500 Dakota (492cc) 1989

1989 GILERA 500 DAKOTA – INCREDIBLY RARE ITALIAN ENDURO

25,557 km / approx. 15,880 miles | 492cc DOHC Single | UK Registration in Progress

Something genuinely different.

This 1989 Gilera 500 Dakota is an incredibly rare Italian enduro and a fascinating survivor from one of the most exciting periods of big single-cylinder trail-bike development.

With just 25,557 kilometres — approximately 15,880 miles — this is a low-mileage example of a motorcycle that is becoming extremely difficult to find.

At its heart is Gilera's technically advanced 492cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke single-cylinder engine, featuring a DOHC four-valve cylinder head with belt-driven camshafts.

Producing approximately 44 bhp, it's connected to a five-speed gearbox with chain final drive and features a hydraulic clutch.

For a big single in 1989, this was serious engineering.

PROPER 1980s ENDURO CHARACTER

The Dakota has everything you want from a late-'80s Italian trail bike.

A 21-inch front wheel, long-travel suspension, substantial 22-litre fuel tank, high front mudguard, protective headlight grille and rear luggage rack give it the purposeful stance of a genuine long-distance enduro.

Specification includes:

• 492cc liquid-cooled four-stroke single

• DOHC four-valve cylinder head

• Belt-driven camshafts

• Approximately 44 bhp

• Five-speed gearbox

• Hydraulic clutch

• Chain final drive

• Gas telescopic front forks

• Adjustable rear monoshock

• 21-inch front wheel

• Front disc and rear drum brakes

• 22-litre fuel tank

• Headlight protection grille

• Rear luggage rack

• Engine protection

• Analogue instrumentation

INCREDIBLY RARE IN THE UK

You simply don't see many of these.

While the Japanese manufacturers dominated the trail-bike market, Gilera was producing something considerably more exotic. The Dakota combined distinctive Italian styling with an unusually sophisticated four-stroke single-cylinder engine and genuine long-distance enduro capability.

Today that makes it a fascinating alternative to the more obvious Yamaha XT, Honda XL and Suzuki DR machines of the same era.

This example is currently going through the DVLA registration process and will be supplied fully UK registered on an age-related plate.

It will also be sold with a full service and 12 months MOT, ready for its new owner.

Year: 1989

Mileage: 25,557 km / approx. 15,880 miles

Engine: 492cc DOHC four-valve single

Power: Approx. 44 bhp

Gearbox: 5-speed

Final drive: Chain

Fuel capacity: 22 litres

UK registration: In progress

MOT: 12 months on sale

Service: Fully serviced before collection

A wonderfully unusual piece of late-1980s Italian motorcycle engineering.

Rare, charismatic and unmistakably Italian.

Please call us to discuss the bike or arrange a viewing.