STANDARD GS v.s DAKAR
- Thread starter oscar3769
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robroy
Registered user
From http://www.motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/2006_Bikes/f650gs_dakar.php
The F650 GS Dakar special employs extended 210mm (front and rear) suspension travel - which is 40mm longer than on the standard F650 GS. The seat height of the Dakar model is 870mm (instead of 780mm); the front wheel is now two inches larger at 21 inches; enduro tyres are standard; the front mudguard has been slightly extended; hand protectors have been fitted, and the screen is marginally higher. The choice of options and accessories is the same as for the F650 GS.
The F650 GS Dakar special employs extended 210mm (front and rear) suspension travel - which is 40mm longer than on the standard F650 GS. The seat height of the Dakar model is 870mm (instead of 780mm); the front wheel is now two inches larger at 21 inches; enduro tyres are standard; the front mudguard has been slightly extended; hand protectors have been fitted, and the screen is marginally higher. The choice of options and accessories is the same as for the F650 GS.
... although there is a low and standard height seat option for the GS but I don't know if the same applies to the Dakar.
dakarjim
Registered user
the low/standard GS seat will fit the dakar if you need it
i have a 32" inside leg, and with the normal dakar seat i can get the balls of both feet on the floor - its quite a tall bike
the 19" GS front wheel also fits - i didnt get on very well with the 21" front wheel on the road, although plenty of people do so i guess its just me!
i have a 32" inside leg, and with the normal dakar seat i can get the balls of both feet on the floor - its quite a tall bike
the 19" GS front wheel also fits - i didnt get on very well with the 21" front wheel on the road, although plenty of people do so i guess its just me!
I felt when I had the Dakar model that the front wheel semed to like following road banding, markings etc, even if it was not where you were pointing.
Dakar has a high mudguard as standard, but TT do a lower one.
Be aware that not all 650 GS's and Dakars are the same as some have dual spark plugs (newer ones) and others don't (older ones). AFAIK the dual spark are supposedly better on fuel consumption and not as revy in nature.
If you don't already know about it there is loads and loads of information on the Chain Gang site - http://faq.f650.com/main.html
But of course even if you do know about it, there is still loads and loads of information on the Chain Gang site - http://faq.f650.com/main.html
But of course even if you do know about it, there is still loads and loads of information on the Chain Gang site - http://faq.f650.com/main.html
elevensies
Registered user
the 650gs is a cracking do it all bike, the dakar has a slightly better following, hence holding the price better, but the gs is just as good, maybe with the right tyres a better road bike than the dakar.
avon distanzia are the tyres of choice i believe for good road manners on the gs.
avon distanzia are the tyres of choice i believe for good road manners on the gs.
Not found that myself, so could be a tyre issue. I use conti escapes for road trips and they are good enough to scrape the panniers on the deck
As for twin/single spark, I have regularly got 70mpg out of a single spark engine when tooling around on twisty roads. If the twon spark is better than this then good o, but I'm happy with 70mpg
dakarjim
Registered user
Not found that myself, so could be a tyre issue. I use conti escapes for road trips and they are good enough to scrape the panniers on the deck
As for twin/single spark, I have regularly got 70mpg out of a single spark engine when tooling around on twisty roads. If the twon spark is better than this then good o, but I'm happy with 70mpg
I had tourances, and the front felt like it had a mind of its own. Fitted a 19" wheel and the problem went away, again on a tourance, although it went for a service at the same time and the steering head bearings needed tightening slightly so maybe that was affecting it too. I hadnt even test rode it before i bought it, my previous was a funduro and i just knew i wanted one! Maybe a standard GS would have been a better choice as i have yet to ride it off road, its my only bike and i dont want to trash it learning.
Will probably try Conti Escapes next though.
As for fuel economy, on my 200 mile A road/ Motorway commute last friday i got 76mpg, although i never really thrashed it due to the weather.
Its a fantastic bike though, cant think of anything that could replace it!
There is also a UK based site:
www.f650.co.uk
with lots of friendly owners, local meetings & an annual get-together.
www.f650.co.uk
with lots of friendly owners, local meetings & an annual get-together.
I'm guessing it was those Tourances. They work really well on the big bikes and are good with the 19" wheel, but the 21 is too skinny for them to work well. We had them on Liz's Transalp and they were horrible. Now she is using Escapes and the bike is much nicer to ride
Having said that, I gave Tarry a run for his money (1150ADV) on the cat & Fiddle road and I was on TKC's
I think there is a psychological aspect to a skinny 21" wheel that has your brain saying that it won't grip. Very much a case of getting used to it and having a bit of faith to start with.
IME on good tarmac you can grind ya boot into the ground. When the peg touches down, the rear lets go and the front follows very soon after. Don't ask me how I know, but those undies were unrecoverable
What tyres would you recomment. I dont want to have to keep changing tyres to go off road, gonna do some laneing and hopefully meet up with some of you guys and do some mukky stuff, I have done some research and TKC's seem to be fit for the job.
TKC's are a good all rounder. I use MT21's on mine for off road now but they are "exciting" when pushed on the road. I've already had a couple of moments that involved a bit more speedway style that I like
TKC's take a bit of getting used to but in the dry they are suprisingly good, just take your time in the wet.
For easy laning on dry surfaces and 90% road, the escapes are the best handling tyre IMHO, I have found the limits of them and it's way more than you need in general riding. Renewed my faith that the Dakar is a wolf in sheeps clothing on the twisty's
I've upset the odd blade around tight bumpy backroads on TKC's though too. On the A roads they piss off into the distance, but like my old dad always said "Anyone can open the throttle in a straight line"
TKC's take a bit of getting used to but in the dry they are suprisingly good, just take your time in the wet.
For easy laning on dry surfaces and 90% road, the escapes are the best handling tyre IMHO, I have found the limits of them and it's way more than you need in general riding. Renewed my faith that the Dakar is a wolf in sheeps clothing on the twisty's
I've upset the odd blade around tight bumpy backroads on TKC's though too. On the A roads they piss off into the distance, but like my old dad always said "Anyone can open the throttle in a straight line"
I dont need to get anywhere fast these days, Ive done my time wearing out the titanium bolts on my sliders, its time to hang up the racing leathers plus the jacket is too tight now, havent you got a Dakar? Fancy selling it on? Or if you know anyone, I think I might have found a buyer for the blade so will be loking in earnest.
Fast is all relative to the surroundings, 80mph is feckin quick if ya take the right roads. You might not race around at 150mph but you will go fast, it's why we ride bikes
Pootling is great, but sometimes the horns have to be given a chance tooYou know I've got one
As I've said before, I can't think of a decent alternative that I could afford, so she's staying with me
You'll either love it or hate it, I was unsure at first, but the more I have used her the more I love it.
As a sum of parts it should be very average, but it's so much more than that. Quite possibly the closest thing to a reliable modern airhead
The dakar is closer to the original idea of the g/s than the 1100/1150/1200 will ever be IMO.
Keep lookin, you'll find the right one. A mate of mne has an early 03 (I think it's a single spark) limited edition in yellow with chequered graphics. It's not a dakar but it has done very little. has a lowering link on the suspension and a 33 bhp restrictor kit (easy removal). Has full luggage, dakar screen IIRC. It has a 19" wheel but it's a straight swop for the 21".
If ya want I'll see if he'll sell it and what he wants for it. It's had a pretty easy life and is sub 20k miles IIRC.
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