Thursday, September 6, 2012

46 Dakar Motorcycles Over The Years by Mike Werner






Dakar logo
The Dakar rally is one of the most admired and watched motorcycle (and other vehicles) races in the world. It's one of the toughest races, specially on a motorcycle, and the stamina required to participate (not to speak of the deep pockets) is legendary.

Recently it would seem that the Dakar race is dominated by KTM motorcycles, and it's true, they have since 2001 won almost very race. In the top manufacturer winners of the stages in the Dakar, they clearly dominate (data until 2009 race):

KTM - 152
Yamaha - 127
Cagiva - 59
Honda - 52
BMW - 46
Suzuki - 10
Gilera - 3
Husqvarna - 3
Barigo - 2
Kawasaki - 1

But in the number of Dakar wins, they're second:

Yamaha - 9
KTM - 8
BMW - 6
Honda - 5
Cagiva - 2

So, it's not only KTMs since the beginning (1979). Here are 46 photos of different manufacturers over the years. You can find many more photos of the earlier years at Dakar Dantan Open link in a new window

1979 - The First Year, won by a Yamaha
Yamaha logo
Dakar 1979 Yamaha XT 500
Dakar 1979 Yamaha XT 500

Dakar 1979 Yamaha XT 500
Dakar 1979 Yamaha XT 500

Moto Guzzi logo
Dakar 1979 Guzzi 500 TT
Dakar 1979 Guzzi 500 TT


1980

Kawasaki logo

Dakar 1980 Kawasaki KL250
Dakar 1980 Kawasaki KL250

KTM logo
Dakar 1980 KTM 240
Dakar 1980 KTM 240

Vespa logo
Dakar 1980 Vespa
Dakar 1980 Vespa


1981

BMW logo
Dakar 1981 BMW
Dakar 1981 BMW

Ducati logo
Dakar 1981 Ducati 500SL
Dakar 1981 Ducati 500SL

Dakar 1981 Ducati 750
Dakar 1981 Ducati 750

KTM logo
Dakar 1981 KTM 495
Dakar 1981 KTM 495

Yamaha logo
Dakar 1981 Yamaha XT500
Dakar 1981 Yamaha XT500


1982

Honda logo
Dakar 1982 Honda 550 XR
Dakar 1982 Honda 550 XR

OSSA logo
Dakar 1982 Ossa 310
Dakar 1982 Ossa 310


1983

Barigo logo
Dakar 1983 Barigo
Dakar 1983 Barigo

Husqvarna logo
Dakar 1983 Husqvarna 250
Dakar 1983 Husqvarna 250

Peugeot logo
Dakar 1983 Peugeot TLX 125
Dakar 1983 Peugeot TLX 125


1984

Barigo logo
Dakar 1984 Barigo
Dakar 1984 Barigo

Moto Morini logo
Dakar 1984 Moto Morini
Dakar 1984 Moto Morini


1985

Barigo logo
Dakar 1985 Barigo
Dakar 1985 Barigo

Yamaha logo
Dakar 1985 Yamaha XT600Z
Dakar 1985 Yamaha XT600Z


1986

BMW logo
Dakar 1986 BMW HPN
Dakar 1986 BMW HPN

Moto Guzzi logo
Dakar 1986 Moto Guzzi
Dakar 1986 Moto Guzzi

Yamaha logo
Dakar 1986 Yamaha 660 Tenere
Dakar 1986 Yamaha 660 Tenere


1987

BMW logo
Dakar 1987 BMW
Dakar 1987 BMW

Honda logo
Dakar 1987 Honda NXR 750
Dakar 1987 Honda NXR 750


1988

Suzuki logo
Dakar 1988 Suzuki DR Z800
Dakar 1988 Suzuki DR Z800


1989

Yamaha logo
Dakar 1989 Yamaha Tenere
Dakar 1989 Yamaha Tenere


1990

Cagiva logo
Dakar 1990 Cagiva Elefant
Dakar 1990 Cagiva Elefant

Yamaha logo
Dakar 1990 Yamaha YTR 750
Dakar 1990 Yamaha YTR 750


2000

MZ logo
Dakar 2000 MZ 660 Baghira
Dakar 2000 MZ 660 Baghira


2004

BMW logo
Dakar 2004 BMW
Dakar 2004 BMW

Dakar 2004 BMW HPN
Dakar 2004 BMW HPN

Yamaha logo
Dakar 2004 Yamaha 2 Trac
Dakar 2004 Yamaha 2-Trac


2005

KTM logo
Dakar 2005 KTM
Dakar 2005 KTM


2006

Harley-Davidson logo
Dakar 2006 Harley Sidecar
Dakar 2006 Harley Sidecar
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Suzuki logo
Dakar 2006 Suzuki DRZ
Dakar 2006 Suzuki DRZ


2007

Kawasaki logo
Dakar 2007 Kawasaki KLR
Dakar 2007 Kawasaki KLR

KTM logo
Dakar 2007 KTM
Dakar 2007 KTM


2008

Husqvarna logo
Dakar 2008 Husqvarna TE450
Dakar 2008 Husqvarna TE450


2009

Honda logo
Dakar 2009 Honda
Dakar 2009 Honda

KTM logo
Dakar 2009 KTM
Dakar 2009 KTM


2010

Aprilia logo
Dakar 2010 Aprilia RXV
Dakar 2010 Aprilia RXV
Husaberg logo
Dakar 2010 Husaberg FE 570
Dakar 2010 Husaberg FE 570

Husqvarna logo
Dakar 2010 Husqvarna
Dakar 2010 Husqvarna

KTM logo
Dakar 2010 KTM
Dakar 2010 KTM


2011

Bultaco logo
Dakar 2011 Bultaco Pursang 370
Dakar 2011 Bultaco Pursang 370