When you’re fitting aftermarket bars they may not match the profile of the standard bars. In this case the TAG bars are the perfect sweep and width for what we want but are a little low as they contact the fairing at full lock. Easily resolved by fitting Ballards bar risers. These are great and for a taller rider can bring the bars up to a more comfortable height when you’re up on the pegs.
Ballards Bar Risers
Overall Score
9.3
Quality
10.0
Ease of installation
9.0
Value for money
9.0
Our Impression
Pros
Lightweight
High quality
Easy install
Cons
Limited height options
Many of the products, prices, suppliers and their details that appear on this website may no longer be accurate. Readers are urged to check product or brand web sites for latest prices and specifications.
The KLR can definitely do with a boost in performance. So in an effort to achieve that, the crew at Staintune supplied us with a genuine Aussie-made Staintune exhaust ($640) for our Project Bike. Staintunes reputation for quality product precedes it. And combined with the Unifilter the KLR is breathing a lot easier.
The exhaust is EPA-compliant and Staintune claims the KLR won’t require any jetting with the new pipe. To clear the throat a little more, it does have a removable baffle, however it’s not recommended so as to keep the boys down at the EPA happy. With a promise of a boost in ponies right through the rev range and a more throaty exhaust note, we can’t wait to get the Staintune fitted and see how she goes! For more details on the extensive Staintune range, check out www.staintune.com.au
Staintune Pipe
Overall Score
8.6
Quality
9.5
Ease of installation
7.5
Value for money
9.0
Our Impression
Pros
Stainless construction
High quality
Lasts forever
Cons
None
Many of the products, prices, suppliers and their details that appear on this website may no longer be accurate. Readers are urged to check product or brand web sites for latest prices and specifications.
The Garmin Zumo 550 is the first fully-featured, GPS navigator designed exclusively for motorcyclists with glove-friendly, left-handed controls. A specific feature of the new Zumo 550 is its Bluetooth® wireless technology. This allows riders to place hands-free mobile phone calls when paired with a compatible phone that has Bluetooth . Incoming calls are answered by simply tapping the Zumo’s screen and speaking through the helmet mic or optional external mic. A user can also make a call from Zumo’s huge points of interest database. Riders with Bluetooth also receive navigation audio prompts using text-to-speech which allows the unit to audibly announce the name of upcoming streets allowing you keep their eyes on the trail on the lookout for stray kangaroos. What’s more it also features an MP3 player. The Zumo 550 comes preloaded with highly detailed City Navigator Australia maps on it’s internal memory. OZ Topo Maps are also available for the off road rider.
The unit is completely waterproof and has too many features to mention here. Off Road Explorer is testing the unit over the next 3 issues and we’ll feature a detailed review in our next issue.
Many of the products, prices, suppliers and their details that appear on this website may no longer be accurate. readers are urged to check product or brand web sites for latest prices and specifications.
In our test of the KLR we made no secret that the air box is too small and after a dusty four day ride it was trying to suck air like an asthma sufferer. Short of drilling holes through the airbox, we went for a new Unifilter Pro Comp2 to improve the air flow. Naturally we treated to foam element with Unifilter Filter Fix oil solution.
Many of the products, prices, suppliers and their details that appear on this website may no longer be accurate. readers are urged to check product or brand web sites for latest prices and specifications.
One of the first things on the KLR that had to go were the rubber foot pegs. I can’t even mention the words I had to describe them when they got wet and muddy out on the trail.
IMS has come to the rescue with foot pegs and springs specifically designed for the KLR. This addition alone gives you a better, sure footed feel on the pegs especially when you’re in a standing position negotiating tricky sections or rocky creek crossings. Put these puppies high on your must have list.
IMS Footpegs
Overall Score
8.0
Quality
8.0
Ease of installation
7.5
Value for money
8.5
Our Impression
Pros
Simple design
Lightweight
Cons
Very basic
Many of the products, prices, suppliers and their details that appear on this website may no longer be accurate. readers are urged to check product or brand web sites for latest prices and specifications.
Even though you don’t feel like you’re doing much, long stints on the open road getting continuously buffeted at 80-100 kilometres per hour can be pretty exhausting. Even though the KLR has a reasonably effect fairing it can be improved. Kawasaki have their own aftermarket windscreen that fits within minutes. The new screen is 10cm taller than the standard item and is an absolute must for the taller rider. Retail price of $145.45.
The KLR650 Kawasaki accessory screen offers excellent wind protection making it perfect for long distance touring.
Within Easy Reach – KLR Tank Bag
For any adventure rider a tank bag is mandatory. They’re great for storage of essential items that you need to access instead of dragging them out of the back pack. There’s a heap of options available and Kawasaki have created their own that fits in seconds. The lid of the bag is fitted with a map holder with a waterproof zip. Inside the lid is storage for smaller items and a mobile phone. A zip around the base when released increases capacity by giving the bag an extra the depth of 50cm. The bag is attached to a tank cover that clips on to the standard 22litre steel tank and allows access to the fuel filler cap without removal. Retail price of $116.40.
The Kawasaki KLR650 tank bag has a very large map pocket displaying more area than regular tank bags.
A Bigger Boot – Rear Bag
The KLR has one of the biggest and strongest carry racks available on the market. Kawasaki has taken advantage of it by designing a purpose built rear bag to suit. The bag easily fits to the rack with a couple of Velcro straps and two straps with clips for extra security. The unit has a moulded zip top lid giving easy access and a zip around the base when released, increases carrying capacity. Retail price of $212.70.
The lower zip allowed the bag to expand and accommodate a helmet if need be.
KLR Saddle Bags
To compliment the rear bag Kawasaki has also introduced tailor made KLR pannier bags. The stylish moulded units are lightweight and contoured for Adventure riders that want to take a passenger along. Like most universal panniers the two bags are linked by a large Velcro strap and hang across the rear of the seat. This allows you to adjust the height of the bags quickly and easily. They are secured to the rack and the loops on the passenger pegs for easy fitting. Retail price of $313.15.
The saddle bags like the rest of the kit is stylish and well made but to be honest it’s more designed for the soft roader.
Kawasaki KLR650 OEM Accessories
Overall Score
8.0
Quality
8.5
Ease of Fitting
9.0
Functionality
7.5
Value for money
7.0
Our Impression
Pros
KLR Branded
Quality finish
Cons
Not very durable
Not waterproof
Many of the products, prices, suppliers and their details that appear on this website may no longer be accurate. readers are urged to check product or brand web sites for latest prices and specifications.
One of the areas the Kawasaki saves money is by fitting stock steel bars and on the long haul they are far from impressive. With the standard bars it is a bit of an agricultural feel. Fortunately we’ve easily resolved the situation and increased the comfort by fitting a pair of TAG metals X5 bars with cross bar and pads.
The softer compound of the TAG grips significantly reduces fatigue but the the time that we had the the KLR project bike they didn’t show excessive wear.
TAG Grips
You can’t have TAG bars with TAG custom grips. TAG grips use a synthetic rubber designed to give optimum tackiness and improved vibration dampening and is available in two compounds, soft/medium and medium/hard.
TAG Handlebars and Grips
Overall Score
8.6
Quality
9.5
Ease of installation
7.5
Value for money
9.0
Our Impression
Pros
High Quality
Includes crossbar pad
Improved rider comfort
Cons
Having to change over controls
Many of the products, prices, suppliers and their details that appear on this website may no longer be accurate. readers are urged to check product or brand web sites for latest prices and specifications.
One thing we plan not to do on our project bike is to spear off into any solid objects at speed. Unlike enduro riders we don’t spend our time blasting along narrow trails. When it comes to hand guards, adventure riders are more interested in protection from the elements than impacting objects.
The standard KLR hand guards do a very good job of protecting your hands from wind and rain but we did find that these big buggers are hard top stop when they start to topple over and that’s when you realise that something more substantial to protect the levers is important.
The Aussie made Barkbuster VPS Handguards provide a solution with an alloy reinforced plastic guard with an adjustable wind deflector.
Many of the products, prices, suppliers and their details that appear on this website may no longer be accurate. readers are urged to check product or brand web sites for latest prices and specifications.
Launched in 1993, the single-cylinder machine 650 opened up a new market for BMW. The F 650 proudly displayed the white-and-blue logo of the brand and it lived up to all BMW’s quality standards. Making the BMW brand accessable to a wider market translated into sales success.
The Funduro was as far as you could get from a serious, competitive off-road motorcycle but in 1998 after much development four BMW works riders from entered the 1999 Paris Dakar Rally starting from Granada. After 9,022 kilometres, Richard Sainct, won riding the rally version of the BMW F 650.
Overall Score
7.0
Engine
652cc single Cylinder
Power
50 hp
Weight
176kg
Seat Height
870mm
Pros
Heated grips
Underseat fuel tank
Very comfortable seat
Cons
Heavy steel frame
Road orientated ABS
Verdict
If you have a a tight budget, looking to do some off road long distance touring, and a secret desire to own a ‘Beemer’ then the Dakar is probably your best option. Funnily enough, on my way back down the mountains on our return to Sydney I spotted only two other adventure bikes travelling in the opposite direction, which were none other than a F 650 GS and a Dakar. If you have the budget, and you’re looking for an all rounder the F 650 GS Dakar will definitely do the job.
Buying Secondhand
Expect to find, if you’re lucky, a Dakar in the $6 – $7K price range. They are few and far between and the only reason you would spend that much money is a desperate need to own a BMW and it comes with genuine BMW accessories. Beware of plastic BMW luggage boxes. One fall and cracked mounts will fine you throwing them in the bin.
It seems appropriate that the first Adventure Bike test I get to do is the BMW F 650 GS Dakar. After all the name Dakar is associated with what’s probably the worlds most gruelling off road race so to carry that name is a lot to live up to.
The original concept for the 650 was developed under the guidance of BMW, through a joint venture with Italian motorcycle manufacturer Aprilia and Austrian engine supplier Bombardier-Rotax to create the BMW F 650 Funduro.
Launched in 1993, the new single-cylinder machine opened up a new market for BMW. The F 650 proudly displayed the white-and-blue logo of the brand and it lived up to all BMW’s quality standards. Making the BMW brand accessable to a wider market translated into sales success.
The Funduro was as far as you could get from a serious, competitive off-road motorcycle but in 1998 after much development four BMW works riders from entered the 1999 Paris Dakar Rally starting from Granada. After 9,022 kilometres, Richard Sainct, won riding the rally version of the BMW F 650.
This along with victories in 2000 was the perfect opportunity to the launch of the new F 650 GS. The new model retained the its on-road riding qualities but with its off road capabilities very much improved. So as you can see carrying the Dakar name is justified.
What Is It?
Regardless of its racing heritage the FS650 GS is still very much a middle of the road consumer motorcycle. It is an excellent option for those looking for a bike that will feel right at home in city commuting to off road travel with creature comforts that BMW are famous for.
What Does It Cost?
The F 650 GS Dakar retails at $14,250 which puts it at the upper end of the market and is only challenged price wise by the Triumph Tiger ($15,990) and the KTM 640 Adventurer ($14,395) which to ride are completely different motorcycles. Next is the big XL650V Honda at $12,990 with a big drop to the Kawasaki KLR650 at $7,990 and the Suzuki DR650SE at $7,690.
What Do You Get For Your Money?
When you look at the specs there are a few subtle differences between the F 650 GS and the F 650 GS Dakar. The bikes are clearly set apart by the Dakars graphics and the 21″ front wheel and with a 17″ rear wheel with the overall wheelbase to 1.489mm. The seat height is 870mm which for my 167cm frame was managable.
The engine is the proven water cooled, single cylinder, 4 valve, double overhead cam Rotax engine. Its smooth power delivery of 37kW (50bhp) comes via a 5 speed transmission which hauls its 177.2kg (claimed dry weight) mass without much effort. One of the main features that separate it from others in its class is the underseat fuel tank.With a capacity of 17.3 litres the low centre of gravity makes it easier to handle the bike fully fuelled at 193kg. In the suspension department it has a steel box section dual swing arm with spring preload hydraulically adjustable and rebound adjustable unit in the rear and telescopic forks up front. To pull the whole thing up the Dakar is fitted with a ABS assisted (disengageable) double piston floating calliper, 300mm front disk brake with a 240mm disk at the rear. Our test bike was fitted with Metzler Enduro 3 front and rear which did the job both on and off road.
The Dakar has a top speed of 170 kph so it was quite at home sitting comfortably at 100 kph on the highway. Making it even more comfortable is a wide seat and my favourite feature on cold mornings were the heated grips with two settings. The windshield keeps a bit of the breeze off your body making unavoidable stints on the highway a little more bearable. Instrumentation is analogue and easy to read and you also get plastic handguards and a robust rear carry rack for which there is a variety of BMW storage systems to fit.
Who’s Buying It?
The BMW F 650 GS Dakar is a very reliable long distance tourer with a little more off road bias than the standard F 650 GS. So two wheel tourers with a liking for the BMW brand quality and status who plan to push it a bit harder along more challenging fire trails will tend to go for the Dakar.
Where Did We Ride It?
We clocked up almost 800 kilometres on the Dakar. Starting from the Off Road Explorer headquarters south of Sydney, the first 2 hours were early morning highway cruising and peak hour madness to the Blue Mountains. At Clarence just east of Lithgow we headed into the bush starting on greasy muddy roads to twisty loaming fire trail with the odd descents and climbs.
Along the Turon River the majority of our route was open dirt road with short sections of tar between Sofala and Hill End. From Hill End along the Bridle Track to Kelso, Sunny Corner back to Clarence. About 30% black top to 70% dirt road. The sort of terrain the Dakar just laps up. Check out the story elsewhere in this issue.
What’s There To Like?
Coming from an enduro/motocross background and throwing a leg over the Dakar is like sinking into your favourite couch for a long stint in front of the television. It’s probably one of the most comfortable seats on the market. Don’t get the wrong idea though. The Dakar isn’t short on performance and I was impressed with its smooth power delivery and acceleration. The seat paired with the heated grips ensures you’re well armed to tour the country and arrive at your destination in good shape.
What’s Not To Like?
Even though the grips are heated they look a bit like the grips on your little sisters bicycle except they’re black instead of pink. My biggest worry about the Dakar is its weight and its one of the heaviest in its class. For off road use the rubber foot pegs are inadequate and for the serious off road tourer I’d be inclined to remove the ABS system completely. Forgetting about the ABS on a steep downhill I grabbed a handful (or is that foot full) of back brake to change direction and the bike responded by shuddering with no sign of slowing down. Fortunately you can turn the ABS off but it has to be done each time you start the bike.
The Verdict
If you have a spare $14,000 laying around, looking to do some off road long distance touring then the Dakar is one of the best options. BMW have a wide variety of luggage touring accessories and there is no shortage of performance enhancements from companies like Motohansa. Funnily enough, on my way back down the mountains on our return to Sydney I spotted only two other adventure bikes travelling in the opposite direction, which were none other than a F 650 GS and a Dakar. If you have the budget, and you’re looking for an all rounder the F 650 GS Dakar will definitely do the job.
Many of the test bikes, project bikes, products, prices, suppliers and their details that appear on this website may no longer be accurate. Readers are urged to check bike, product or brand web sites for latest prices and specifications.
There a a few routes from Sydney to Jindabyne that we have explored over the years. This was our first attempt travelling from Nowra to Dalgety via Braidwood as a part of a three day high country adventure.
The road from Nowra to Braidwood vis Nerriga was mostly dirt travelling through the Morton National Park. It has since been sealed but still as scenic none the less. Stop at Braidwood for fuel and food at the Braidwood bakery. Tuross Road route to Nimmitebell is the real highlight on this days ride and we finished at the Dalgetty Hotel for our first over night stay.
The Dalgety Hotel (formerly Buckleys Crossing Hotel) has improved dramatically since 2007 but back then it was a real shithole.
Highlights
Morton National Park
Braidwood Pie Shop
Badja & Tuross Road
Nimmitabel Bakery
Fuel Stops
Nowra
Braidwood
Nimmitabel
Berridale
0
Number of days
0
Kilometres
Getting There
When heading south from Sydney this is one of the quickest ways to get on the dirt. This route will take you to the NSW Snowy and on to the Victorian High Country and return. Combined with parts of the High Country loop it is a very popular route with Adventure bike riders travelling to and from the MotoGP at Phillip Island.
Accommodation
This ride is easily done in a day, however depending on where you are starting from following are links for different areas for stopovers. Our option was Dalgty Pub but from Nimmitabel you can cross the Monaro Plains over to Berridale for fuel then on to Jindabyne ready to attack the Barry Way the next day.
Supplies
This is an easy ride for the novice with fuel available in most towns. However there is no fuel at Dalgety.
