Dakar/GS
 

Hello,

Im looking at buying a F650 for a trip. Dakars seem to hold there price better than standard GS's. Is there any great difference between a Dakar and a standard GS ?

Im aware that theyve got different sized front wheels, would it be possible to "Dakarize" a standard GS without having to change speedo's for accuracy in measuring distance on the odometer?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

I think the seat on the Dakar is higher as well as taller suspension. Other than the 21" wheel and a fancy paint job I believe those are the only real differences.

To replace the 19" wheel with the 21 shouldn't be too difficult though with the cost of those things might not be much cheaper than just buying a Dakar. If you do go that route (make sure you can find a cheap wheel first!) you can always bolt up a bicycle speedometer to get an accurate reading.


[This message has been edited by Ekke (edited 20 March 2006).]

The speedo is no problem at all as it picks up from the gearbox (All F650) and you only get odd readings if you are using non standard final drive transmission. (This can also cause problems with ABS systems. Not 100% sure on the BMW but I once had a problem with ABS malfunction on FJ1200 and non standard (but factory approved!) rear tire size.)
The biggest advantage (and the one and only if you ask me) is the 21" front wheel which allows you to use decent tires for dirt roads like Kings KT966 (which I found working like a charm and improving the somewhat indifferent feedback on gravel quite a bit).
Getting a 21" front wheel for a GS only makes sense if you are short and can't live with the seat height of the Dakar. If you need to use new parts you can get spokes and rim only plus spacers for 3rd fork bridge as the rest is identical.
The longer suspension travel does not make the Dakar more capable of handling dirt roads as the setup is way too stiff and Autobahn-top-gear-flat-out orientated just like the GS.
If you put the 21" wheel in your main stand will be too short (both wheels on the ground)
Leave it on and find a bump ot two bricks to park :-)

Not very clear above: The change in wheel / tire size creates the problems for the ABS, not the gearing ratio of course! Sorry.