Thinking about a 650 Dak

[MMC]

I've had a fair share of GSes, ranging from airheads (two of those) to 1150s (just the one) and am now on an 1100. But I've started wondering about a 650 Dakar as a stablemate/alternative. It's partly because of doing a bit of off-roading, partly because of economy and partly because I just fancy it!

Do about 18k on the bike each year, motorways, byways, A roads, London and back, general bimbling, client meetings, you name it. About the only thing I don't do a lot of is pillion carrying.

What's the Collective's view? What's different? What's good? What's bad? What to look out for?

Cheers!

Mark

 

[Micky]

........ and partly because I just fancy it!

What's the Collective's view? What's different? What's good? What's bad? What to look out for?

Cheers!

Mark

Perhaps the best reason for going for one

They have a heart of gold and a backbone of steel... they're great. Alas... I sold mine to Snoops

Tough as old boots, was going to say indestructable but Snoopy might be watching

Me and Sue (Gracie on here) rode ours across Siberia in to Mongolia and across the Gobi Desert

Buy one in good condition, preferably post '04 so as you get the twin spark model (smoother and more economical) Head bearings can last 50,000 miles... or 3,000 miles but not too difficult to replace.

Buy as you see, hear and feel and you'll not go far wrong. Sue got 70,000 plus miles out of hers before she wrote it off

Keep 'em wound up at 5,000 to 6,000 rpm and they'll stay with anything on the twisties. 80 to 85 mph about the tops for motorway cruising, 105mph top wack, 60 to 70mpg ... lotsa smiles, but a 'big single' not to everyone's taste.



www.adventure.gs

 

[rc mad]

whats bad, bmw chains went from good to fecked in less than 500 miles. Buy a good quality chain for it

Trying to think of things that have fallen off / broken. Erm, that'd be nothing then. Worst thing with mine is that it seems to like blowing dash lights. Pain in the arse to replace. Also check the swingarm linkage bearings Mine were almost dry at 6000 miles. Micky mentioned the head bearings, mine seem ok at 14000 miles on a 06 bike.

Servicing access is worse than on the other gs bikes, figure 3/4 - 1 hour to get to the top of the engine. But most of the stuff you have to take off needs doing anyway, oil tank, airbox and battery from memory. The engine is just about bullet proof, mine is just starting to loosen up and fuel economy is going up as well, i get around 170 to reserve. Some of the 650 bikes around have well over 100k miles on them. Only reoccuring engine problem is waterpump seals going, a full rebuild kit is just over £25 so it won't break the bank when it goes.



They really are great bikes, not focused to do one thing brilliantly but to do everything well, something some people just don't seem to get.

 

[AxeGrinder]

They really are great bikes, not focused to do one thing brilliantly but to do everything well, something some people just don't seem to get.

I got my 05 2spark in May...had to, or will lose my licence...

Since then, I've done around 4000miles, 50 mile commute, some biznis travel, a little off road, and as much fun time as poss!

I've had more grins the last few months, than in almost any year of sportbike riding...relaxed and comfy when required, but an embarrasment to sportsbikes in the twistys...

I love it like I love my Defender...I've had quick cars and bikes, but I love this Dakar, and it's so much fun, I still can't believe it's legal!

Only real gripes are it's very heavy if you get stuck off road...but not like a GSA! 6th gear would be nice...but that's probably just because I'm used to one...

I am ham fisted, and don't hang about, yet I get to about 184miles before the light comes on, and I've had another 80 with the light on....thats about 90 more miles per refill than any of my sportsbikes ridden gently!

Fun with a capital Grin, is how I've found my short ownership of the Dak...

 

[wilo]

well cant coment on them till the 17th when i pick my 03 Dakar with LOADS of TT bits on it with only 11,000 miles on it 1 owner from new, CANT WAIT

 

[snoopy]

The propeller on mine failed at 65,000. They (BMW or Rotax) had the great idea of using plastic cogs serviced by engine oil. Hot engine oil = melted cogs. It's a design flaw from the the first Funduro and Husky brought out metal replacements when they used the Rotax engine a while back. No longer available though...

Apart from that it was solid everything else was wear and tear. Shock linkage on mine was screwed big time but I'll blame Micky for that.

Getting to the engine is a royal pain in the arse. I wouldn't want to ford and recover one.

Vibes are serious over long distance (as bad as a KTM640Adv !). Ride before you buy if intending to do motorway miles.

Top heavy despite the lower tank - feels as heavy as a 1200.

It's an unfocused bike that does nothing well but everything adequately. Great MPG works in it's favour but for many it's bland. All depends if that's what your looking for, but there's a reason Micky and many other 650 owners upgraded to the 800.

 

[judge]

Grizz has a lovely one for sale in the best colour that will mike a stable mate but you of all people Mark know its not a replacement for the 11, not for one second

 

[dotcaf]

I've ridden my Dakar to Oz, doing 28k miles on it. Rides flawlessly in terms of reliability. Take a look at 'the bike' section on my website to see my comments on it and mods etc. Also 'the stats' section to see mpg (www.planitearth.co.uk). Also see the maintenance page under 'stats' for what needed replacing along the way.

I'd describe it as an excellent work horse that can give you a couple of thrills. If you want a weekend sportster and have ridden performance bikes, this will only hit the spot if you're going on trails and want a medium sized bike for that.

Pros
----
Cost
Weight (relative to others)
Does everything well enough
MPG up to 92!
Solid subframe for luggage
Fairly low in height (or change the seat over)
Easy self maintenance
You feel you're going faster than you are!
Simple engine - if it breaks down, no complicated electronics to fix

Cons
----
Does nothing outstandingly
Chain drive
No 6th gear so revs high (realistic max cruising of 90mph)
Poor steering bearings

Charles

 

[billy56]

Buy one, you won,t regret it
(mine just sailed throught it,s mot and with the rain we,ve had i mean sailed)

 

[MMC]

Grizz has a lovely one for sale in the best colour that will mike a stable mate but you of all people Mark know its not a replacement for the 11, not for one second

I'm not sure there IS such a thing as a replacement for the 11, not really It would have to go alongside rather than instead of.

Thing is, I'm doing a slightly longer commute that I'll normally cycle, but on days when I need a bike the 11 isn't even warmed up by a 10 mile run. Hence thinking about a smaller bike.

 

[Jon]

I had a 650 Dakar before getting the 1150 GS Adventure, and there are days (like today) when I'd like to have one sitting in the garage, so I can just hop on it and go for a ride nowhere in particular.

The GS is great, but when I sit and think about it, I honestly think I had some of my biggest grins bimbling (& thrashing ) around on the Dakar

 

[Radar_UK]

I had a 650 Dakar before getting the 1150 GS Adventure, and there are days (like today) when I'd like to have one sitting in the garage, so I can just hop on it and go for a ride nowhere in particular.

The GS is great, but when I sit and think about it, I honestly think I had some of my biggest grins bimbling (& thrashing ) around on the Dakar

And there was I thinking about swapping my Dakar for an 1150GS - maybe I'll hang onto it !!

 

[judge]

I'm not sure there IS such a thing as a replacement for the 11, not really It would have to go alongside rather than instead of.

Thing is, I'm doing a slightly longer commute that I'll normally cycle, but on days when I need a bike the 11 isn't even warmed up by a 10 mile run. Hence thinking about a smaller bike.

10 miles? Even the 650 would be overkill for that - C90 will do that cheap as chips to own, run etc... Or for a bit more versatility a 350/400 thumper. Had an XT350 used to be my commuter into London from home (13 miles) until the feral scum round here took a shine to it

 

[Micky]

The propeller on mine failed at 65,000.

Strewth Snoopy you did do some modifications to it

Here's a piccie of your 'bike while I had it, before you fitted the propeller, maybe I should have had one fitted d'ya think

Would one have saved me

 

[snoopy]

Haha yeah Micky, makes it go MUCH faster through a river.

You submerged a whole arm there - wow!

It would have gone if you'd kept it too, just wear 'n' tear at those miles. I reckon the engine is a superb workhorse and would have done another 60k without issue after sorting that out.

The 1150 was still a better bike though if you can live with the weight and mpg difference.

 

[Jon]

And there was I thinking about swapping my Dakar for an 1150GS - maybe I'll hang onto it !!

Loan it to me tomorrow then

Ah, memories....................Seeing Chris The Fat Twat off on his Dakar Adventure in 2001

 

[Radar_UK]

Loan it to me tomorrow then

LOL I would in return for the 1150 but the Dakar's in for a service tomorrow and I'm getting an F800GS loaner so will probably want one of them by the end of the day !

 

[dakarjim]

buy one, you wont regret it they're a fantastic bike

i test rode (among others) an F800ST, 1150GS, and an 1150GSA when i was replacing my old Funduro

i didnt think any of them were any better IMHO - sure, the 1150's were better at munching miles on a motorway but then i dont do too much of that, and if you can live with 85 the Dakar is happy enough on motorways

the only reason i can see for an 1150 is if you were going to do a really long trip and needed the ability to carry extra weight

i wouldnt swop mine, thats for sure!!!

 

[judge]

Loan it to me tomorrow then

Ah, memories....................Seeing Chris The Fat Twat off on his Dakar Adventure in 2001

Jon you must've got ruddy cold waiting a full 2 years in that lot for CTFT to leave the podium

 

[Micky]

Haha yeah Micky, makes it go MUCH faster through a river.
You submerged a whole arm there - wow!

Look closely matie... the 'rain' is still falling around di 'bike'n me... we hadn't settled on the bottom when the piccie was taken

The plimsol line ran straight down the middle when all was done