650 dakar. 40k miles. What to expect?

[sockpuppet]

I've come to my senses (i think).

Just had a major rethink about this whole RTW trip that I'm due to start next year. Got a nice deal on a 1200GSA..excellent. Then during the final planning stages I started to look at the map and think. Would I want to take the GSA there? I took a few countries off, then added then on, then took them off. Simply put the choice of bike was starting to define the trip rather than the trip defining the bike.

My main concerns are the spare part availability (reliability) and leaving a nigh on £12k bike alone pretty much anywhere (will be travelling 1up solo 99% of the time). Luckily the dealer let me cancel the 1200 order....seen as the bikes not been built yet.

That's an amount of money i can't afford to write off should I bin it/get it stolen. I started to wonder if it would ruin a major part of the trip for me and become a burden.

So re-weighing up my options.

Seen a F650 Dakar which seems to be a better bet than the R1200GSA. Advertised at £2000 but its done 45,000 miles. Its an '06 reg. That's a lot of miles in a short space of time!

Going to see it tomorrow - take it for a ride hopefully. What should I look for in a bike with this many miles. Got a FSH from BMW. Will check usual things such as brake discs - but what else should I look out for.

Don't want to get a false economy.

Thanks in advance.

 

[John Armstrong]

PM Micky, he had one at a similar mileage. Sold it to Snoopy who was either unlucky or had no mechanical sympathy and had a few "problems".

 

[Timolgra]

If you were prepared to spend £12k on a bike, why not buy the best 650 you can find? A mint 10k miler can be found for £2k+.

 

[sockpuppet]

PM Micky, he had one at a similar mileage. Sold it to Snoopy who was either unlucky or had no mechanical sympathy and had a few "problems".

Thanks for the info. I'll send the PM.

If you were prepared to spend £12k on a bike, why not buy the best 650 you can find? A mint 10k miler can be found for £2k+.

Well this is just one option. What would your recommendation for a bike with similar kms be?

I suppose I'm not not trying to do it on the best thing that I can find. Just nurse the bike along until its no good then sell it and buy another bike.

Given that its a 1/5th of the price of the GSA if it gets me 1/4 of the way I'll be happy.

 

[John Armstrong]

From what I've read on a RTW trip it's better to keep the bike as simple as possible and as easily maintainable as possible. Which is why the airheads get so much use. Technology that almost any mechanic can understand, relatively simple and usually keep going on and on. Just ilke their owners

 

[Flipfly]

I'd look for a low milage older bike rather than a newer higher mileage one.

There is alot of about the twin spark, but my old single spark is a belter and did 3k miles in 12 days this year around the alps no problem.

It's the perfect RTW bike, as long as you realise that you can't sit at 90 on motorways. The 12 will make an easier bike to get through Europe, but after that the 650 is a better bike IMHO. They are tough, simple and reliable and very very economical

It'll get ya all the way around if ya gentle. Snoops bike had over 55k miles on it and died because of the plastic water impellor, a cheap part but not a 5min job to change.

 

[muzvmc]

If I was in your position then as previosly suggested I'd find a lower mileage Dakar.
Mine has been great especially considering it's had a interesting life!
The water pump impeller bush went at about 27k (luckily on the way back from Newcastle after a trip to the Artic circle). Still got me home though
Cheap part, hard to replace. I've swopped the rigid oil line for a flexi braided one so I can get to it/ the clutch easier another time.
Just had an injector go on it, 35k. Didn't let me down but was running rough.
Otherwise it's just been the usual consumable's, I do oil and filter at 3k and air filters reg if dusty.
Been through a few back wheels as I seem to break the cush drive (note to self, it's not an enduro bike so slow down)
Great fuel economy, easy 60+ mpg. Best was 77mpg cruising around in Norway fully loaded up.
Buy a low mileage one for 4k and use the 8k to fund your trip!!!!
Have a good one

 

[komatias]

As the above say. Low milage is better.
Check the service history well. Some dodgey things might be lurking in there. As far as the things to do before you leave are concerned, you might as well change the water pump impeller and seals as on my other dakar the dealer had placed the seals the wrong way round.
Also see if the cam chain tensioner has been changed, if not replace it with a NEW one. A big problem that alot of bikes have is that they have never run with the proper amount of coolant in the system. You have to crack open a bleed nipple on the right hand side of the engine to fully purge and refill. This is best done on the centre stand or with a brick under the kickstand to keep the bike level.
Head gaskets are also known to fail but some time is the heads studs that are loose...check and re-torque.
Take the fake tank covers off and fire the bike up to check the radiator, I have recently found out that the rad is prone to fatigue puncture on near the top mounting point.

I guess thats it really apart from general corrosion, extras, and chain stuff

 

[VAL. H.]

I'd look for a low milage older bike rather than a newer higher mileage one.

There is alot of about the twin spark, but my old single spark is a belter and did 3k miles in 12 days this year around the alps no problem.

It's the perfect RTW bike, as long as you realise that you can't sit at 90 on motorways. The 12 will make an easier bike to get through Europe, but after that the 650 is a better bike IMHO. They are tough, simple and reliable and very very economical

It'll get ya all the way around if ya gentle. Snoops bike had over 55k miles on it and died because of the plastic water impellor, a cheap part but not a 5min job to change.

If I was in your position then as previosly suggested I'd find a lower mileage Dakar.
Mine has been great especially considering it's had a interesting life!
The water pump impeller bush went at about 27k (luckily on the way back from Newcastle after a trip to the Artic circle). Still got me home though
Cheap part, hard to replace. I've swopped the rigid oil line for a flexi braided one so I can get to it/ the clutch easier another time.
Just had an injector go on it, 35k. Didn't let me down but was running rough.
Otherwise it's just been the usual consumable's, I do oil and filter at 3k and air filters reg if dusty.
Been through a few back wheels as I seem to break the cush drive (note to self, it's not an enduro bike so slow down)
Great fuel economy, easy 60+ mpg. Best was 77mpg cruising around in Norway fully loaded up.
Buy a low mileage one for 4k and use the 8k to fund your trip!!!!
Have a good one

As the above say. Low milage is better.
Check the service history well. Some dodgey things might be lurking in there. As far as the things to do before you leave are concerned, you might as well change the water pump impeller and seals as on my other dakar the dealer had placed the seals the wrong way round.
Also see if the cam chain tensioner has been changed, if not replace it with a NEW one. A big problem that alot of bikes have is that they have never run with the proper amount of coolant in the system. You have to crack open a bleed nipple on the right hand side of the engine to fully purge and refill. This is best done on the centre stand or with a brick under the kickstand to keep the bike level.
Head gaskets are also known to fail but some time is the heads studs that are loose...check and re-torque.
Take the fake tank covers off and fire the bike up to check the radiator, I have recently found out that the rad is prone to fatigue puncture on near the top mounting point.

I guess thats it really apart from general corrosion, extras, and chain stuff

I have a 1200 which I love to bits. But I'm quite sure I would be leaving it at home if I was going on a trip like yours. Personally I Think it would be too heavy (for me anyway) and too complicated mechanically for an African, Indian and Eastern European tour.
Having said this, it would be my first 'but not necessarily my only' choice if I was doing the Pan American Highway, or something in the more populated areas of Southern America.

We also have a R100GS and a couple of 650s (the Dakar is for sale as it happens ) These are both infinitely more suitable machines IMHO. I would have a hard time deciding which I would take myself though. The 650 is more economical, the 100gs has more rider space 'I have long arms' but is a much simpler machine altogether, which can be fixed by almost any reasonably competent mechanic.

Coming back to your original question about a bike for two grand with 45'000mls on it. A Good well kept example with full BW history might turn out to be a great bike.
But when you think of things like the fact you can easily buy a 15'000ml 2002 bike for the same money. Your much more likely to get a great bike right from the start, without having the niggling thing in the back of you mind 'whens the water pump impeller going to fail'.

I say walk away and go look at what else is out there waiting to take you RTW.

Val.

 

[sockpuppet]

Thanks very much for the advice guys.

Currently got a few bikes to look at and I'll tell you what I decide.

 

[sockpuppet]

Still on the search and weighing up my options on this one.

Going to see a 650 dakar on Crimbo eve. BMW Dealer. <3k miles, 07 reg.

£4500. That seems a tad much to me - is he pushing it. Bike mag book price is down as £3800.

Ok these bikes get stupid mileage so are in demand, there is a very similar age+mileage model in Scotland for £100 less (both on bike trader) so maybe its the going rate?

Ideas?

Bike is here: http://www.sbwmotorrad-bmw.com/view_bike.asp?SP_ID=1701714&BRA_ID=28

Also confused by the word replica - I know its not a real "dakar" bike as the RR are a gagillion quid. But wondered if replica means F650 with some extra parst and a paint job.


Thanks in advance, Richard.

 

[dakarjim]

Ignore the word "Replica" thats just its full name!

You will always have to pay top dollar for a bike at a dealership, athough on the plus side you get some sort of warranty/comeback if it goes wrong, especially as it is an approved used.

I bought my 56-plate Dakar privately in April and paid £4k for it - having been keeping an eye on used values it has hardly dropped at all. I think this is because you dont see too many Dakars about - almost a modern classic?

I cant think of a better modern bike to do a RTW trip on (although i can see the argument for an airhead)

 

[sockpuppet]

The family is around and has ambished my TV for strictly come dancing so I'll hide on the internet for a bit!

Right. Well test rode the dakar at SBW on Wednesday. Must say the guys there were first rate, I'd have told me to naff off if I wanted a test ride on the 24th of December but I went out then hung around for coffee till pretty much gone twelve. Very accomidating.

Basically I've realised I'm looking for the impossible.

I think I'm looking for something with the road eating ablity of a 1200gsa with the off road ability of a nepalese porter for about £50.

The F650 was a nice bike to ride, it had been limited to 30bhp as the revious test rider was not a full licence holder. Whether or not this made a difference I don't know.

Seemed to pull nicely as soon as I realised that the engine didn't have the torque of a big twin so I'd have to rev then release the clutch not the other way around (lazy biking from me).

Got upto 70 with ease even on the restricted bike, wind buffeting not too bad. Went down the seventy stretch turned off down some twisty roads then went to panshanger (sp?) aero drome for a nosey about. No-one to be found. Then back to SBW.

Great bike, liked it but not going to buy it.

The bad points about the bike mainly are the vibrations at 70ish which go when clutch pulled in. I know its a 650cc thumper so its going to vibrate but maybe its just my build but it sent the end of my right foot to sleep with the vibes coming through the peg. The bike seemed to buzz beneath me.

Like I said nice bike, but for me and a 200 mile commute not what i'm looking for. So what to do now.

Well I think I'll stick looking at a big twin like a R1200/TA/Generic 1000c tourer. Use this in the UK + parts of the trip that are large twin friendly (e.g. americas/canada/europe - maybe even Oz).

Then get a KLR650 (basically a cheap single for the more ardous parts of the trip - and those with a carnet). Pick on up for less than a grand - I could have done this on the F650 but the KLR will do it cheaper while I can spend money on a cruiser for day to day stuff.

I don't know. I'll give it some more though and more test rides.

 

[Steve the Kiwi]

I think the general consensus for RTW (if you want to spend a bit of time on the dirt roads) is light is right. So to keep closer to the Dakar, and something that will be comfortable on the highway - what about a 650 transalp? or a Africa twin for a litle more herbs on the throttle. bombproof reliabilty and both are a twin so less vibes than a thumper. However - how often will you be pedeling hard down a motorway at 70+? No doubt you'll have a day here and there that you have to give it the berries to get to a ferry or something but generally(IMHO) you'd want to stay off the motorways.
for that money you could get a 1100GS/1150GS for your riding at home etc and maybe a damn sexy x-challange with the rally tanks etc. for the trip.... it doesn't much more sexy..... (and practical )
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166629

 

[Hustler]

I've never ridden a restricted 650 and don't know what difference it actually makes but probably worth getting a test ride on a non restricted bike as they may be totally different.

 

[Mav]

What about spending a bit more...

...and building something like this:

<img src="http://jzettergren.smugmug.com/photos/417662081_RMw63-L.jpg" />

More info here: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166629

 

[sockpuppet]

Thanks for comments guys - much appreciated.

I think the general consensus for RTW (if you want to spend a bit of time on the dirt roads) is light is right. So to keep closer to the Dakar, and something that will be comfortable on the highway - what about a 650 transalp? or a Africa twin for a litle more herbs on the throttle. bombproof reliabilty and both are a twin so less vibes than a thumper. However - how often will you be pedeling hard down a motorway at 70+? No doubt you'll have a day here and there that you have to give it the berries to get to a ferry or something but generally(IMHO) you'd want to stay off the motorways.
for that money you could get a 1100GS/1150GS for your riding at home etc and maybe a damn sexy x-challange with the rally tanks etc. for the trip.... it doesn't much more sexy..... (and practical )
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166629

Aye. Its what I'd realised. I think I'll look towards getting a cheap comuter first as that the more pressing (changing clients at end of Jan) then worry about the other bike later on in the year.

Many thanks for your reply though - really appreciate it.

I've never ridden a restricted 650 and don't know what difference it actually makes but probably worth getting a test ride on a non restricted bike as they may be totally different.

Acording to the mechanic there he reckoned it wouldn't affect acceleration (!) but would dent more top end speed. But either way wouldn't affect the smoothness of the engine.

Apparently the re stricter just stops the throttle being opened all the way so would presumably dent top end and acceleration.

...and building something like this:
More info here: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166629

 

[Flipfly]

I've ridden one that was restricted and there's not a huge difference.

slower pick up and 90 flat oot