OLD 1992 XT660Z Tenere or new(ish) KLR or 650GS Dakar?

[johngore]

Hi guys, really enjoyed reading the forum, and comments from those who have the experience.

I really great condition OLD 1992 XT660Z Ténéré has come up for sale, and well, my heart is in it already... The price is a bit high, but its in immaculate condition. Looks more like a well looked after 5 year old bike, rather than a 17 year old bike! Has 70000km on it, starts and runs like new. It also comes with pannier boxes, and crash bars.

Other options in the price range are:

• 2002 XT660E
• 2003 KLR650
• 2002 - 2004 650GS Dakar (bit expensive for me, heavy, and parts!!)

(please note the above are not exact models, but they are the ranges that fall into my price range / availability / needs.. so they made it to my short list.)

The bike will be used for commuting, and weekend trips away as often as I can (2 up, wife and I are small and light, 130kgs for both of us)

Here are some pics of the OLD 1992 XT660Z Ténéré that is available:




So my questions are:

• Is the 660 motor (liquid cooled) as good as the legendary old XT600 motor (air cooled).
• Is the OLD 1992 Tenere a good choice, vs a much newer (5 year olds) KLR650 / 650GS with much less miles?
• Off road, of course the XT660Z is not as good as the XT600, but will it go to all the same places? (GS, IMO will not go the same place if for nothing else but the fear of dropping it and costly repairs)

I hear the XT660 motor hardly gives trouble, and when it does parts are cheep, and very available. There is also a bike mechanic that lives very close to me, who specializes in XTs (mostly XT600), and has tons of used spares too / and experience of course.

Any and all comments very welcome.

PS: Please do not comment on the NEW XTZ660 Tenere, as its way out of my price range. tks in advance. John