F650GS vs. F650GS Dakar

[gerhard]

Hi all.

Brand new member.

I have been on bikes on and off since school days. Even in the MP bike squad during my National Service.

The last 10 years however, has really been more off than on! That was until the 2004 Desert Run in Namibia.

What a great trip for me personally! First time in years that I have spend so much time on a motor cycle. Never came down as well which surprised me a lot. (I did stay on the more easier roads)

One of the bikes that went along in our group, was a 1999/2000 F650GS and I spent most of my riding time on it.

That trip convinced me that BMW is the way to go if I ever consider buying my own bike. That particular 650 has 39000km on the clock and it has been the fourth Desert Run done. Also been on other rallies and a Zimbabwe tour etc. According to the owner, the bike has never given any problems, as long as you keep it serviced.

Also met a few other BMW riders on the trip right from 80GS to 1150GS Adventure. I think there was only one 1200GS and was ridden by Simon Fourie and it was a sponsored bike.

All of them agreed on one thing: They never looked back since becoming owners of BMW's. Especially if your interested in the GS type of riding. Reliability, comfort, practicality etc.

Now my question:

Should I go the 650GS or 650 GS Dakar route? I will mostly travel it on good hard dirt roads with occasional "playing around" in moderate off road conditions. (Certainly not experienced enough at this stage to go full off road)

I am 1,78 meters tall.

What is the better option?

I will appreciate any feedback/advice on your experiences before I make my final decision.

Regards

[Michel]

Well, I once owned a standard 2002 F650GS. By the time some &^%$#@* stole it, the following Dakar items had miraculously found their way onto it:

1. Seat (MUCH thicker and more comfortable)
2. windscreen (actually a Silverline replica)

... and I was pondering whether to fit handguards

If dirt roads, in however good condition, are on your agenda, get the Dakar. The only things you will miss are the heated grips (though I haven't checked the latest versions, this might have changed) and the centre stand. ABS you don't want on a dirt bike in any case, not ever. Just about all other accessories, like panniers, are interchangeable between the two.

The standard F650GS is really a road bike with snazzy styling. Yes, it will do dirt roads, but so will any light, torquey bike with wide handlebars (you should have seen me and my mate on our Yamaha SR500's, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth). The Dakar is a real dirt tool.

IMHO, anyway

[gerhard]

Thanks Michel

The new model gets listed with heated grips as optional extra.

Why is ABS on dirt a no-no? Or is it?

I have read conflicting views on this on the BMW Motorrad forum.

Would appreciate any feedback on this.

Thanks

[Mud Pooh-bah]

Hi Gerhard

The reason why you do not use ABS off-road is as follows. The normal ABS are designed to work on tar conditions. This means that you will achieve optimum traction/grip at slip ratios of about 25 to 30%. Slip is defined as the ratio of speed difference between the specific wheel and the vehicle. The optimum traction in off-road type surfaces lies usually in the vicinity of 80% slip. Therefore if you used ABS it would take you longer to stop than without it even if you had total wheel lock-up (which would equate to 100% wheel slip). Thus ABS is not recommended for off-road use.

I would however recommend that you do fit ABS on your Dakar as you will probably spend 60%+ on tar roads. On wet roads the ABS will make braking much safer. The Dakar's ABS can be deactivated when you travel on dirt roads, which will give you the normal braking. The GS bikes that has ABS fitted are more popular for reselling than those without.

I hope this helps

PS On the New Dakar you can optionally fit the ABS, heated grips (I will absolutely recommend them) centre stand etc. Cytech in JHB will fit you any accessories you need. There is also a std 12V power outlet for other toys!!

[gerhard]

Thanks Mud and thanks Buccaneer for your effort as well.

You guys make it much easier for one to make your final decision. Looks like I will go with the Dakar with ABS.

Is it an easy process to deactivate and reactivate the ABS?

Thanks again.

[Mud Pooh-bah]

Quite easy, I think on the Dakar you only have to hold the ABS switch for a few seconds to de-activate it. The ABS activates normally by default when you start it. I would suggest that you prompt the salesman to demonstrate the activation procedure. Also make sure from him which lights should be burning/flickering for what mode.

[gerhard]

Thanks Mud

Relieved to hear that. I am not that great when it comes to mechanics!

[Dave S]

Gerhard - I have had the facelift Dakar since May 2004 - 16 000km since then.

Bought it from BMW with ABS and heated grips, hand guards - all fitted by BMW as optional extras. Easy to switch off the ABS - press the switch for a few seconds.

Have not done much off-road except from the basic off road course and some minimal dirt roads.

My fiance has the 650GS and in comparing the two would say the Dakar would be more suited - larger front wheel and higher ground clearance. Also different rear suspension settings. All this making it more suitable to off road than the 650GS.

Have a look at the Bike SA forum. Couple of Dakar riders there that do a lot of dirt road. Could perhaps get some decent input from them.

[gerhard]

Dave S

Thanks for that.

On Motorrad there was a few posts about height. Saying that if you are not taller than 1.80 m, you are going to struggle with the Dakar on more adventurous off roading.

Is this true in general regarding one's height and the seat height on the bike?

Or will one's experience and skills level in the long run mitigate this problem?

Dakar listed at 870 mm and normal GS at 780mm

I am 1.78m tall/short

[Dave S]

I am 1.80 - initially found that I could not put both feet flat on the ground and got a lower seat.

Have now put the original seat back and find that I can put both feet on the ground. Could be because of different suspension setting or maybe the suspension was a bit stiff when new - not sure. Only know that now it is fine and I use the original Dakar seat. Keep the lower one as a spare.

[gerhard]

Dave S

It is truly amazing how things have changed since my early days as a biker in the late 80's, mid 90's.

The manufacturers seems to have listened to their customers and it seems that there is a solution to almost every problem.

How much does the lower seat cost? Or would one be able to order the bike with the lower seat?

Thanks

[Michel]

First, find out if the "lower seat" is not simply the standard F650GS seat. I suspect strongly that it may be. As I said, when I bought mine, I quickly put a Dakar seat on it.

Then find someone tall with a standard F650 who wants more comfort and do a straight swop ...

[Dave S]

Michel - quite right - the lower seat is the standard F650GS seat and it is quite a few cm lower.

I think there may be various height options with the seats - not sure how many available - probably only 2 or three.

Gerhard - not sure if you will need to buy the extra seat or if a swop can be arranged from the dealer when you get the bike? Someone may want a standard 650GS with a higher seat.

You may first want to sit on the Dakar with the original seat and try one with the lower seat. I am sure the dealer will swop seats for a few minutes for you to test the difference. You can make your decision from there.

I managed to get a second hand seat from Bavarian at a reduced price so in fact have two seats. Not sure how much a new seat is - probably round about a grand.

[gerhard]

Thanks guys

Looks like the final thing to do now is go for a test ride with both options.

I'll let you know my "verdict"

[Riaan]

Either way - you can't go wrong.

Personally, I got a standard GS and pimped it with a Dakar shield, hand-guards, thicker seat etc.....looks more "classy" on the road...and does as well as a Dak offroad.

Unless you are going for serious offroading, get a GS