The 650 Dakar Thread

[tmotten]

The twin spark was a refinement to try and stop the surging and stalling issues that can happen to the single spark at any time through it's life span. I'd go the younger model. How much more mileage?

[sonoran rider]

I think the 03 has already been sold but the mileage difference was around 6-7K.. so 10K on the 03s and around 17-18K on the 06s.. Price difference was 4700 vs 6200/6400.

[tmotten]

That 06 has only just been run in than. Those motors go forever.

[pyrate]

Originally Posted by sonoran rider

I think the 03 has already been sold but the mileage difference was around 6-7K.. so 10K on the 03s and around 17-18K on the 06s.. Price difference was 4700 vs 6200/6400.

Then the '03 was better! Just kidding.

[BMacW650]

Originally Posted by sonoran rider

I think the 03 has already been sold but the mileage difference was around 6-7K.. so 10K on the 03s and around 17-18K on the 06s.. Price difference was 4700 vs 6200/6400.

Thats expensive foth a 18k 06. Better come with lots of farkles.

[Got2Moto]

Has anyone found a cheaper source for the oil filters?
Dealers want $18 +shipping . Checked Whitney,Napa and all the filter.com sites. No luck. I thought at one time Flash had them at F-650.com but I don't see them now.

Any others out there?
__________________________________________________ _______________________________
Woop's. seems everytime I breakdown and ask a question, a few minutes later I find more info.
Seems my local Shucks Auto is supposed to have the K&N -151 filter for the F-650's at about $7.99
I'll check them out.

[gnuse]

If you want a reasonablely good filter, maybe even OEM quality: http://www.beemerboneyard.com/11412343118m.html

[sonoran rider]

I think I prefer the dual spark tech, so I'll probably hold out for that. Here's the 06, just dropped to $6200.

2006 BMW Dakar with just over 18k miles on it. Services done by BMW. 18k mile service done in June. Tourtech upgrades (guards and pegs), Siebring pipes, hard cases with waterproof bags, aftermarket tank bag and all the Dakar updrades (ABS, Handguards, heated grips, ect)

[pyrate]

Originally Posted by sonoran rider

I think I prefer the dual spark tech, so I'll probably hold out for that. Here's the 06, just dropped to $6200.

2006 BMW Dakar with just over 18k miles on it. Services done by BMW. 18k mile service done in June. Tourtech upgrades (guards and pegs), Siebring pipes, hard cases with waterproof bags, aftermarket tank bag and all the Dakar updrades (ABS, Handguards, heated grips, ect)

[WU7X]

I just changed my oil filter using one of theirs. Bought four. They came with the large crush ring for the drainage bolt, and the large rubber seal for the filter cover. They don't include a new crush ring for the oil tank drain bolt. I am very happy with the filter. Also ordered a couple air filters and a new iridium spark plug too.

Changing the oil was pretty interesting. Something about that first oil change that one does that kinda bonds you to the bike. As the Dakar is my first bike, it probably took a bit longer than usual. But I was in no hurry. Having to loosen the oil tank from the frame in order to get it to totally drain was interesting, as was jumping through the hoops to actually change the oil filter.

I need some help with the oil tank window. After installing the new 2.1 liters of oil, the tank really still looks pretty empty. It certainly doesn't come to the midpoint on the window when the bike is sitting on the center stand. So what's with the "magic eye" thingy? When the oil is at an acceptable level are you supposed to just see that dot of oil in the "eye"? I looked through the service manual and it didn't discuss this very well.

Next question; how do you get the spark plug wire totally free from the old sparkplug. All the manual says is to pull it off. When I did that, a brownish metal cylinder remained affixed to the plug. Hope your not laughing too hard at me, but wtf?

Next week I'll be pulling first the front then the back wheels. Need to replace the tires, change the rear brake pads out, and switch the 16 tooth countershaft sprocket for a 15 tooth version. After that it's the air filter, the new spark plug, and change the radiator fluid.

Final experiment will be to pull everything apart and check the valve clearances. Am I missing anything?

Being an old fart means I don't have to be in a rush for any of this.

[sonoran rider]

Originally Posted by pyrate

2006 BMW Dakar with just over 18k miles on it. Services done by BMW. 18k mile service done in June. Tourtech upgrades (guards and pegs), Siebring pipes, hard cases with waterproof bags, aftermarket tank bag and all the Dakar updrades (ABS, Handguards, heated grips, ect)

that's the one..

[voomvoom]

http://f650.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=225753

Hiflo filter, $3.71

Originally Posted by Got2Moto

Has anyone found a cheaper source for the oil filters?
Dealers want $18 +shipping . Checked Whitney,Napa and all the filter.com sites. No luck. I thought at one time Flash had them at F-650.com but I don't see them now.

Any others out there?
__________________________________________________ _______________________________
Woop's. seems everytime I breakdown and ask a question, a few minutes later I find more info.
Seems my local Shucks Auto is supposed to have the K&N -151 filter for the F-650's at about $7.99
I'll check them out.

[JDLuke]

Originally Posted by WU7X

I just changed my oil filter using one of theirs. Bought four. They came with the large crush ring for the drainage bolt, and the large rubber seal for the filter cover. They don't include a new crush ring for the oil tank drain bolt. I am very happy with the filter. Also ordered a couple air filters and a new iridium spark plug too.

Changing the oil was pretty interesting. Something about that first oil change that one does that kinda bonds you to the bike. As the Dakar is my first bike, it probably took a bit longer than usual. But I was in no hurry. Having to loosen the oil tank from the frame in order to get it to totally drain was interesting, as was jumping through the hoops to actually change the oil filter.

I need some help with the oil tank window. After installing the new 2.1 liters of oil, the tank really still looks pretty empty. It certainly doesn't come to the midpoint on the window when the bike is sitting on the center stand. So what's with the "magic eye" thingy? When the oil is at an acceptable level are you supposed to just see that dot of oil in the "eye"? I looked through the service manual and it didn't discuss this very well.

Next question; how do you get the spark plug wire totally free from the old sparkplug. All the manual says is to pull it off. When I did that, a brownish metal cylinder remained affixed to the plug. Hope your not laughing too hard at me, but wtf?

Next week I'll be pulling first the front then the back wheels. Need to replace the tires, change the rear brake pads out, and switch the 16 tooth countershaft sprocket for a 15 tooth version. After that it's the air filter, the new spark plug, and change the radiator fluid.

Final experiment will be to pull everything apart and check the valve clearances. Am I missing anything?

Being an old fart means I don't have to be in a rush for any of this.

On the oil window: That thing does not give you correct readings most of the time. In order to check the oil level, you have to warm the bike up to operating temperature (wait for the fan to come on) and then shut it off and wait for one minute. Then and only then can you check that the oil level is in the middle of the sight glass.

Does that sound stupid? It sounds that way to me, too, but that is, I suppose, part of the price we pay for the dry sump system.

Remember to let your machine cool off overnight (or equivalent) before checking valve clearances. I usually strip the bike down to the top end at night and then check the valves the next morning.

[Uhuru]

I love my 2005 Dakar and don't want to sell it, but I find that I'm now enjoying longer trips, essentially all tarmac. So, I'm interested in understanding the pros and cons of using a 19" front rim and tire on this bike. 19" seems like it would be better for those long two lane highway trips than the 21". I would keep my 21" rim and tire.

I'm thinking there may be sidestand problems created with going to a 19 inch front tire and rim, but would this change require a shorter sidestand? Can I expect notably improved handling on twisties and highways with a 19" front wheel? What else is involved, what should I be thinking about on this?

[pyrate]

Originally Posted by Uhuru

I love my 2005 Dakar and don't want to sell it, but I find that I'm now enjoying longer trips, essentially all tarmac. So, I'm interested in understanding the pros and cons of using a 19" front rim and tire on this bike. 19" seems like it would be better for those long two lane highway trips than the 21". I would keep my 21" rim and tire.

I'm thinking there may be sidestand problems created with going to a 19 inch front tire and rim, but would this change require a shorter sidestand? Can I expect notably improved handling on twisties and highways with a 19" front wheel? What else is involved, what should I be thinking about on this?

Is the wheel a 19" or are you going to a total height of 19" including the tire? I have a 21" wheel with TKC-80 tire and then a 19" wheel with a street tire. The total height of the wheel/tire combo for each setup is the same (the street tire is just taller than the dirt tire) therefore it doesn't change the overall height of the bike so no issue with the sidestand etc. If you are looking to have an overall height of 19" - I have no idea on that!

As to the differences in the ride quality, the big difference I notice is not being on knobby tires. Other than that - like a rocket ship!