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I now have just over 400km on my G650X-Challenge. My first impressions are:
Overall:
- This is really big performance (off-road and power to weight) for a decent price.
- Very high bike. If you are short it might be a problem.
- Love it or hate it rear suspension. I found that my mountainbike specific shock pump (from Rav-X) actaully works a lot easier for setting the rear suspension than the BMW standard issue. Once used to the setup and procedure it is very flexible and allows customisation for all conditions and loads.Â
- Very light and narrow bike.
Commuting:
- Great with ABS option.
- Relaxed seating position.
- Tall bike that helps with being able to look over cars to what is happening ahead.
- Narrow, light, nippy and great gearing for commuting.
- Unfortunately some road noise from the off-road tires, but a small price to pay for the performance when hittting the dirt.
Touring:
- Still a bit early for me to say. I will update this soon.
- Wind protection might be a factor, although I have done all the mileage with an off-road helmet including peak and it was quite acceptable.
- Tank might be a bit small. The approximtaley ten litres might have you run into trouble on range even though the fuel injected 650 is very light on juice. Touratech offers a long range tank that can be added.
- I have fitted Hepco and Becker topbox and pannier frames and Touratech Zega panniers.Â
 
I now have approximately 2500km on the bike. This included many kilometres off road where it really impressed.
Even with panniers and topbox it cruises nicely at highway speeds. Wind protection is not ideal, but much less of a problem than I anticipated. The small go-juice tank is also less of a problem with fuel consumption on some stretches being as good as 28km/l. And that was fully loaded with panniers and topbox.
This bike makes me feel in control off road even though my technical ability is limited.
The panniers (side boxes) are Touratech Zega panniers. I fitted them with the 15mm Touratech fitment kit to Hepco Becker pannier frames.
Your options for pannier frames and panniers (different models and sizes) would be from:
Touratech
Hepco Becker
SW Motech
I have their contact details if you need it. I can also give you more details, photos or you can come have a look if you are in Gauteng.
Just contact me here:
http://www.project-zone.co.za/index.php/contact
i would be very gratefull for any advice, photos and contact details.
My brother and i have been doing enduro's and harescrambles for years, but touring is new to us. We have just bought Xchallenges and are planning a trip up to Dar es Salam
my email is jason.sondela at telkomsa.net
Kind regards
Jason