Anyone on here got/been on a BMW F650 GS/Dakar

Just been looking at these, yes I know its a BMW! Thik they look quite cool but specs say only 50hp, are they not going to be quite slow? I guessing build quality will be OK etc.....so come on whats your opinions (apart from old grandad BMW etc etc!!!)

My dad test-rode one for me and it sounded like a bag of nails and was gutless to the extreme, however, he compares my SV to his 1400.

[Sid Squid]

They're good bikes, perhaps not very inspiring performance wise but perfectly useful all the same, handling and brakes are good, comfy too, later ones good build quality, early ones were made by Aprilia and whilst they worked fine could look a bit poor quite easily, those ones are less common now of course. Overall good fun.

If you want it for purely on-road then I would forget it and look to the F800 S, the prices are almost the same and the F800 S is leagues ahead. Off road, it is clearly a different story.

Hi yeah I looked at one before getting the SV and the dealer said great in town but on a motorway boring as hell top end 70mph?

i test rode one before trying the SV, and tho not a bad bike i found it really wheezy

OK, thats the end of that idea then. Didnt think 50hp would be enough somehow! I'll look into the F800!

I did my test on the CS- same engine+handling, but with a lower, more learner friendly seat height.

They're OK- just a tad dull, having ridden my SV for a few months, but the clutch/gearbox are smooooth. Not sure if like the styling of the trailie beemers- it's the nose. Can't quite get into it.