Hi Jenny

I am planning an overland trip from Cape Town to Cairo with my girlfriend.
I have a 660Z.

would you recommend this bike for such a trip?

Marius

I don't know how often JMo stops by here now, but I'm pretty sure she'd say "Yes".

If you're girlfriend is going to be pillion on your bike, you might want to read some of DazzerRTW's posts...

http://xt660.com/showthread.php?t=19743

... he's somewhere in the middle of a RTW trip, two-up on a Tenere. I think he changed the springs to cope with the weight of pillion + luggage, but otherwise left the bike reasonably standard (check his threads to be sure though).

I don't think they've been through Africa yet, think they went through Asia first and are now in the Americas as far as I know.

Hee hee - I still look in from time to time you know, and as Uber' says, I would point you in the direction of DazzerRTWs posts and threads - about how he prepped their bike (for two-up traveling), and the considerations and [any] revisions now they are on the road...

By all accounts the bike is holding up extremely well for the both of them, although I understand he has been having some rear wheel hub problems - not sure if it is fixable, or whether a replacement is needed...

Obviously any bike is going to work harder two-up than solo, and they have already ridden across the whole of Europe/Asia and the west side of the USA (heading into Mexico & South America shortly) - by all accounts, the bike has been perfect for them.

There really are very few other options out there, A BMW F650 (the single, not the twin) is another mid-capacity bike that is well proven and documented (mechanical problems and all!) as an overlander, with various luggage etc options available - anything else would really be too much of a compromise for two-up - the Suzuki DR650 would be a great solo option as would a Honda XR650L, but they are not UK models anyway - while the KTM 690 is too fragile (although a couple of guys have just ridden a pair of 690's to Australia, with only minimal down-time) and not a two-up bike at all though.

Of course Kawasaki make the venerable KLR 650, but it too is not available in the UK - I trust primarily for the reason I don't like it - it is so bloody ugly! Very strong motor though...

I'd also dismiss anything bigger than a 650 - sure a BMW 1200GS (or even my favorite the 1150) or the new Super Tenere 1200 for example would be a fine way to travel two-up, but once you have loaded one of those with luggage (even a minimalist amount), it is a hell of a beast to move around and/or pick up... has a LOT more electronics that could potentially cause issues, and there are also things like fuel economy to consider with a larger heavier bike too. You would also not want to have to drag it through anything wet and boggy or soft and sandy (not the second time anyway), therefore potentially limiting your route choice perhaps?

The BMW F800 (twin) might be something to consider if you are styling primarily on tarmac or well maintained dirt roads - lots of power, good economy, plenty of space for two-up - but it does have a limited tank range compared to the Tenere (and which is not easily expandable unless you spend ���'s with Touratech for example), and there are reports that the F series frames have a weak spot around the rear shock mounting, which no doubt will be exacerbated by two-up and/or off-road riding?

So basically, I'd say your choice is either the current Tenere, or at a push a BMW F650 single... and I'm sure you know which one I would recommend!

Warning - poncey poetic summary to follow:

However, ultimately the choice of bike doesn't really matter - it's just a tool (just like your sleeping mat, camping stove and camera) - although as with all of those, it's best to chose one that will offer [potentially] the least amount of down-time (especially if you have a time constraint for the whole trip)... no need to make it especially hard on yourself, or have the constant worry something is about to fail at any point!

Choosing the 'right' tool/s for you should really be about minimising those issues that potentially will take your focus away from the main reason for the trip itself by having to deal with 'admin' en route. You are not just going on a motorcycle ride, or a photographic trip, or even a backwoods camping experience - it's ALL of those things, and fundamentally the combination which should make the trip so rewarding? The choice/s you make in any one area should not overshadow the fundamental reason for undertaking the experience in the first place - which is for you and your partner to have a memorable and perhaps even 'life changing' experience together?

You'll never be able to pre-plan a trip so effectively that you can eradicate [or hope to prevent] something unexpected from happening - if you want that, go to Disney - the whole point is surely to enjoy the journey, and deal with whatever happens along the way? - that's the FUN part, the part that makes memories...

Jenny xx

Hello. If you haven't already read it, have a look at this

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=17371

It's a thread by a romanian couple who rode round africa on their xt660z. Might be of help.

:D

Any of the XTs are good bikes...
BUT..
For a long trip to out of the way places where parts/workshop back up is not going to be always available. Some thing a little more basic would be my choice..Suzuki DR650 or Kawasaki KLR650 both can be worked on by yer self
or at any hick town wantabe motor bike shop with out the need to plug a
computer or other gizzmo's in to find a falt...

But people do it on XTs... we have a guy posting here at the moment
doing a RTW trip on a XT...

Hi Petenz - I agree a carbed bike might [appear to] be easier to work on, but really, the EFi on the Tenere is faultless - it is as likely to go wrong (or not) as the CDi unit on any bike...

I rode a brand new Tenere over 23,000 miles in six months across the USA and back in 2008 (the ride report is for some reason lost on here?, but it was serialized in TBM magazine at the time) in every kind of terrain and weather imaginable - desert, mountains, sand, snow, mud, rain - from way below sea level to over 14,000ft... and the bike was faultless, other than notable wear on the rear cush-drive rubbers at 12,000 miles - and to be fair they still went on for another 11,000 miles without any problem!

I agree the DR650 and KLR650 (and Hond'a XR650L too) are all great solo overlanding bikes, but not so much for two-up riding as I mention above - I think that is the key here for Marius? Crossing the length of Africa is of course a huge undertaking, but not beyond the capability of any well prepared and maintained bike - certainly I would be disappointed if any bike failed due to mechanical issues on such a [length] trip...

Personally and ideally, I think they should each ride their own bike, and have double the fun! (and of course offers a back-up bike should something go seriously wrong) - but can appreciate financial and logistical constraints of two sets of tickets and fuel for everything...

Jx

Very much this. If you're going to start worrying about black boxes full of solid state electronics failing, you'd best find yourself a bike with points ignition and really learn the meaning of 'high maintenance'.

I have a bike with points....