Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > BMW Tech
BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 8 Feb 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: England
Posts: 2
BMW 650gs Dakar 2005 Preparations for trip through Africa?

Hey everyone, Hope you are all well.

Im planning a trip with my bike through Africa. At the moment its completely stock.

Some people have told me I can get away with carrying two five liter cannisters of fuel instead of spending £1,400.00 or so on touratech fuell tanks.

Any advice on preparing the bike for a journey down west coast of africa would be much appreciated.

How do I get around the green fuel? Do I have to convert something on the bike to take leaded fuel?

Ride safe,
Costa
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 8 Feb 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Moscow
Posts: 1,117
Tony-a-Tech Long Range Fuel tanks.

Quote:
Originally Posted by coznut7 View Post
Some people have told me I can get away with carrying two five liter cannisters of fuel instead of spending £1,400.00 or so on touratech fuell tanks.
Prior to entering more remote areas of Siberia last summer I stopped at laybys and picked up off the ground a couple of old/abandoned plastic oil or antifreeze cans.

9 litres extra fuel capacity for free!

And when we eventually got back to main highways I put them back in a layby for the next traveller!

Initially they were held on by straps but slipped as in the second picture The BAM Road - ultimate test of man and machine - ADVrider
Extending the cargo net to hold them firmer solved the problem!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 8 Feb 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: johannesburg - south africa
Posts: 108
F650GS DAKAR modifications

Hi Costa,

Some mods I made over the years & the reasons why (I'm NOT getting into any KTM vs BMW debates. It's all about the Rotax engine.

1. Installed dynamic fork springs from Wunderlich - to prevent front bottoming out all the time on uneven terrain & makes a difference in sand. The bike is just more stable.
2. Replaced tail light with LED tail light from Touratech - expensive but saves battery
3. Installed ON/OFF toggle switch for head light - saves battery, and in Africa some people and police get annoyed if your lights are on in daylight
4. Replaced the standard main shock after original died after about 40 000km (and good fun in Lesotho!).
5. Fitted Barkbuster hand guards to better protect hands and levers. For the F650s they come standard with 20mm handle bar raisers, so that was actually a 2-in-1 mod.
6. WIDER FOOT PEGS - so that I can stand for longer periods.
7. Also installed a fold-away gear lever, crash bars that protect the front "Tupperware", thus protecting the radiator in case of a fall.
8. Installed protective radiator grille to keep stones away from the fins.
9. Connected the power socket direct to the battery for more reliable power to the GPS and moved the power point to the handle bars for easier access and less mud and dust on the socket.
10. For extra fuel: I take along either a 7litre fuel bag or 10litre fuel can locked to the bike/pannier(s).
11. Fitted a centre stand!!! Makes all the difference when having to take a wheel off to fix punctures.
12. Replaced the standard throw-away air filter with an K&N reusable filter. Also expensive, but one less thing to carry.
13. Replaced the standard battery with a stronger and SEALED battery from Wunderlich. It gets hot and the standard battery runs dry and you get stuck in the middle of nowhere... Ever tried pushing the Dakar to get it started?

To sort out the green fuel problem, fitted an aftermarket end can(-nister) to get rid of the catalytic converter. It also gives the bike a tiny bit more power (less restrained) and it sounds less like a commuting bike. Ha-ha. Could get you into trouble when you get back to the EU, I think.

NB. The best investment in the bike was probably the improvement to the rider (me) by going on an very good offroad riding course. Most fun I had in a long time and learnt a lot. The less I put the bike down, the longer it will last!

PM me for a list of what I'm packing for my trip that starts early in March this year.
__________________
"The fates lead him who will; him who won't they drag." - Anon
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11 Feb 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: England
Posts: 2
Thanks for all your input

Thank you Tony for the advice and Gottoride! It is much appreciated. Ill look into getting an aftermarket exhaust.

Whereabouts are you riding to Gottoride?
Would be great if you could send a copy of your packing list for your trip in March.

Ride safe everyone,
Costa
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Feb 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: johannesburg - south africa
Posts: 108
You're welcome, Costa - I got a lot of (if not most!) my info, for the trip from HUBB. I'll be travelling from Amsterdam to Alicante (Spain) to Oran (Algeria) and through Algeria, Niger, Burkina, Mali, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, DRC, ANgola, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Mmozamboque, Swaziland and Lesotho to Cape Town. I'll PM you my packing list.

Have fun!
Kobus
__________________
"The fates lead him who will; him who won't they drag." - Anon
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
OLD 1992 XT660Z Tenere or new(ish) KLR or 650GS Dakar? johngore Which Bike? 7 9 Oct 2011 23:51
For sale BMW 650gs Dakar Old Adventurer Europe 0 2 Jul 2009 21:52
2005 F 650GS Bobo BMW Tech 4 25 Feb 2005 23:18
Headlight Lens Protector, fits 01 or newer ^650GS or Dakar, jv3 TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 3 Apr 2004 01:25

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 22:07.