Advice needed for Dakar 650 2007

[patdeavoll]

Im a relative newbie to moto (Ive been riding about 18 mths) and im off on a 25000km trip. I have bought a 2007 Dakar with 43000kms on it and am replacing alot of stuff regardless of its age. This is what I am replacing - am taking any of the old bits that arent too worn as replacements.

Replace:
• sprockets
• wheel bearings
• chain
• brake pads,
• battery
• air filter
• fuel filter
• oil filter
• spark plugs.
• Put seal savers on front forks
Fit kouba lowering links
Fit engine guard
• Lower kick stand
• Lower centre stand
• Do oil change and general service

Is there other stuff I should have done before i leave?
I understand the water pumps on the GS are prone to failing- should i take a spare with me?
Im a solo female of advanced years and little mechanical nounce so its pretty important i have as few problems as possible, or if i do that i am prepared for them.

[Niklas974]

Hi,

I bought a 2003 F650GS Dakar (20.000km) for my trip to mongolia.
I only put a main stand and some engine/fairing crash bars. I consider putting on a stronger bash plate, handguards (mine are only plastic, no metal reinforcement) and a small cage around the rear brakefluid container.

I will also put on a chain oiler.

I think it is important to know the basic things about the machine, have the workshop repair manual ready and keep an eye on the maintenance schedule (oil change, tires, chain and sprockets). Better to do the maintenance in Dushanbe than on the Pamir highway.

Also build a toolset to be able to help yourself. Even a helpful stranger might not be able to fix your bike if you don't have the tools with you.

This guy also did a similar trip on a F650GS and posted his hardware.

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by patdeavoll

Replace:
• sprockets
• wheel bearings
• chain
• brake pads,
• battery
• air filter
• fuel filter
• oil filter
• spark plugs.
• Put seal savers on front forks
Fit kouba lowering links
Fit engine guard
• Lower kick stand
• Lower centre stand
• Do oil change and general service

Is there other stuff I should have done before i leave?
I understand the water pumps on the GS are prone to failing- should i take a spare with me?

Your list is mainly consumables that are replaced routinely on the grounds of usage (miles run, age).
Nothing wrong with that; what you carry with you depends on where you are going = how easy it is to obtain the items that are changed during routine servicing - for instance, you probably won't carry the oil for that change.

The water pump seals are a known weak point: changing them before you travel is a reasonable precaution IMO but carrying the old ones thereafter doesn't seem worth the effort (the pump kit cost about 33 UK pounds last time I looked on UK ebay).
The good news is that the basic engine is robust and well proven.

As with all budget bikes, the F650GS has budget suspension components fitted as standard; so, with the mileage on your bike, you might want to consider upgrading the rear shock absorber as a preventative measure - it depends on how you treat it during your travels.

For the electrics, consider identifying a source for a regulator/rectifier; carry one of them as a spare or know where it can be bought and shipped on to you.

Originally Posted by Niklas974

I think it is important to know the basic things about the machine, have the workshop repair manual ready and keep an eye on the maintenance schedule (oil change, tires, chain and sprockets). Better to do the maintenance in Dushanbe than on the Pamir highway.

Also build a toolset to be able to help yourself. Even a helpful stranger might not be able to fix your bike if you don't have the tools with you.

This guy also did a similar trip on a F650GS and posted his hardware.

Agreed.
The linked list of bits and pieces for the F650GS is interesting so long as anyone reading it bears in mind that it is a subjective listing based on the opinion of one individual.

[mollydog]

Very good points from both posts above!

Originally Posted by Walkabout

Nothing wrong with that; what you carry with you depends on where you are going = how easy it is to obtain the items that are changed during routine servicing - for instance, you probably won't carry the oil for that change.

This is key. It's good to plan your route and come up for air in a place where you can obtain BMW service ... or at least get basics done. So route matters. Learn as much as you can, put together a really good Tool kit.

Originally Posted by Walkabout

The water pump seals are a known weak point: changing them before you travel is a reasonable precaution IMO but carrying the old ones thereafter doesn't seem worth the effort (the pump kit cost about 33 UK pounds last time I looked on UK ebay).
The good news is that the basic engine is robust and well proven.

Yes, engine is good .. IF it's been looked after, never run out of oil and valves checked once in a while.
Water Pump a major issue, I would replace it NOW ... AND carry a re-build kit.

Originally Posted by Walkabout

As with all budget bikes, the F650GS has budget suspension components fitted as standard; so, with the mileage on your bike, you might want to consider upgrading the rear shock absorber as a preventative measure - it depends on how you treat it during your travels.

Very good advice! Also, service forks as well and perhaps consider upgrading to better valves. FOR SURE ... carry a set of Fork Seals on board. Seal Saver is good idea too.

Originally Posted by Walkabout

For the electrics, consider identifying a source for a regulator/rectifier; carry one of them as a spare or know where it can be bought and shipped on to you.

Given frequency the Reg/Rect fails, I would carry a spare on board.

A few other notes:
1. I would also install Denso Iridium spark plugs (last double conventional ones)

2. Chain. I would buy the DID ZVM X ring chain. Best chain in the world and will likely take you RTW ... or at least 25,000 miles.

3. Sprockets:
Be careful here. Use the best, either OEM ones, Renthal, AFAM or JT. Start trip with NEW Chain and New Sprockets. I would carry at least ONE spare front sprocket. The front one is the important one and first to wear. Keep it healthy and your chain and rear sprocket will last much longer. Change to new front sprocket at 10K miles. Keep chain clean, lightly oiled.

IMO, no need to carry spare chain or spare rear sprocket. Plan chain replacement around 20K to 25K miles in a convenient location.

4. Battery
NEW battery to start. Don't buy BMW battery. A Yuasa top of the line is way to go or perhaps Li-Po Shorai or other Li-Po battery. F650 electrics are dodgy at best ... so a strong, new battery is critical. If your Batt gets low ... Fuel Injection won't work. Hopefully the Stator will continue and carrying the spare Reg/Rectifier should have you covered electrics wise.

Lots of info on the F650/Dakar forums like Chain Gang and on ADV Rider forums.

I would fill in your location info and mention your route and where plan to begin and where you are now. Plenty of not so young women have made the trek ... you can do this!

IMO, Flats and tire changes could be your biggest challenge. Breaking down the bead on rear tire is a tough one ... even for
BIG experienced male riders. This alone is reason to consider a riding partner ... with skills. Other thing to consider is learning to ride on a flat tire. A bit tricky on fully loaded travel bike ... but with practice, can be done. The only thing you hurt doing this is the Tube ... which is expendable ... and you should be carrying at least TWO spare tubes on board.
(I carry 3) So think about tire repair ... maybe consider conversion to Tubeless system?

Good luck!

[Niklas974]

Originally Posted by Walkabout

The water pump seals are a known weak point: changing them before you travel is a reasonable precaution IMO but carrying the old ones thereafter doesn't seem worth the effort (the pump kit cost about 33 UK pounds last time I looked on UK ebay).
The good news is that the basic engine is robust and well proven.

Are you talking about the case seal, or the shaft seal?

Originally Posted by Walkabout

The linked list of bits and pieces for the F650GS is interesting so long as anyone reading it bears in mind that it is a subjective listing based on the opinion of one individual.

He not only has a list of spares he took, but also of the mods on the bike he did and how satisfied he was with them.

Whilst on the topic: Did the Frame change in any way from R13 to E650G? I consider applying this bash plate, which (I called them) is tested on the E650G but they do not know if it fits the R13.
(R13: singlespark, pre 2003, E650G: twinspark, after 2004 (NOT Twin, only twin spark))

Thank you for your advice!

[Niklas974]

One more thing:
The air filter is a use-once by default. There is the the K&N washable version which is washable and thus seems to be a good idea, especially when going offroad.

It says that no change to the carburetor is needed but that it will "optimize the potential". The GS is FI, so I'm not quite sure what to make of this. Would I need to adjust the injection? What if I were to switch to a single exhaust?

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by Niklas974

Are you talking about the case seal, or the shaft seal?

Whilst on the topic: Did the Frame change in any way from R13 to E650G? I consider applying this bash plate, which (I called them) is tested on the E650G but they do not know if it fits the R13.
(R13: singlespark, pre 2003, E650G: twinspark, after 2004 (NOT Twin, only twin spark))

I refer to the pump shaft seal: your links are back to front - the relevant one for the water pump itself is this:-
https://www.motorradteile-service.de...l?drop_3=52849
That is about the same price as sold here in the UK.
It includes the pump shaft itself, as well as the two seals, because the shaft is part of the wearing process.

There is a lot of history about the water pump repair issues (going back to the earlier Funduro model), all recorded on the internet:-
Water Pump Seal Repair FAQ - FINAL
That is a pretty old link but it does cover a lot of the technology involved in the water pump issue going back to more or less the start of this millennium. Nowadays, you would look on the likes of youtube.


Some research of the parts catalogue for the BMW bikes may answer your other questions about compatibility of bash plates:-
BMW Parts Catalog

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by Niklas974

so I'm not quite sure what to make of this. Would I need to adjust the injection? What if I were to switch to a single exhaust?

Advertisements can often be generic, cut and pasted across websites by those who are employed to do that - maintain websites - who may not be really interested in the technical detail of the product.
K&N air filters are very well known, and respected as good quality after market products for internal combustion engines.

In any case, you will struggle to find a simple way of adjusting FI; FI is way ahead of all of us in that technology.

A different exhaust can affect the bikes fuelling system, but the F650GS doesn't have a twin exhaust - what looks like a twin exhaust system is actually a single exhaust with a catalytic converter built into one section (the left hand side, from memory) then linked to the exhaust exit on the other side.

[mollydog]

Among serious Off Road Dirt riders K&N filters are not universally respected AT ALL. Many NEGATIVE documented results using K&N in very dusty conditions.

Not Good ... and I know of no one who knows what they're doing who uses a K&N air filter for serious dirt riding in severe dust.

Fact is: K&N filters let dust enter on some configurations.

I wonder if the K&N is the only option for F650 BMW's to the OEM paper air filter used? Surly, someone must make a simple Foam filter for these bikes?

So much better, simpler... and much less money.

BUT ... if the K&N is the ONLY option to paper, then there is a solution for it. You use a slip over cover with it to help catch dirt. A sort of Pre filter. Also, seal contact surfaces with grease to ensure no dust enters.

The slip over cover will need frequent cleaning in very dusty conditions (like group rides), so be aware of that fact.