Having owned both and ridden them offroad i would say the R is easier unless your 6'2" or taller ,they both use the same engine but the Z is a lot smoother and seems to cruise better plus you have the 22 litre fuel tank ,if your spending most of the time on the rioad and some easish trails i would have the Z ,but if it's more 50/50 and the trails are a bit boggy i would go with the R .

We have two XTRs in our house chosen in preference over the Ten. The XTR is loads cheaper, much much more comfortable, lots lighter, but not quite so well equipped so needs a bit of money spending to get it trip ready; not quite so many farkles available off the shelf.

We went to Southern Africa recently. I hired a Ten, wife was on a XTR. The smaller fuel tank was the only «problem» in so much as we needed to plan fuel stops around 150-180 miles, 200 at a push but that required great restraint. However we were getting around 80mpg at a steady 50mph the couple of times we needed to do the extra distance.

What else....the Ten is a very uncomfortable bike compared to the XTR, under seat storage is better on the XTR although still not exactly cavernous. The Ten has more of a big bike feel with the frame mounted fairing and and slightly more relaxed riding position. On the R you feel like you are right over the front wheel in comparison.

Finally the weight — the extra weight is really noticeable and that together with me being, well several stone lighter than my wife, meant the R accelerated noticeably quicker especially for that crucial 50-70 overtake. She nearly ran into the back of me a few times.

I am very happy with my R.