Current XChallenge Owners - Why did you buy it!

[JohnnyBoxer]

I bought mine because it was competitively priced, seemed a worthy offroad dualsport

Never test rode one, but was pleasantly suprised about how competent it was offroad and civilised on road

Seems that more people are now buying them, now they've discovered how good they are

How do find yours?

What's gone wrong?

What mods have you done or are going to do?

Show us a pic of yours


Here's mine to get the ball rolling and more words to follow as the thread develops

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

On the waiting list at vines for one of the fecked ones!!

 

[Don't Shoot me!!!]

I desided to get a smaller bike, after i got stuck in the mud to many times with my GSA.
And my tought was that the X could take the place from the GSA (I've got twins in January, so no more touring for a few years)
So i searched the market for a bike that could do well in the woods, but still do over average on the highway's.
The only two bikes at the time was the old Ktm Adv, and the new Xt660.
But i realy like the rotax engine, and there were rallykits for a reasonable price for the X.
(The Ktm kits are expensive as ¤%")
So i went for the X-Challenge Rally, and haven't looked back once.
Iv'e driven the Katoom 690, and for MY driving the rotax is just way better.
And iv'e got a unik bike as a bonus.
Personally i like the looks on my bike, but the missus hate it
Who cares annyway

So now i have a bike with 26,5 Liters of gasoline, that weights 100Kg less than the GSA for half the price (No more worries on how expensive it will get when i crash, i kind of do that a lot)

I was worried about the air damper, but iv'e got used to it and actually like it by now

The only crappy thing with my setup, is that i have to remove the gastank to get to the battery and airfilter

Overall i really love the X, ten thumbs up

 

[Don't Shoot me!!!]

I bought mine because it was competitively priced, seemed a worthy offroad dualsport

Never test rode one, but was pleasantly suprised about how competent it was offroad and civilised on road

Seems that more people are now buying them, now they've discovered how good they are

How do find yours?

What's gone wrong?

What mods have you done or are going to do?

Show us a pic of yours


Here's mine to get the ball rolling and more words to follow as the thread develops

]

Funny, but all the X'es with the OEM exhaust has the same dent.....
Mine as well.
Did you get the foot stuck under the exhaust as well?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Funny, but all the X'es with the OEM exhaust has the same dent.....
Mine as well.
Did you get the foot stuck under the exhaust as well?

Yep, it's a scratch..................rather than a dent though

 

[Adventure Stu]

I bought mine for reasons that have pretty much been covered by one or more previous post.

Originally I bought the GSA for it's versatility, ie the fact that it's comfy for hrs on end, will cruise at motorway speeds for just as long, good luggage and pillion capabilities and if I passed a track that took my fancy then I would have the option of turning off road and seeing where I ended up. Which in its' own right is still the case, however... when it was dry there weren't too many issues and the bike will trundle along pretty much anywhere, but when it got wet the handling and weight became an issue. I found that I spent my time worrying about dropping it instead of relaxing and enjoying the ride. Plus after the 3rd time of picking it up on my own the humour was lost on me...

On the other hand a friend had just bought a Xchal and was having a ball on it. I took it for a run out on a couple of occassions and found it spot on. I wasn't after an out and out enduro bike or something competitive, rather something I could ride on the road on and ride without concern when the going got tough. For those days the Xchal ticked all the boxes

That said, I couldn't just have it as I enjoy road riding too much and although capable doesn't flick my switch in that environment.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I bought mine for reasons that have pretty much been covered by one or more previous post.

Originally I bought the GSA for it's versatility, ie the fact that it's comfy for hrs on end, will cruise at motorway speeds for just as long, good luggage and pillion capabilities and if I passed a track that took my fancy then I would have the option of turning off road and seeing where I ended up. Which in its' own right is still the case, however... when it was dry there weren't too many issues and the bike will trundle along pretty much anywhere, but when it got wet the handling and weight became an issue. I found that I spent my time worrying about dropping it instead of relaxing and enjoying the ride. Plus after the 3rd time of picking it up on my own the humour was lost on me...

On the other hand a friend had just bought a Xchal and was having a ball on it. I took it for a run out on a couple of occassions and found it spot on. I wasn't after an out and out enduro bike or something competitive, rather something I could ride on the road on and ride without concern when the going got tough. For those days the Xchal ticked all the boxes

That said, I couldn't just have it as I enjoy road riding too much and although capable doesn't flick my switch in that environment.

Sums up why I have both too

 

[DavidJames]

Pretty much the same as the above, except I am going to using it for commuting a short distance to work. I have only done a couple of hundred miles so far and I am really impressed with it. On the road it is pretty good, but offroad it is a scream!!! I took it out for a couple of hours with Adventure Stu on Friday and it really made me smile. I have only done a little bit of off road riding but the XChallenge made me feel very confident and we had an absolute blast, I can really see myself getting off road a lot more in the future. I had tried off road on the GS but like Stu I spent the whole time on edge rather than enjoying myself - the complete opposite to the XChallenge

I guess you could argue that I could of got a KTM or a DRZ but value for money I don't think my bike could be beaten. I paid 3K for an 08 bike with 700 miles and 18 months warranty - I really dont think I could of got a more perfect bike for my needs

As for mods - It already has a few TT bits on it but I would like to get the large sump guard for protection and the Acerbis front mudguard looks good. I do quite fancy some extra fuel capacity and perhaps a trip to further a field.

The only issue I have seen is that the clock and trip computer don't seem to keep their memory so I will get that looked at later.

 

[Wreford Miles]

Brought mine on an impulse because the airhead was going to be off the road and I wanted to keep my practice going for the HL, I also wanted an option should the airhead prep go wrong (I just could bolt a few things on the XC and it would be HL ready)

Yesterday summed up the XC or me - 55 mile fast road blast to meet Nathan for some great off roading and then at the end of he day another fast 75 miles including many at an indicated 90mph on the M4.

There's not many bike that will do that and return over 70 mpg.

 

[kiwiAdventure]

They are not selling down under as they have discounted them by 30%

 

[ONYERBIKE]

I've had a Bmw for the last 8 or 9 years so fancied a change and looked at getting a Yamaha Tenere, found a good deal, paid the deposit only to have the dealer ring back a few hours later to say that the bike had already been sold earlier in the day by a colleague, sorry pal. Went to the local dealer who quoted me a higher price than he did a month earlier, probably trying to stiff me coz France lost the rugby to England . Anyway, when push come to shove I knew that really I wanted another Bmw, looked at the GS 1200 and 800 but decided to keep my current bike, R1100rs and wanted something different and light to do offroad without killing meself. Found a good deal on a 08 Challenge with 500kms on the clock, been offroad with me new MT21's and so far think this little bike is great.

 

[PaulXC]

I bought my XC as something to replace my 650 Dakar. I wanted something more 70% dirt 30 % street whereas I reckoned the Dakar was 70% street 30% dirt.

I saw the XC at the NEC bike show in 2006 and it struck me as fitting the bill nicely. Sat on it - seemed tall enough for me & ordered one in Jan 06 without having ridden one.

In March 2007 I got one of the first ones released from BMW in LaRochelle, France and took it back to Spain where I was living at the time. Ideal for playing on the dirt tracks in Catalan area. Now back in England it's harder work on mud in North Wales .....

Problems so far: New Air shock under warranty - which proved the Warranty was valid in the UK even though I bought the bike in France. However they wouldn't do it until I 'd registered the bike on to UK plates.

Mods so far -

BMW Handguards
Large Touratech Rack and Bag,
20mm Bar Risers ( pain to get the ignition key in and out with these on but I need the height).
Touratech Headlight grill
Touratech Rear Spray guard
Rear Disc protector
Chain Guide
MT 21's and 13T front sprocket for Muddy Wales

I don't do a great mileage and the bike is really more of a luxury / plaything but I'm looking at the Touratech catalogue thinking big tank, rally fairing and luggage and heading off for a decent trip - Portugal / Spain or maybe Morocco. Just need to make the bars less vibey and the seat more comfortable.

Picture is up a track about 20km from Barcelona one Sunday morning. Kinda missing that weather right now.

Top bike I reckon.

 

[Flipfly]

I bought my XC as something to replace my 650 Dakar. I wanted something more 70% dirt 30 % street whereas I reckoned the Dakar was 70% street 30% dirt.

I'd say the Dakar was a true 50/50 type of bike. It will go most places but definately not as accomplished as the X challenge off road.

I really fancy the full monty TT X challenge, but think I'll wait for them to bring out the 690 Adv KTM which is

Sat on the works bike at the NEC, still got a chubby now

 

[Don't Shoot me!!!]

but think I'll wait for them to bring out the 690 Adv KTM which is

That's funny, nobody has ever seen a 690 Adv, if your not thinking of the rally version?

There will be NO 2009 mod Ktm 690 Adv..
Maybe for 2010, but i doubt it

 

[Flipfly]

That's funny, nobody has ever seen a 690 Adv, if your not thinking of the rally version?

There will be NO 2009 mod Ktm 690 Adv..
Maybe for 2010, but i doubt it

The assumption is that it will look like the Dakar bike if they do it, even the Ktm guys I've spoken too reckon it will happen sometime. Just need to play the waiting game If it ain't in by 2011 I'll buy the Rallye bike

 

[Don't Shoot me!!!]

The assumption is that it will look like the Dakar bike if they do it, even the Ktm guys I've spoken too reckon it will happen sometime. Just need to play the waiting game If it ain't in by 2011 I'll buy the Rallye bike

He he, this is a big argument in a Norwegian forum, and you might notice..... I'm a BMW guy

Why not just buy a 690, and then buy whatever you need from the rally kit?
Expensive-Yupp....
But it will turn out to be an absolutly fantastic bike.... Without the issues of an rally engine

 

[Deadskin]

I bought mine because it was competitively priced, seemed a worthy offroad dualsport

Thought it would be a good replacement for my KLX300 due to it's electric
start and better road manners also warranty and spares availability,

but the extra kg's became tiresome

Gone orange not brilliant on road but a lot of fun off
How she was
R&G tail tidy/low seat/TT sump guard /Cycra hand guards

 

[essjay]

If it ain't in by 2011 I'll buy the Rallye bike

Did you ever buy that 690 Rallye? Would love to see photo's