Bmw or xt660
 

Hi which bike do you think would be the best for overland travel the usual Morocco Europe and possibly further ,i am experienced biker and overlander but normal transport Landrover im 6ft and age 60 so need a bike thats comfortable and reliable mechanic by trade so can fix if needed I would appreciate your comments Bob

hey bob- i drive the xt600z - so what i think.

the xt is a great bike for overland travel. i am right now on a trip germany to australia.
but its a one zylinder- so you have vibration. i am sure its more comfortable with a bmw 800. its also not so hight like the xt. but in my opinion the xt is more reliable.

i guess the bmw would be better for your trip.

greetings
ingo

"Bmw or xt660"
being a tiny bit more specific, which "bmw" you had in mind, might help.

I went through this debate a couple of months ago - settled on the XT660r. Two of them actually his n' hers. Lots lots cheaper than BMs and easy upgrades for travel, comfy and 60+mpg. We are liking them so far but not done a big trip yet.

This was my first thought when I got to read this thread.

I would suggest that you read back through this section of the HUBB that contains lots of discussions that compare two or more bikes.
For instance, just one example -
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...a-xtx660-54216
But, those who own a beemer will talk about it and those who own the other bike will recommend that one, so you will still have to make up your own mind by flipping a coin, or whatever.

You might find enlightenment by reading the technical sections - in this case for BMW and Yam, to see what is said, in some detail, about specific models of bikes.

I was thinking 1150gs adventure

1150 GS Adv vs XT660 ?

Interesting comparison...

Yes i know they are worlds apart having done a bit more research i am going to get the GS 1150 adventure they seem to be good value secondhand with around 30k on the clock ,im sure if the bike has been well serviced it will do all i need it to Thanks for your comments Bob

Well after trying a GS Adventure im going to change my mind and go for a XT660z dont fancy picking up the GS when its fallen over and the XT feels like a better bike for the offroad stuff ,just need to find a comfortable seat any ideas ? Bob

I steered away from the XT because of the seat. Newer ones have less of a step from pillion to rider though I think so may be more comfy out of the box?

The GS Adv will hopefully rest on its cylinders when it topples (as my 1200 often has), so you don't need to lift it from as low down and the weight itself is low down. The XT has been described as top heavy, and having no pokey out cylinder heads you'll have to lift it further.

As an experienced biker I'd imagine you hope to spend a long time riding, and not so long picking them up, so is that really a good main criteria? The Adv will have a little more weather protection?

Less electrics is good (ADV), better fuel economy is good (XT), but better range has to be better still?(ADV) I wouldn't always fill the tank though just because of the weight.

:)

I suggest you take a look at the seatconversion they offer at OFF-THE-ROAD | Zubehör und Tuningteile rund um den Enduro-, Rallye- und Super-Moto Sport
My friend did this to his 2011 Teneré and are more than happy with it.

I myself drive the XT 660 X and my arse loves the original seat on that one, atleast we agree now after 16000 km´s in 2011.
For my Dakar trip this summer I´m converting my X with a Z fueltank for better range which takes me almost 400 km´s on a tank of 23 liters, driving slower than 80 km/h gives you about 30 kms more.

I bought the XT myself after concluding that the F650GS which I had as a comparison was WAY much more expensive and had more problems. The XTs watercooled engine is a development from the aircooled XT 600 engine which has been going since 1984 pretty much and the engines are still built by MotoMorini in Italy, and is seen on the XT 660 X, XT 660 R, XT 660 Z Teneré, MT-03, the Raptor 700 Quad and the MZ Baghira.

The XT is in total built by MBK industrie in France.

The bike is cheap to buy and cheap to maintain and for your adventure it´s like a glove. Mine´s taking me to North Cape :freezing: in a months time and down to Dakar :Beach: at the end of may!
Oilchanges at 5000 km´s and following the serviceintervals every 10000 km´s is practically the only thing it needs.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p...c/6Januari2012

Gs adventure
 

Well i have done a u turn and bought a 1150gs adventure and i love it :thumbup1:

oooops,

Hope you fit a new shaft and like hanging around in BMUU dealers.

Stayed with Garry Diamond in Mexico city, he had a GS for a while - spent more time being fixed than on the road. He has also put up 70 or more bike overlanders and every one of them on a BMUU have had big probs.


XT's rule :mchappy:

:rofl:
To read this, anyone would think that Bob had bought a 1200GS.

BMW
 

Well lets hope that you are just biased being an XT rider !! i have spoken to a few BMW Gs riders and they all seem to think the 1150gsa is very reliable but guess we will see Bob:thumbup1: