Dakar - good buy for first bike?

SBD

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My daughter is thinking of a 2007 650 Dakar as her first proper bike. She recently got her full A licence and has spent some time riding round on 125s including a couple of long-ish trips. She’s about 5’10 and rather athletic.

Is this a sensible choice?

She will use it for commuting and fun, and has the use of a van.

Comments very welcome
 
In their day they were excellent bikes, especially for the longer legged, however the youngest would now be 14 years old and showing their age. Surely there are younger options about ?
 
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My son has one about the same age which has been fine. Quite tall even for him at 192cm
 
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Thank you both.

The price is attractive…

But if it’s a bad buy, then it’s better left alone.
 
If its a first proper bike, is buying a tall seat height machine the right option?. in my humble opinion I think not. Most new riders like to feel stable as they discover, cambers/ un even car parks/ impromptu drivers stopping in front of them etc.
 
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Thanks, yes, it’s that kind of thing that made me ask. Good advice. Ta.
 
Maybe the F650GS might be better. Or the G650GS which is basically a later version of the same bike.
F650GS twin also, although that would be heavier of course.
 
seahorse said:
Maybe the F650GS might be better. Or the G650GS which is basically a later version of the same bike.
F650GS twin also, although that would be heavier of course.
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At 5’10” she would fit well on an F650gs. I had one, so did Magnet of this parish. Great starter bike and capable of longish tours. We did a 3000 mile holiday, two up with luggage. Another option Vstrom 650, again gets great reviews from owners Mark Shelley off here had one and liked it.

Lots to choose in this sector, best option is to scan the classifieds and if poss sit on a few and see how she likes the way the weight is felt. F650 has underseat fuel so lower, Suzuki might feel more top end heavy.
 
I had a standard 650gs for a time, painfully slow and as a single cylinder very viby! I’d look at a Transalp personally or a Versys if that stying is your daughter’s wish. Both very capable road bikes and more comfortable all rounders. F650 is very agricultural in my view and soon becomes a chore if you are riding a lot.


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Montydog said:
I had a standard 650gs for a time, painfully slow and as a single cylinder very viby! I’d look at a Transalp personally or a Versys if that stying is your daughter’s wish. Both very capable road bikes and more comfortable all rounders. F650 is very agricultural in my view and soon becomes a chore if you are riding a lot.


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Good shout, having had 2 Dakars (one used and a new one in 2006)
I once rode a Dakar from north Yorkshire to exmoor in Somerset and sold it soon after - it was a chore

Maybe look at a CB500X too
 
Depends on budget, they can be picked up for not much money.
I've had one since 2004, I've green laned it, trialed, toured on it, taken it to Morroco and continental Europe for mostly offroad trips and used it for work. Its my do everything bike, I've put 80k miles on it and only had to replace the ecu after submerging the bike in a river once.
I've looked at replacing it and nothing else has come close to bettering it, you can buy faster, lighter and better dirt road capability but not always in the same package and certainly not for the same money.
She could try it and move it on without financial loss if she doesn't like it.
 
F650GS not as tall as a Dakar and would be a good choice IMO.
According to some they are getting on a bit but I don't see that as a problem.
I ran one for 10,000 miles and at 5 foot 9 it was a good fit.
PS It's the one in my avatar.
 
I rode my 650 GS single all the way from Spain to Devon in one go only stopping to fuel , smoke and coffee breaks. First few hundred miles it was fun but soon became a real chore and I felt every vibe etc. The rest of the trip all I could think of was selling it when I got home and a week later it was gone.

.However it never broke down and if you arent wanting to go 80mph for long distances across countries for long periods then its a great engine and bike . Simple very few electronics (older model) and easy to fix if you do get any gremlins. My mates 650 kept showing the oil light coming on but all that turned out to be was a loose wire on the sensor. Neither bike broke down in all temps from snow to soring heat
 
Thank you all, this has turned into a more interesting thread than I expected.

The bike is obviously a good design with considerable capability, but the posts above suggest it is likely not a mile muncher. She doesn’t need that now, I have no idea whether it’ll be a consideration in the future (and I guess neither does she).

As a first “proper” bike I recognise that tip-toeing is likely to be a bit scary until you get the confidence (and the eye for the “don’t stop next to that pothole”)

She’s quite keen but perhaps we’ll look elsewhere

Thanks again chaps!
 
I don't understand the reticence towards the bike's height if the rider can reach the floor. I'm only 5'8" with a 31" leg. My first post 125 bike was a Honda NX650 Dominator. It was great for riding around the lower Wye Valley and commuting into the Forest of Dean. It would be the age of the bike that would put me off this Dakar.
 
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I guess we all view things differently.
Age is never a factor for me as it's all about condition.
I'd be happy to go mile munching with both the F650GS or the Dakar, people go big time travelling with both of these bikes.
I owned my F650GS for 10,000 miles and never had any vibration problems with it.
 
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