hola,
read all you said above, all is correct.
sandi, the xt is not much lighter, just a lot simpler.
In Russia (summer 2003)I met a two Germans, he on an Africa Twin, she on the new F65O. They had travelled in 2002 from Germany to Cape Town - no problems with the Africa Twin and only small problems with the F650 - they got to Cape Town allright. They used the same bikes to cross Russia to Vladivostok, on a dirt track the F650 stoped and did not start again. There was no way to fix it in the East of Russia, and nobody could tell which electronical part was wrong. She was lucky, as a journalist she had good contacts to BMW and they send all the parts (I would say over 1000 Euros).
Sandi, as somebody said above there is no perfect overlanding bike for a trip thru Africa. One thing is for sure, if you take your f650 it will not look as new after the trip as it looks now.
my advise, learn as much as you can about your beemer, find somebody at home who knows all about it and somebody who send out parts fast if you need them, and ride it down to Cape Town.
I am riding an old XT600Tenere since 1999 around the world and I am getting ready to ship it to South Africa. Maybe we will meet somewhere, all the best from the Dominican Republic
mika
------------------
|