OK which one should I take?

[dubber68]

Planning a ride down to Greece next year via Croatia and back through Hungary, but I can't decide whether to take the sertao or the S10. They both have advantages and disadvantages but I really can't decide. Need to start preparing one so to be sure I haven't missed anything that would help what are your thoughts?

BMW Sertao

Plus points

Relatively light
Good economy
Better on the rough stuff
Pretty much sorted already

Cons

Poor tank range (170ish)
Chain drive maintenance
Not as good for the blast across Germany and Austria

Yamaha XT1200Z

Pros

Better Tank range
Better at speed
Shift drive

Cons

Not as good on the rough stuff
Heavier
Will need more prep

[Emf#53]

How much off road do intend to do and would that be wide hard packed gravel type stuff or gnarly goat tracks?

[dubber68]

Going solo so would avoid anything too bad but you can never be sure.

[Emf#53]

do you have a time scale for the trip?

If it needs to be done at a brisk pace then I'd take the S10 as it would handle the distance better and still be capable of doing some off roading.

If time wasn't an issue and you're going to take a steady amble down there and back then maybe rig up an auxiliary fuel tank and take the BM

[dubber68]

Got 3 weeks to get there and back and was planning to race across Germany and Austria to get to Slovenia. Then on the return blast back across them. Gravel roads are on my plan but there may be snow on some of the higher passes as well.

[Emf#53]

Hmmm tough decision then :S

[dubber68]

Hmmm tough decision then :S

Yeah innit

[AndyB]

Buy another bike at the last minute and use that (thumbs)

Being realistic for a minute I'd actually use the Yamaha because it's a long way before you get to anywhere decent and the Yam will cope with a bit of off road anyway.

[herman]

Gratuitous pic of my S10 up A Croatian hill/gravel track follows. No contest solo in that time frame take the big one. edit what prep....EO7 tyres was about it.

[Dave DRZ]

The line about the Sertao "pretty much sorted already" sums it up for me. Not sure what prep you will need to do with the S10 but why bother if you don't have to. Save yourself some £££' and treat yourself to some nicer hotels en route.


Dave