MY FIRST DAKAR

Sportive and technical advice

Suspension
Large fuel tanks means more weight. It is therefore recommended to firm up the suspension by using harder springs and/or modify the damping in your forks and shock. These modifications should be done by a professional. You can always change your fork or your shock for better quality models but that of course is more expensive.

Final gearing
It is recommended to 'shorten' the gearing by fitting a front sprocket with one less tooth and/or a rear sprocket with more teeth. Consult a specialist.

Carburetion
It is obviously necessary to set up your carburettor correctly. Many competitors use sand stop for the air filter box.

Cooling system
Larger petrol tanks and other accessories should not block cool air getting to the engine, the radiator or the oil cooler.

Air Filter
A foam air filter is fine in the desert but must be cleaned everyday. Certain preparers advice using sand-stop or a filter sock, while others argue that they block up the induction system more quickly. For you to decide.

Fixtures and Fittings
Nowadays motorcycles are well finished, but it is essential to make sure that all after-market accessories fitted to your bike are well thought out.

If you don't want to spend every evening putting your bike back together, test your bike thoroughly beforehand. Navigation instruments should be mounted on silent blocks to reduce the effects of vibration, and electrics simplified and tested. Nuts and bolts should be tightened and if necessary mounted using Loctite or wire.


ACCESSORIES

Certain are demanded by the regulations, while others are very useful.

The Essentials

Fuel tanks
Your bike must have a minimum fuel range of 380 km (350 km +10% safety margin). You must therefore fit large capacity fuel tanks, either in plastic or ones especially made in aluminium. Take care with mounting points.

Water Tanks
A 3-litre water tank is compulsory and must be fixed to the bike. The most common solution is to integrate it into the engine bash plate.

Bash plate
A 'wrap-around' aluminium bash plate will protect your engine cases, which are at considerable risk in rallies. It can also integrate your water tank and tool kit.

Rear Light
A rear fog light is compulsory and can be made out of indicators, using their flexible supports. They must have a minimum surface area of 98 cm2.

Tyres
Tyres must be able to withstand the harsh terrain, the power of your machine and the long distances. The most popular choice is the Michelin Desert.

'Unburstable' inner tubes (called Bib Mousse)
If you don't want to stop every half hour to repair a puncture get rid of your inner tubes and buy some Michelin Bib Mousses. 'Unburstable' they do however wear out rapidly, especially at high speed. Order Bib Mousses well in advance, as they can be difficult to get hold of.

Navigation Systems
The Dakar regulations insist on one type of GPS, that you must rent from our suppliers ERTF. You will also need a distance trip such as the one made by ICO. Very useful for keeping an eye on your fuel consumption, it is also essential for following your road book.

Road Book Reader
Essential for reading your road book while on the move.


The Extremely Useful

Handlebar
With crashes in rally-raid usually being more violent than in enduro, it is essential to fit a high quality handlebar. It must be in aluminium and preferably without a crossbar, so as to give you to room to fit your navigation equipment.

Hand Protectors
Wrap around hand protectors save your hands from rock thrown up by other competitors, and your levers in the event of a crash. Also useful against thorns.

Lights
Lights are important, as you will almost certainly finish at least once at night. If your original lights are heavy and fitted with a glass lens replace it with an enduro model equipped with twin halogen bulbs and a plastic lens.

Seat
A suede leather seat cover is more comfortable than a plastic one and can be made by a saddle marker.
While you are at it you could ask them to increase the height 3 or 4 cm which will be less tiring when you are moving from the sitting down to the standing up position.

Final drive
Use an O-ring chain that will stretch less and combine it with an ‘anti-mud’ rear sprocket that will wear out more slowly. For the same reason fit a steel rather than aluminium rear sprocket. Remove any 'lube' from the chain and run it dry.

Exhaust system
You can change your exhaust system to increase power and reduce weight. Avoid aluminium systems that tend to be fragile and opt for a stainless steel one. Also avoid silencers that are too noisy, as you will find the noise tiring after 9 hours on the bike!


Accessories

Foot pegs
Aftermarket extra wide footpegs will prove more comfortable and crash resistant.

Steering damper
To reduce the risk of high speed 'tank slappers' consider fitting a steering damper. Pick a model that fits either on the top or bottom fork yoke.

Disc and Frame Protectors
Other than a bash plate if is advisable to fit protectors to the front and rear discs and to the frame.