So RTW Z, R or X ??
 

Hi All - recently introduced myself in the newbie section

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=20112

Anyway - I am planning a round the world trip in 2014. Its been a plan I come up with after undergoing heart surgery in 2010 to cure a genetic disorder that has left me with a mechanical heart valve (carbon fibre and titanium upgrade!) and a lifelong need for blood thinning warafrin. ...

No that any of that is particularly important as I'm fit and healthy, young enough to enjoy myself and old enough to know better! :D

So my current bike a modified Triumph 955 daytona
http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1178/5...db294332_n.jpg
The latest in a long unbroken line of bikes stretching back to my FS1E at 16

When coming up with the plan for the trip I knew I wasn't going to be using the Triumph. Having built it from a bare frame it is a keeper that will be garaged for the year...

My original idea involved a 660 tenere, which just seems the right bike. Its not overly complicated , its light(ish) and will be a damn sight easier to handle that the behemoths that the factories keep coming up with in the 1200 Tenere, triumph explorer and market hyped adventure BMWs

I rode a KLR650 across the Pyrenees in 2002 and wouldn't have wanted anything else on that trip apart from the very very lonely, slow and abominably cold journey round the M25 and up the majority of the M1 overnight in February on the way back. I was tempted by a 660X a couple of years back after selling 2 GSXRs , but resisted lol, but it proved to me that I don't need much more than a similar bike to do the journey on.

So that part is easy.. thoughts of KTMs and Aprilia's flitted across my sights, but reliability (perceived or real) kept popping up and the thought that effectively the Yamaha engine has been around in various guises for a long time swung its favour.

Now I've been sat back planing everything, saving the money for year off work and the prices of 660z Tenere's has got me thinking about alternatives.

The initial part of the trip will be through Europe, down through Italy and Greece then Turkey. All will be on road stuff.

The middle bit across Russian, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, India, Nepal will demand some off road capability, as more than likley will the bit around Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia.. Probably Australia as well.. Then the final leg across the USA will more than likely not need that off road ability unless I particularly plan it...

So Given that I could probably pick up a 660R for about half the price of a 660Z, what am I missing out on? - the fuel capacity is one, but a couple of 5 litre cans on the side of the panniers will compensate for that easily enough.

The engines are basically the same unit (I think?) same with chassis parts - or certainly close enough to not make much difference - so I'm paying extra for the "rugged" styling then - hmm not enough to warrant taking somewhere in the region of �2k out of my travel budget I think.

Which leaves the 660x... I still like the supermoto styling and that cross over between tarmac and dirt is more than likely a good compromise especially if I fit something like Pirelli MT60's for the off road bits..

And it all seemed so simple ! :)

Any thoughts ?

XTZ has fuel capacity, wind protection, probably better fuelling depending which year XTR you're looking at.

On the other hand, the XTR is a bit lower in the seat and perhaps a little bit lighter (until you put that eight(?) litres of fuel capacity, screen, etc, back on.

I don't think there's �2k price difference in it, I've seen some absolutely mint XTZ's advertised around the �4k mark over the winter, with similar condition XTR's around �3k.

Nice Triumph - had a 955i myself a few years back and loved it - especially the zorst note with the Triumph race can.

I have the Z and would recommend this for your travels although either bike, but probably the R would suffice.

The Ten comes travel ready just about, needs a centre stand, luggage, hand guards, GPS and you're away. I'd suggest changing the bars to Renthal 613 for those long days in the saddle along with a taller screen and DID X Ring chain.

You're right in that these are more manageable (capable) off road and can be fixed where some other bikes may prove more challenging.

There are Ten's out there now RTW with mega mileage on.

Hmmm.... not sure if an X (like mine) is ideal RTW. An R with lots of mods & adventure tyres sounds more like it! I read also that a couple of guys did London to Sidney on KTM 690 Enduro R, & said they were amazing....
Anyway, good luck, especially the 'upgrades'! & monitor the warfarin: not sure what the side effects are, but its serious medication.

After owning an R for near 4 yrs and now a Z for 4 months and have to say the Z I thinks would be better suited. Yes the R is cheaper but I think you'd end up spending so much modifying it that you'd be better going for a Z and going for cheaper luggage etc

Hiya well good luck and contact me if you need anything in Italy, I live in Roma and I have a van as well as a well equipped garage. I have loved my XT660X in trips around this country as well as the islands (Sicily, Sardenia, Elba and Corsica) and the engine is simple and fairly bulletproof. I have just ordered a set of Continental semi off road tyres (I think it is the Trail Attack) as I use the XT all year round so I intend to mount the Contis for the winter and then normal Pirelli road tyres for the warm summer. I have also mounted the excellent aluminium Givi cases which are great too. I would try each of the models or at least sit on them as the Z is a very tall beast I think. Good luck!!!

Thanks for all the responses guys .. some useful thoughts.. I'm intending to pick up a bike as soon as the right one turns up for the right money, so I'll let you know how I get on..

Yeah luckily for me the height isn't an issue at all as I am in possession of a monster inside leg measurement myself ! :)

I'd go for the R, its almost there in terms of high mileage rides, I dont think you need to mod it that much either, essential mods (IMHO) a centre stand, touring screen and to ensure the fuelling is good a second hand Power Commander III. The rest is just cosmetics/nice to haves to be honest. I would not be tempted to change the underslung exhausts either, that will dent the budget and you have enough ground clearance for RTW in stock trim.

Before you commit I would sit on both (as a minimum) and if you can get a test ride on both even better as it does not matter how much you read or take advice, riding is the only real sure fire way to know you fit the bike and you like the characteristics of either. Considering they are from the same family the R/X and Z are noticably different out on the road and a bit marmite.