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Suzuki DR650 vs BMW GS Dakar Suzuki DR650 vs BMW GS Dakar
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #16  
Old 16 Jan 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff akins View Post
...it's small, lightweight,.....
Relatively speaking, yes.
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  #17  
Old 16 Jan 2008
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Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
Thanks LR, I found a few more at Ron Ayers for the DR. Someone else will have to be trusted with looking up the BMW prices. BTW, Ron Ayers is very near MSRP price. Cheaper prices can be had with a little looking around.

Carb $330
Starter Motor $206
Frame $1,064
Muffler $388
Left bar cluster switch $66
Right bar cluster switch $52
Oil Cooler $322
Rear Brake Caliper $203
Cushion Link-Set $179
Swing Arm $686
Rider Foot Peg assembly peg $18, mountbar $45
Are these the things that frequently fail on this bike? If so...that sucks!!

If you're gonna do the analysis proper...you should compare the prices on parts that are more frequently replaced... oil filter, brake pads, voltage regulator, clutch cable, steering head bearings, thermostats, fuel filters, etc.

Comparing prices on frames, swing arm, etc. does not give you any idea on what the operating cost tend to be...

I'd love to throw the K bike comps in there!
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  #18  
Old 17 Jan 2008
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Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
As far as the things you've listed....yes...these are common items on any bike...but NOT failure items, but rather common service items....most of which can be purchased in any auto shop or aftermarket. So both the BMW and Suzuki owner would be paying the same price. To really compare, it's important to compare OEM items that you can NOT but aftermarket...like the fuel pump for your K75 for example.


Things like brake pads, filters (oil,fuel and air), cables, thermostats, head bearings, most are commonly available (at least for most Jap bikes) anywhere in the world, often times in an auto parts store.

The most common failures I've heard about regards the F650 seem to center around the battery, broken shock, shock linkage, frame, and some internal motor failures. See Striking Viking, See Smelly Biker.

DR's won't go forever, but generally speaking, lead a much tougher, less maintained life than most BMW's do. They are not serviced, pampered or maintained to the same level by the majority of US owners. Yet...they still manage to return a fair service life....and all for half the price....with very few failure interuptions.

Go figure.

When I look at cost, I consider the operating cost and that includes the wear items as that is a more frequent outlay of cash for the owner. Are you telling me that an F650 oil filter can be found at Pep Boys or AutoZone? Not all BMW parts can be found that easily!

Incidentally, my fuel pump gave me 85k with 25k through some pretty severe conditions, so I can't complain too much...

But I agree, most BMW's live a pampered life, but not all Speaking of which...when are you heading down on your trip? If you don't do it so, I will harass you
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  #19  
Old 17 Jan 2008
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Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
it's important to compare OEM items that you can NOT but aftermarket...like the fuel pump for your K75 for example.
Avalibe here as an alternative supplier .. from a Ford car .. many more Ford dealers around teh country than BM motorcycle dealers .. and many more wrecking yards with those cars in them ..
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  #20  
Old 18 Jan 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
Thanks LR, I found a few more at Ron Ayers for the DR. Someone else will have to be trusted with looking up the BMW prices. BTW, Ron Ayers is very near MSRP price. Cheaper prices can be had with a little looking around.

Carb $330
Starter Motor $206
Frame $1,064
Muffler $388
Left bar cluster switch $66
Right bar cluster switch $52
Oil Cooler $322
Rear Brake Caliper $203
Cushion Link-Set $179
Swing Arm $686
Rider Foot Peg assembly peg $18, mountbar $45
Well I know very well what the current cost of a new right handlebar cluster switch is on a F650GS (that's the one that contains the starter button of course, an all in one moulded piece that cannot be taken apart and repaired according to the dealer):-
This comes in at £75 (about US$150 at current rates) to the retail customer.
Thankyou sir, a credit card will do nicely!!

Alternatively:
You can short across the starter solenoid and get the bike going, once you take off all of the front fairing panels of the faux fuel tank. This includes the bits that support the indicators - about 20 torx headed screws in total - then you have to put at least the indicators back in place before being able to ride the thing.

Sorry, I can't add any more to this discussion; I've noticed it is for you guys on the other side of the world - as has been said a few times before, the DR650 is not around anymore in the UK as a new bike.
In a few months time, we should be hearing about how the new twin cyl F650GS stacks up!!
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Last edited by Walkabout; 18 Jan 2008 at 00:15.
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  #21  
Old 18 Jan 2008
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Originally Posted by Frank Warner View Post
Avalibe here as an alternative supplier .. from a Ford car .. many more Ford dealers around teh country than BM motorcycle dealers .. and many more wrecking yards with those cars in them ..
Good point BUT to further illustrate the utility of the K75...you can stick basically any fuel pump that will put out the same pressure or more, and will accept the fuel hose sizes...which is standard automotive fuel injected hoses...

A Ford mustang fuel pump works well...Frank you know this all too well...I read your work before I took my trip...thanks again for your pioneering efforts on the K!!!

And props/curses to Molly Dog who suffered with me when the fuel pump on my K died at the end of our ride! The HUBB community is an unbelievable resource!
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  #22  
Old 19 Jan 2008
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A friend of mine modified a K a few years back, nice bike:



Sticker says "Tripple inside"

He sold the K and he has now bought a 650GS Paris Dakar. The bike has 140kkm on the clock and is in perfect shape. The topend gasket has been changed once but everything else in the engine is original. Bike is used all the year in Norway.
They are extremely durable and economic (More then 25km/l!!).
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