Recently back from "sibirsky extreme project" the conitions on the BAM were very extreme, 100s of deep water crossings, and very deep ones where the xt was buried up to under the seat in massive "puddles " and it just sat there ticking over.The only time it stopped was when the water came over the seat and got sucked in through the snorkle, then it had to run on milky oil for 2 days ,then cheap diesel oil for 1000mls and mineral car oil for another 2000mls before i could find some proper bike oil.After all that a thrash home from moscow at 80/90mph+. and it still runs perfectly.(apart from the annoying fuelling ).
The xt is one hell of a tough bike. 10,000mls in 9 real hard wks of thick dust and water.

Excellent stuff, you are doing us all proud.

Done the same thing on the red kite rally a few years back ,water over the seat so only the mirrors were showing ,still finished the rally no problems ,cracking little bike as you said

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OFFICIAL CRASH TEST DUMMY

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if you want pics denny go to sirbirsky extreme.com and click on august 2009. i,m afraid i,m not computer literate enough to post pics. But i,m afraid the best ones are in my head.!!!!!!

Two words. "Simply Amazing!" Excellent writeup.

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Will admit i didnt read the write up but cracker photos and what looks like a great ride.

How did the BMW F650 compair to the XT for off roading, wet riding etc etc

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Plough on

i,m afraid the f650 dakar is a waste of time when the going gets real hard its way to heavy especially with hard boxes. in fact i,m very surpised that tony didn,t get seriously hurt. the xchallenge is a lot better bike.
saying that ,the xt was the only bike that always started and never caused any problems.(oil and puntures apart). the bmws were using on average around 20% less fuel than me.
i,ve got a 22 lt. capacity and more than once was filling with 21lts where the bms were filling with 17/18lts. also the f650 and xt were on 17in. rears and using matz karoos. which wore out real quick . the xchallenge on 18in, rear was using mich. deserts and lasted a lot longer.

In a travel-report on this forum, I once wrote "I am seriously starting to wonder what it will take to actualy break this bike". I see you are trying your best .

It is still my oppinion that you will break down before the bike does.

Oh and about the pictures: My father once told me "the best picture, is the one you never took". Think about that one for a while.

Cant talk now. Reading your website (and doing no small amount of drooling too).

Best regards

Torsten.


PS: WELL DONE!!!!!!

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Thanks torsten
I,m sure your right about the xt its certainly a tough bike.

The website is owned by walter colebach, the first motorcyclist to ride unescorted in china . This is his trip and i met up with him specifically for the BAM part of his trip. It certainly was very "extreme".