Hi,

Well most "motorbikers" dont ride more then 5000 km per year so some of them bikes might stil exist and after what happened in the last years owners probably want to get rid of them so of corse one still has to warn people not to buy them.

There is a reason why after more then 20 Years the AfricaTwin, Transalp and XT or DR has a good reputation like it has an this is something i think BMW simply doesnt want: Quality. You can buy a transalp with 20 years and more then 100.000 km and its still good for a world trip:

Riding the rough west coast through Africa - Transafrika part 3

The problem with quality is that if products dont break they last too long and the company sells less of them. This is no fiction but proofed not only for bulbs, computer printers and cars (Ford T):

Obsolescence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7jIny4Sc30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJeWoxGop-g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6QHuNib748
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INeutNBPl38

Tobi

Damn!
This must be the fastest thread ever.

Time to see what is being said in "which bike" - maybe there is something in there about the G650GS

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Dave

Just because its owned by bmw doenst mean its ran by them, i wish that someone in bmw would redesign the way the work like they are their bikes


Sorry missunderstanding on my part thought you was talking about the silencers not the headers, yes you are correct my bad lol

I know the F800 well and wouldn't EVER buy one. So many trip destroying breakdown stories on them and I have friends with bad experiences. And it's not just the engine. It doesn't take long searching on the hubb to find out why. Anyway.. This thread ain't about them.

The fact that the engines are made by Kymco really put me off. I used to sell Kymcos in a dealership. They were TERRIBLE. REALLY REALLY bad. The quality control was non-existent.

The huskys do look good but I think they will be too highly tuned and uncomfortable for me.


I think I'm back with the XT600Z Tenere. I toyed with a TTR600 but they're bone shakers.

Unless I can find a nice DR650SE... That would get my vote everytime

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I know.... I think I need therapy

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I'm not thrilled with chinese-made things, generally. And a chinese made battery, just 6 weeks old, failed me ever so inconveniently in Uzbekistan. (No, it wasn't the VRR, not another circuit issue.)

But that engine is made in Taiwan. Colebatch has one and has flogged it considerably. And equating Taiwan's quality of manufacture with China's is silly.

Ride a Husky. The handling is excellent on the TE. The MCN writers found the SR to be a bit unstable at speed. That could well have been tires. At lower pace it was deemed "excellent". And neither the TE nor the TR are "tightly-wound" motors. Far from it.

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Orange, it's the new black.

Dementia (taken from Latin) originally meaning madness, from de- (without) + ment, the root of mens (mind) is a serious loss of global cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal ageing.

After 30y/o I have also hesitated, felt sometimes desoriented, even tempted, but all went away. You're stronger than average, principles are deeply rooted in you, you'll overcome such a temporary outbreak. Ted, "may the Made in Japan force be with you".

PS: Now seriously, it could have been worse, made in Italy! Enjoy whatever you decide!

I think you mean "Made in Japan 20+ years ago".

I grew up with Hondas - a Super 90 was the first. I remember the first 750 Four. Amazing machines and for a long, long time.

They may still be reliable. But they generate poor excitement in the marketplace. BMW are making money nicely. Suzuki is on the ropes.

An Africa Twin . . . perhaps as reliable as the sun. And as exciting/engaging/invigorating as soggy toast.

Again, if you want a reliable beast of burden - just get a camel. At least it'll have character.

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Orange, it's the new black.

Or made in Hinkley

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Please also check out post #33 at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-place-66414-3

__________________

Brighty's website: TheBrightStuffDotCom

CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective

Yes, true, but you got the idea. Still better Made in Brazil by Japan!

You mean! A symptom of recovery anyway, but don't open a new front!

Something I learnt today: add #33 to the url and it is a direct link to that post. If you add #legs it looks for the best pics too

Hello Ted

I don't know about the Sertago, but my XT660Z brought me so far over 76000km since I started my trip.
I had some minor problems, due to "made in Italy".
With all my camping gear, food, extra gaz (total 800km), Water for several days,etc. I think that was around 60kg on the back of the bike.
I don't think the few kg that the sertago was lighter would have made a difference.

All I can say is that with the Tenere you will finish your trip on the bike,not on a Pickup.

sushi

__________________
My RTW:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrXt660ztenere

What were your minor problems ????

Cheers, Ted

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Hello Ted
All my problems in 77000km so far:
26000km:
The connection of the AC/DC converter got bad and didn't make contact.
->bike is not running.
I was at Ticlio,Peru,4818m when this happend an could just roll down the hill for 20km. Then recharged the batterie and soldered the pins directly to the converter.This is a known problem only to the 2008 models.
30000km:
The rear break didn't open correctly,probably due to dirt, and overheated/bent the disc. Got it sort of repaired/bended back but changed the disc 8000km later.
34000km:
The chain snaped, but only one side of a piece broke so there was no damage to the bike. Had a spare chain with cliplock.This was not a Tenere more a REGINA problem.
35000-47000km:
"made in Italy" means that they are to lazy to put any grease to the stearing bearings. At 47000kn it had to be replaced.
But if you grease it, every bearing, when you buy the bike, EVEN A NEW ONE, you're fine.
A big "Thank You" to Italy.
Since 40000km there are a lot of dents in the front rim due to my speed and the rocks and I can't trim the spokes anymore but that's not a problem.Got a big one bended back in Sydney with a press.
62000km:
A kangaroo commited suicide on my bike while I was riding at 90 km/h.
Since then the front/right fork is bended a bit,had it bended back by a big press in Carnarvon, but I can ride quite fin.
68000km
After Australia,watercrossings, one bearing of the rear wheel brocke. replaced all 4 of it in Malaysia at a scooter shop for
$10, it's industrial size.
The rubber blocks at the rear wheel/chain wear out fast, but with a piece of tube inbetween they last forever.
That's all so far, to be continued.
sushi

__________________
My RTW:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrXt660ztenere

It sounds like the bike has done GREAT....... considering.

So, all you need to do on a new one is hard-wire or put a proper connector on the rectifier and grease up the bearings.

Sounds good to me.


Jeeez, I need to lie down. I can't believe I considered buying a BMW.

*Slaps face with keyboard over and over and over...*

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.