Alright all. Some of you may have seen in route planning that myself and a few friends are looking to do a route across europe next year of approx 4600 Miles.

The time frame is not very long and the route is subjext to change. However I am looking for a bike to do the journey on. One on the options is a Yamaha XT660R. My reason for looking at this bike is due to the fact it has an off road capability. I am not looking at serious cross country stuff. Just the ability that if I see a road / track I want to go down I can be happy the machine will get me through it.

The only thing I am not too happy about is it having only a 15litre tank. Are you able to get abigger replacement or is it just a case of keeping a jerry can with you? What sort of MPG are owners getting? I have been reading between 50-70. Does this seem about right?

How comfy do people find it for distance? Will it cope for prolonged periods of 80mph cruising?

The others bike I am looking at are naked sports bikes. Obviously offering a lot more power and speed but I cant help thinking that more fun could be had on the XT660.

Not to mention that it will be much easier to carry out any repairs. Well over to you for advice.

Thanks in advance.

hi,

if you do search, you'll find a link for a larger tank which costs about 1000 Euro (as i remember correctly).

it may cope 80mph, however, it is a single with no standart taller windscreen (causing windy rides) and it has high mudguard (causing woobling in high speeds). i think it wont be comfy on European motorways for long rides. mpg is reported between 50-70 mpg depend on the speed mostly. some models have surging problem in low speed. i was going to buy one of this machines then i change my mind and want to get a Suzuki DL650 - V-Strom now. almost same mpg, capable of light offroad ridings, solid engine, larger tank, stable on motorways, lots of aftermarket parts like xt660. another choise would be yamaha fazer. they are also cool bikes..

hope this helps mate!

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ozhan u.
website under construction

Depending on your budget you could always opt for the new 660 Tenere. I have one of those. Same bomb-proof engine as the 660 R, but a bit more suitable for longer travels. I have done more than 500 kilometers on its 22 litre tank. Quite good range, I'd say. (It was during brake-in, so I was very light on the throttle ;-)

It's pretty capable on gravel too, and feels to me a lot lighter and nimbler than e.g. the BMW F800GS.

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HansP
All you wanted to know
about riding in Norway

Hi thanks for your responses so far. The money aspect isn't really an issue as other considertaion but obviously for road use only are bikes such as the Honda VFR800.

hi,

i just had a little test ride today on a xt660r. the bike was 2008 model and had 8000 km on the clock. had no serious damage, etc..

first of all i have to say, i did not feel the surging in low speed. no problem on cornering in roundabouts etc.. i think they have sorted this problem out in 2007. acceleration was incredible. i went up to 120km/h quicker than i guess. bike was lighter than i expected and not to high (i am 1.71 m and 65 kg). i was confortamble with the high. there was a vibration as expected from a single but not very disturbing. the seat was a bit narrow and might need a ship skin for long rides. breaks, especially front break was a bit poor because of the suspention high. and because of the narrow front fairing (fairing around the headlight) you feel the wind quite strongly. i am not sure if it would be solved replacing the original windshiled with a stock one. riding agains that wind for 6-7 hours would really be a problem on on motorways.

hope this helps..

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ozhan u.
website under construction

Hi Tomo, well I have had many different bikes over the years - BMWs, Ducatis, Triumphs, and ridden many more. I now have an XT660R, and have done about 5000kms on it from new in the last 6 months. I use it for daily commutes, touring, day tripping, and a bit of offroad/green laning, I generally like to take the scenic route home. Now first let me explain a thing or two about me. I am one of those people that within a month of buying a bike is already thinking about the next one. I have test ridden so many bikes I could probably write a book on it. Since buying the XTR though I have not yet really found anything to tempt me away. Amazing but true, although I havent yet ridden the XTZ.
I thought a DL650 was going to be the replacement until I took it for a ride. I hated it. NIce motor, but the turbulence off the screen, and the cumbersome feel of it, made me really appreciate my XTR more.
The XTR is great fun on the road, it has an awesome motor, and will happily sit at 120 kmh all day. I put a tall screen on mine, which looks ok as well and does a good job. It is comfortable in the saddle for a good all day ride, although this is highly personal - for me I have no problem with 3-500kms a day. Dirt tracks, gravel roads, forest roads are a blast, as is the beach. The bike is nice and agile, and has a very comfortable position standing on the pegs, inspiring confidence to the rider. With a bash plate from either Touratech (i used) or OTR you are good to go. There are loads of extras availabe, and it is nigh on bloody impossible in my mind to get more bang for your buck. On top of all that, its very simplicity keeps the stress at bay. Very easy and cheap to service yourself (something I never even contemplated with previous bikes), basically bullet proof. PLastics are very cheap to replace, if you want to change the colour. They dont break very easily, as they just bend. The only draw back is that it will not do 180kmh on the autobahn, but I hate motorways, and avoid them like the plague on my bike. It is a great way to totally miss the country you are travelling through!

Just what I wanted to rad really. How do you find the tank range on it?

Fuel tank range is about 200-220 kms before the fuel light comes on, which then means you have another 5 litres, which should be good for up to about another 100. All in if you are not driving too enthusiastically you should be ok for 300km. You can get a 21L tank from OTR.com at about 800 euros I think.
I forgot to mention as well - if you can get one after 2007, then you should. There were some fuel injection issues prior to this. I had a little bit of surging with mine when I first got it, but it turned out that the mixture was just set way too lean. This is sorted in about 30secs through 2 buttons on the digital dash. Very easy. Also means you can very quickly and easily adjust the mixture without getting off your bike and getting your fingers dirty, if you are using different grades of fuel, or are at any significant altitude.

Can you check the web address for that company as that doesnt appear to bring up the correct site.


Thanks


EDIT * Not to worry. I have found the link now Special parts for Yamaha XT 660R, XT 660X

Sorry tom must have missed this.

Ive had an XT660R 06 for the past year and its a great bike, and will do any type of trip that is thrown at it. If you plan on doing alot of bigger jounrys then the new Tenere might be a better option as its got bigger tank and alot of other good things as standard but the seat is a weak point as its very arched at the back so you cant move about much.

If you wanna find out more visit this website

. : XT660.com The #1 xt660 resource : . | The #1 xt660X, xt660R and xt660Z Tenere resource

great website all to do with the XT660X/R/Z

Hi maxwell just been reading through your reply on XT660.com

Yes the Tenere would probably be the more suitable bike. I just don't think I could live with its looks though.

Yeah, it looks sort of a grasshopper, doesn't it? My kid baptised mine "Timmy" instantly...

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HansP
All you wanted to know
about riding in Norway

I've just done 11k miles around Europe on my xt600e, basically standard. I wouldn't bother with a bigger tank for Europe - just get on the thing and ride it, it'll do all you ask bar perhaps the 120kph extended motorway cruising... you want a twin if that's a necessity, i reckon!

decisions decisions. I really don't know what to get. I am swaying towards this as it does seem a very capable bike for little money with good economy.

Then I can always keep my R6 for something more sporty.

Other option includes selling the R6 and then getting a GS1200 Adventure or going for a sports tourer such as the VFR 800. The mind boggles at the minute it really does. Don't think I know what I want.

Guess I just need to take the XT660 out for a spin when I get back to the UK and make my mind up from there.

Two bikes is always a great option. An xt660 and an R6 in the garage pretty much has most bases covered I would say. You can never really get a bike that does everything, there is always a sacrifice - even with a 1200GS. Great bike, but do you really want to take it off-road, and what if you drop it or, heaven forbid, scratch it! Since I got my xt, I have found a new enjoyment in dirt roads and tracks, and not caring about scratches. It is maybe soon to be joined by an old speed triple, so that will be the beauty princess, protected from the weather and dirty roads! The XT battles through it all with a smile.