# My Favourite Forgotten GS - BMW Dakar Review

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw0H-7DFyNg
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/Sw0H-7DFyNg
Generated: 2025-11-19T16:03:28.393+00:00

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## 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.

![Screenshot at 0:16: The BMW F650 GS Dakar is introduced on the sand dunes, setting up the comparison against its predecessors and successors.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Sw0H-7DFyNg/00-00-16.png)

**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.

### Motorcycle Comparison

- BMW F650 Funduro (Red)
- BMW F650 GS Dakar (Blue/White)
- BMW F 900 GS (White/Blue/Black)

### Funduro Engineering Flaws

- Italian-built engine
- Water pump located under the clutch cover
- Prone to overheating and engine failure ('cooking themselves into bricks') (3:20)

### Dakar Engineering Improvements

- Rotax-built, Austrian engine (later moved to Germany)
- External heat fins on the coolant system
- Dual spark plugs for better combustion timing (3:29, 4:36)

### Dakar Performance Specs

- 40 hp and 400 lb weight
- 21-inch front suspension travel and better ground clearance
- Low-end torque is weak, leading to sluggishness in sand (1:54, 4:02, 5:01)

### Modern Comparison

- F 900 GS has 50 hp and is heavier than the Dakar
- Dakar maintains a better power-to-weight ratio for sand riding (2:11, 6:44)

### Conclusion

- The Dakar is the better overall package due to superior reliability and handling characteristics over the Funduro, despite its own flaws (6:34)

![Screenshot at 0:04: Host Ryan F9, wearing high-visibility gear, introduces the BMW Dakar motorcycle in a sandy, desolate environment.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Sw0H-7DFyNg/00-00-04.png)
![Screenshot at 0:37: Aerial view showing the sand dune testing area adjacent to a major highway and residential neighborhood, establishing the location context.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Sw0H-7DFyNg/00-00-37.png)
![Screenshot at 1:15: First-person perspective from the motorcycle showing the sand surface texture and the blurred surroundings due to speed.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Sw0H-7DFyNg/00-01-15.png)
![Screenshot at 1:31: Close-up of the rear wheel digging into the sand, demonstrating the difficulty of traction on soft surfaces.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Sw0H-7DFyNg/00-01-31.png)
![Screenshot at 2:47: Close-up on the vintage BMW F650 single-cylinder engine, highlighting its older design features.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Sw0H-7DFyNg/00-02-47.png)
![Screenshot at 3:30: Detailed shot of the BMW F650 GS Dakar engine casing showing the '2SPARK' and 'BMW' markings, contrasting with the Funduro design.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Sw0H-7DFyNg/00-03-30.png)
![Screenshot at 3:43: The Dakar motorcycle is shown mid-air, jumping over a mound of sand, showcasing its suspension capabilities.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Sw0H-7DFyNg/00-03-43.png)
![Screenshot at 4:25: The rear of the Dakar with text overlays 'Fake' and 'Real' pointing to the dual exhaust setup, suggesting a comparison or modification point.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Sw0H-7DFyNg/00-04-25.png)
![Screenshot at 5:04: Animation illustrating the piston movement inside the cylinder, showing the ideal timing vs. the Funduro's delayed combustion.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Sw0H-7DFyNg/00-05-04.png)
![Screenshot at 6:23: Side-by-side static comparison of the three motorcycles: Funduro \(Red\), Dakar \(Blue/White\), and F 900 GS \(Modern white/blue\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Sw0H-7DFyNg/00-06-23.png)