wheel bearings buggered - anyone else?

**Dan 23** · #1 25 Dec 2003

Research question - 2002 F650 GS Dakar, 13,000 hard miles on the dusty clock, front wheel bearings buggered - by the time I got the wheel off to have a look, 8 were missing. Anyone else had similar problems? Or is this just the result of too many clumsy wheelies?

**k7lro** · #2 29 Dec 2003

That sounds quite short to me but the F650 isn't known for having the highest quality bearings in the first place.

Check http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/FrontWheelB...acementFAQ.htm for a good replacement procedure.

Best wishes from a sunny AZ!

**Dan 23** · #3 4 Jan 2004

Thanks, man. Now the head races are shot too. I'm not impressed.

**Roboyobo** · #4 5 Jan 2004

Don't worry too much. BMW's are typically a mix of 95% excellent quality components and 5% utter crap. You've already identified two of the worst parts on an F650 - my BMW dealer insisted on changing the head races (with higher quality Jap ones) almost right away, and the wheel bearings went quite quickly. I think the chaingang website contains a list of other dodgy bits. On the older F650's, the regulator/rectifier would always blow, the battery evaporate, and the water pump leak (keep an eye on the coolant levels). Otherwise they are pretty solid bikes.

**Dan 23** · #5 10 Jan 2004

Ta. One more thing, this snorkel cutting conversion thing - f650.com link doesn't work - is it just a case of drilling/slotting a hole or seven in the snorkel? Anything else need ruining?