Differences between Dakar and GS?

[Tonibe63]

After completing The Cambrian on my 2000 'W' reg F650GS I came away feeling very happy but of course with lots of questions. The bike itself has only done 16,000 miles of which 4,000 I have done since buying it back in March this year and it has been brilliant. I've done 4 days in Scotland, a couple of Welsh weekends, local Peak District days out and finally the rally-all without missing a beat or even needing a service .
The main problems I had at the weekend were:-
Tyre choice very limited and not that grippy (TKC80's) got stuck in boggy woods.

Ground clearance ie. bash plate always grounding out and footrests hitting rutt walls.

Lots of spray off the front wheel coming over the headlight and into my eyes.

Front suspension bottoming out.

Most of these I think can be overcome by fitting Dakar wheels, screen and mudgaurd beak-that is apart from the front suspension and ground clearance issue's.
Does a Dakar model of about the same year have better ground clearance and better front suspension than the GS?
Do I keep the GS and buy Dakar wheels and bits
or
buy a Dakar and get a set of GS wheels for road trips?
HELP

 

[komatias]

The Dakar has more ground clearance and also a higher seat. I would'nt suggest you buy the bits as they are difficult to find and not worth the hassle. Just changing the front wheel wont amount to much either. As for bottoming out... all GS do that so most fit progressive springs like the ones supplied by TT.

My suggestion would be to go for a dakar if you have the dosh. I personally wouldnt buy the 19inch front wheel because I am very happy with how the bike handles roads but that's just me.

 

[billy56]

There is a bit more suspension travel with a dakar but it,s still sh.t

 

[Spout]

The Dakar has a higher seat.

Only cos the suspension is higher.
Two seats available for both Dakar and standard: high and low (specified at time of new purchase)
Off road the Dakars extra height can cause problems if short in the leg, but obviously has better ground clearance.

 

[Tonibe63]

Thanks for replies guys.
Seat height isn't a problem as I have a Beta 450RR enduro bike and manage fine with that. If I can get some knobblies on the BMW I will probably use it for greenlaning, rallies etc. and get rid of the enduro bike. Problem is knobblies only last for about 1000 miles on the rear and 2000 miles on the front so really want a spare set of road wheels with TKC's on them to use on road/gravel trips and keep the knobblies purely for events.
So is the extra ground clearance derived purely from the 18/21" wheel combination or are the forks and shock different?

 

[komatias]

I'd go Metzeler Tourances for road and light gravel personaly. Last very long and stick well to tarmac. The TCKs are really crap in the wet.

 

[billy56]

fork and shocks have more travel than std gs, 210 mm i think but rear tyre is still only 17 incher same as gs

 

[Micky]

Well done on the Cambrian

I've got the Dakar and I think it's suspension, as well as being longer travel, is of better build and quality than the standard GS. I've got the Wilbers rear unit and front springs in mine, and it's much better for off road. Contrary to my 'tongue in cheek' reply on another thread, I've taken mine off road quite a bit (shite roads of Russia and the Gobi Desert) and it coped just fine.

Girl friend bought a 2006 Dakar and we've lowered it to standard for her, so we have the rear suspension unit and front fork parts to raise a standard 650 to the dizzy heights of a Dakar, should you be interested. The only thing you wont have is the frame mounted roller chain guide behind the rear brake pedal which is unique to the Dakar frame. Not sure too, without looking, if the standard GS has the mounting lugs on the frame for the Dakar's rear suspension remote reservoir, but that could certainly be overcome and fitted most anywhere.

Hope this helps



www.adventure.gs

 

[Tonibe63]

fork and shocks have more travel than std gs, 210 mm i think but rear tyre is still only 17 incher same as gs

DOH!! My mistake I thought it was an 18" rear.
Thanks for replies. It seems it's not that easy to convert a GS into a Dakar(ain't that always the case) and if I want to use it properly offroad then buying a Dakar seems the only way. Best go consult the bank manager-I hope she's in a good mood.

Cheers-Tony.

 

[Bert]

DOH!! My mistake I thought it was an 18" rear.
Thanks for replies. It seems it's not that easy to convert a GS into a Dakar(ain't that always the case) and if I want to use it properly offroad then buying a Dakar seems the only way. Best go consult the bank manager-I hope she's in a good mood.

Cheers-Tony.

More ways to convert your GSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Keep your rear wheel
Fit a 21" excel rim on the front
Fit Pirelli's MT21's (slippy on wet tarmac )
Fit Dakar forks, change oil and springs in them
Change drive sproket
Fit DID X gold chain
Fit handlebar risers
Remove Cat
Swop bashplate for full size one made by the excellent TT factory
and so so many other gooddies!It all depends what you like, (how short in my case!) you are etc etc
Brilliant bike often under rated