2002–2007 · Adventure · Buyer's Guide
The Thumper That Goes Anywhere
The Dakar is the F 650 GS built for dirt rather than dressed for it. The 652 cc liquid-cooled single puts out 50 hp and 44 lb-ft, and the torque number is the one that matters here, because it shows up early and stays useful. A 21-inch front wheel, 8.3 inches of suspension travel front and rear, and 7.1 inches of ground clearance give it real trail geometry instead of adventure styling. Five gears, chain final drive, 4.6 gallons of fuel, 421 lb wet. Nothing about the package is complicated, and that is exactly the point of it.
It rides the way a well-sorted single should, unhurried and easy to place, and the low weight means a wrong line in the dirt is a correction rather than a crisis. It ages well when someone actually looked after it, which is the whole game with a bike of this age. This one suits the rider who wants backcountry range without a heavyweight to wrestle at walking pace, and who rates simplicity over a spec sheet. The honest caveat: the 34.3 in seat asks something of shorter riders, and ABS was an option rather than standard equipment, so plenty of bikes out there don't have it.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 50 hp (37 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 44 lb-ft (60 Nm) |
| Displacement | 652 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 300 mm |
| Front tire | 90/90-21 |
| Rear tire | 130/80-17 |
| Wheelbase | 58.2 in (1479 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 7.1 in (180 mm) |
| Front travel | 8.3 in (210 mm) |
| Rear travel | 8.3 in (210 mm) |
| Seat height | 34.3 in (870 mm) |
| Wet weight | 421 lb (191 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.6 gal (17.3 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Safety
This section belongs to the riders, not to my own miles. Two decades of talking with owners at events, over coffee at club evenings, at gas stops on the way somewhere, plus the mail that arrives from people living with these bikes. What comes back about the Dakar is one steady story rather than scattered opinion, and owners are candid about both halves of it.
Longevity leads almost every conversation. Owners talk about big odometer readings and very little trouble along the way, and they credit the solid, sturdy way the bike is put together. The single collects nearly as much affection for its low-down pull and its thumping character, happiest at an unhurried pace or on gentle dirt. Handling comes up just as often: neutral, easy to manage, the kind of bike riders say builds trust quickly whatever their experience level.
The power ceiling is the common one. Loaded up or facing a long climb, owners describe a bike working at its limit just to sit at highway pace, with no reserve when a pass opens up. The suspension draws a similar note: plush, but underdamped and imprecise once the pace rises on pavement, with a floating feel. Long highway stints bring up the buzz past 5,000 rpm and the numb hands and feet that follow, along with an engine several call dated and raw, one that asks for a deliberate hand. Brakes are mentioned least, and only as adequate, with a wooden feel.
Handlebar clamping block recall (2007 models)
On certain 2007 F650 GS motorcycles, the clamping blocks and top fork bridge were not manufactured to specification, allowing the handlebars to move out of position. A recall was issued to install a new top fork bridge and clamping blocks.
Water pump plastic gear failure
The water pump is driven by plastic gears that can become brittle and snap with age, causing overheating. The pump seal may also fail. Replacement gears cost around £50, and upgrading as a preventative measure is advised.
Drive sprocket nut loosening
The nut on the front drive sprocket can work loose, potentially damaging the shaft or causing chain issues. Adding thread lock or fitting the updated deeper nut is recommended.
Oil leaks from left side
Occasional oil weeps from the left side of the engine are reported, often from the generator cover or oil lines.
Wiring loom issues on older models
High-mileage examples may develop wiring loom faults, leading to intermittent electrical problems. A thorough electrical system inspection is advised before purchase.
Cam rattle
Some owners report a slight rattling noise from the camshaft area, which is usually not serious but warrants investigation to rule out excessive wear.
Where this BMW F 650 GS Dakar pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the F 650 GS Dakar is actually built for.
This is the natural fit. 4.6 gallons, 8.3 inches of travel and low running costs make BDR-style weeks realistic, as long as you accept 50 hp and five gears on the transit miles.
Made for Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route · Southern California Backcountry Discovery Route · Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route
You will like the comfort and the view more than the pace. It stays settled at highway speed, but a 200 to 400 mile day on a 50 hp single is a slower kind of day than you may be after.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Successor · 2008–2016
The Easy Miles Single
Successor · 2008–2012
The Approachable GS That Delivers
Competitor · 2002–2007
Soft V-Twin, Serious Staying Power
Competitor · 2006–2007
Easy Miles, Honest Adventure
Competitor · 2004–2006
The SV Heart That Roams
Similar Character · 1996
The Bike That Outlasts Everything