The 650 Dakar Thread

[nomad5326]

Originally Posted by guavadude

Just picked up a Wolfman Express tank bag and it's perfect.
Four strap mount and is a flat design, not larger at the rear.
I have it mounted at the front of the tank and it's not in my way at all when standing. Plenty of space for a camera and is zipper expandable.
My only complaint is that the map area is just a little too narrow for a Bulter sized map. They sell a larger map holder that I'll probably get.
Highly recommended.

PIcs?

[TobyG]

Originally Posted by kubiak

everything looks great including the front fender!

Originally Posted by herrhelmet

So I can't beat the look of Kubiak's KTM 950 SM front fender so I joined him. Must say I like.



And this is my dash as it is now.


Of course I had to personalize my GPS greeting.....

Congrats, very nice looking bike.

I do have some ?'s though.

1st: Why did you re-locate the ignition lock? I mean, it looks like you do have the TT Front fork upgrade and the ignition lock barrel installed?

2nd: What's all that fancy stuff on the faux tank cover meant for?

3rd: Do you have any kind of documentation on how you installed the steering damper?

[herrhelmet]

Originally Posted by TobyG

Congrats, very nice looking bike.

I do have some ?'s though.

1st: Why did you re-locate the ignition lock? I mean, it looks like you do have the TT Front fork upgrade and the ignition lock barrel installed?

2nd: What's all that fancy stuff on the faux tank cover meant for?

3rd: Do you have any kind of documentation on how you installed the steering damper?

Thanks!

1st answer: I had to move the ignition lock because the Baja Designs light housing got in the way. The ignition lock just hangs down too deep. I took the whole bundle of wires and that was the cleanest solution. Makes it a little tricky to work on the top end but not impossible.

2nd: Those are all the dash lights relocated plus manual fan switch and voltmeter.

3rd: Steering damper was a one-off mounting plate fabbed by a buddy with a cnc. The tower is not something I would be proud to share. You could probably use hardware from scotts for the F800 and make your own tower mounting plate.
Since I have a TT tripleclamp it's more KTM than BMW.

[Parx400]

You can do the steering damper with a yz sub mount. I did it and it came out great.

[Transpomgr]

Originally Posted by herrhelmet

So I can't beat the look of Kubiak's KTM 950 SM front fender so I joined him. Must say I like.



And this is my dash as it is now.


Of course I had to personalize my GPS greeting.....

What iPhone app is that and how does it work?

[herrhelmet]

Originally Posted by Transpomgr

What iPhone app is that and how does it work?

Speedometer Pro 3.23 You can do the horizontal digital readout, make the numbers any color you want, and lock it so it won't rotate vertical like some apps. Works with the GPS gives you your heading and is spot on accurate with my Garmin.

I use if for a tripmeter for fuel range since my reserve light seems to be dead...

You can also set up up as a HUD for the dash of your car.

[mattomoto]

Originally Posted by herrhelmet

I use if for a tripmeter for fuel range since my reserve light seems to be dead....

Hey Jim- Check either through these last few pages or the Yamie/BM fork thread. Someone found a solution to the fuel light when you don't have the stock dash. Sounded like a pretty easy fix, but I don't remember what it was, sorry.

Oh, yes, still with the team and she has a moto now

[herrhelmet]

Originally Posted by mattomoto

Hey Jim- Check either through these last few pages or the Yamie/BM fork thread. Someone found a solution to the fuel light when you don't have the stock dash. Sounded like a pretty easy fix, but I don't remember what it was, sorry.

Oh, yes, still with the team and she has a moto now

how do you keep your hands off that?

Or do you?

[mattomoto]

Originally Posted by herrhelmet

how do you keep your hands off that?

Or do you?

Easy there! My wife and her fiancé!

[Baams]

Hey Guys, any opinions about Trail Tech Vapor?

I know some guys have installation issues, but I'm not that worried about that. The main question is are people happy with the Vapor?

I'm thinking about doing the mod, but I'm not sure yet.

[kubiak]

Originally Posted by Baams

Hey Guys, any opinions about Trail Tech Vapor?

I know some guys have installation issues, but I'm not that worried about that. The main question is are people happy with the Vapor?

I'm thinking about doing the mod, but I'm not sure yet.

im really happy with my vapor. trouble free.

[Baams]

I heard the light in the display is really bright at night and there is no way to turn it down, is it true?

[Lupin 3rd]

Originally Posted by Baams

I heard the light in the display is really bright at night and there is no way to turn it down, is it true?

Got one on my Duc, and love it! The brightness is set and you can't turn it down, however I don't find it too bright at night.

[cocco78]

Well, my problem was I wasn't pressing the starter button with enough authority and would let go of it after it started. Its been down into the 30's lately and the bike starts right up on the first try now, pressing firmly and holding it down for another 2-3 seconds! Perfect. Thanks everyone!

Originally Posted by Gravel Seeker

I've done it before and I'll do it again, regardless of what bikeboy says in his blog, don't uncritically press the starter button for 2-3 seconds after the engine has started.

The picture provided by rdalland of the manual states "Press starter button (max. 5 seconds) and do not release it until the engine is running smoothly". Imperative part of that instruction highlighted. My bike runs smoothly after 0,3-0,5 seconds so I naturally let go of the button. I would really be sceptical about going anywhere and how I would get home if it took several seconds before it started - that's what it does first time I start it after winter storage on half a tank of old fuel and a battery thats stood for 6 months in the freezing cold.

As for the ECU, I was told by the mechanic at the main BMW dealer here in Oslo that you had to ride it for about 20km so it was warm and the air sensor and lamda probe would have gathered enough info to adjust to the ambient conditions. The important part here is to avoid short trips only, because the ECU will never adjust properly, and the settings from the latest long trip will stay in effect even if the conditions are totally different than they were on that latest long trip.

All the bikes are probably a little bit different and everyone can do what they want, but I think a new owner asking for advice should not get absolute answers where there may be variations from bike to bike.

[tzabcan]

Anyone tried Hagon progressive springs on their Dakar? They told me they are made by Wilbers but the price is much less than Wunderlich- $110 shipped with 2 liters of oil. Did a search but didn't come up with much.