Straying off topic here .... sorry all!

Wet weight is as I quouted. 425 lbs. (193 kgs.) I think the new G650 is about the same. Really not bad when considering all the extras it comes with. ABS, F.I. center stand and more. Nice, comfy, easy to ride bike. But my DR650 is only 425 lbs. and that with all luggage on board, 5 gallons of gas, and at about half the price!

Seems the 660cc Yam motor has been around a long time. We never got the bike in the US, but I see the XT and 660 seem to be pretty popular in the UK and EU. Quite a few fans of it here on HUBB, no? It's not economical compared to BMW but pretty reliable according to some here.

I have read a lot of RTW reports with the F650/Dakars with plenty of problems on those reports. In fact your buddy Tony had his shock mount break off, which has happened on several others as well, no?

I'm sure XT/660 reports show some negatives too but can anyone ever match that Smelly Biker guy? The F650's & Dakars lose it for me just based on batteries/overcharging problems and bearings alone!

I don't know a thing about her bike ... maybe she can chime in here. She seems quite capable of pleading the Tenere' case! But if the Tenere' needs all that to be rideable then that is a big disappointment to me. I wonder what her loaded up bike weighs? Guess I'll be sticking with my old, out dated Japanese dinosaurs for the time being.

Yea, $7000 is about right, although MSRP is about $8000. A true adventure bike would have to be a lot stronger than a stock WR450, which is really a race bike. Seems to me the frame and sub frame may have to be re-worked some for luggage carrying ability. Be a shame if they ended up with another Piggy Tenere'! As you say, better seat would have to be worked in somehow too.

The WR250R is a good example of what can be done. It's 40 lbs.(18 kgs.)heavier than the WR250F (race version). But it is amazing to see how much crap guys are able to carry on the WR250R on tour. ADV rider has huge threads specific to this bike. Impressive reports, most all good. Full street legal bike with all road based electrics. Don't know anyone who has done RTW on a WR250R, but that is bound to happen.

The WR250R however is not very snappy compared to the the WR250F but has great gearing for highway, is well suspended stock and can go 85 mph, and with F.I. gets amazing MPG. (60 to 70 mpg) The WR250F (race bike) tops out (stock gearing) at only 60 mph, sucks gas but is faster and has better out of the box suspension, and 40 lbs. less weight.

But the WR450F would be the perfect place to start. Big tank, sub frame, F.I., wider seat and leave the rest up to the owner. Minimalism is best. I feel there is a good chance Yamaha will actually do this as the WR250R has been a big seller in the USA so far. With taller gearing the WR450 adventure bike could be the real deal. Reliable, packable and touring capable.

But for me, much of life on the road is simply long range road droning and some of this is just plain sitting there ... all day, day after day.
This is where my ancient DR650 Suzuki seems OK. It's comfortable and can be ridden 10 hours a day. Off road, not bad once set up. No, I can't attack a rock section like on my race bike, but I can make it through. Does anyone really ride in attack mode when loaded up with a full complement of luggage? I've seen what happens to the KTM guys when they do this in Baja. Bent wheels! Broken radiators and usually a broken collarbone or two! I love KTM's .... would never own another. Young hot shots bike!

Compromises everywhere I guess.