mozzer
Guest
Just wanting the views of Dakar riders.
What does the Dakar do well and what does it do not so well.
Cheers mozzer
What does the Dakar do well and what does it do not so well.
Cheers mozzer
I've got a 650 but not a Dakar.mozzer said:Just wanting the views of Dakar riders.
What does the Dakar do well and what does it do not so well.
Cheers mozzer
But mine does all that I ask of it reasonably well.
But it doesn't breakdown so well as others in the GS range.
mozzer
Guest
Thats it you've completely jinxed yaself, i hope you crossed your fingers 
Andy80F
Registered user
I've had a Dakar for over 4 years now and its only broken down once, the BMS unit went, which means I have little to talk about on this forum. 
It is a bit more expensive to service with the chain/sprockets and steering head bearings needing fairly routine changing (though a chain oiler sorts out the chain pretty well) but a lot cheaper to run with 60-65mpg the usual. In town the Dakar is supreme, tall enough to see ahead, thin enough to filter with ease and quick enough to exploit the gaps. The only place the Dakar really lacks anything is on the motorway where its 50bhp does struggle a bit when faced with more powerfull bikes.
It is a bit more expensive to service with the chain/sprockets and steering head bearings needing fairly routine changing (though a chain oiler sorts out the chain pretty well) but a lot cheaper to run with 60-65mpg the usual. In town the Dakar is supreme, tall enough to see ahead, thin enough to filter with ease and quick enough to exploit the gaps. The only place the Dakar really lacks anything is on the motorway where its 50bhp does struggle a bit when faced with more powerfull bikes.
Done 40,500 miles on my Dakar now.
Did 83,000 miles on an 1150GS, 60,000 miles on an 1150GS-A and then 14,500 miles on a 1200GS-A... the Dakar will do everything any of the others will do exept perhaps cruise long distances two up on a motorway. Solo on a motorway it will cruise at 90mph (85mph on the GPS) at 6,000 rpm quite comfortably.... and it's a giggle in the twisties
Me and the girlfriend did our own "Long Way Home" trip on two 650's
A crackin' 'bike indeed
www.adventure.gs
Did 83,000 miles on an 1150GS, 60,000 miles on an 1150GS-A and then 14,500 miles on a 1200GS-A... the Dakar will do everything any of the others will do exept perhaps cruise long distances two up on a motorway. Solo on a motorway it will cruise at 90mph (85mph on the GPS) at 6,000 rpm quite comfortably.... and it's a giggle in the twisties
Me and the girlfriend did our own "Long Way Home" trip on two 650's
A crackin' 'bike indeed
www.adventure.gs
.
But will it be able to keep up next weekend
Sherps
Micky said:Done 40,500 miles on my Dakar now.
Did 83,000 miles on an 1150GS, 60,000 miles on an 1150GS-A and then 14,500 miles on a 1200GS-A... the Dakar will do everything any of the others will do exept perhaps cruise long distances two up on a motorway. Solo on a motorway it will cruise at 90mph (85mph on the GPS) at 6,000 rpm quite comfortably.... and it's a giggle in the twisties
Me and the girlfriend did our own "Long Way Home" trip on two 650's
A crackin' 'bike indeed
www.adventure.gs
But will it be able to keep up next weekend
Sherps
sherpa said:But will it be able to keep up next weekend
Sherps
Hi Sherps
Me wasting away walking the hills of Fair Isle
The Dakar will keep up... (I think
)... and M O R E next weekend! Don't you worry ol' pal... I'll wait for ya
Micky
.
You're getting on a bit old boy!
(why do I think I'll regret this?)
Sherps
Micky said:Hi Sherps
Me wasting away walking the hills of Fair Isle
Micky
You're getting on a bit old boy!
(why do I think I'll regret this?)
Sherps
carsqhere
Registered user
mozzer said:Just wanting the views of Dakar riders.
What does the Dakar do well and what does it do not so well.
Cheers mozzer
I'd one out from the dealers for a few days while waiting on the 1200GS. Two up off roading on semi-surfaced mountain roads was top fun but the long motorway stretch to the playground and back again was tedious. Dunno what it'd be like to live with though. Surprisingly good in the daily urban mayhem of commuting. Very tall mind, not great for the "inner leg challenged" amongst us (I'd imagine).
CQH
My '02 has 23,000mls now and has been generally reliable.It's never failed to start and the slight surging was cured by fitting an extended tip iridium plug.
The wheel bearings,oil switch,fork seals,rear pads and steering head bearings(which I've since replaced with SKF ones)were replaced under warranty,although I should point that it's an ex offroad school bike and the frequent power washing probably accounted for some of the problems.The rubber inlet manifold split recently which made for an interesting ride back from Loch Lomond!
I do all my own servicing so can't comment on the cost of that.
I've lowered the pegs and use an Airhawk pad on the standard seat after trying a Touratech touring seat which I didn't like and have fitted progressive fork springs,a centre stand,engine bars,Hella FF50s and use a cheap Rickman topbox and HG soft bags on self built racks.
I also use a 19" front wheel which improves the handling and front end 'feel' on tarmac.
I have often thought about replacing it with an 1150 but I think the Dakar does all I want it to and I would certainly miss the fuel economy.I did a 6,000ml 16 day trip to Norway this summer loaded with camping gear etc.and it performed flawlessly.
My only real criticism is the noise from the screen which makes earplugs a must for all trips.I've tried altering the angle which helps a bit but more work is desperately needed.
So,with the possible exception of two up touring,I think the Dakar is all the bike you need!
Tony
The wheel bearings,oil switch,fork seals,rear pads and steering head bearings(which I've since replaced with SKF ones)were replaced under warranty,although I should point that it's an ex offroad school bike and the frequent power washing probably accounted for some of the problems.The rubber inlet manifold split recently which made for an interesting ride back from Loch Lomond!
I do all my own servicing so can't comment on the cost of that.
I've lowered the pegs and use an Airhawk pad on the standard seat after trying a Touratech touring seat which I didn't like and have fitted progressive fork springs,a centre stand,engine bars,Hella FF50s and use a cheap Rickman topbox and HG soft bags on self built racks.
I also use a 19" front wheel which improves the handling and front end 'feel' on tarmac.
I have often thought about replacing it with an 1150 but I think the Dakar does all I want it to and I would certainly miss the fuel economy.I did a 6,000ml 16 day trip to Norway this summer loaded with camping gear etc.and it performed flawlessly.
My only real criticism is the noise from the screen which makes earplugs a must for all trips.I've tried altering the angle which helps a bit but more work is desperately needed.
So,with the possible exception of two up touring,I think the Dakar is all the bike you need!
Tony
talltony said:So,with the possible exception of two up touring,I think the Dakar is all the bike you need!
Tony
Yup Tony... I agree
Sherps.... You're in for it lad, just you wait and see
www.adventure.gs
Westhyde91
Guest
I agree, a great bike, good looking, great for the commute and fun riding.
IMHO it's sound did not meet my expectations. The Dak looks great but sounds like a sewing machine. I fitted a Remus system to mine, it then felt more the part. No longer was I looking enviously at those KTM'S and their business like thump.
Finally,.....it is a great starting point to progressing to a 12.
IMHO it's sound did not meet my expectations. The Dak looks great but sounds like a sewing machine. I fitted a Remus system to mine, it then felt more the part. No longer was I looking enviously at those KTM'S and their business like thump.
Finally,.....it is a great starting point to progressing to a 12.
Westhyde91 said:Finally,.....it is a great starting point to progressing to a 12.
Starting point? ... Nah!
Sold my 1200GS-A
www.adventure.gs
But in fairness to the 1200 GS-A you did admit that it was a little too tall for you and that seemed to be the real reason it was going. When you first got the 1200GS-A it was the best thing since sliced bread - I remember the posts!!
wilbjr21 said:
You're right of course Wilb... it was a tad too tall and too heavy... and it was the best thing since sliced bread
But in reality I've gone about my motorcycling, trips and tours, on the 650, and I don't miss the 1200 one little bit
Mingh
Guest
After about 10.000km
what's it good at:
+feels light, flickable,
+fairly good fuel economy,
+good finish,
+good travel bike -even 2 up you can go 150km/h for a few hours
+Great commuter and city bike
+stable and neutral handling, slow and fast
what doesn't it do:
-machismo drags from the red lights
-front suspension's small impact sensitivity isn't fantastic
-no fuel gauge (day trip counter is the only clue)
-smallish tank (reserve light flicks on after about 260km) and bigger tanks are only made from unobtainium
-generally considered as a easy starter bike for the missus. That's exactly because it's a good allround bike without unnacessary frills and macho bling
what's it good at:
+feels light, flickable,
+fairly good fuel economy,
+good finish,
+good travel bike -even 2 up you can go 150km/h for a few hours
+Great commuter and city bike
+stable and neutral handling, slow and fast
what doesn't it do:
-machismo drags from the red lights
-front suspension's small impact sensitivity isn't fantastic
-no fuel gauge (day trip counter is the only clue)
-smallish tank (reserve light flicks on after about 260km) and bigger tanks are only made from unobtainium
-generally considered as a easy starter bike for the missus. That's exactly because it's a good allround bike without unnacessary frills and macho bling
Starstriker
Guest
I just crossed Asia (Korea-Siberia-Mongolia-Khazakstan-Russia-Finland-Sweden) on my Dakar. Excellent bike. Nifty in the tricky parts but lacks the comfort of the bigger bikes. Great fuel-economy!
I have an '02 Dakar and it was in having a Scottoiler fitted today... they gave me a 1200GS as a loaner. I have to say that the 12 is a really nice bike - I had to go in to London and I felt really comfortable in the traffic very quickly which was great. It also has the obvious power advantages on the motorway, especially around that 60-90mph region (apparently ) . And there was less buffeting than the Dakar on the motorway...
The Dakar on the other hand - is also great in town, a little more hard work on the motorway, but not that much, and way more capable off-road (ability to change gearing, lighter to pick up, etc). To top it all off, you can pick up good condition Dakars for 3/4000 - a lot of smiles per pound and a lot of change from the price of a 12GS for farkles, petrol and holidays
I can still see myself picking up a 12 of some sort (GS, ADV, HP2...) just not to replace my Dakar
Mav
) . And there was less buffeting than the Dakar on the motorway...The Dakar on the other hand - is also great in town, a little more hard work on the motorway, but not that much, and way more capable off-road (ability to change gearing, lighter to pick up, etc). To top it all off, you can pick up good condition Dakars for 3/4000 - a lot of smiles per pound and a lot of change from the price of a 12GS for farkles, petrol and holidays
I can still see myself picking up a 12 of some sort (GS, ADV, HP2...) just not to replace my Dakar
Mav
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