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That Trials training course will pay BIG dividends ... no matter the bike you end up on. Trials is the best training, IMO.  Staying fit and working on aerobic conditioning helps too. I'm 65, still ride off road ... but no longer compete. (rode AMA Enduros for 8 years in my 40's)
If buying in the UK I think I'd go with a XT600E (air cooled version). Cheap ... and check the weight!  Put some money into it ... could be OK! ?
The newer Tenere' could be OK too ... bit heavy. I'm not a fan of BMW or KTM. I've towed too many and loaded too many onto the break down truck to trust them outside the country. But that's just me ...
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Bought a trials bike off eBay. Beta Evo 250 and found a farm nr Kidderminster to have a play on. I can'y wait and may join a club if I take to it seriously or just use it to get some low speed (safe) off road practice with fitness and balance training thrown in for free then sell it when I get my travel bike.
On that topic I really like the look of the teneré but it's heavy as hell and costs virtually the same as the latest 2014 KTM 690 which beats the ten in every way apart from the tank! I don't want an old bike as I would end up spending a lot having the wiring replaced and bearings swapped. No I think I'd rather go newer but then the new KTM with a volume knob for a throttle and separately programmed twin plugs plus all those ride modes would leave me stranded if I encountered a minor breakdown.
The DR650 doesn't exist in the UK. Neither does the x challenge apart from the odd one which sells for a daft amount. I would probably go buy one from Germany if I went down that route.
Basically I just confirmed there is no ideal bike so I'll concentrate on falling off my Beta for the time being and leave the travel bike question time to answer itself. Leaning in the direction of the 2014 KTM 690 at the moment but ask me next week...
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have fun with your helmet!
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