Im considering buying a 650 Dakar for road use. Ive had big tourers for years but need a lighter bike due to back problems. Could members mark my card with things to look for when buying this model please ? Do any members know of one for sale other than the usual internet bikes ? Thanks
F650 GS DAKAR
- Thread starter sbell
- Start date
I had a F650 Dakar fabulous bike rode it to Portugal and back, took it all in its stride was really sorry to sell it.
The newer models are twin spark.
If I was you i'd look out for a F650 Sertao it was the last offering of the F650 and just a newer version of the Dakar.
I changed out the fork springs for some slightly firmer, a common upgrade and swapped out the screen.
I absolutely love the older Giitanes colour scheme and bought a set of 2nd body panels that colour from Motorworks.
The Rotax engines are bullet proof.
Only niggle was the gearbox sometimes struggled to get it into neutral.
The newer models are twin spark.
If I was you i'd look out for a F650 Sertao it was the last offering of the F650 and just a newer version of the Dakar.
I changed out the fork springs for some slightly firmer, a common upgrade and swapped out the screen.
I absolutely love the older Giitanes colour scheme and bought a set of 2nd body panels that colour from Motorworks.
The Rotax engines are bullet proof.
Only niggle was the gearbox sometimes struggled to get it into neutral.
Water pump failure is common but is a reasonably cheap fix. Engine paint can suffer from corrosion. Some of the older single spark bikes have stalling/surging issues. The forks dive a bit under braking but stiffer springs and oil help or swap them out for WP/Kayaba. Screen is a bit crap at speed but plenty of aftermarket solutions.
The F650 is the 'poor cousin' of the BMW family and I'd say very much underrated, particularly by those that have not had one. I've had three and still have a low mileage 2007 Dakar. My last one, which was a 2001 single spark, I rode to Morocco and back, over 4 weeks, earlier this year and with the piste riding in Morocco v dual carriageway riding across Spain I think it was pretty much ideal for the job and 70mpg was useful too. A previous posting mentions the Sertio, I have not had one or ridden one, to compare with the Dakar, but please note that all 650 that were manufactured after 2007 are made in China.
So what is the opinion of members regarding European built Rotax engines versus Chinese built ???
're build location, I don't think you'll find any discernable difference.
I've had several dakars. Great bikes. Strengths as above. Sertao is the more modern alternative, though I personally preferred the dakars.
Also consider a g650 x country. Several for sale at about the 3 grand mark.
I've had several dakars. Great bikes. Strengths as above. Sertao is the more modern alternative, though I personally preferred the dakars.
Also consider a g650 x country. Several for sale at about the 3 grand mark.
Tidy Dakar up for sale in the for sale section / gumtree.
iceclimber
Registered user
Hi, is it possible you could provide any further details re: changing fork springs ? I didn't appreciate it is a common upgrade .... is this / was this also the case for the Dakar ?
If you manage to find one for sale the steering head bearings are something to check - I clearly didn't check mine closely enough before buying and it was the first thing I had to do after the notchiness became apparent when very slow riding in dense traffic. Actually, it was the second thing because the oil pressure light came on during the trip home but that proved to be the pressure switch. Later I had to sort out the swing arm bearings but I'm not sure how you can check those at a road-side inspection or during a test ride.
Good luck with finding one. Despite the problems with mine (do have a vehicle history check done!!) overall it's been a good bike and taken me on some great trips.
Good luck with finding one. Despite the problems with mine (do have a vehicle history check done!!) overall it's been a good bike and taken me on some great trips.
F650GS Dakar was known to have soft front suspension springs, stiffer progressive springs made the front feel firmer less prone to diving in heavy braking, and better off road use.
Icant remember where I got my spring from think it was Motorworks http://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/Parts.php?T=5&NU=15&M=65&Ct=KA&SbCt=BA_15_65_KA_65
Touratech list them but more expensive https://shop.touratech.co.uk/progressive-fork-springs-for-bmw-f650gs-dakar.html
Quite an easy fit if you have correct tools. you will need fork fluid oil too.
I initially went for the progressive springs and heavier oil but it didn't make a huge amount of difference. You can also add emulators to the list to try out. At the end of the day they're still damper rod forks. WP or YZ if you want a decent front end.
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