The 2000 "Total" Paris-Dakar-Cairo Rally

BMW F650RR

 TSO
Evolution of last year's winning bike.

After Richard Sainct's win on the F 650 RR in the 1999 Dakar Rally, a post-mortem on his bike showed that some of the components had only just made the distance or were showing signs of the very severe loads they had encountered.

If the rally had lasted much longer these parts would have probably reached the limit of their reliable working life.

The aim of further development work was therefore to increase both the durability and the performance potential of all the bike's components, to strive for a better "package" and to systematically eliminate all potential sources of failure.

A number of smaller assemblies forming part of the engine underwent design revision and the improvements were tested both on the test rig and on the motorcycle itself.

A new airbox with a new filter system capable of ensuring that the engine is only supplied with genuinely clean air has also increased the power output slightly and achieved a higher, flatter torque curve.

The rear tank was also reduced in width for a similar reason. A side-effect of these changes was that the weight was concentrated even more in the centre of the bike.

A separate central tank fulfilled the same purpose; the battery was repositioned farther forward and lower down, and together with other minor alterations the overall impression is of a most harmoniously styled bike and a very compact package.

The outer shape was checked again in the wind tunnel for possible improvements to the aerodynamics and also wind protection for the rider on these fast but very long rally stages.

In the very important spring and shock absorber area, several evolution stages were introduced in the course of the year. New ideas were adopted in conjunction with those that have already proved successful.

In a series of indoor and outdoor tests and with know-how acquired from the last Dakar Rally, new suspension settings were chosen and the strength of the components and assemblies increased.

In the new blue outfit of our sponsor Gauloises the bike can be regarded as a well-balanced design aimed specifically at defending our winning position from last year. Its technical specification and its appearance both indicate that evolution work has been successful but that the risk of more revolutionary changes has been avoided.

(text from the official BMW Motorrad Team Gauloises's web pages 2000)

Technical data F650RR

Schalber bike

Engine: BMW F 650 single-cylinder
Displacement: 700 cc
Power output: 55 kW / 75 PS
Carburettors: 2 Mikuni throttle slide
Gearbox: BMW F 650 5-speed

Suspension travel: front 300 mm; rear 300 mm
Front forks: White Power, 50 mm
Rear shock absorber: White Power PDS
Wheelbase 1,550 mm
Castor: 115 mm
Steering head angle: 62°
Rear sub-frame: bolted on
Rear swinging arm: Box type light alloy
Ground clearance: 295 mm
Seat height: 980 mm

Headlights: two
Navigation: Rally Tripmaster ICO
            Touratech Nav-Assistant???
Tank:
  2 front tanks, 12 l; 12 l
  Central: 7 l
  Side: 7 l left; 7 l right
  In the bash-plate: 3 liters (water)
Exhaust system: two-in-two

Brake discs: front floating, 1 x 300 mm; rear 1 x 200 mm
Brake calipers:
  front: Brembo 4-piston
  rear: Brembo 2-piston

Wheels:
Excel, front 21-inch; rear 18-inch

Tyres: Michelin, front 90/90-21; rear 140/80-18

Weight (dry): 168 kg
F650RR

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Updated the 27 August 2001