The 50% price difference is a lot of fuel....

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You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.

Honestly, I think your best choice here is to keep the Vespa for the commutes, and rent a dirt bike wherever you fly to for your holidays.

A 70/30 road bike won't scratch your offroad satisfaction itch, and will annoy you for most of your bike usage time with its inevitable crudeness.

Want something shiny & beautiful to keep some joie de vivre in your fourties? Get a Vitpilen or a Ducati Scrambler.

I think the two bikes are in somewhat of a different class - there's a big difference between the two, big single vs twin, and that's a question only you can answer. The BMW is a better two up bike, the Yamaha better and lighter solo.

I'd have to say go for the Yamaha from your description - it's cheaper by far, therefore less painful a purchase, and it's value will be more appreciated. And cheaper to just sit when not using it, you won't feel so guilty. And finally, easier to sell. Oh yeah, and leaves some funds sitting safely in the bank to put towards the next choice after the Yamaha!

There will always be another one... Or as someone once asked, "Why do you have five bikes?" Answer - "Because I just sold one".

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I think the bikes are pretty much the same size and weight. I've ridden both. The XT660Z is no lightweight. That was it's main criticism when it was released. Although it's still probably a bit lighter than the BMW.

IMO, the F800 is the better all round bike. The 800 Rotax is an EXCELLENT engine. Very reliable and offers a great balance of torque and power. That extra power and smoothness really reduces fatigue on a long trip.

The Yamaha beats the BMW on reliability due to simplicity. The BMW has it's electronic complexities which can leave you stranded if you're unlucky.

Have you considered the XT660R ?

It's much lighter and a bit lower. I had one. And I think it's an EXCELLENT and often overlooked Overland bike. It's let down by it's lack of ground clearance due to the exhaust routing but that can be remedied if you're prepared to buy the expensive aftermarket exhaust. Or its not a problem at all if you're not going to attack serious off-road.

It's also cheaper than the Tenere.

If you look at the 660R then go for a later model. After 2006. The early ones had terrible fuelling.

This post makes me want to buy another one.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

only one bike ........... yam t 700 tenere
xt660 too vibey after a month on one in Morocco came back worn out !

I would say the XT660Z is slightly lower than the F800GS. I praised the XT660Z when it came out as the only bike really ready for long distance trail riding with its large fuel capacity and rally style cockpit and enjoyed many years with mine. Yes, it's top heavy but that's an advantage if you want quick reactions from the bike. It has a wonderfully wide gearbox.

It's main problem over the years has been poor electrical contacts at the rectifier and there are inexpensive mods you can find on the Internet to address this. I installed the 'Kev mod' to make the engine more flexible.

The F800GS has a much more tractable engine but with a narrow six-speed gearbox. When it came out there were a whole pile of problems but I guess they will all have been sorted on an old bike.

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"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

Both bikes are very tall. I’ve not ridden the XTZ but my wife had an 800gs, neither of us liked riding it off road - we find the big boxers are much better due to their low centre of gravity.
Sounds like just about any mid or large engined bike would do what you’re asking of it - i know plenty of people who do easy, dry trails on road tyres.
CB500x sounds about right but.........

Classic Vespa through Africa, sounds like you’re a cool dude so my advice is to buy something sexy and enjoy it - the practical bike will come in 5 years.

The machines started owning me. I've been downsizing my stables from 8 bikes, now down to two, including my Classic Scooter (my souvenir from Africa - with all it's sand and grit still intact - never to be sold, or washed). In the end my plan is to get rid of the "twist and go" as well, and only have one "all purpose bike" in my stables. But true, the bike I get now will not be the last one, and not the bike for the "big adventure" years from now.

Pros for Tenere: Low price! Significantly more suitable offroad?
Cons for Tenere: Significantly more uncomfortable for touring than the F800GSA? Significantly more tipsy than the bimmer?

Are the differences significant?

I am leaning towars the Tenere.

Long ago, but it is not a very comfortable bike and not even close to adventure bike ready in the same way as the Tenere or The F800GSA, in my opinion. After all the expensive farkles I'd need to add, on an older cheap bike - it would be very poor economy.

I am more concerned about slow speed control on rugged terrain, less risk of washing out on poor traction surfaces, easier to pick up, easier to walk, easier to rescue tipping over, etc. Compared to for instance the F650GS Dakar the Tenere is also heavy... and compared to KTM's, Husvarna's, etc - it is a Brontosaurus. I've never ridden one and I am concerned about how it handles. How significantly different are the two with all your adventure gear?

I was hoping my GF could practice on the bike I get (173 cm nd 32" inseam?). I might however buy a 125cc Varadero for that purpose, then my son can inherit it when she graduates to a bike of her own.

As for the reliability of the Bimmer, I'm also of the impression that much was ironed out after the first 2-3 years... but my impression is that even the most reliable European adventure bikes and dual sports are not as reliable as mostly all Japanese bikes in the same category (a generalization, I know). Although the F800GSA has a good reputation in terms of overall reliability, I have come to believe that they are not as forgiving to poor fuel, dust, mud and water, as the Tenere... but still acceptable. The difference in reliability between these two bikes will not affect my choice.

Or

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