Sorry if I seem to have disappeared for the last few weeks. Work, family ...

The XTR is now fully bedded-in as my daily driver, and the XT600 has been SORNed pending a full refurb. I'm loving the XTR. I'll post some pics in a few days when I get some time (at work at the minute), but here are a few things in regard to comments above:

For the moment, I am keeping a lot of it standard. The fuelling isn't perfect at lower revs, but it's not a big issue, and I will live with it for a while yet. It needed a new chain, so I have fitted a DID X-ring and standard sprockets. I have a couple of LED spots fitted to the crash bars for the night-time commutes. I also fitted a 12V socket to the handlebars for the satnav and phone charging etc. The biggest addition was a set of Givi pannier frames, which are about the lightest and least ugly I could find. The soft panniers I had didn't sit very well on them, so I have sprung for a pair of Givi E21 hard cases, which are small but practical for my commute, and may well be enough for light touring. The Yamaha bash plate and hand guards seem to be adequate and I have no plans to upgrade just yet.

Comparison with the XT600E:

A good bit quicker, cruises easily at 70-75, where the XT was happiest at 60-65, and slightly more economical - 60-ish mpg compared to 53 average. It's a lot more comfortable over a longish journey. It's heavier and therefore a little less chuckable, but for the kind of riding I do the chassis won't be a limitation. It's more refined than the XT and has less of a raw feel, but it is still a lot of fun to ride. Like others have said, I prefer simplicity, but over the years I have got used to FI in cars and bikes and it no longer concerns me as a reliability thing. The XTR engine has a good reputation for toughness and durability, in any case.

So far, so good. I don't regret selling the BMW at all.

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2006 XT660R daily ride, 1994 XT600E about to be reborn, Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/