650 Dakar advise please

The twin spark just means there are two spark-plugs in the single cylinder.  My 1998 Funduro has two plugs also.  The idea is to get more even and complete combustion of the air/fuel mix - this gives better efficiency and lower emissions.  The difference is very small and should not form the basis of your decision.  On the 1200 twin-spark, one plug does the main ignition, while the other ignites residual fuel in the exhaust gases (i.e. if the second plug fails the bike will still run).

I trust your wife is fairly tall and/or comfortable on a tall bike.  If she isn't the height of the bike may be more of an issue and you would be better advised to get a standard GS.  Do not discount the amount of off-road fun you can have on a standard GS either.

The twin-spark Dakar first came into the market in 2004 if I recall correctly.  The twin-spark has an extra 2kw over the previous engine, so nothing drastic.

I'm with Charles on the Dakar's seat height.  I estimate that it is as high as the standard 1200GS'.

Thanks for the info. When my wife is on my 1200 GSA with only driver selected on the ESA, she stand on her toes to keep the bike upright. Will the Dakar be too high for her?

Is the standard 650 GS also a dual purpose bike, when she sit on one of those she can sit flat footet on the tar with a slight knee bend.

What kind of riding will she be doing?  The Dakar is better for offroad and rougher terrain and the F650GS will handle onroad a little better, especially in the passes, otherwise they are pretty much the same bike.

Is she nervous about the height of the Dakar?  Perhaps arrange for her to try out both bikes on a field to see what she feels more comfortable with.

The Dakar's suspension is softer than the 1200's, so once she sits on the bike she should reach the ground fairly comfortably.  IMO she should be ok, especially if she already has some riding experience.  It may be more of a challenge to learn how to ride on a bike that is a little bit on the high side. To be safe I would get her to sit on a Dakar before you consider buying it.  The standard 650 will undoubtedly be an easier ride for her, but does lack a bit of ground clearance for more technical off road riding. 

Hi Kobus, wow, I was just thinking when I saw this, it was around April 2009 when we were supposed to do the Buffelspoort and ended up going to Boegoeberg, how time flies.

I have the Dakar and Natalie has the standard GS, with the cut away seat so she can sit on the bike and touch the ground with both feet fairly comfortably.

If Magda is fairly new to motorbikes either for the first time or again after many years, I would probably go for a bike that she can comfortably touch the ground on. Both bikes weigh around 186kg without fuel and I feel it is fairly important that a newer rider can easily hold the bike upright. If it ever starts to fall over for any reason....., well even I find it difficult to hold it from a certain point. The last thing you want to do is have her intimidated by what is a fairly high motorcycle.

There is nothing wrong with a standard GS off road. In fact at the last Nelson Creek gathering Corne won the 650 class in the skills challenge if I remember correctly on a standard GS. It does lack a little bit of ground clearance but I don't think it will ever be an issue.

Someone whe agrees with me regarding the suitability of the 650GS off-road!  To me, it's like this, either:

1. You're a hot rider who does very technical off-road riding regularly.  You don't care what bike you ride, because you can get almost any bike to go wherever you want.  You have no problems with the Dakar height, because you almost never put your feed down anyway.  You have no problems with the perceived lesser offroad ability of the standard GS because you can ride accordingly, bunnyhopping over bashplate breakers etc, while enjoying the 'smallness' of the bike, or
2. You're not so hot.  The technical stuff that scares you isn't even close to the limits of what the standard GS can do.  You get far more benefit from having a lower bike that you can manage comfortably in a tricky spot, and since you feel more 'on top of' your 650GS you enjoy riding it and playing on it.

Charles, the two extreme groups listed above exclude a large portion of off-road riders who are gradually progressing from "not so hot" to more advanced riders on more technical terrain.  The Dakar offers aprox. 25% more suspension travel, 40% more ground clearance and a 21 inch front wheel. These all add up to make for a much more forgiving off-road bike that may just provide the confidence that is needed to conquer one's fears...

But I agree with you.  The standard 650 is also capable on the dirt in case the Dakar is disqualified by its seat height.

I had a normal 650... when I bought the bike I had the option to buy a Dakar. I was wary of the height the Dakar had.... if I can do it over again, I would get a Dakar.

The Dakar just gives you a bit more off road capability and you will also have more tyre knobbly options for a 21" front wheel. 19" knobblies are a pain to get, and they are more expensive!

But don't get me wrong I do not regret riding a normal 650! I loved that bike! 

http://www.ckloppers.com/#091028-In_Memory_Of_F650GS

Some things to check before buying:

* Swing arm bearings... if the bike is squeaky under load (mounting it)... more than likely the swing arm bearings needs replacing

* Neck bearings... if feel a little notch when moving the steering through 12’oclock more than likely the neck/steering bearings need replacing…

Not major issues, but could help you to negotiate a better deal.

Either way you will not regret getting a 650GS single, be it a Dakar or standard.

Good luck!