In this video, I talk about some of the modifications I've made to my 2006 BMW f650GS to take it off-roading. Video by Gabriel Bushell Please check out my blog at 650thumper.blog/
I went the other direction with my windscreen - adding a higher windscreen through Madstad. It's created a soft air pocket around my head that is so much quieter and more comfortable. Best mod I've ever done.
I think the Madstad screen is the only quiet screen for this bike. My only reason for getting one was concern over how it would hold up in the abuse of off-roading.
I hate the stock seat too. It forces me forward into the tank like he pointed out. Smashing my junk😅. I put a stadium sest cushion in the dip, wrapped it with medical ankle wrap stuff to keep it in place. Then made a cloth sleeve to cover it. Works, cost $5.
Awesome video going over what you've done. Im considering either an f650gs or klr650 for my first street legal bike ive ever owned since im coming from dirt bikes. Pros of the gs seem to be better on the road, lower cg, better protected gas tank, lower seat height which ive found in my experience on my previous bike to be helpful since it allows you to penguin the bike over extremely rough terrian with your feet down, slipping the clutch. Pros of the klr are higher ground clearance, about 1.5 inches more suspension travel, bulletproof engine after doohickey and thermobob are done, and far more aftermarket and oem part support, cons of the gs being its a bmw so proprietary parts and tools = $$$ and possibly less reliability, cons of the klr being worse on road, more buzzy, less horsepower. Honestly there so close i think ill buy whatever pops up first in my price range
Seriously, if you're interested in doing off-roading, go with the KLR. I rode my friend's through some gnarly terrain recently and was shocked at how well it works in the dirt. Clearance and suspension are surprisingly good on that inexpensive bike. The GS is good for light off-roading but clearance is an issue once you get into rocks. You are right though that the GS is far superior on the road. So although they are quite similar in displacement, the GS and KLR are worlds apart, in my opinion, in application.
Anti-Gravity battery didn't work well in this bike. The thermal sensor in that unit was tipping in 32-33 degree heat and shutting down the battery. It's a good battery but just not for this bike that has so much heat in the air-box. I've got an AGM battery in there now and will probably go back to the Shorai when they are back in stock.
On dakar I have Motobatt (sorry but don't know the type) - these should be the best I think in terms of heat resistance, so maybe look into that. But I have it only for like a year at most and few thousand kms (bought the bike last year). I will also use some wooden planks + special heat reflecting tape - it's like 5mm thick and I used it to protect my bags on Yami R1 from the exhaust. It was super close to the bags, not the gases but the metal itself and it helped a lot.
Good ideas. I know some guys is Oz who have Shorai and no problems with them in extreme heat. I think it had something to do specifically with the Restart circuitry in the AG batteries. Shorai's are back ordered but the glas matt is working fine for now.
Checking out your set up and wondering who made your upper neoprene fork protectors? Link? Going for the prefilter Golan as you great idea versus big car type. Really enjoy these bikes. Thanks for the help
The fork protectors are by the same company that manufactured my aftermarket shock, Stadium Suspensions. www.stadiumsuspension.com/. However, you can also get other protectors by Kriega and Moose at the major distributors like Revzilla and Fort Nine.
Update on the fork protectors: I recently picked up some more from Stadium for my current bike and was told the little ones from Kriega aren't good. They need to cover the tube to protect it. FYI
Never had any issues with the regulator, although I know it's an issue on some bikes. It gets plenty of airflow but I think other 650 models/years have it tucked further back, and I have heard of some relocating it. I guess it's a compromise between protecting it and giving it airflow, as you say.
Yes, I sold it after my cross-Canada tour. It was great, but I wanted something better for those long distance tours. The big thumper is not the most comfortable bike for 120+ km/hr. Best for secondary highways.
damko, see the comment below re the Anti-Gravity battery. Turns out it's not a good battery for this bike. Glass Matt or Shorai is a better bet. The shift lever is by Moose and shouldn't be hard to find.
I went the other direction with my windscreen - adding a higher windscreen through Madstad. It's created a soft air pocket around my head that is so much quieter and more comfortable. Best mod I've ever done.
I think the Madstad screen is the only quiet screen for this bike. My only reason for getting one was concern over how it would hold up in the abuse of off-roading.
I hate the stock seat too. It forces me forward into the tank like he pointed out. Smashing my junk😅. I put a stadium sest cushion in the dip, wrapped it with medical ankle wrap stuff to keep it in place. Then made a cloth sleeve to cover it. Works, cost $5.
Loved the paint job. Great modifications
Just purchased similar bike. Very helpful. Thank you!
Same here. Now I'm a BMW snob!
Im on the stock seat and as you say it is a little cramped. I will be on the lookout for something more suitable. Good looking GS btw 👌
Awesome video going over what you've done. Im considering either an f650gs or klr650 for my first street legal bike ive ever owned since im coming from dirt bikes. Pros of the gs seem to be better on the road, lower cg, better protected gas tank, lower seat height which ive found in my experience on my previous bike to be helpful since it allows you to penguin the bike over extremely rough terrian with your feet down, slipping the clutch. Pros of the klr are higher ground clearance, about 1.5 inches more suspension travel, bulletproof engine after doohickey and thermobob are done, and far more aftermarket and oem part support, cons of the gs being its a bmw so proprietary parts and tools = $$$ and possibly less reliability, cons of the klr being worse on road, more buzzy, less horsepower. Honestly there so close i think ill buy whatever pops up first in my price range
Seriously, if you're interested in doing off-roading, go with the KLR. I rode my friend's through some gnarly terrain recently and was shocked at how well it works in the dirt. Clearance and suspension are surprisingly good on that inexpensive bike. The GS is good for light off-roading but clearance is an issue once you get into rocks. You are right though that the GS is far superior on the road. So although they are quite similar in displacement, the GS and KLR are worlds apart, in my opinion, in application.
Unless with the dakar...its blows the klr away
Good job my friend
Very interesting thank you.
Anti-Gravity battery didn't work well in this bike. The thermal sensor in that unit was tipping in 32-33 degree heat and shutting down the battery. It's a good battery but just not for this bike that has so much heat in the air-box. I've got an AGM battery in there now and will probably go back to the Shorai when they are back in stock.
On dakar I have Motobatt (sorry but don't know the type) - these should be the best I think in terms of heat resistance, so maybe look into that. But I have it only for like a year at most and few thousand kms (bought the bike last year). I will also use some wooden planks + special heat reflecting tape - it's like 5mm thick and I used it to protect my bags on Yami R1 from the exhaust. It was super close to the bags, not the gases but the metal itself and it helped a lot.
Good ideas. I know some guys is Oz who have Shorai and no problems with them in extreme heat. I think it had something to do specifically with the Restart circuitry in the AG batteries. Shorai's are back ordered but the glas matt is working fine for now.
Checking out your set up and wondering who made your upper neoprene fork protectors? Link? Going for the prefilter Golan as you great idea versus big car type. Really enjoy these bikes. Thanks for the help
The fork protectors are by the same company that manufactured my aftermarket shock, Stadium Suspensions. www.stadiumsuspension.com/. However, you can also get other protectors by Kriega and Moose at the major distributors like Revzilla and Fort Nine.
Update on the fork protectors: I recently picked up some more from Stadium for my current bike and was told the little ones from Kriega aren't good. They need to cover the tube to protect it. FYI
Hi will you put an address on the polish company that makes the headlight protection
Regards Palle
Here you go. holan.pl/en/f-650-gsdakar-g-650-gssertao/1472-headlight-protector-bmw-f650gs-dakar-to-03.html#.We4D02XH6rU
hi would be nice toget your voltage regulator out of there to a higher location with more airflow
Never had any issues with the regulator, although I know it's an issue on some bikes. It gets plenty of airflow but I think other 650 models/years have it tucked further back, and I have heard of some relocating it. I guess it's a compromise between protecting it and giving it airflow, as you say.
Did you sell the 650? I saw that you’re now riding a Triumph. What the switch?
Yes, I sold it after my cross-Canada tour. It was great, but I wanted something better for those long distance tours. The big thumper is not the most comfortable bike for 120+ km/hr. Best for secondary highways.
You bailed on us! Oh nooooo!
can you give a link to the battery and the gear liver?
damko, see the comment below re the Anti-Gravity battery. Turns out it's not a good battery for this bike. Glass Matt or Shorai is a better bet. The shift lever is by Moose and shouldn't be hard to find.