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25/06/02 - 100,000 miles on my 650GS Dakar, by Paul Waterfield.

Don't get excited, I'm not there yet - only another 92,000 to go! I bought my blue Dakar new in July 2001.  After 20 years (how long!) of riding GS twins, for fun and daily commuting, I landed a job which required me to use a car (bugger!). So I thought I'd give the single a try, as my bike now only needs to be a play thing and as I've always been a trail rider the Dakar seemed an obvious choice.

The bike is, however, fully capable of long distances at relatively high speed, but if I was commuting long distances daily I'd prefer a twin GS. The Dakar can feel a bit strained over distances at 80mph (not helped by noisy screen).

The running in period was OK and reintroduced me to the pleasures of 50 - 60 mph riding (which I still enjoy). However, I did experience annoying stalls and was offered an upgrade (10.1?) at the first (free) service. I declined, and decided to 'ride round' the problem - with it's high first gear I didn't want the increased tickover, that the upgrade would bring, for riding on the dirt (pushing the front wheel on loose surfaces at low speed). Besides, the bike was running so well otherwise, I didn't want to spoil it.

In the first 4 weeks I covered 2,000 miles, but then my Dakar (and myself!) nearly ended up in 'the great scrap yard in the sky' when a 15 year old joy rider (being chased by the police) took a distinct dislike to us. It took 3 months to repair the bike - due to parts unavailability. 

The day after I got the bike back from accident repairs the oil light came on - BMW roadside assistance were called and a new pressure switch was fitted (the switch is a known weak point).

My first attempts at bungeeing luggage to the bike failed, so I've fitted a BMW rear carrier rack. And as I use the bike off road I've bought BMW crash bars. The rear plastic chainguard/brake protector gizmo has also been replaced by Touratech items (light weight and look good). Other fitments include handlebar risers and flexible indicators - both Touratech items. Heated handlebar grips were fitted at purchase.

I've have also fitted a modified standard centrestand to make puncture repairs, cleaning, chain oiling etc easier (and creates more space in my garage!).

Tyres - the bike came with Michelin Siracs fitted, great on the road, with plenty of grip and feel. I don't know how long they last as I replaced them with Continental TKC80s (twinduro) for better off road work. I've had to replace the rear TKC after 3500 miles, but I probably could get another 500 out of it. The front wore quickly at first but then hasn't seemed to have worn much at all. Because of their off road nature they do produce noticeable vibration on the road (especially wearing thin summer gloves).

Fuel consumption - 60 mpg over 8000 miles. High of 76 mpg, and a low of 53 mpg (lots of first and second gear trail riding). With my new exhaust I'm getting 65 mpg average (mixture of trail riding and road riding).

Exhaust - I've junked the standard (heavy) exhaust and fitted a Staintune. It's only one sided, but the look is growing on me. The noise is on the loud side of pleasant, with the option of being completely antisocial by removing the baffle (I'm not going to do this!). Unfortunately the Staintune is illegal. Apart from the increased mpg (and weight loss) the bikes tendency to stall has gone! Only stalled once since it was fitted (2500 miles). The bike will now pull much better from low revs and I can keep it in top gear for corners I'd normally change down to fourth for. It has also given me more control off road, with none of that slight fuel injection delay off a closed throttle. The front wheel can now be lifted over obstacles without yards of planning. 

I'm considering fitting some sort of chain oiler, but I'm not too happy with drilling my intake for the Scottoiler.

Odometer problems - soon after the accident I managed 200 miles between fill ups (on trip meter), but noticed I'd travelled less than 200 on my odometer. I started monitoring trip/odo readings and found that there was always a discrepancy (could have been like that from new). My odo was 'losing' miles every time the ignition was turned off. My clocks were replaced under warranty at the 6000 mile service. Other GS owners have documented the odometer problem. GS owners check yours. My new clocks started behaving the same after 1000 miles or so. A day's trail riding lost me over 30 miles (I was going backwards at one stage!). New ones on order again. 

Niggles - I suffer from squeaky rear suspension and getting to lube the top shock mount is a major operation (sub frame off). The lower part of shock gets quite mucky - I'll be rigging up a flap over the gap above the swing arm. Getting the correct level of oil in the tank is a science that even BMW technicians haven't yet mastered. Breaking the bead on the rear tyre could test the patience of a saint (I'm dreading my first puncture). Tubeless tyres would be nice - far easier to repair flats. That's it really. But lets not forget the awful storage capacity under the seat (small space and tools can slide out between the tank and frame rails).

The Dakar is proving to be a good performer on the dirt, although obviously heavy and tall, there aren't many places it won't go. As I'm getting more adventurous the 'get offs' are getting more frequent - but no damage yet (good design or just luck?).

After 8000 miles (in 8 months riding) I'm very pleased with my Dakar. I don't really like all the technology it uses, but so long as it doesn't break I'll live with it. I still miss the feel of an air cooled twin beneath me but I'm more than happy with the 650 single. With the use its getting it will take me another 8 years or so to reach 100,000 miles - I'll be used to it then! ... Paul.