BMW first showed the G650 XMoto, XChallenge and XCountry in October 2006. Now, the XCountry is the first of the trio to get a mild update. The bike is available with the new ‘sunset yellow’ paintjob, suspension has been firmed up and travel has been reduced, seat height has been lowered, brake and clutch levers have been made adjustable and the bike now weighs in at 149.5kg dry.

The BMW G650’s single-cylinder, 652cc engine remains as before, producing 53bhp and 60Nm of torque. Braking is via 300mm (front) and 265mm (rear) discs. ABS is optional and can be switched off when the bike is being ridden off-road.

BMW have moved production of their G-series bikes to China, to take advantage of the lower production costs there. In fact, the single-cylinder engine used on the G650 range is actually manufactured by Loncin, a Chinese company that makes motorcycles, motorcycle engines and various motorcycle components.

However, being made in China has done no harm to the BMW G650 XCountry. The people at Motociclismo, rode the bike, say that the quality and overall fit-and-finish is excellent. The engine vibrates at higher revs, but is powerful enough to let the bike lope along at a fair pace, without having to be redlined constantly. So, yes, priced at around US$10,600 the BMW G650 XCountry is now better than ever before…

For 2009 the Xcountry gets  colours, new suspension 220mm spring travel front and 165mm rear, new seat adjustable 800-825mm. The brake and clutch levers are also now adjustable.