - but to one very happy owner, so what after 4 years? - I got good value out of it. Would I buy another one? Probably not, since I now have an HP2.

I've never been that big on the argument about whether one adventure bike is better than another, there's going to be some compromise one way or another in all models in this segment. Rule of thumb is buy what smokes your tyres, not what someone else thinks about it.

However, if you're looking at a 650 and you like what BMW has to offer in the Dakar then go for a twin spark (04 onwards) if your budget can stretch that far, its a bit livelier and easier on fuel consumption.

Cheers
Garry

[Garry.W]

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,

The first Dakar was not brilliant to be honest, but certainly adequate for most "adventure" type rides and if the one you're looking at suits your budget, it'll do what you want. I hung onto my 650 Funduro until the 03 Dakar came to NZ because BMW had some issues to sort. The 03 Dakar I bought was great though, went pretty much anywhere I pointed it (and Oscar's seen it upside down - but that's my riding rather than any problem with the bike) and I had no problems with it during 80,000kms of mostly adventure type riding. Yes, I spent some money getting it to how I wanted it (lighter and better mid-range), and yes, I sold it for a tad over half what I paid for it - but to one very happy owner - so what after 4 years? I got good value out of it. Would I buy another one? Probably not, since I now have an HP2.

I've never been that big on the argument about whether one adventure bike is better than another, there's going to be some compromise one way or another in all models in this segment. Rule of thumb is buy what smokes your tyres, not what someone else thinks about it.

However, if you're looking at a 650 and you like what BMW has to offer in the Dakar then go for a twin spark (04 onwards) if your budget can stretch that far, its a bit livelier and easier on fuel consumption.

Cheers
Garry

[warewolf]

2. You did 1,000 miles on an LC4? You're a braver man than me, Gunga Din...

Not once, but twice. And I'm lining up for a third. So you could probably add, stoopider man.

I've talked Clint into doing it, too.

[Oscar]

The first Dakar was not brilliant to be honest, but certainly adequate for most "adventure" type rides and if the one you're looking at suits your budget, it'll do what you want. I hung onto my 650 Funduro until the 03 Dakar came to NZ because BMW had some issues to sort. The 03 Dakar I bought was great though, went pretty much anywhere I pointed it (and Oscar's seen it upside down - but that's my riding rather than any problem with the bike) and I had no problems with it during 80,000kms of mostly adventure type riding. Yes, I spent some money getting it to how I wanted it (lighter and better mid-range), and yes, I sold it for a tad over half what I paid for it - but to one very happy owner - so what after 4 years? I got good value out of it. Would I buy another one? Probably not, since I now have an HP2.

I've never been that big on the argument about whether one adventure bike is better than another, there's going to be some compromise one way or another in all models in this segment. Rule of thumb is buy what smokes your tyres, not what someone else thinks about it.

However, if you're looking at a 650 and you like what BMW has to offer in the Dakar then go for a twin spark (04 onwards) if your budget can stretch that far, its a bit livelier and easier on fuel consumption.

Cheers
Garry

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

[Oscar]

Not once, but twice. And I'm lining up for a third. So you could probably add, stoopider man.

I've talked Clint into doing it, too.

Has your Missus got them in a jar somewhere?
They'd vibrate free after about 500 miles, wouldn't they?

[warewolf]

Has your Missus got them in a jar somewhere?

Please no, don't mention the Bovril jar!

[pete376403]

How much for a second hand Dakar? You can get a new KLR (the '08 model) for less than $10K. And they are not too bad at all - most of the shortcomings of the previous models have been addressed and they have a decent seat and fairing, although hard core dirt riders think they look a but girly

[Garry.W]

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

On ya Oscar

[NordieBoy]

Presenting Dakar/Boat Anchor in it's natural enviroment...

3 grown men bowing down before the might of BMW?

[Oscar]

3 grown men bowing down before the might of BMW?

Three limp wristed Wellingtonians needed to pick up the big pig.

[Garry.W]

Three limp wristed Wellingtonians needed to pick up the big pig.

As I recall, nothing broken - and finished weekend away with gearbox intact

Nuf said on this lot - you still coming up to do the Motu this weekend?

[Oscar]

As I recall, nothing broken - and finished weekend away with gearbox intact

Touche.


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

[upshift]

Three limp wristed Wellingtonians needed to pick up the big pig.

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!