Dakar V XCountry ?

[Timolgra]

Ok, here's the story regarding my wife's Dakar which she's had for 3 years, ridden round the Pyrenees, Iceland, France Belgium etc.

I'm not sure she's really bonded with it, not being the most confident of riders on the road it seems she'd be happier with a bike that feels smaller even though she's 6ft tall... with a 34" inside leg.........almost got off topic then

This morning 'we'd' decided to sell it, so I cleaned it up and did a proper set up of the ECU to get it both looking and running as sweet as possible.
We went for a ride and she's happy enough again to put the idea of selling on hold.

The plus side for keeping it.
It's sorted, which means no expense for screen, luggage, heated grips etc. etc.

Here's a couple of pics I took today

So, anyone ever gone from either a Dakar or F650 to an XCountry, are you happy to do 3-400 miles in a day, what's it like for carrying luggage, do you like it, why?

Or by comparison.... is it a poxy heap of poorly made shite only good for short arses and going to the shops?

 

[gebrauchtwagen83]

now thats a GS!

 

[Ash]

I rode both last weekend.
The XC is quite a bit faster, i was on 650GS following my XC and no way could i reel it in when the XC got ahead, XC much lighter and turns in much quicker, comfort was about the same

 

[sidestand]

Not ridden a 650 Dakar, but got an X Country
I'd say that unless your wife is planning to a lot of green landing & off road work, she's better off keeping the Dakar - especially as it's sorted for luggage & screens etc.
Options for those are limited & expensive on the X Country

 

[gebrauchtwagen83]

Not ridden a 650 Dakar, but got an X Country
I'd say that unless your wife is planning to a lot of green landing & off road work, she's better off keeping the Dakar - especially as it's sorted for luggage 7 screens etc.
Options for those are limited & expensive on the X Country

absolutely

 

[Timolgra]

I rode both last weekend.
The XC is quite a bit faster, i was on 650GS following my XC and no way could i reel it in when the XC got ahead, XC much lighter and turns in much quicker, comfort was about the same

Cheers Ash, not bothered about the speed (that would be purely academic), I don't know how the steering angles compare but had considered swopping the Dakar front wheel for a 19" although I rode it today and found no issues about turning in (again purely academic) but then I ride a lot of bikes with a 21" front wheel

 

[david a hall]

Cheers Ash, not bothered about the speed (that would be purely academic), I don't know how the steering angles compare but had considered swopping the Dakar front wheel for a 19" although I rode it today and found no issues about turning in (again purely academic) but then I ride a lot of bikes with a 21" front wheel

19 inch front wheel

 

[Timolgra]

Not ridden a 650 Dakar, but got an X Country
I'd say that unless your wife is planning to a lot of green landing & off road work, she's better off keeping the Dakar - especially as it's sorted for luggage & screens etc.
Options for those are limited & expensive on the X Country

Thanks for the reply, she has a TTR250 for green lanes and is happier on the road with it.

Offroad for her, and most people on the Dak is limited to gravel roads

What I'm really trying to establish is whether the X is a more confidence inspiring bike, I sat on JB's last week and it felt like a 250!

Low speed riding used to be an issue for her since the tickover was high and it's surged slightly at low revs, I eventually found a better way of re setting the ECU which has sorted this today, I can stop the bike briefly mid full lock turn, move away, stop etc. with no problems now but she's never developed confidence because of the prior issues.

I appreciate she needs to ride one herself first but it's finding time and opportunity

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

She can try mine, when she's over this way

I've had 2 Dakars (Single and Twinspark) and from what I can remember the XChallenge & XCountry are quite a bit smoother, faster and have more torque/power

Being a PDS rear end, the shock action is a far bit more modern and smoother

The 45mm USD forks are light years ahead of the spindly Dakar 41mm normal forks and you get none of the 'headshake wobble', under heavy braking, especially going into a bend

MPG is a fair bit better too

It feels more modern too

Main thing is the lightness, compared to the Dakar - fuelled it's probably about 35-40kg lighter than the Dakar/Setao, with the opportunity to shed a few more kg's too and this inspires more confidence and thus makes it easier to ride

I considered a Dakar/Sertao before purchasing the XCountry and doubt I would go back to a heavier 650 now

On the road/trail..................weight is always the enemy

(Main reason I sold the XChallenge, was ergonomics - which are far better on the XCountry)

 

[Timolgra]

She can try mine, when she's over this way



I've had 2 Dakars (Single and Twinspark) and from what I can remember the XChallenge & XCountry are quite a bit smoother, faster and have more torque/power

N/A

Being a PDS rear end, the shock action is a far bit more modern and smoother
N/A

The 45mm USD forks are light years ahead of the spindly Dakar 41mm normal forks and you get none of the 'headshake wobble', under heavy braking, especially going into a bend

Brake earlier

MPG is a fair bit better too

70+mpg is good enough for her mileage (and yours)

It feels more modern too



Main thing is the lightness, compared to the Dakar - fuelled it's probably about 35-40kg lighter than the Dakar/Setao, with the opportunity to shed a few more kg's too and this inspires more confidence and thus makes it easier to ride

Bolt on a screen, crash bars, pannier frames etc. then go 2 into 1 on the Dak and it's not quite such a big deal do you think?

I considered a Dakar/Sertao before purchasing the XCountry and doubt I would go back to a heavier 650 now



On the road/trail..................weight is always the enemy

Get an 1150

(Main reason I sold the XChallenge, was ergonomics - which are far better on the XCountry)

Cheers Johnny

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Cheers Johnny

I don't agree with all you've written in red

30-40kg of weight saving from base bike position, is a lot of saving..............you can't argue with it (irrespective of what you add and only a screen is necessary, who needs crashbars etc)

You sat on mine, you noticed the difference.............hence the reason you've mentioned it to Ange

Lastly the suspension is a different league altogether, compared to a Dakar.............so braking earlier, isn't really valid - they 'shake their head' all the time

I remember when you had a stock Dakar, 6-7 years ago and quickly sold it because you hated it, saying it was a truly horrible bike

 

[Timolgra]

I don't agree with all you've written in red

30-40kg of weight saving from base position, is a lot of saving..............you can't argue with it

You sat on mine, you noticed the difference.............hence the reason you've mentioned it to Ange

Lastly the suspension is a different league altogether, compared to a Dakar.............so braking earlier, isn't really valid - they 'shake their head' all the time

I remember when you had a stock Dakar, 6-7 years ago and quickly sold it because you hated it, saying it was a truly horrible bike

Yes, I know you wouldn't agree with what I'd written in red but much of it is N/A (we're talking of Ange here)

I did notice the difference straight away on your BUT when weighing pro's and con's she should really concentrate on riding around that issue.

Shake their head?
Never noticed, perhaps your head bearings were shot?? it's common, or forks springs/damping

I didn't like the standard Dakar at all .... as a trail bike, which was all I was after

The question I'm asking is in the first post

She needs to at least sit on one ..... and she'll know where you are now

 

[Micky]

Sent you a PM Tim

I put a 19" rim (and tyre of course) on my 2004 F650 Dakar and it made a big difference to the handling ... much much sweeter in, round and out of corners

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Shake their head?

Never noticed, perhaps your head bearings were shot?? it's common, or forks springs/damping

Not shot headbearings, brand new bike

Perhaps I didn't explain it well enough

What I meant was, if you brake hard with the front the forks are so spindly - the braking forces make the bars waggle

 

[Timolgra]

Sent you a PM Tim

I put a 19" rim (and tyre of course) on my 2004 F650 Dakar and it made a big difference to the handling ... much much sweeter in, round and out of corners

Thanks Micky.

A couple of years ago I was going to fit a 19" front....then forgot all about it, I'll look out for one again now.

I guess the weight difference for her is more important than I realise.

Surely Honda's a contestant with the XL range and they're red which of course is a priority

 

[Timolgra]

Not shot headbearings, brand new bike

Perhaps I didn't explain it well enough

What I meant was, if you brake hard with the front the forks are so spindly - the braking forces make the bars waggle

Ok point taken, I tried a few emergency stops from 50mph today on it and didn't notice anything, perhaps I need to try it faster

My point, Ange would never find that an issue, this is a touring bike with the odd bimble, she'll never be out scratching in the Dales.

So would the Xcountry be a better bike GIVEN HER NEEDS?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

So would the Xcountry be a better bike GIVEN HER NEEDS?

Dunno...................neither me or you, can answer that

Only she knows

You tell me that she doesn't really like the Dakar (deep down) and always feels happier on the TTR250, maybe because it's lighter

Therefore, that my well be your answer

There's a helluva less mass with the XCountry, as a package and it kinda works

 

[Micky]

So would the Xcountry be a better bike GIVEN HER NEEDS?

Without a doubt, in my book

Sue (Gracie) had a couple of F650GS's, did lots of mileage on them. She now has a G650Xcountry and loves it soooooo much more

600 mile in the day from the top of Denmark down to Rotterdam when the DFDS ferry was cancelled ... enjoyed every mile of the ride

Get her in the twisties and she takes some keeping up with I can tell ya

 

[Timolgra]

Without a doubt, in my book

Sue (Gracie) had a couple of F650GS's, did lots of mileage on them. She now has a G650Xcountry and loves it soooooo much more

600 mile in the day from the top of Denmark down to Rotterdam when the DFDS ferry was cancelled ... enjoyed every mile of the ride

Get her in the twisties and she takes some keeping up with I can tell ya

Anyone who enjoys riding in Denmark gets my respect

 

[Gracie]

Ah, but if we go to South America it will be the TTR250 I take no matter how much I love the XC