My Favourite Forgotten GS - BMW Dakar Review

Quick Overview

The BMW F650 GS Dakar is ultimately deemed superior to its predecessor, the Funduro, and the modern F 900 GS, primarily due to its lighter weight (400 lbs vs. 40 hp for the Dakar, compared to the Funduro's issues) and superior engineering (Austrian-built engine with a chain drive, unlike the Italian-built, unreliable water pump system of the Funduro), despite the Dakar's small gas tank and low-end torque issues.

Key Points: The BMW F650 GS Dakar, which has 40 hp and weighs 400 lbs, is significantly better off-road than the older Funduro, especially in sand. The Funduro's Italian-built engine design frequently suffered from overheating issues due to the water pump placement under the clutch cover. The Dakar's engine, built by Rotax in Austria, benefits from a dual-spark ignition and the engine assembly was later moved back to Germany from Italy. The Dakar's superior engineering includes a 21-inch front suspension travel and better ground clearance compared to the Funduro. Despite the Dakar's low-end torque issues and small gas tank, its overall performance and reliability, especially regarding cooling, surpass the Funduro. The newer F 850 GS and F 900 GS models, while powerful, are heavier, and the Dakar maintains an advantageous power-to-weight ratio over the Funduro.

Context: The video presents a comparative review focusing on the evolution of BMW's single-cylinder adventure motorcycles, specifically contrasting the older F650 Funduro, the intermediate F650 GS Dakar, and the modern F 900 GS. The host, Ryan F9, tests the bikes in harsh, sandy conditions to highlight engineering differences, particularly cooling systems and overall off-road capability.

Detailed Analysis

The review concludes that the BMW F650 GS Dakar is the superior motorcycle among the three compared (Funduro, Dakar, and F 900 GS), largely due to engineering decisions made after the initial Funduro model. The host notes that the Funduro, which was Italian-built, had a critical flaw where the water pump was placed under the clutch cover, leading to frequent overheating and engine failure, often described as 'cooking themselves into bricks.' The Dakar, built by Rotax in Austria, corrected this by moving the coolant system's heat fins externally and placing the regulator under the seat. Although the Dakar's engine assembly eventually moved back to Germany from Italy, it retained the dual-spark plugs, which allowed for better combustion timing, resulting in smoother power delivery, especially at low RPMs, even though it still exhibited some low-end lugging. The Dakar also boasts superior suspension travel (21 inches front) and ground clearance compared to the Funduro. While the newer F 900 GS is more powerful (50 hp vs. the Dakar's 40 hp), the Dakar retains a better power-to-weight ratio, making it easier to ride in soft terrain like sand, where rider skill (flotation) is more important than raw power.