XtraPix: 2008 BMW G650 Xchallenge - First Look
BMW is on a roll when it comes to making bikes that would rather eat up rocks than chew miles of pavement. First step was the HP2, which proved BMW was serious about off-road fun. The HP2 is on the massive side for a dirtbike, though, with its twin cylinders sticking out in the breeze and a $20,000 price tag.So cut that in half and you get BMW’s newest dirt-worthy machine, the G650 Xchallenge. I think of it as an “HP1,” a single-cylinder, semi-affordable version of the HP2 at $8975. That’s no bargain by any means for a dual-sport bike, but it is on the low end when you compare it to the rest of BMW’s model range.
The Xchallenge is part of a trio of G650 X models developed and constructed in cooperation with Italian manufacturer Aprilia. The other two models are the Xcountry and Xmoto, the latter strictly tuned for street, and the former a modern scrambler fitting in the middle of the range. To get the full story pick up the latest issue of CW and take a closer look at the Xchallenge in our Xtra Pics gallery.
Emissions-friendly charcoal canister looks out of place while the neatly placed fuel tank is tucked seamlessly under the seat.
Gorgeous bodywork makes for a nice finish, but if tipped over scratches easy.
The G650 Xcountry is fun on the street and great for a casual off-highway excursion.
Exhaust features a catalytic converter.
The G650 Xmoto is in the same family but 17-inch gumballs make this model a street-only machine.
A few more inches and this bike would be dragging the license plate. Dedicated to the late great Wheelie King, Doug Domokos.
Arizona terrain and the Xchallenge worked well together.
In the hot Tucson desert we found this awesome single-track. Unfortunately, it was littered with empty water bottles from illegal border crossers.
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