Adventure Bike Rider

...........XT660Z

I'm in the market for a bike trailee for doing 50/50 road/off-road. I like the styling of the KTM990, but crap on fuel and too heavy really at 200+kg. So, not really being a big beemer fan, but am really drawn to the F800GS, due it's weight and power, i also like the XT660Z but I believe is a bit heavier than a F800, plus the beemer has more beans in bhp.

Has anyone come across a review of the F800GS in any of the ABR mags???

ive owned both and heres my 2 pennies worth.

I personally believe the f800 is a better bike in almost every way, heres why.

1. its faster
2. its more economical (slightly) than my 660 was.
3. its not ridiculously tall
4. its got more functions with the trip, heated grips etc...
5. it feels lighter although i dont think there is much in it
6. it gives me more confidence off road because im a short arse
7. I think it looks better
8. its better on the road, better handling and faster and more able to cope with motorways.
9. the suspension feels better off road.
10. i feel more confidence in the bends.
11. the spokes dont rust as easily.
12. its better able to cope with pillion use although no where near like my r1200 did.
13. its got more accessories and farkles available.
14. the engine feels under less strain.
15. being a twin its much smoother and less snatchy than the tenere giving comfort on longer runs
16. better residuals

The Tenere

1. its fuel tank is much bigger giving it a substantial range, me and my mate have tested it at 304 miles. i get about 200 out the 800.
2. the wind protection is a bit better on the tenere in stock form.
3. arguably more reliable, nothing to worry about.
4. yamaha dealer/services tend to be much cheaper than BMW
5. you do get that dakar feeling with the exhaust popping and riding postion. the upright more in your face instrument cluster is nice.
6. cheaper to buy but loses money quicker

i hope this helps. im sure someone will be along shortly to pick holes in my assessment but its mine, ive owned both and im sticking to it

PS if there is anything else you want to know feel free to ask if ive missed it

I saw a new-ish Tenere on the A1 heading south, last Fri afternoon

It had alloy boxes and a topbox, plus it was 2 up

I followed it for a few miles, it was pinned to the inside slow lanes with the wagons, struggling to do 55-60mph, nothing in reserve to overtake and the rider looked really, really peed off

For that reason.......i'm out

My XChallenge has at least 5 hp more and weighs 35kg less than a Tenere, even it's not my favourite long distance bike

A F800GS/650GS Twin is no comparison to a a 660 Tenere, in terms of weight/hp/power and speed.............It is in a different league

A Dakar 650 is nearer to a 660 Tenere

I've recently bought n '09 660 Tenere but the F800GS was what I originally thought I wanted however the price difference between the two was substantial so I opted for the Yamaha.

I'd agree with pretty much everything that dancanovas says about the Tenere. It does have a bit of presence and seems to do what it's designed for very well, in fact it's a bit better on the dirt than I was expecting (I've also got a 450 KTM enduro bike so I was expecting a truly mammoth gap between the two and although there is a large gap it's not a mammoth one for trail-riding).

One thing I would say is that the Tenere has to be fiddled with to make it run properly because it's strangled in factory specification.

Harty..
Depends on how many miles on road you are doing? I know you travel light so I reccon the xt660r with a few mods to the suspension which will need doing to any std spec bike .they are very cheap and loads of mods available cheaply too..

The bmwF800 gs is a great bike but twice the price and has a few longterm problems //leaks etc..but if its not a long term dont worry..

I think the xt Teneree is over rated the 660r will do it all with a bigger tank or a fuel can..and lighter up front the steering is so light.

As always hav a ride on each as they all feel different to each of us..

Harty wrote:


Thought you were 'loved' up with the WR250R

Though................I did see it on Ebay this week

You want a KTM 640Adv, you do or a 690E

beter comparison is f800 / tiger 800 xc. nothing to choose between them really but triple engine better than twin and more powerful. suspension on both needs work unless you are 12 stone or less.

You will get a great low mileage XT660z for £3-4k.

There are loads of farkles for them.

As you know, I did HISS event and even fully loaded and at 15.5 stone, I happily glided through the air at a genuine 85mph (sat nav figs). I don't imagine 2 up is a concern for you.

I do love the F800GS, but couldn't justify the extra £2k wonga for something I was likely to chuck down a rockface

Having been off road with 2 other tenere's on the HISS and riding with guys on lightweight KTM's (as you know I have one of these too), we weren't too far off the pace. I really didn't feel the need to chuck more money at the bike and modify the suspension - it coped very well.

Tank range of almost 300 miles as standard was superb and the raised screen I have on mine was very effective. I have zero concerns about the build quality or worries that some component may fail.

I understand Minkyhead has a fully farkled Tenere that may be up for grabs.... however as stated in other post the XT660r is a bit cheaper, lighter and smaller, though doesn't offer the touring protection or fuel range. IMHO as a dual sport, I don't think they get much better for this price and age of bike ( I may be a tad biased though )

johnnyboxer wrote:
I do love my WRR, but I want a bash at some long range trips on a big bike to have a good comparison to a big jaunt I'm planning in a couple of years. Unfortunately having 2 bikes doesn't wash with the missus!! It was fantastic on the Balkans, but getting to the Balkans was either a choice of vanning it or spending 3 solid days on A roads getting there, hence the reason for change. I'm also really considering the KTM690R, but not too sure about cruising at 80mph for long distance.

Cheers for all the great feedback guys, great to get some honest opinions

Hi harty..
for the ktm690 dazedproductions off this forum is the man to ask, he,s done some huge milage road trips with a few mods..he will be honest too.

I can only share my experience of owning an F8 for what it's worth.

it's proved ultra-reliable, very economical and has recently done a 5000 mile trip around Norway, mostly on A roads and back-country roads but obviously some high speed motorway riding to get there. Fully laden, it hasn't missed a beat, hasn't used any oil and with the gearing currently on there is doing 60-70 mpg.

I have used it properly off-road (perish the thought of dropping the love of my life) but I did use one of Mr Pavey's on the Off-Road Skills course up at Walters Arena and we were taken into some ridiculous situations (steep climbs, rivers, ponds, muddy forest tracks) and the bike handled everything thrown at it with ease; in fact it is a far more capable bike than I'll ever be a rider.

For me it is the perfect all-rounder for what my opinion is worth.

The seat (for that, read 'vinyl-covered plank') is hopeless but gel and memory foam sorted that out, the stock screen is useless but you can farkle this bike to death if you are that way inclined.

Hope this helps?

johnnyboxer wrote:

The Tenere struggles when fully loaded with luggage, two up, going uphill against a head wind and at the same time trying to accelerate above 80mph.

But in normal situations it's actually quite a good bike on motorways. I came back through Spain on mine last week cruising at a steady 120kph (75mph) at 5000rpm (red lined at 7500rpm). Did 820km in eight hours including fuel/food stops then halted for the night as I was getting too close to Santander. Fastest I've been on it, and bear in mind this is with TKC80 knobblies, is 155kph. Don't think it was maxed out, but I didn't want to go any faster. All of these are satnav readings, not the optimistic speedo.

There's no doubt the 800cc F650GS which I also own is a better motorway bike, I did 960 miles plus a cross channel ferry in less than 24 hours, and it's also slightly more economical than the Tenere.

Looking at a direct comparison between the F800GS and the Tenere, the F800GS has a snatchy throttle but the Tenere's engine is intractable below 3000rpm. I've played with this by fitting a DNA stage 2 airbox, removing the cat and installing a fuel/air mix regulator. The F800GS has much more power but the six-speed box is close ratio compared to the wide ratios of the five-speed Tenere box.

The Tenere is better offroad and at least has adjustable front forks. Initially it seems quite top heavy but then you realise this gives you agility and quick turning. The underseat fuel tank of the F800GS means it has a wide arse and when equipped with 31+38 litre panniers is quite a bit wider than the Tenere equipped with 38+38 litres.

Worryingly some F650/800GS owners have had a lot of reliability problems, check out this index to problems. The main weak point on the Tenere seems to be the rectifier connection which needs sealing with silicon.

The Tenere's 23-litre tank is great, but in reality the 17-litre (I've measured it) on the F800GS is big enough even for adventure motorcycling in remote areas. The screen, riding position and cockpit arrangement on the Tenere are all superior to the F800GS. As for the F800GS seat, many owners would like to meet the designer and hit him over the head with it.

I bought my Tenere at three months old with 1200 miles on the clock for £4000. It now has 46,000km on the clock.

Tim Cullis wrote:


Great info, Tim

You have 2 great bikes, for 2/3rd's of the cost of one 1200Adv

That's saying something

Well after much ummming and ahhhhing I bought this: for about £2k, 8K miles. I could in truth probably afford an 800 and have ridden them in the rough stuff, enjoyed it immensely. £4k pays for a lot of farkles and crashes tho. Having met you may I venture that you will have to lower the Z but the R will be fine, I am raising mine a bit. I can't really comment on the bike too much but I fancied a project and something maybe a little left of centre. I intend on taking it on a few long trips next year and will spend this year working out what I like and what must change. If you want to come and have a blat on a standardish one (changing daily, big pile of bits arrived today) then give me a shout.