Problems with F650GS Dakar...Advice / thoughts?
Recently bought a 2004, single spark, BMW F650GS Dakar and it was running fine at first. Now the accellerator "grip" (throttle) is occassionally either sticky or loose, as well as the fan doesn't turn off and it's slowly getting louder (assuming that implies getting worse too).
I took it to BMW Motorrad in Stellenbosch, fyi they are amazing and so helpful, they opened her up and found the problems and ordered the needed parts but as they are on back order it's going to be a week or two at least before they can fix it.
Dilemma:
I need to use the bike for commuting, short distance twice a day and can keep the speeds low, but I also know that I should be using it as litte as possible (preferably not at all) until they fix it...
Does anyone know enough to say with confidence that as long as I drive short and not fast it should be okay for another week or two or that it is definitely doing additional damage and I should stop using it immediately until fixed?
It runs fine (except for the occassioanly "sticky" throttle which I am carefull with), my major conecrn is the slowly increasing fan noise. BMW said the thermostat or sensor... isn't working so it just stays on (so extra wear and tear), it's not too bad yet but is definitely getting a bit louder every 2nd day or so...
Advice?
My policy is this: if the fan cannot handle a bit of work it is on its way out anyway. Do you want it to fail in the heat of summer while doing a little trip to the Cedarberg?
Short trips should be quite fine. If the fan fails you have an excuse to replace it. Otherwise, given that the fan should mostly be off anyway, why not just unplug it until the thermostat is fixed, and make sure you don't overheat the bike. To this end, slow and stop-start riding is not good - rather do steady, slightly faster riding where there is enough air flow over the radiator.
Thanks, Charles. Will give that a go.
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