BMW seems to lack the nerve to do something about it themselves, so Richard Schalber and Touratech built their own F650 Rallye. Schalber was the brain behind most parts of the newest version of the F650GS. The now standard frame was first made for the 1997 Schalber-BMW rallye bike that was ridden by Andrea Mayer.
The F650 Rallye is made out of a standard F650GS. The potential buyer has to decide weather to have his own Funduro to be rebuilt or just order a new one with transformation included. Of the original base is not much to be left. Suspension is replaced for the beautiful parts of WP-Suspension to link the Exel rims with the rest. A lightweight aluminium rear fork is developed. All plastics are replaced with rallye worthy parts, including extra fuel capacity. The total amount of fuel on board is now 50 litres! Touratech is responsible for the cockpit, something they are very familiar with. Total weight without carburant comes to 173 kilos.
The engine still will be original but modifications are planned. Phase 1 include some electronic modifications and Phase 2 replaces the not so easy to repair yourself fuel injection with regular carbs. The Phase 2 engine should deliver about 80 untamed horses...
The rallye ready F650 will cost about 14,000 Euro including the base F650GS. This price makes it possible for privateers to get themselves in the first ranks of some of these desert rallyes.
On the Touratech site you will find more informations.
Bernd Nutowt from Pulheim (Germany) participated in the Grenada-Dakar 99 on a self constructed motorbike. His BENUTO 'Black Stallion' has the engine of an F650 and the frame of a Husqvarna.
The rallye ready type of the BENUTO has following characteristics:
carburation | 40mm Dell'Orto with K+N air filter |
suspension | front: Marzocchi Magnum Ø 45mm, 285mm travel |
weight | 170 kg without drinkingwater, toolset and fuel (enduro 150kg) low point of weight |
miscellaneous | 47 litres fuel in 4 separated tanks (enduro 10 litres) |
In 1996 David Castera won the marathon-class of the Dakar on a F650. The bikes in this class are regular production motorcycles of which a minimum of 200 pieces must be made. The main parts of the bike may not be changed to participate in this class. It surely takes a lot of confidence in an F650 to ride such a race.
It seems that Castera likes the engine of the F650. On the photo is a prototype where the engine of an F650 fits in a KTM frame. A very reliable engine in a superb off road frame. That must be something! Further information is not avaliable.
Those who want more offroad capabilities on basis of a standard Funduro can go to Römer - Team Motorradtechnik in Hagenbach/Pfalz (Industriestraß 9, D-76767 Hagenbach BRD, tel. 00.49.72.73.32.10, fax 00.49.72.73.27.88). Peter Römer is known in sidecar-motorcross and prepares BMW enduros and motorcycles.
The Römer F650 is more rally-ready than the original Funduro:
White Power upside-down front suspension with 250 mm travel and
Öhlins monoshock rear suspension with 185 mm travel and
hydraulic adjustable spring-preset. The original front wheel is
replaced by an 21" piece, both wheels have 4,5 mm instead of the
standard 3,5 mm spokes. Continental TKC80 knobbly tyres provide good
traction on loose ground.
The engine of the Römer F650 is unchanged, except the 1 tooth
smaller sprocketwheel on the engine to compensate for the offroad
tyres.
The original front is replaced by lampmask and mudguard of the KTM LC4. When you want to throw away your F650 in the terrain this solution is sertainly more proof to damage than the original. The Römer Fundurist gets informations about rpm and speed from a Touratech IMO 100 R rallycomputer. The IMO also can be used as a tripmaster - all in combination with the regular functions. An Acerbis fueltank with 27 liters capacity takes you anywhere you want within a minimum of 500 km. A Renthal handlebar and new mirrors give a finishing touch. The Römer F650 is four kilos lighter than the original.
On delivering an original F650 you get your own unique Funduro within three to four weeks. Depending on the modifications it costs 5 to 7000 German Marks. Offroad fun included.
At the EML factory in Belgium (I always thought EML was Dutch...) a deltabox frame was altered to carry the engine of an F650. Norbert Degenhardt and Carsten Bachmann wan the German Offroad championship with this piece. Degenhardt (tel. 00.31.49.56.52.48.54) plans to sell this 208 kg sidecar in series for about 12400 euro.
Part 3 on Off Road and F650 -->>