What about the rim side, are all those spokey things critical or just important? I appear to have lost one, and wanted to know how much of a night mare they are to replace? is it a replace the rim job, or does the base bit pop out the bottom, then thread in another spike, or what?

Sad to say but yesterday was the first time I have ridden off road! No seriously, not since I was 11yo! The XT felt tiny compared to the much larger BMW's. I thought I would ride it to learn more and buy something later.

Fact is it is an awesome bike, small enough to chuck around and gain some confidence offroad with powersliding etc, http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...unmeteryes.gif (something I would not consider on my 1150RT) and big enough to strap some stuff on and head off into the bush. Tonight I am strapping my camera gear going to look for sunset shots in a marsh land "Byway" just because I can

I suggest that you buy a cheap (£600) xt 600/dr600 and then play around with it. you will probably spend about £300 on it and loads of time, but you will sell it for about the same maybe more. That way you wont loose out.

I would not have only one bike, my 1150RT is just too comfortable for motorways, but the XT loves lanes and dirt roads which the rt doesnt turn onto!

On the 400 vs 600 debate, I would go (specifically) for the Yamaha XT600 or Suzuki DR400 (But I would have paid for a Suzuki DR600, cos of a childhood thing!) then sold it and brought one of the XT's.

My needs: A strong bike with a good fuel range, powerful enough to drag camping equipment and cameras there, and in emergency carry my mate out. Must be cheap enough to not really care if I leave it there when it gets swept down a river. Oh and I need two identicle ones. The 84-89 tenere fits the bill.

Look at the website Off-the-road If I had loads of cash, they would recieve a big chunk of it.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ilies/clap.gif DR400 with a 43litre tankhttp://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/smilies/clap.gif