Is There A Reason No One Rides A BMW Sertao?

[Rederic]

I think the reason you don't see a lot of them, is the tenere was out first and has a loyal band of rider's who would sooner have crow's peck the eyes out than ride a bmw even if it is a better bike :whistle:
The seat hight seems like it would suit a lot riders as well and there a lot lighter to man handle than any 800,
Here's Philiptigerrice playing out on his

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As you can see they like the mud

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They must be easy to pick up by the time I got there he was up and gone. I would have one no problem (thumbs)

[Philiptigerrice]

Thanks for that!

Interestingly - I've really altered the seat height in the last few months - compare the seat height in the puddle picture taken a year ago - compared to the one taken the other week - I'm riding it much higher now. Its just a tweek of the pre-load - rides much better. Funny how you get to know a bike better and better...

[Tonibe63]

I had an earlyish 650 non Dakar back in 2006 which was a good do it all bike but a bit agricultural compared to modern stuff due to very basic suspension and a harsh thumping engine.
I did greenlaning, a Rally and a 2 up tour of Scotland on it so a proper dual purpose machine.
If the Sertao has better suspension and a bigger front wheel then it would be a good bike but maybe still viewed as an 'old' bike :unsure:

Stanage Edge 2 up (wife took photo and got back on)


Even rode it from Leicester, did the 2 day Cambrian Rally and rode home again

[Kinioo]

I like them. I like (sort of) big GS as well...it depends what you after.
If I was after a trip from Sates to s.america (solo) I would go for small 650, If it was two up Croatia trip I would go for big GS...

...but I stick to my XT660Z for now, as I can go everywhere on it

[Freeloadeur]

Thanks all. I figured there were people riding them, just doing it in a quiet, get on with it sort of way, probably out riding rather than spending hours on the interweb talking about their latest farkle.

Hmm, it's looking very tempting, I guess I'd better crack on and get of those big red Ls.

[bowber]

My wife had the older 650 single non Dakar version, suspension was a bit soft and it wallowed a bit on bumpy turns, ok ish off road but any small trail bike would be better.
The non Dakar version also has the same ground clearance as an F1 racing car, or so it feels, I've hit less with the sump on a road bike.

Steve

[shed]

Really pleased with mine , phil has coved the rest spot on about the sertao

[Philiptigerrice]

Freeloadeur - I didn't realise you'd not passed your test.

In which case - I'd recommend this even more to you.

You can ride a Sertao on a Part One license, which might be usefull.

Also - I've been teaching my brother to ride on mine - he had bikes a few years ago on a CBT, and is coming back to them to do his Direct Access.

He's spent hours on the car park on my bike - and its been great for him.

Good luck (thumbs)

[PaulG]

Just thought I'd mention that the Sertao is currently priced new at £6695 OTR - not sure how this compares with the competition though as I can't be bothered to check.

Paul

[Dutchgit]

We had the first series Dakar (2000) and it was a great bike. We only sold that as my wife wanted something with a bit more oomph and so we got a Husqvarna TR 650. That looked the bizz on paper as it's a bit lighter than the Dakar/Sertao and has 58 ponies but in real life it just didn't cut it. It's fine if you don't work on it yourself and have pockets lined with gold to let the dealer do that taken into account that's if you can find a dealer. Aftermarket bolt ons are virtually non existant for the Husky and the Dakar/Sertao is far more comfy.

The best thing in my book though is the BMW 650 XCountry At about 30 kilos lighter than the Dakar and with about 10% more power it's a hoot to ride, just as good or better fuel economy if you don't hooly it about (as it's so much fun) comfortable (apart from motorway stints) and plenty of aftermarket stuff to get.
I think prices on used ones may go up in the future though as people are starting to discover that you don't want a big adventure bike like the Katoom 1190 or the Beemer 1200's for adventure unless you think that falling over on a trail and finding someone to help picking it up is part of the adventure.
Reliability is top notch on the 650 Rotax engined bikes, Service only every 10.000 KM and you can easily do 100.000 Km on it no problems as long as you check the valves at least every 25.000 km.

Cheers, Ard