What can be done about raising the exhausts then?
Heading more towards the R.
Found a 2007 with 8k on the clock for �2800 @a dealers.
Fair or not?

That seems to be a fairly typical price at the moment.

hi and welcome to the forum.

owned an r for near 4 years, did plenty of miles on it and the seat is ok for a good 100miles before you have to get off for a wee move around in my opinion. the tank will give you around 140 miles before you need to look for petrol. I'm 6ft4 and always had the yammy high screen which allowed the wind to just hit my chin bar on my lid. it can handle a good bit off off roading in the right hands but ground clearance is an issue unless you select the right lines. but in the end of the day good bike and you can get some good explains now for low money then mod it in the way you want.

I've only just bought a tenere and still a good bike but your gonna spend a fare bit more to find one but the wind protection as standard is good. not tried it off road much yet but handles the same as the z n seems better in ground clearance compared to the r.

Z or R
 

Hi and welcome to the forum.

There is a lot of information here and I am sure someone with more experience than I will chip in :newhere:, especially as I am still in the process of preparing my 2008 R for use and have yet to take it off-road.

While I prefer the look of the Z, I chose the R primarily due to the seat height and price (�2,700 - 2008 and 3k miles - mint condition and private sale). I have remedied the under engine exhausts with a 2 into 1 system from Metal Mule ( www.metalmule.com) that, in my opinion, was not silly expensive (~�360) and re-routes the pipes in a similar fashion to the old XT600 while also removing about 9kg from the bike.

Metal Mule also sell a bash plate that is designed to optimise ground clearance once the 2 into 1 system is fitted. I can't comment on this item yet, as I am awaiting delivery. I think it was ~�140.

I have also bought a 22.5 litre long range tank from Gilimoto, that I have yet to install - ~�330.

For me, the R is lighter, cheaper and better suited to me as I am vertically challenged and once I have completed the above, my R will not be more expensive than a comparable Z but hopefully, comparably equipped. Although, I am yet to convince myself which screen is best for me to assist on the boring motorway bits.

Good luck with your decision.

Excellent advice. I have not had an R but I have had a Z and 3 or 4 X's, I am 6ft and the Z is a tall bike. If money is a concern I'd go for the R and mod the exhaust to increase clearance, that way you get the best of both.

Both will give you many an hour of fun, both can munch the miles, my XTX had a touring screen and it really does cure the high speed wind blast.

Just to be a photo whore, below is my XT660X riding the offroad lakeland '11 meet a year or so ago and I was fine off road with the Rs and Z's!

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...x/CIMG1238.jpg