Road-testing the BMW F650 GS Dakar: There is a special reason for featuring BMW's F650 GS Dakar at this time. Not only will the Dakar rally be taking place in the new year, but right now two of my former colleagues, David French and Craig Carey-Clinch, are using BMW Dakars to visit the Riders for Health centre in the Gambia, West Africa and to raise funds for such projects.
This is very close to the spot where another colleague, Simon Millward, was killed in the final stages of his round-the-world sabbatical ride, a fund-raiser in aid of projects using motorcycles for delivery of primary healthcare services in remote areas of developing countries. He also co-founded the Health for All project in the Indonesian island of Flores.
Before his epic and final ride, Simon had been the indefatigable general secretary of the Federation of European Motorcyclists (FEMA) which during his rein came to be regarded as one of the most effective lobby groups in the EU.
I had the privilege of working with Simon on an EU working group dealing with motorcyclists protective clothing standards. His enthusiasm, dedicated commitment and sheer hard work on behalf of European motorcycling were breathtaking. Though most of them will never have heard of Simon, every European motorcyclist has benefited from his work.
It is fitting that this ride in his memory is using the F 650 GS Dakar, a machine which has proved to be reliable and durable, honed to be a winner in the Paris-Dakar Rally. In essence, it is the same machine as the standard F 650 GS, with minor modifications to make it even more suitable for extreme tasks and tough sporting events. The main differences are in those areas that become vital when negotiating severe terrain, hostile environments and climatic extremes. It also excels in Dublin traffic!
It has extended travel front and rear suspension which at 210mm is 40mm more than the standard machine. Seat height is 870mm, as compared with the 780mm of the standard GS. That can be a problem for some riders. It can be reduced with a special equipment modification. The front wheel on the Dakar is 21" compared with the standard 19" and enduro tyres are fitted.
As with all BMWs, there is a choice of options and accessories. Switchable ABS, heated grips, hazard lights, panniers, tank bag, and higher windshield can all be added. There is a low-power version available at no extra cost for those subject to power restrict ions. In terms of day to day performance it is near-identical to the standard GS. In traffic the rider's higher seating position gives a better view. The long travel suspension and larger front wheel cope even better with atrocious road surfaces. The enduro tyres are perhaps not the best for the urban jungle, so a degree of circumspection is advised.
The Dakar really comes into its own if you are going to do enough riding off the beaten track from where the tarmac ends, that is where it really comes into its own. It is in such conditions that the knowledge that you have a machine which has been perfected in worse conditions than you are ever likely to experience is a great comfort.
The 652cc, liquid-cooled, 4-valve, DOHC engine producing 37kW (50hp) at 6,500rpm and 60 Nm at 5,000rpm has become a byword for rugged reliability. There is a 5-speed gearbox and chain final drive. Top speed is 170 km/h. Fuel consumption works out at 3.2 litres per 100 km at 90 km/h and 4.3 litres at 120 km/h. Usable tank volume is 17.3 litres giving a possible range of over 500 kms with judicious care.
With a fully fuelled weight of 192 kg it remains in the manageable category when it comes to uprighting it after a tumble down a sand dune!
Our test machine had the standard windscreen, the same as is now fitted to the standard GS models. It is not, in our view, any improvement and no doubt explains why after-market producers are offering a much-improved version.
The absence of a centre stand is understandable in terms of weight saving and better ground clearance but is a drawback both when it comes to chain adjustment and when parking. Because of the height of the machine, when parked on the sidestand it takes up so much more space, rendering some of our favourite parking spots impracticable.
These quibbles apart, is has all the virtues of its GS stablemate with, for those for whom such things matter, the added panache of the Dakar name emblazoned on the tank and it comes in the distinctive blue and white livery of BMW's sporting image.
If you are only going to ride around town it's a bit like commuting in a Range Rover, enormous fun, the knowledge that you are not as other mortals, and you are using a lot less fuel.
Tech Spec
ENGINE: Water-cooled, single-cyclinder, 652ccm, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valve producing 37kW (%0hp) at 6,500rpm and 60 Nm torque at 5,000rpm. (Reduced power version 25kW (34hp) at 6,000rpm and 51Nm at 3,750rpm. Five-speed gearbox, chain drive.
FRAME: Bridge type tubular steel frame. 41mm telescopic forks 210mm travel. Box-section rear swinging arm, preload and rebound hand wheel adjustment, 210mm travel. Front brake, single 300mm disk, Two piston calliper. Rear single 240mm disk, single piston calliper. Optional ABS.
DIMENSIONS: Weight (with fuel) 192kg. Wheelbase 1,489mm. Seat height 870mm (special equipment: chassis lowering to 750mm, high dual seat 820mm). Fuel 17.3 litres.
PRICE: €9,700