650gs dakar v f800gs

[tricky463]

I am selling my 1200gsa 2006 and am looking at getting something a bit smaller and lighter.
i will miss the fuel tank, comfort for long distances but won't miss struggling about in motorbike bays in london.

however, I have been looking at the 650gs dakar and also the F800gs. the bike is to be used everyday for commuting, shopping trips to supermarket (i can get my weekly shop in the 1200gsa!) touring.....AND looking to do a RTW in the next 2-3 years so will be the bike i keep for that as well.

don't worry will be doing a mechanic course so it has to be easy to work on and parts cheap as well.

the price for a 800gs is the same as what my 1200gsa is worth so is it worth keeping the adventure?

will the 650gs dakar be a bit gutless? (used to have f650 on 53 plate and really struggled over 55mph) i'm 6'1 and like to have space for my legs.

any advice would be very grateful.

for those interested the gsa is in the for sale section.

thank you for your advice in advance.

 

[oblertone]

The F650 (single) ...

... needs to be treated with a certain lack of mechanical sympathy to get the best out of it; certainly capable of RTW (ask Micky) and its use a base machine for many Paris-Dakar racebikes underlines its credibility. Cheaper by far than an F800 so more cash for RTW preparation

 

[GunZenBomZ]

All i can offer is a nice picture.

 

[MikeMike]

How good are they? I have seriously considered selling my 2009 658 twin with 13k kms on it to buy a used 2005 model with 40k kms on it. You would think that BMW would have realized they had a real winner and kept it in production for another decade!

 

[tricky463]

How good are they? I have seriously considered selling my 2009 658 twin with 13k kms on it to buy a used 2005 model with 40k kms on it. You would think that BMW would have realized they had a real winner and kept it in production for another decade!

i see you are based in Mexico, rumour has it that the singles will start to be remade in mexico...

there are a few dakars i have my eye on, nice looking bike.
always a battle finding the right bike, right spec, right price

 

[Micky]

Aye up Tricky ....

I've run both. 50,000 miles on twin spark Dakar across Russia, Siberia, Mongolia and the Gobi etc. and now I'm with an F800GS at 44,000 miles...down to Morocco and back, Atlas Mountains and then overland through Iran to the Karakorum Highway iun Northern Pakistan!

Both bikes are excxellent and will do exactly what you're wanting from them. I actually prefer the 800 twin, it's lighter to handle and will do well over 200 miles to the tankfull.

Both bikes are better capable than my meagre skills

So it's really down to what you like the look of, can afford.You need to ride both and make your own mind up. Contrary to some opinions the F800GS is not a girls bike but probably one of the very best on/off road bikes that you will ever get.... but the 650 Dakar has stood the test of time and is one tough ol' cooky

 

[Twit!]

Of those 2 bikes I think I would go for the 650 over the 800. Around town both bikes will be much the same, the 800 probably has the legs on the motorway but not by much. In terms of lugging stuff about, both will do the job but the big advantage is the 650 has been around longer and is cheaper.

I have just got rid of my 800; being frank, I thought it was crap - build quality was shocking and its not a cheap bike, I'm back on the 100 airhead which is much better. I think you'd regret it coming off the big GS especially when you consider how much you'll pay to get one.

Having said all that, if you are going to get a bike for RTW, and this bike is it, I wouldnt get either! I'd look for a decent 600 XT, much better than either the 650 or 800 on a RTW trip, bombproof, much better off road, much cooler - if thats a consideration and cheaper, which is important from a Carnet perspective.

 

[Snoopy]

The 650 is easy to nick, the 800 can't be hot-wired. Your parking in London so it's gotta have some priority.

 

[MikeMike]

i see you are based in Mexico, rumour has it that the singles will start to be remade in mexico...

I haven't heard about that yet, I'll check it out.

 

[rml]

I think there was a wee piece in MCN that BMW are bring
back the F650GS single to Europe as they realised they made
a mistake stopping sales in Europe (still available in the
Americas ?) god knows what they'll call it G650GS? or
F650GS twin to F800 G"but with a little less power/
but better round town" S or F800GS goes to F800GSA.

Had a F650 single before the F800GS great wee bike,
I think it still holds the "world record" for most continuous
miles RTW.

Cheers
rml

 

[Ferret55]

Had both

Yep, I've owned both. Both very good bikes but I found the riding position on the single a bit cramped. Twin much more comfortable (well it will be once I've got memory foam in the seat!).

 

[Sgt Pepper]

Hi, I can't give you a comparison but I did use a Dakar for an RTW.
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163541

It now has just short of 60,000 miles on it and it hardly ever gave me any problems, just required routine maintenance, a few batteries and an intake manifold.

Tough as old nails with great fuel consumption. Not the greatest for acceleration but that's not what you need on an RTW anyway. Used mine to carry 2 of us with all our gear(camping as well) across India and Nepal with no stresses or strains and it will happily cruise at 80mph one up with full RTW luggage.

Won't be parting with it !

 

[tricky463]

which bike

thank you so far to all of you.

i just need to sell my gs adventure and find the right dakar now!