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15 Oct 2007
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Help me Choose! Xt660 or BMW 650
Hi to all!
Uhm, my xt 350 got stolen a while a go! YEs we have crime here in Madagascar!
Thing is Im hoping,praying waiting to get a replacement.
In Madagascar there is a Yamaha and BMW agent (Same place I think).
Im a missionary here and will need to visit quite a few places in the next few years. These will be quick in out visits without much gear, except my malaria tabs and stuff for "da stomach"
The roads in Madagascar are improving. Lots of tarred (paved?) roads. But often they are not good. Often a 100kms can take hours and hours (I did 180km in 12 and then 24 hours , ok it was in a truck, but you get the idea).
Fuel stations are few and far apart. Often without unleaded. Fuel quality can also be uhm, dubious!
So, God willing, I will leave Tana (the capital) charge east, north, south or west, first 200-600km on tarred road and then the great adventure. The roads can be reallllllly bad!
There are some XT660Rs and BMW 650's available. That implies some spares will be available.
But, if I can afford it, I will probably import from South Africa.
So please give me your ideas. (Remember I'm sweat, innocent and easily influenced
Thus with this in mind.
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15 Oct 2007
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Read all the threads about these bikes , test ride them both and then make your own mind up .You have a 50% chance of making the right decision .
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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
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15 Oct 2007
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Location: UK
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Toss a coin
I pretty much agree with Dodger, because the factors that you discuss are equally relevant to both bikes and those bikes are very similar.
So, it comes down to whichever one you prefer.
One thought though: the BMW 650GS is going out of production right now and is to be replaced by a detuned 800cc parallel twin rotax motor, if you believe the rumours that are going around and around (there is a thread about such rumours in "which bike" if you are interested) - but you don't say if you want a new one anyway.
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Dave
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15 Oct 2007
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Playing the Devils Advocate here (Opps! Bad choice of phrase?), but for the rides and roads you are talking about, why would you need a bike that big? Do you have any 250-350cc bikes to choose from?
Regards
Nigel in NZ
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The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription
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15 Oct 2007
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Location: Durban, South africa
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Hi ClrScr
My situation is very similar to yours. I am also looking for a new bike (currently on a Honda 900 Hornet which I have decided is not the right bike) and am also considering the XT660 or the F650GS. I have ridden both and like them both. The only negative on the XT660 is the small tank (can be upgraded but at a substantial cost). The XT660 also requires a lot of extras which are standard on the F650GS (the centre stand and screen are two examples). The XT660 has the advantage of being (at least in NZ) much cheaper than the F650GS. I also wonder how I will feel after riding 500km a day for a month on the XT660 - the F650GS seems to be a smoother ride. I intend to ride mainly on tarred roads but want the ability to go off-road if necessary. The XT660 is also about 25kg lighter than the F650GS. Both bikes are easy to ride but have different rides - the weight on the XT660 is higher up whereas the F650Gs has the weight lower down. Let me know what you think once you have ridden both - I would be interested in your (and others) opinions. I have not seen a comment by a XT660 owner who has ridden 500km a day for a month and would like to know what they think.
Peter
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16 Oct 2007
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A Smaller BIke
Nigel
There is a Honda Falcon NX4 available, 400cc
I dont know much about it. Rode to the end of the street and back. Looks pretty plasticy (!?!) Also the price is close to the XT and GS (in SA at least)
There is a 2nd hand XT (2000km, on road) available for about seven  s more than the new NX4
Also it seems not to have off-road capabilities!
Any one out there who knows this bike?
ClrScr
PS Nigel You watched the rugby?
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