Hi everyone, i'm new here. right, i'm looking for a bike to do a RTW leaving in january 2010, the trip takes me from europe down through africa, up central america, then across from south east asia, through russia and eastern europe, back home. i'm completely stuck between a gs, pre-2000, seems to be my favourite as it is a little lighter and doesn't have all those bells and whistles i don't need, or a yamaha xt600? the yamaha is better off road, and is lighter, easier to fix, but the BMW is superior on tarmac, more powerful and far more comfortable on the long tarmac roads. plus the BMW is more expensive to buy in the first place. any ideas? will the xt take thousands of miles of tarmac easily? or will the BMW break down too often?

Hi Guys,

I'm in the same position - BMW F660 GS or Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere. The bike will be used to commute to work and (hopefully) trips away to exotic destinations.

regards

Shaun

Hey, if you go the tenere be sure not to put the yamaha engine bars and ali bash plate on or you will have troubles with it cracking (and the mount possibly cracking). Knowing what I know now I would buy touratech or metal mule for accessories. Have ridden the 08 Tenere from london to cameroon so far and the only bike troubles have been those accessories and not being able to find good quality oil until now. So far so good........

Just to let you know I had a voltage regulator fail on my 09 Tenere after 1000 miles - only symptom was the warning light, followed 5 mins later by the rev counter falling to zero (engine still running) then the multi function display shutting down then the engine stopping. Since the fitting of a new one under warranty I have done a 4500 mile, 15 day trip round the coast of GB with no problems,- I fitted a Givi top rack with PLX363 side carriers and V35 cases. Fully laden the bike becomes a little light at the front, with easy (inadvertant) wheelies off the throttle in 1st and occasionally 2nd gear. Bike averaged 63 mpg on mainly B roads and unclassified roads, covering up 380 miles per day in 12 - 14 hours. Seat gets a bit uncomfy after a bit, but never enough to have you in real pain. Rear tyre dead after 4700 miles, front still has 1000 miles left with the odo now at 6200 miles. An excellent bike and just as much fun to ride as my CBR 1000, without the risks to my licence.

There is a warrenty replacement for than, it's not the VR, it's the connector block. When these connect, there is a possibility that the electrical connections are fine, but the weather seal isn't. Some greese around the connector stops the weather, nad the connectors stay nice and clean.

What have you been doing ? 1st tyre got over 90000 and second one is down to 2mm with the bike on 15,000.

Both bikes are obviously capable of it, but I would go with the Yam. My XT600E just keeps going no matter what I throw at it. Not much fun on motorways due to the lack of weather protection, but who wants to ride on motorways?

BMWs do nothing for me either, but undoubtedly good bikes. If you like that sort of thing.

Matt

__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

Test ride.

Looking at specs is pointless at the end of the day, although I do it, too!

Find examples of each that you can afford and would be willing to pay for and test ride. If not those, then similar examples...

It's the only way to actually know if the bike suits you in the slightest...

__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

Most people riding around the world ride 9X% tarmac.

The BMW is clearly best for tarmac and IMHO the difference when driving offroad with luggage the difference is not that big.

I would have picked up an airhead….

[quote=AliBaba;243567]Most people riding around the world ride 9X% tarmac.

The BMW is clearly best for tarmac [quote]

A) True

B) Really? I think it depends on the tarmac. Would still rather have the XT on rough or twisty tarmac. More fun. But that's a personal opinion.

Matt

__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

Hi there,

good idea to ride a bike around the world. Did you ask about the 1100GS/XT600 or 650GS/XT600??

yours question depends also on your budget, because parts for both bikes dont cost the same and are not available in the same places. sure you can ride around the world on a GS or on a XT, but they will both need parts along the way.

beemers are considered in most places (outside europe and the us) as expensive luxery bikes. the xt is used by many locals around the world to go to work etc. and in many places like you will find used parts.

I rode an XT600Z Tenere around the world for 6,5 years and I know that XT parts are easy to find (if parts are available at all) and quite cheap.

enjoy and take the bike that you like most, and than see what happens. its your journey ...

mika

I think I may hate you....

Jealousy: it's an ugly thing, I know.....

__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

Mate,

I had to make the same decision but with the Dakar vs 640A. I went the Dakar because I was happy modifying for performance rather than comfort. Forget about people winging about waterpumps. I was paranoid about it thinking it was a Rotax issue, but found that 2 people I asked (on KTM but didn't target KTM riders) had failed water pumps. But they didn't have a weap hole, so had to drop their oil. Rotax allowed for it, and all you lose is coolant. Which makes it better for being out in the boonies. I gues other bikes have the same issues.

People are assuming you're talking about the Tenere, which I reckon looks like a grass hopper. Obvioulsly there is a date difference between both bikes in terms of styling, and not sure I like what the future looks like. Again that low fender.

The Dakar is awesome on the twisties. The geometry is great. Quality of the FI GS got better in later models, so if you'd go for that I'd go for an 06/07.

If you're talking about the standard XT than you'll find that they are the bike of choise for Brazilians. Large tank available.

I don't know the Tenere, which would mean for me that if it were me I'd take the Dakar again. It's done it for years which means all the little things found on world trips have been ironed out by people, and mods are easily found. There is also some diagnostic tools for them. The motor is brilliant. Suspension sucks, but needs upgrading on all bikes for a trip like this anyway. I prefer to look at it like a Rotax with BM bits.

__________________
Tacos Tyring Travels.com

Not sure which BM you're fancying but just for thought... I have travelled USA Morroco and most of Europe on a 1200GS. Recently changed to the new Yam Tenere and wouldn't have a word said against it.
The BM is more comfortable and will go most places the Yam can go, but with much more trouble.
The BM is too heavy if you're considering spending time alone, it is limiting with regard some of the terrain you will be encountering (especially if alone) and in some of the more remote regions you will be hard pushed to find spare parts.
The Yam will go almost anywhere and is fairly commonplace everywhere when you require spare and or repairs. With regard speed it will keep up with any other bike, of the type overlanders use, you wish to mention but who wants to speed and miss all the hilights you have based the trip around. True you do relinquish a little comfort on the tarmac but this is well worth it given the fun you will have when the going gets rough.
GO YAM TENERE and get around 350mile to the tank

Thanks for all the advice, I really like the look of the Yammy.

Does anyone know the cheapest place to buy one in the UK at the minute (i'm thinking new rather than used).

I'll probably end up phoning round anyway

cheers

Shaun

I'm confused - XT600 XT660 XTZ660 XT660Z - all different bikes... seems to me that some people are recommending certain ones, when what they mean is (or think other people mean) a different machine?

I don't consider myself a Yamaha aficionado (just yet anyway), but admit to being a bit of a pedant - if you are talking about the current Yamaha Tenere, that is the XT660Z... any other combination refers to the previous generation machine/s.

I can vouch for it's robustness, reliability and ability in all areas... 24,000 miles in the last six months over every kind of terrain imaginable - never missed a beat.

xxx