Hi Costa,
Some mods I made over the years & the reasons why (I'm NOT getting into any KTM vs BMW debates
. It's all about the Rotax engine.
1. Installed dynamic fork springs from Wunderlich - to prevent front bottoming out all the time on uneven terrain & makes a difference in sand. The bike is just more stable.
2. Replaced tail light with LED tail light from Touratech - expensive but saves battery
3. Installed ON/OFF toggle switch for head light - saves battery, and in Africa some people and police get annoyed if your lights are on in daylight
4. Replaced the standard main shock after original died after about 40 000km (and good fun in Lesotho!).
5. Fitted Barkbuster hand guards to better protect hands and levers. For the F650s they come standard with 20mm handle bar raisers, so that was actually a 2-in-1 mod.
6. WIDER FOOT PEGS - so that I can stand for longer periods.
7. Also installed a fold-away gear lever, crash bars that protect the front "Tupperware", thus protecting the radiator in case of a fall.
8. Installed protective radiator grille to keep stones away from the fins.
9. Connected the power socket direct to the battery for more reliable power to the GPS and moved the power point to the handle bars for easier access and less mud and dust on the socket.
10. For extra fuel: I take along either a 7litre fuel bag or 10litre fuel can locked to the bike/pannier(s).
11. Fitted a centre stand!!! Makes
all the difference when having to take a wheel off to fix punctures.
12. Replaced the standard throw-away air filter with an K&N reusable filter. Also expensive, but one less thing to carry.
13. Replaced the standard battery with a stronger and SEALED battery from Wunderlich. It gets hot and the standard battery runs dry and you get stuck in the middle of nowhere... Ever tried pushing the Dakar to get it started?
To sort out the green fuel problem, fitted an aftermarket end can(-nister) to get rid of the catalytic converter. It also gives the bike a tiny bit more power (less restrained) and it sounds less like a commuting bike. Ha-ha. Could get you into trouble when you get back to the EU, I think.
NB. The best investment in the bike was probably the improvement to the rider (me) by going on an very good offroad riding course. Most fun I had in a long time and learnt a lot. The less I put the bike down, the longer it will last!
PM me for a list of what I'm packing for my trip that starts early in March this year.