suscribing

As mentioned in a previous post I have both and as predicted by some the GS ended up back at the dealers, though not sure we can blame BMW for a diesel spill on the exit of a fast 2 lane roundabout!!!

So the XT was pressed into service for summer touring duty, 4 days camping in Scotland, leading a 10 man party of advanced riders around northern France and the HUMM (from Calais). And I have to say I am impressed, for the money I really don't think there is a better dual sport bike out there, yes there are plenty of bikes that out perform it both on and off road but as a package it's balanced right. For those reading this trying to decide between these bikes make sure you ride an XT with at least a stage 2 and Kev mod, better still one with stage 3, power commander and a free flowing exhaust it really does make a huge difference, not just to outright power but also making the bike smoother.

The other massive plus for me is that for the last 10 years or so every bike I've owned has given me back ache after long periods of riding, except the Ten, even after 10 hard days riding I didn't have a single ache anywhere!

The insurance company replaced the GS, so I have both sat I'm my garage again. Despite my praise for it, the XT still couldn't be my 'only' bike, IMHO its too compromised 2 up and lacks the power I want/need in a road bike. So the GS stays, but so does the Tenere. My plan is it will be my long term 2nd bike/winter commuter/green laner, in fact I'm off to ride the pilgrims way later today!

So back to the OP question"....... Solo, long distance, unsupported trip, it's got to be a suitably modified Tenere!!

Hi , just want to say that in southamerica , bmw riders have the same reputation , they don t use to say "hello", wave , the ignore others bikers , but ..... not all of them.

answering the question , i m goig for the ten ..... money issue
anyway i feel that f800 it s one of the better all around with 2up

I think its down to, you pay your money and take your choice.:mod_smilie_icon_pol

Well my 2 cents, I love the XT so I am rather biased, I have ridden the BMW GS800 recently and found it a nice motor and nice ride BUT too expensive and too snobby. So for me Yamaha all the way.................................

Great stuff
 

Enjoyed catching up with this thread.
Moss

Just my two pence worth - just bought a 09 XT660Z. So far impressions are very positive and I reckon I'll keep it for a bit, but if I could have afforded an F800GS there is no question I would have bought one. The older ones are fantastic bikes, fabulous engines (despite recalls) really capable on and off road with power to cope with long hauls too. But too expensive... Very happy with my XT but not in the same class as the GS.
ps I have an 1150GS as well, not snobby at all and wave at everyone :-)

All this time later and I am seemingly right back here! Only this time I have the KTM 690 Enduro R thrown into the mix to confuse matters even further!

Have you ridden the KTM? I rode one last week. The engine is a lot more powerful than the XTs and really pulls from 4000 rpm. But it's quite vibey, but not in a nice characterful way, just a bit annoying - and usually I like a bike that vibrates and has character. The chassis is shorter, steeper and more aggressive feeling than an XTs. It basically feels like the giant competition bike it is. If you are going to ride off road a lot, it'll be amazing. But I lept back on a Tenere after the KTM and felt it was a far nicer road bike and a better all rounder, despite being decidedly less powerful.

I had an F800 for 2 years in Namibia, and now ride an XTZ. The F800 has much more pull after 120kmh than the XT, but feels a bigger bike. It's fuel pump gave up at 16000km - according to the Yamaha people a common problem (?). They said a Hyundai pump worked better than the BMW one! Small tank on the F800 is irritating. It also had a habit of weaving on gravel roads, despite meticulous wheel alignment and good tyres (Metzeler Karoo)
There's nothing like a single for gravel/tracks!