Trans Africa on a Dakar...Will I make it?

**hunternielson** · #1 15 Aug 2003

I've noticed that most of those who contribuet to the HUBB and go to the far-away places and stray from the tarmac own bikes with carbs, bikes that can be broken down and fixed.

I bought a Dakar. First bike. Crossing from Zambia to Ethiopia and maybe beyond is the plan, and I fear that the sophistication of the bike will be my downfall.

Can somebody tell me how to prepare, mechanically, for this trip, because the assurances of my BMW dealer that the Dakar is "a great bike, and shouldn't have major mechanical problems" doesn't really fly when I'm in the bush.

It's a newbie question, but what the hell.

Hunter

**Steve Pickford** · #2 15 Aug 2003

My only experience with fuel injection is with my K100RT. Bought with 173,000 miles on it, it now has nearly 187,000 miles. The only thing I've done is fit a new throttle cable. If the Dakar has a similar Bosch set-up, I see no reason why it would be unreliable.

Several friends have 100,00 mile plus K 100'S & none have ever had any real problems.

One benefit of fuel injection is that it copes with changes in altitude a bit better than carbs would.

Carbs are not without problems, stuck floats, leaking float bowls & ruptured diaphragms to name just a few.

Good luck with the trip.

Steve

**Grant Johnson** · #3 24 Aug 2003

Fuel injection would NOT be my concern on a GS.

Do carry a spare waterpump...

The rest is pretty durable and well done, no major problems that would worry me. Loads of people have done major trips on F650's with minimal trouble, certainly no more than folk on older bikes, and probably on average much less.

Just remember it's not a motocrosser and it's very heavy, so treat it accordingly off-road.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com