BMW F650GS Dakar (2002-2003) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 2002, the German motorcycle manufacturer launched the BMW F650GS Dakar, an off-road-oriented machine in its third year of production. The bike came with the same package as previous models, without any significant modifications.

The bike debuted in 2000, and as opposed to the standard model, it was more off-road-oriented due to its larger and thinner 21-inch front wheel, more suspension travel, and a thicker and higher seat.

The BMW F650GS Dakar was named after the Paris Dakar Rally won by Richard Sainct in 1999 and 2000 on a F650RR. It competed against the Suzuki DR650, Kawasaki KLR650, Honda XR650L, KTM LC4 640, Yamaha XT660, and Honda Translap.

In the visual department, the bike packed standard features, such as an upper fairing with a race-inspired livery, a small windscreen, a small headlight, a one-piece dual seat with passenger grab handles, a small luggage rack, an under-seat-mounted exhaust system, and wire-spoke wheels.

Underneath its fuel tank, the 2002 BMW F650GS Dakar had installed a 652cc four-stroke single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine with a fuel injection system in charge, boasting 50 hp with maximum strength at 6,800 rpm and 60 Nm (44 lb-ft) torque at 5,200 rpm.

The bike's power was handled by a five-speed manual transmission with a wet multi-disc clutch linked to the rear wheel through a final chain drive, pushing the motorcycle to 172 kph (107 mph).