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November 13, 2008

  07:53 AM
The Bike To Ride Around The World On.

I

2005

BMW

F650GS

DAKAR

2005 BMW F650GS Dakar

Though I'd owned a 2001 BMW F650GS, it was the standard GS version and not the Dakar. One thing that was critical in my decision to sell my trusty ole 2001 BMW steed and switch to a more modern 2005 was the size of the front wheel. The Dakar version of this bike sports a 21" front wheel while the standard F650 uses a 19". You'd think that the 3 inches wouldn't make a big difference. But it does. In rough terrain where you are pounding rough roads, often with large rocks or badly maintained paved roads littered with potholes, those extra three inches soften the blow and could make the difference between a rough bump and a bent rim. So in March 2005 I sold my F650 and worked with the great team at BMW of Santa Cruz County and bought the 2005 Dakar. The 2005 was the first year in BMW's fuel-injected F-series included twin sparkplugs. You see the 650cc powerplant is a single cylinder engine build by Rotax and modified by BMW for this bike. The extra spark plug helps smooth the ride while making sure that there's no unspent fuel in the cylinder chamber. I went through a painstaking process to determine the smartest, lightest and cost-effective accessories to outfit my BMW. This list is in no particular order, but in my opinion represents the best selection of accessories that offer protection, comfort and security for an around the world motorcycle journey. Modifications

1. Fuel Injected (BMW factory)

2. •Anti lock brakes (BMW factory)
   

3. •Heated hand grips (BMW factory)
   

4. •Garmin GPSMAP 276C
   

5. •Hepco Becker Engine Protection Bars
   

6. •Touratech Fork Protection
   

7. •Jesse Luggage (Odyssey Bags)
   

8. •Jesse Sidestand Xtender
   

9. •Wunderlich Sidestand Foot Enlargement Plate
   

10. •Wunderlich Folding Shift Lever
    

11. •Rok Straps
    

12. •BMW Top Case
    

13. •Wunderlich Rear Master Cylinder Guard
    

14. •Touratech Chain Guard
    

15. •Touratech Center Stand
    

16. •Touratech Heavy Duty Front Fork Springs
    

17. •Touratech Wider Foot Pegs
    

18. •Touratech shock mount locking GPS mount for Garmin 276c
    

19. •Throttlemeister Cruise Control (for heated grips)
    

20. •Saddlemen seat modifcation
    

21. •Works Performance Ultra Sport HD Rear Shock
    

22. •3” PVC Tube Strapped with hose clamps to engine protection bars for tools
    

23. •Ortlieb RackPack Dry Duffels (2) small size strapped to top of Jesse Bags
    

24. •Aerostich Tank Panniers Standard (black)
    

25. •Ventura Light-Guard Headlight Protection
    

26. •LED Pulsing Brakelight
    

27. •Bikestart Jumper Cable System
    

28. •PIAA 510 Riding Lights (changed to HID Cross Country in 10/2008)
    

29. •Aerostich Ultralight Motorcycle Cover
    

30. •BMW Front Fender Extender (Plastic) I learned of this in Cape Town and wish I had it fitted for the first 1.5 years of my journey. It’s an accessory for the old F650 pre-2000 and is inexpensive and avoids getting mud, dust and water splashed in your face.

    

    Al Jesse installs his legendary aluminum panniers, the Jesse Odyssey Bags, on my then new F650GS Dakar - May 2005.

    
    

    

    My original 2001 F650GS - March 2005.

    
    

    

    The old bike in Mexico where in 2003 I took a test ride prior to finalizing my plans to ride around the world. I spent more than two years resarching and planning this trip.

Posted by allan

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	I'm glad you added a tank bag to your mix!! Now all you need is a portable washing-up basin and you've got the works!!! Ha-ha !! Oh, and by the way, the LED Pulsing Brakelight on your above list.....infuriating for the biker riding behind if it blinks incessantly, as it did all through Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania !!!!! Looking forward to seeing you soon, Dude !!!
	Commented by  TheDarkDestroyer  On  December 11, 2008

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