I need some help please. I am still not sure of what bike to get (have two trips planned next year, 1 around Australia - 20 000km, and the 2nd around North America - also 20 000km). I had considered doing these on my Honda 900 Hornet but after reading all the threads think this is probably not a good idea. It seems to me that the bike is too big and heavy and I will be restricted to sealed roads only. Do not intend to do much offroad riding but would like to be able to go there if I need to.

I have (I think) decided on a 650, and the question now is which one. I have seen two Yamaha XT660's for sale in New Zealand and it appears that this is a reasonable option - the price is certainly very attractive in comparison to the alternatives (V-Strom, BMW or Transalp). The two are as follows:

1. 2003 with 9 000km - price $4 000 USD (converted from NZD)
2. 2006 with 20 000km - price $6 000 USD (converted from NZD)

The 2003 is a really good price (in New Zealand terms) with low mileage but some of the earlier comments mention problems with earlier models.

Any thoughts on which is the better and what I will need to do to them to get them ready for the trips?

Many thanks

Peter

__________________
Peter

http://peter-onamission.blogspot.com

The two are as follows:

1. 2003 with 9 000km - price $4 000 USD (converted from NZD)
2. 2006 with 20 000km - price $6 000 USD (converted from NZD)

I dont think i am on about the same bike as you or someone has a year wrong. I just got a 2006 Yamaha XT660R which is the off road type version which is a good bike and could do the trips you say you want, with some off roading in there for the crack. But they didnt make them untill 2004.

Anyway if the XT660R is what you mean and someone got the dates wrong i will explain the good and bad points.
It will handle off roading, not motor x style but off roading, you will probably need to get a bash plate, hand guards, screen and some form of luggage to tour on the bike. The seat is better than most off roaders but not as good as say a transalp. But the advantage over the transalp is it doesnt weigh as much so therefore you can go further into the bush. So to speak.

Now for some bad points. First off it is a single cylinder bike so there is vibe at around 70mph+ but you could with stand them for a while but for 2-3weeks at that all day not really, a twin cylinder would be better. But when are you going to be sitting at 70mph all day when you want to be touring. Second the tank is small, and at the moment there is only 1 alternative which is an offtheroad tank at 900euros or something stupid. But acerbis are being a large tank out this christmas at around £250 or so. That there or you bring a load of jerry/plastic cans.

I may sound blunt about bits but just trying to paint a picture about the bike. If you just wanna be doing on road with alot of it at 70mph+ i would maybe say the transalp or Vstrom would be better.

If the XT660R sounds good, go on here its got loads on info about the bike and there are alot of aussie member that could advice you about where maybe to get a good deal over there and bring it back to NZ land

Almost in every case, bikes are cheaper in NZ. We have no importation tax (only 12.5% GST sales tax) and no stamp duty.

From my experience with the XT600 (not the 660), the BMW F650GS is much smoother and more economical. I have a Funduro too, and the GS is soooo much smoother and easier to ride. Both have been reliable as stones (Funduro shows 145,000km, GS 80,000km). I get an amazing 23-26km/l out of my GS and it doesn't vary much with the riding style. If you are heading for the USA with it, I would lean more towards the F650 if you want a single. I don;t think it would matter so much in Aussie. But I would rather do both trips on a Wee-Strom, even without ever riding one.... just after hearing so many good things about them.

Regards

Nigel in NZ

__________________
The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription

Hi Nigel

Thank you for the input. I took a V-Strom 1000 for a test ride on the weekend. Was not impressed, maybe just the bike. The wind came over the screen and caused my head to bob around, the bike is not as smooth as is made out (I found the F650GS smoother) and the back brake was non existent. The bike is also big and heavy. I was dissapointed.

Peter

__________________
Peter

http://peter-onamission.blogspot.com

Yea the Vstrom has been said to have those probelms but they are suppose to be very good at touring. Me dads got a varadero and i can understand what they mean. It is not an off roader at all but if your tall or are gonna be siting in the seat all day so you want some room to move around in one of those is the bike to take.

The BMW 650 is also a good bike, they as most people say can do anything, off road, cruise, race etc etc.