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F650 or XT engine? F650 or XT engine?
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #16  
Old 28 Apr 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
Interesting how the complimentary statements of fact about the F650GS, including for example Nigels' last post, end up anywhere but in the BMW tech forum.
I guess we are all too busy riding the Wee Beemers to be too bothered about spreading the good news! Anyway, that will just push up the second hand prices!
Didn't the BMWOC tell you, the F650 isn't real. It's a fake Aprillia.

I guess that just confused those of us that actually use/used 'em. Turned out we were right though, lots of chain drive BM's without sticky out cylinders and dual stereo systems about these days

Andy
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  #17  
Old 28 Apr 2008
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You Know you want the XT...
I guess I'm a little biased but I would go for the XT over the BMW any day. The engine is simple, well put together and spares are available throughout the world. It will do everything asked of it save for high speed motorway work (70 MPH +). That said it's quite happy plodding along at 60 MPH all day without a problem (providing you can put up with the vibration which you will find on any thumper).

Iv'e stated this loads of times lately - I have recently procured a nice MINT low mileage 2000 model XT600E (5,000 miles) for only £1,600. That certainly represents good value for money when you take into account it's capabilities. I challenge you to find a similar low mileage mint condition BMW for less than £3,000. You won't find one it's that simple. You're better off saving some money and spending it on a good quality riding suit.

Stay safe.
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  #18  
Old 28 Apr 2008
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Wink Hard facts about the Rotax engine
This guy is probably very happy with his 28000 miles at up to 90 MPG:-

The Statistics Fuel

I have yet to see any statistics to match these for consistent fuel economy, and these are in the real world - no test riders produced these.
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  #19  
Old 28 Apr 2008
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it's a YAM, all the way
TTRE – TTR - XT - what’s good is, reliability, unbelievable toughness, simplicity for self maintenance

I’ve got the TTRE, I’ve only had it for about 8 weeks, and it’s been 8 of the most fun weeks I’ve had on two wheels. When I asked my friend about the bike he just laughed and said “Shaun, how long have I had it? Can I kill it? It just goes on and on

Providing you don’t neglect her the Yam is BULLET PROOF, having said that, I’ve known people who have neglected them, and they still don’t die.

If I was planning an RTW, which I am, I couldn’t comprehend anything else. I’ve had 5 yams and ONE word always stands out, reliability.

Shaun
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  #20  
Old 29 Apr 2008
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Originally Posted by ukiceman View Post

Providing you don’t neglect her the Yam is BULLET PROOF, having said that, I’ve known people who have neglected them, and they still don’t die.

If I was planning an RTW, which I am, I couldn’t comprehend anything else. I’ve had 5 yams and ONE word always stands out, reliability.

Shaun
Got to agree with this. I've had times on trips when I've not been as assiduous as I might regarding servicing, and crashed the bike several times and not a murmer of complaint. There's nothing quite as nice after a 30 foot sliding crash into the back of a van in the rain to pick yourself and the bike up and, despite some minor cosmetic damage (to both of us!), press the starter and hear that reliable old lump fire up first time and to realise, whatever the abuse you dish out to the poor old girl, your Yamaha will always get you home.

Matt
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*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!
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  #21  
Old 29 Apr 2008
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Well geuss I have answered my own question -kinda knew what I might buy - 2005 Yam TT600RE purchased today! Just wonder if any of you TT600RE boys are going to the HU UK meeting - might be able to pick up a few tips on modifying to RTW bike.
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  #22  
Old 29 Apr 2008
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cool
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Originally Posted by paultol View Post
Well geuss I have answered my own question -kinda knew what I might buy - 2005 Yam TT600RE purchased today! Just wonder if any of you TT600RE boys are going to the HU UK meeting - might be able to pick up a few tips on modifying to RTW bike.
Hey Hey, well done mate I was wondering today while having my day off, and working on my TTRE if you’d made your mind up yet! I’m going to the HU meeting
Last edited by ukiceman; 29 Apr 2008 at 20:39.
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  #23  
Old 29 Apr 2008
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Talking
Congrats. Take it out for a week with the ideas you have now and test it out. You'll find out real quick what works and what doesn't.

If you would have gone for the F you wouldn't have had that problem though. Heaps of ideas around and maintenance info.
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  #24  
Old 29 Apr 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paultol View Post
Well geuss I have answered my own question -kinda knew what I might buy - 2005 Yam TT600RE purchased today! Just wonder if any of you TT600RE boys are going to the HU UK meeting - might be able to pick up a few tips on modifying to RTW bike.

Congrats Paul, it's always a great time when you get another bike!
Do a search back in the HUBB (for TT600R or TTR600) and you will find quite a few posts about the bike, including the various mods for travelling - there are quite a few.
You can ignore any threads that I started: they are all about problems, but I had a lemon TTR.

ps leigh and bikerfromsark have some good information about the TTR going long distance.
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Last edited by Walkabout; 29 Apr 2008 at 23:50. Reason: ps added
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  #25  
Old 30 Apr 2008
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Thumbs up Highish miles bike - no big deal
Just for the record, post number 6 in this thread has a casual reference to getting in some miles:-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...to-japan-34722
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