Please compare: F800GS to Older F650GS Dakar

[macdarren]

I had pretty much made up my mind on the F800GS but I just ran across a deal on an almost new F650GS Dakar. I want something that I can take off road and have some fun on desert type trails but that is also suitable for a daily street ride of maybe 30-60 miles. I know in many ways these are different bikes. Single vs Twin etc but their original stated purposes were pretty similar. I have gotten to know the F800GS mostly through riding it's little brother the current F650GS and feed back from others with the 800. I do not know much about the older 650 Dakar. It seems like it was a pretty competent bike in it's day (3 whole years ago) and most people seemed satisfied.

My concerns are that it seems like the Dakar might be better off road than the F800, which might be a good thing (though I think the 800 is more than enough for me now maybe too much given its weight) but that 650single seems like on road it might be a bit rough and maybe a bit underpowered on the 75mph freeway.

Thanks
Darren

[Terrytori]

Originally Posted by macdarren

I had pretty much made up my mind on the F800GS but I just ran across a deal on an almost new F650GS Dakar. ...

No real comparison at any level. I owned an '05 Dakar. Stronger on the pavement than in the dirt. Let down by suspension... particularly up front.
Think more powerful KLR with generally better components. I think it was a good solid scoot with a basically bulletproof motor. The F800GS kicks its' butt at every dimension.

[macdarren]

Thanks for the feed back...sounds like the GS is the way to go even if the Dakar was a steal. My feeling from sitting on the older non Dakar GS was also that the frame was not as comfortable (more cramped) for me as the newer twin.

[jodyz121]

I just replaced an F650GS (single) with an F800GS. Yes, the F8 is a whole lot more bike, but there are many things I'm going to miss about the F650:

- it's bulletproof
- it could cruise all day long on the interstate
- I dropped it all over the place without any serious damage
- it was "smaller", so picking it up and creeping through the big rocks was a lot easier (something I do not look forward to on the bigger bike)
- it was cheap (in relative BMW terms)

[Terrytori]

[quote=jodyz121]I just replaced an F650GS (single)
- it was "smaller", so picking it up and creeping through the big rocks was a lot easier (something I do not look forward to on the bigger bike)

17 pound dry weight difference.

[YetiGS]

Originally Posted by macdarren

...but that 650single seems like on road it might be a bit rough and maybe a bit underpowered on the 75mph freeway.

Thanks
Darren

I test rode a 2007 Dakar before buying my 800. That convinced me I wanted the 800 since my daily commute is 30 miles each way with about 25 of that on the freeway. The Dakar felt stressed at anything over 65 and around here at least that won't cut it. At 75 on the freeway the 800 is nice and relaxed and geting 50 mpg.

[v8toilet]

Well when we have 100,000 miles on more than a few F800 motors I'll feel better. My Dakar while not a 'dirt bike' was probably the best all round motorcycle I've owned. It ran out of steam at 90-95 but I think it needed another gear. Smoothest single ever put in a dual sport bike IMO.

Friend of mine has 96k on his 2001 Dakar its done the AlCan 5000, its his daily commuter, and his play bike. Nothing but a water pump and valve jobs and probably a few radiator fans. Sometimes I wish I hadn't sold my 05.

I've been waiting for something like the F8 ever since I switched from the F650 single to the R motors.

[jodyz121]

[quote=Terrytori]

Originally Posted by jodyz121

I just replaced an F650GS (single)
- it was "smaller", so picking it up and creeping through the big rocks was a lot easier (something I do not look forward to on the bigger bike)

17 pound dry weight difference.

Try picking each one of them up and you'll appreciate the difference.

[SI Eddie]

My F800GS with bash plate and BMW side boxes weighs 550 pounds wet. Stock KLR 650 is 400 pounds wet, that's a lot of difference when playing around offroad. Not sure where the F650 fits, but would think it would shade closer to the KLR.

[Terrytori]

Originally Posted by SI Eddie

My F800GS with bash plate and BMW side boxes weighs 550 pounds wet. Stock KLR 650 is 400 pounds wet, that's a lot of difference when playing around offroad. Not sure where the F650 fits, but would think it would shade closer to the KLR.

The listed dry weight on the KLR is 390 pound
The Dakar was listed @ 407



The 800 GS as follows.

Unladen weight, road ready, fully fuelled 1)	455 lbs (207 kg)
Dry weight 2)	392 lbs (178 kg)

[jodyz121]

Unfortunately, mine always seems to fall down when I have it loaded and full of fuel.

[Terrytori]

Originally Posted by jodyz121

Unfortunately, mine always seems to fall down when I have it loaded and full of fuel.

That is the natural order of things.

[mousitsas]

Originally Posted by Terrytori

The listed dry weight on the KLR is 390 pound
The Dakar was listed @ 407



The 800 GS as follows.

It has been stated in this forum as well as measured by several people and magazines. The F8 is 218 kgs fully fuelled.

[hankgs]

I would venture to guess that most of us here that do "off road" are on fire roads or high clearance vehicle roads... If your are canyon climbing and boulder jumping, wouldn't make sense to ride a real dirt oriented moto? Whether it be a KLR, 650 or 800GS, they are all huge bikes to handle on anything more than fire roads or trails... Not saying it can't be done but I for one, am not that good a rider and would not want to struggle with 400+LBS of moto.

[Terrytori]

Originally Posted by mousitsas

It has been stated in this forum as well as measured by several people and magazines. The F8 is 218 kgs fully fuelled.

DIN tare, ready to drive

kg

207

which translates to 455.4 pounds

Hmmm... scale wars... cool.