Hey. I really appreciated this video. I just purchased a 2006 f650gs and starting to play with it so all your advice was gold!!! Thanks Steve from Burlington
Nice video! I just bought a 2005 Dakar version here in Japan. Already loving it and looking forward to putting miles on it. Thanks for some useful hints and tips.
My water pump to my G650GS gave out right after I started watching your video. I made it home and put my moto away and later in the day I finished watching your video. I was like yeah, Ibguess you are right. Man, I love this bike though!
Yeah, it's the Achilles heel of the bike, but a relatively inexpensive fix if you're willing to do it yourself. Good that you got home okay. At least it didn't crap out on you during a rally! 650thumper.blog/2018/06/16/dirtdaze-2018/
Late to this vid. Enjoyed it. I am on my second 2007 black F650GS totalling about 100K km. It looks like you have a taller seat of which I am slightly envious. I too am 5' 8" but even so, find my knees bent too much and I wish I had more leg extension for long rides (over 6 hrs/day) . All 4 BMWs I have owned were subject to cross winds but I do like the upright position for visibility. I like that you suggest 4600 is a good efficient RPM, I come from longer stroke big singles and tend to short shift and cruise at 4000 RPM but everyone says "Wring 'em out!" so I will. That oil consumption is surprising to me. Best regards,
Yeah, when I did the Seat Concepts upgrade, I had them blow foam at the Dakar height. As you probably know, the Dakar model of this bike has a slightly taller seat height.
I have restored the bodywork. See my blog post on this work. 650thumper.blog/2022/04/08/restoration/ But that was after when the video was shot. The bike in the video just has the OEM paint, which is a glossy black. I just use a black wax to keep it looking good.
Kevin, thanks for the video and your insights....I've picked up several ideas! I've a new owner of a 03 Dakar and so far liking it a lot. It looks like you have a tank bag (based on the straps I'm seeing in this and your "dirt" video). Do you mind me asking which one you use and how well you like it?
Hi Neale. The bag is the Wolfman Expedition. It's discontinued now, but they probably have a similar one. Wolfman upgraded all their bags to a waterproof fabric recently. Just be sure to keep the attaching straps long so they buckle over the top of the middle panel and stay out of the neck/yoke. Otherwise you might crack your plastics. There isn't much room around the triple-T when the bike is on full lock. Also, when the bag is off, I pull the buckles to lengthen the strap so the buckles can drop well down the front. Again, before I did this I cracked the middle plastic when they got crossways. Let me know if I haven't been clear and I'll take another run ate explaining. Enjoy the bike. The Dakar is a fun bike and better for off-roading than the standard GS.
Hi Kevin, thanks for the info. Picked one of these up earlier this year and am starting the customization process. You gave lots of good inspiration! Question: With you mudguard comment take it you do two up on the bike? Did you change the shock weight any? I've been taking my girlfriend on back, but I feel like it's riding too low in the suspension. (Even with preload adjusted)
Yes, my wife and I just finished a tour with her on the back. You just have to crank up the preload. I also upgraded the shock because it was a little undersprung when the bike is fully loaded. You might be able to get away with just changing the spring. My shock had 90K on it so I decided to change the whole thing. You can hear about it in my other video on mods for off-road. Enjoy the bike!
Yes, it's a Seat Concepts and I got the Dakar foam which, as you say, is higher by about 1.5" and flatter. As you probably know, there's another version of this bike called the Dakar and it has a higher seat. I talk about the seat in the companion video on mods for dirt. See the link in the notes above.
Thanks considering buying a 650gs , this video is great and appreciated
Thanks for saying so. Pretty limited tech but I have an action cam now (with a wind muffler!)
Hey. I really appreciated this video. I just purchased a 2006 f650gs and starting to play with it so all your advice was gold!!! Thanks Steve from Burlington
Hey, my hometown! I went to Burlington Central and was in the Burlington Teen Tour Band. Congrats on the purchase. Glad the video was helpful.
Nice video! I just bought a 2005 Dakar version here in Japan. Already loving it and looking forward to putting miles on it. Thanks for some useful hints and tips.
Thanks. Enjoy your new bike.
I have the same bike here in Korea. I've had mine almost 7 years, and I still love it.
Great bike 👍 I upgraded to the latest Tourance model. They're only a year or two old. So far so good.
My water pump to my G650GS gave out right after I started watching your video. I made it home and put my moto away and later in the day I finished watching your video. I was like yeah, Ibguess you are right. Man, I love this bike though!
Yeah, it's the Achilles heel of the bike, but a relatively inexpensive fix if you're willing to do it yourself. Good that you got home okay. At least it didn't crap out on you during a rally! 650thumper.blog/2018/06/16/dirtdaze-2018/
just picked up a 07 gs 650, stoked to ride it now.
Hi, I have a 1998 F650 Funduro with 98000 km and I added 200 cc of oil in 6000 km
Yeah, these bikes don't burn oil. Amazing engines.
Hi. Thanks for the video. If you're still checking, this many years later, what are the (neoprene?) fork protectors you are running? Thanks! John
They are by Stadium Suspensions in Beloeil, QC, a local suspensions place.
Thank you and Greetings from Germany👋🏻
Late to this vid. Enjoyed it. I am on my second 2007 black F650GS totalling about 100K km. It looks like you have a taller seat of which I am slightly envious. I too am 5' 8" but even so, find my knees bent too much and I wish I had more leg extension for long rides (over 6 hrs/day) . All 4 BMWs I have owned were subject to cross winds but I do like the upright position for visibility. I like that you suggest 4600 is a good efficient RPM, I come from longer stroke big singles and tend to short shift and cruise at 4000 RPM but everyone says "Wring 'em out!" so I will. That oil consumption is surprising to me. Best regards,
Yeah, when I did the Seat Concepts upgrade, I had them blow foam at the Dakar height. As you probably know, the Dakar model of this bike has a slightly taller seat height.
What year is your bike?
And thanks for very informative video 👍
Im currently looking at a low mileage 2001 😊
It's a 2006.
Thanks for the video. What kind of panniers and what make of rack for them. Thank you.
Hi - the body of your bike looks like it has a beautiful shine. Did you repaint it? What product do you use to get that look? Thanks!
I have restored the bodywork. See my blog post on this work. 650thumper.blog/2022/04/08/restoration/ But that was after when the video was shot. The bike in the video just has the OEM paint, which is a glossy black. I just use a black wax to keep it looking good.
Отличный мотоцикл!
Nice GS! I have one on The same colour, a 2011 one. Where did you bought The headlight protector? Greetings from Brazil!
It is by Holan, a company in Poland. It seems to be a copy of Touratech's.
Kevin, thanks for the video and your insights....I've picked up several ideas! I've a new owner of a 03 Dakar and so far liking it a lot. It looks like you have a tank bag (based on the straps I'm seeing in this and your "dirt" video). Do you mind me asking which one you use and how well you like it?
Hi Neale. The bag is the Wolfman Expedition. It's discontinued now, but they probably have a similar one. Wolfman upgraded all their bags to a waterproof fabric recently. Just be sure to keep the attaching straps long so they buckle over the top of the middle panel and stay out of the neck/yoke. Otherwise you might crack your plastics. There isn't much room around the triple-T when the bike is on full lock. Also, when the bag is off, I pull the buckles to lengthen the strap so the buckles can drop well down the front. Again, before I did this I cracked the middle plastic when they got crossways. Let me know if I haven't been clear and I'll take another run ate explaining. Enjoy the bike. The Dakar is a fun bike and better for off-roading than the standard GS.
Hi Kevin, thanks for the info. Picked one of these up earlier this year and am starting the customization process. You gave lots of good inspiration!
Question: With you mudguard comment take it you do two up on the bike? Did you change the shock weight any?
I've been taking my girlfriend on back, but I feel like it's riding too low in the suspension. (Even with preload adjusted)
Yes, my wife and I just finished a tour with her on the back. You just have to crank up the preload. I also upgraded the shock because it was a little undersprung when the bike is fully loaded. You might be able to get away with just changing the spring. My shock had 90K on it so I decided to change the whole thing. You can hear about it in my other video on mods for off-road. Enjoy the bike!
I came here for that seat info. That isnt a stock seat. It looks way higher and flatter than my 05
Yes, it's a Seat Concepts and I got the Dakar foam which, as you say, is higher by about 1.5" and flatter. As you probably know, there's another version of this bike called the Dakar and it has a higher seat. I talk about the seat in the companion video on mods for dirt. See the link in the notes above.
What kind of crash bars you have??
They are by Holan, a company in Poland.
Touratech for both.