GS 650 Dakar...opinions please?

[joff]

Hi all,

i am seriously thinking about getting myself a 2nd hand 650 Dakar...i have had my eye out for a nice well looked after low miler for a while. I just wanted to ask any 650 Dakar owners past or present how you find the performance...as in do you find that it has more than enough 'umph'? I always tend to ride without a pillion btw...and i am 16 stone (or perhaps slightly over!)

I know the GS 800 would be a great bike to own but i don't want to spend that much money at the moment.

I am actually very fond of the black and white 650 Dakar (2000ish model)...is the engine still good compared to the newer blue/silver model...i know 2003ish became a twin spark...does it make much difference?

Finally...should i find one with ABS or doesn't it really matter?

Thank you for any replies in advance.

Joff

 

[robroy]

Joff,

I find my 04 Dakar has plenty of umph, at least for my few months of experience (and my not-too-dissimilar weight ). I love it on country lanes and B-roads, and its good for filtering in London traffic, but mine gets quite vibey above 60 or so and especially on the motorway. It's not the power - it (theoretically) cruises at 80 with no problems, but for me the vibration takes the fun out of it a bit. It is, after all, a single cylinder.

For a weekend hack and commuter I think its great - just wouldn't want to ride it across Europe unless I the time to take B-roads all the way. I'm planning to upgrade to a 1100 or 1150 before touring next year.

Just my 2p...

Rob

 

[VAL. H.]

Hi Joff,

Welcome aboard

It all depends on what your used to. If you a sports bike rider you may well find the 650 under powered. (edit: I just looked at your profile, 1098 eah )

The 650s do have a lot of usable power but it's flat out at just over the tonne. To most people this is of no particular issue, to some it's a big one.

The single spark 650 is a great bike in just about any normal situation. It looks good, is comfortable for most, handles very well, pulls like a train and will literally climb walls.
There's a wide verity of luggage choices as well as screens and hand guards. Tucano Muffs and Gauchos fit them too (just thought I'd slip that one in ). The have the comfort items like heated grips and ABS, can be fitted with auxiliary lights and/or HiD conversions plus many other enhancements too.

We currently have a 2000 Dakar, a 2001 GS and an 04 GS.
I bought the Dakar on a whim on ebay needing a few bits and bobs to get it up together. I gave it a service of which incidentally it Hadn't had for about the last 16000 miles (4 years).
It runs fine and even has a very sweet engine (surprisingly). the first ride I took it on was a rant around the local lanes with a mate who rides like the wind on a Cagiva Grand Canyon (900 Duke motor) I was impressed to say the least.
Off road the Dakar is more comfortable and easier to ride than the 650GS. This is mostly due to the 21" front wheel. However the GS is very good off road too and I prefer the 19" over the 21" on the road as well.

The 2001 GS has served well over the last 18 months having been used both on and off road 'even taking in the odd ford or two'. This has more or less been replaced by the 04 650 twin spark. I don't think that there is much difference between the twin spark and the single spark as the Dakar seems to go just as well as the 04. However SWMBO says it goes better than the 2001 bike does.

You have good taste sir. I too like the Black and White Dak 'which is what mine should be, except the previous owner repainted it greeny silver'. As for ABS, it's up to you really. If your an experienced rider, you may find it's a waste of time. If your a new rider you may want the reassurance it brings.

My personal oppinion is that you should go with your budget and get the tidiest, newest, lowest mileage bike you can find. They're out there from just over a grand for a DIY bargain, or upwards of 5K for a very nice one from a dealer.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Val.

 

[Radar_UK]

My '04 Dakar has never stopped putting a smile on face every time I ride it, commute every day rain or shine (fast A and B roads) and out for long rides at the weekend and handles both of them with ease.

It is a bit vibey at higher speeds but that improved a lot once I switched to Tourances after the Sahara 3's.

Fuel economy always between 70-75mpg, comfortable, easy to work on I can cruise at 80mph fully loaded with no issues

Every now and then I think I will move up to a 1150gs but to be honest can never come up with a good enough reason to get rid of the Dakar - it does everything I want !

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

I went from a 1200 RS to a2001 Dakar.missedthe top end of the RS but the Dak was so light and flickable on any sort of twisty. surprised a few sports bikes too. Added to that the fuel consumption and It was a real winner. I am over 16 stone too but never felt it was too slow or underpowered. Down here in Cornwall we have a lot of very twisty, poorly surfaced roads so it was ideal. I did swap it for my sons 800g/s and he regularly takes it off road, look at flipfly's posts and you will see what I mean. He also toured the Alps this year and seems to absolutly love the bike. He is no lightweight either.
Go for a ride on one , you wont regret it.

 

[colin l]

Joff
They are a great bike as long as you accept their limitations;slow acceleration, low top speed and brakes that are just about up to the job. Their build quality (whilst good) is not up to the standard of other BMWs.
However I have had 3 of them and each one has been reliable, economical , and great fun.Of the many, many ,bikes Ive owned or ridden this is the one I would choose if I had to have one bike to do everything.
Points to watch for are peeling engine paint and worn steering head bearings.
The post 04 Twin Spark models are better for economy and low speed tractability.
These and other topics are well covered on the f650.co.uk web site.
One final benefit is that many were bought by people who never took them off-road more than once (they are pretty heavy) so there are lots out there in good condition.
As the guys say below- try one you may well be impressed
Colin

 

[rc mad]

i have an 06 dakar, build quality is good on this one at least, brakes are good, not as good as twin discs tho. Not got a problem with acceleration, it still beats most things off the line.

Done nearly 18k on it, Only things i've replaced are chains and tyres Pretty cheap to service too, service kits are around £20 from motorworks

 

[Flipfly]

I have the prettiest of all the Dakars, the original blue white and red on a 51 plate. Now I know others will argue with me about it being the prettiest, but they are all wrong

It's a single spark, goes great, stops and handles well enough to scrape the panniers on the floor.

It's not super quick, but I can't think of a better bike for travelling 3500 miles around Europe, coming home, throwing knobblies on and then going laning around Derbyshire.

Superb bike IMHO, if ya want speed then it ain't for you, but if your prepared to hoon down b roads and go the long way, the Dak is great.

70mpg, cruise at 75-80mph

I'm heavier than 16 stones too

 

[rc mad]

the captain america version

 

[Noiseboy]

Hi mate and welcome to the site if you want to find a bargin here on the site you will need to become subscriber to use the for sale and wanted section http://www.ukgser.com/subscriptions.htm.


once you have subscribed please follow this link to my fully loaded Dakar which is currentley for sale. http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1560636#post1560636

cheers Tom

 

[joff]

Hi all,

thanks for the replies...sounds good to me so far.

I just want a bike that i can have some fun on local country roads and lanes...i would never want to do more than 75ish mph tbh and i don't need it to power wheelie in 1st, 2nd and 3rd! I want a reliable bike that i can use in all weather and not have to be too precious about.

Can anyone tell me between what dates the black and white F650GS Dakar was manufactured...is it only on a W, X and Y plate...or maybe a 51 plate too?
I noticed in the 650 photo section that one chap says that his Dakar is a 2006 bike...perhaps he had it sprayed black and white?

Regards

Joff

 

[Flipfly]

Hi all,

thanks for the replies...sounds good to me so far.

I just want a bike that i can have some fun on local country roads and lanes...i would never want to do more than 75ish mph tbh and i don't need it to power wheelie in 1st, 2nd and 3rd! I want a reliable bike that i can use in all weather and not have to be too precious about.

Can anyone tell me between what dates the black and white F650GS Dakar was manufactured...is it only on a W, X and Y plate...or maybe a 51 plate too?
I noticed in the 650 photo section that one chap says that his Dakar is a 2006 bike...perhaps he had it sprayed black and white?

Regards

Joff

Joff, the original black and whites are only available in the earlier single sparks, but from time to time you may see sets of plastics come up for sale, that might explain a newer one.

If ya get a dakar, try conti escapes as a tyre. Good enough to do this

 

[VAL. H.]

Joff, the original black and whites are only available in the earlier single sparks, but from time to time you may see sets of plastics come up for sale, that might explain a newer one.

If ya get a dakar, try conti escapes as a tyre. Good enough to do this

I'm just back from test riding the 2001 650gs, 'after sorting out a misfire'. I think if I ride it any more I'll be needing new boots It goes through the local twisties easily as quick as my 1200gs great little bike. She's fitted with TKCs too

You say you're unlikely to be going over 75ish. You best not buy one then
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cos as soon as you get in the twisties you're going to find yourself getting carried away


Have fun now!


Val.