Help me choose....

[neil-ph]

I plan on a ride from SA,  Through Botswana,  Zambia, Tanzania, and back through Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

I am toying about which bike would be best suited, and for no apparent reason I am drawn to two, very different machines.

Please talk me into one or the other !!!!

BMW X Challenge 650 or the KTM 640 adventure.

[edgy]

Of those 2 the best is a DR 650!

[Dux]

640 Adventure , large tank as standard , fairing as standard , pretty damn bulletproof , the same could also be applicable to the KLR650 , both will need minimal cash outlay to go touring , the only problem with the 640 would be finding a good one and on that alone I would go KLR .
X-Challenge , do the sums of getting it ready for a trip .

[Kykdaar]

TTR250

[Oubones]

Why not just use your 1150?
Then you rather have a higher spending budget?

[DUSTRIDERS]

Why not just use your 1150?
Then you rather have a higher spending budget?

Was thinking the same thing unless you want to go to Kaokoland and Mkadipans the 1150 will do.

[Kaboef]

Not the XChallenge. Its very expensive to get it overland-ready.

Tank, shock, seat, luggage, lights, etc. All expensive due to the low volumes produced.

[EtienneXplore]

I can never understand why people knock the excellent X-Challenge for a trip like this.......

Have a look at this RR, these two chicks came and visited me here in Zambia, then we all went to Lake Malawi and they came back through Moz and Zim. Both girls on X-Challenges, ZERO issues at all! They had a ball.....

OliveOil and tankgirl Lilo Lake Malawi



The year before, they visited me in Vic Falls, again, Jolandi on her trusty X-Challenge and Irma on her 650GS (The GS was not the best choice for the Botswana Pans though). Again, they had an awesome time!!

tankgirl & OliveOil's most delightful TiTS



This year, I met up with Jolandi (again on her X-Challenge) and Skinny on her DR650 where they did an awesome trip through Botswana.

The X-Challenge is PERFECT!!

but so is the 640...........and the DR........
 

[EtienneXplore]

ps....... These X-Challenges were stock standard, apart from a different end can on Jolandi's bike....

 

[Kaboef]

I have had two of them, so I know a thing or two.

The standard tank with 200km range is too small. For serious touring you need more range. Only Touratech makes a large tank. It wlll set you back a LOT of money. R10,000 or so.
The airshock is crap. The bike sags when its cold and rrises as it gets hotter. Very very irritating. You also cannot set preload with any accuracy as the damn thing always rises to the top of the stroke. So it spits you off in technical stuff.
You need a screen. You need racks. Ok you will need this on most bikes, but again this will cost you.

Look, I really enjoyed my XChallenges in town and on short trips. It is a fun bike and it delivers as a lightweight thumper.
But  for someone looking to do serious africa travel there are better options.

[neil-ph]

Thanks to you all for your opinions. Moreover this discussion has outlined one thing......it boils down to personal preference.

I am more inclined to tackle this ride with the KTM, an opinion determined before this post, but it's good to see the pro  X Challenge views, and the anti X Challenge view. In all honesty I would imagine them being as good as one another. In modern times and tough competition it's all about putting out a quality product, then comes the cosmetic and personal changes like long range tanks,  screens etc.

Either way,  the ride will be epic, and so rewarding. I can't wait.

[neil-ph]

On a side note.....

The 1150 is no longer (I will edit the profile), but knowing the roads I plan to ride, I think the 1150 is too bulky and heavy, and not something I would like to manhandle for this distance.