Nick Sanders does RTW trips on an R1.

My aunt and uncle did UK to South Africa in the 60s in a standard mini.

It may restrict what route you use, but roads are a pretty common concept ;o)

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He is mad..... If you are going to do many thousands of miles on the road, even an R1 makes a lot more sense than a supermoto. Luggage issues, high speed cruising.... Still, it takes all types and if he has the time and the patience, good luck to him

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Honda CBR 1100 XX, Yamaha XTZ 660, Harris Special

I agree quite mad.... :-)

Small fuel tank, rock hard seat, etc...

But think of the fun on all those mountain passes, I had a play on a SM bike, great fun for a quick blast, but personally I wouldn't go touring on one.

As did this guy, worth seeing this amazing clip

YouTube - R1 Enduro

Most certainly he isn't mad at all.

The XT family of motorcycles are quite simply legendary in terms of RTW travel. In fact the XT500/XT600 breed of XT's are probably the No1 choice for adventurers in Africa. More people have chosen the XT for trans-Africa trips than BMW. There aren't many places in the world that haven't seen an XT at sometime or other.

An XT provides more "Bang for Bucks" than any other bike I have ridden (which is quite a few in 25 odd years riding). Thats why so many riders use one in traffic and around town where the bike can be flung rounds corners and weaved through heavy traffic. Out on the open roads the XT is enjoyable too - I recently saw a video on UTube where a XT600E kept up with a Kwaka ZZR100 on twisty country roads. The big multi-cylinder sports tourer only took the XT on a long straight at the end.

Anyone who has ridden an XT will tell you that it isn't suited to high speed motorway work but providing your happy plodding along all day at 60mph it's fine. A single cylinder is never going to compete with multi-cylinder bikes on tarmac. That said, most singles produce heaps of enjoyable torque and the power is low down where you need it offroad.

Yes I agree the bike needs a few alterations from standard (OEM) but this is limited to the seat (get a gel pad or put a sheepskin over the top) and the small fuel tank (get a Acebis replacement).

In terms of reliability and robustness the XT660 will kick the arse of any of those bikes mentioned above and thats a FACT. They are indestructable. I love mine and wouldn't swap it for anything.

The XT660 is a direct derivative (decendant) of the original legendary XT500 as are all the following XT600 models. It produces a bit more power for a bit more weight. The engine is a proven one and not many things can go wrong with it. Simplicity and reliablility are paramount for RTW adventures, speed of travel is very low down on the list of needs for most riders.

I find it laughable that someone would choose an R1 for RTW work rather than an XT. Yes the R1 is good on tarmac but what happens when the road does end or an alternative offroad route is needed. I also doubt that it's actually possible to circumnavigate the whole globe on tarmac alone - Some parts of Russia and the far East have never seen a human let alone a bike! I suppose it all depends on the routes taken doesn't it. By keeping to tarmac alone you risk missing many of the priceless experiences only offroaders can get too. If you want tarmac why don't you just keep going round and round the M25 for a few months!

So there, he's not so stupid after all is he?

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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

I don't think you're mates that mad going RTW on a 660 X,
the XT 660 X is styled like a supermoto but it's not as mad as most and you can convert it into a XT 660 R (the trail bike version).I think you have to swap wheels, forks and front brake but thats all,it's the same frame.
The bikes not a descendent of the old XT 500/600 as it's a fuel injected liquid cooled bike in a totally different frame.
There's a great website for the XT 660, just google XT660.com and you'll get there.I think someone on there did a RTW on 660R trail bike version.

You are dreaming..... Firstly, I actually own an XTZ 660. Because I think its a great bike. And I have done the Mormon Trail on one too. But his is the Super Moto version - which IS a road bike. So most of what a Tenere could do, he can't even consider.

He is in road bike territory, and an R1 wins easily. Dogmatic loyalty to the 'XT' label doesn't beat common sense and experience.

I absolutely respect anyone's wish to ride their own bike, whatever it is - but rational discussion should not involve ridiculing anyone. The XT was not designed to go around the world on tarmac - and not even Yamaha would disagree with that.

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Honda CBR 1100 XX, Yamaha XTZ 660, Harris Special

The 660R version will overland alright, Torsten's great escape