To put the mileage before rebuild of some of my bikes into relation:
As mentioned my KLR's (6 KL 650C) did between 60000 and 75000 km before the engine top ends were rebuild. The use of engine oil builds up gradually over some 5000km to 1l / 1000km. I rebuilt and sold the bikes and some are still running a couple of years later.
Caltex Delo Gold API J 15W40 every 6000km / 3750 miles.
Compared to BMW 5 F650 Funduro: Most engines did not see 50000km as I regarded more than 2l of oil burned on 1000 km as too much. The problems develop rapidly and massive blow by can develop within 1000km. I did not bother to rebuild any of the Funduros as they were in very bad overall condition after 40000 - 50000 km with rear shocks damping AWOL as standard feature. Other weak points: Headlight breaks out of fairing, crap quality seals in carb float assy., dangerous circlip mounting for drive chain sprocket. Dreadful quality and fit of plastics.
I actually lost a circlip and sprocket while riding one of the bikes due to buildup of clay in the groove. The chain seized between swingarm and rear sprocket locking the wheel and I waved an elegant 40m skidmark onto the tarmac of Dock Road. Luckily no traffic close behind me and I somehow managed to stay on top and stop on the bicycle lane.
Happy to swop this feature for a doohickey.
The second series Funduro was slightly better as it had a locknut for the front sprocket.
1 F 650 GS: Steering head bearings replaced on warranty after 15000km and eight months. I replaced the bearings myself. The bearings were either set too tight at the factory or of inferior quality. Sold bike at 20000km.
1 F 650 Dakar: Steering head bearings worn after 11000km and one year. BMW refuses to replace on warranty (not covered any more). I paid, BMW does the job. 15000 km: Bearings gone again. BMW supplies bearings for free, I fit them. 24000km: Bearings gone third time. Top fine, bottom corroded due to lack of a rubber seal protecting the bearings(!). Bearings replaced and bike sold.
Looking at my experiences above I am quite happy to stick with my KLR turds like many others. Especially when I see that a KLR costs little more than half of what a F650Dakar goes for.
You don't have to be Jean Pierre Goy to ride circles around sports bikes with a 650 semi offroad. All you need is a bumpy and narrow, twisting road where the big guys can't use their superior power and you can play low weight and high centre of gravity.
I am pretty sure most of my customers ride the piss out of my bikes.
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