Really not sure.

[mtt.tr]

A breif hello im 18 in may 19 next year and will have my full unrestricted licence (14months wait) I ride an mt500 (brit army) bloody good bike nippy around town and fantastic on back roads lose groups of power rangers alot, having drum brakes make you good a judging bends haha.

Enough off boring stuff well because my mt is a fun hobby bike though i commute daily on it all weather rain snow sun (but not a fan on hot sun).I was talking to my dad saying im tempted to buy a new bike on finance when i have my unrestricted license, it was really just to strike a conversation. Then later that week my mum said i was looking at buying a new bike (me thinking oh here we go) but she said she will pay the deposit for my 18th. So i'm looking at bikes and im torn between the xt660z yamaha and G650GS i had a brief go on my mates xt lovely machine, rides well but i have always been a fan off gs's so the question is what is a better bike for off-road, long distance touring and plodding around town?

I know the xt can do about 200miles a tank but its a 22 litre so what can the gs do?


Thanks for reading that.

 

[Brucey]

Well, my F650GS Paris Dakar did 236 miles on its last tankful. Usual range is around 200. Down to 185 if riding more aggressively. does 65 to 70 mpg.

I have only had and XT 350 so can't comment on a more recent bike, but from my (limited) experience I would have gone for the XT if off road and the GS for everything else. I have used my GS down lanes and in deep mud and it is quite hard work (but good fun) and (since I live in Poland) a lot of sandy tracks. I use the GS everyday for commuting and it is great for that, but there is a guy at work with and XT 600 who does the same route as me every day and we trade being first every day!! So I guess, you should ride both and see which you prefer. GS every time!!!

Chris

 

[Pip_UK]

Hi tr, I've not ridden an XT, but I owned an F650GS (single cylinder, not the new twin) for three years and thought it was a great bike - easy to ride and control, comfy enough to ride all day, and good fun on back roads and squirting through traffic. The engine had plenty of punch up to 60 mph, and would cruise easily at 70.

Congrats on passing your test - have fun & ride safe!

 

[snerkler]

HI guys, the OP is looking at the G 650GS not the f 650GS
I can't comment on either I'm afraid as never ridden them. All I can say is that BMW's are bloody good bike, and the GS family is excellent

 

[snerkler]

Based on looks it'd be the GS for me.

But the best advice I can give you is to take both out for a test ride and see which one YOU like best. As useful as other opinions are, we all like different things and what appeals to me, might not appeal to you
Is there any reason you're not considering the 800GS or even the 1200GS?

 

[mtt.tr]

To add confsion im now also looking at the transalp

 

[snerkler]

To add confsion im now also looking at the transalp

There's a review of the G650GS in the free monthly motorcycle paper, they had loads of the papers in Rainbow the other day. They also gave a quick comparison with the Yamaha. Only skimmed through but from what I gathered both are very good bikes, with pros and cons for each. I THINK they said the Yam was better built/finished.

Seriously my advice before is the best I can give. Take them all fir a test ride and see which YOU prefer