Potential XT660 Owner - Advice Please..!
 

Hi all, I'm on the verge of parting with a little over �5k for a brand new 2010 model xt660x. However, I'm really put off by the reviews, from both press and owners, concerning poor fuelling and snatchy performance around 25-30 mph ish. Now, is this really something to be concerned about? My current bike is a DRZ400SM, how does the low speed fuelling compare with that? Also, being heavier than the DRZ, does the extra 12 BHP or so really make much difference? I'm hoping that it's a little more long legged than the Drizzle and not such a drag on runs out. I've been riding off and on for 30 odd years and in the last year I gave up all the big four cylinder stuff for a slightly less frantic existance, always likes the 'moto' look but the DRZ is a little too slow for me - just need a bit more go. Would appreciate some opinions buy close of play Sunday as I need to make a decision on Monday - thanks all

:hismiley:there Welcome to the Forum. :660: :family:
The fueling probs you mention seem to be able to be sorted out with various mods etc. My Xtx has the markings to suggest it was the worst type of ECU ending 00 but it seems fine to me. All the later models seem better! Anyway there's loads of very easy adjustment threads on this forum.
The Xt is much longer legged bike than the DRZ and I certainly can maintain 75mph to 80mph on motorways and fast A roads no problem, and I still get about 55-60mpg at those speeds.
Hope this helps you make the right choice. :ytiller:

:hello: and :welcome: to :660:

A few of the new ones have a part surging issue, not all of them, we have run this forum from 2006 providing help to solve it, check our success rate in this forum and it will make your decision simple.

Once you get over that problem and that doesn't mean you might have one, you will find a much more enjoyable bike than the DRZ400 and one that won't leave you behind if you are out with the big boys on their pocket rockets.

Ultimately my advice is: try one - then decide.

Hi Loadmaster welcome to the forum :occasion14:,

Having mainly had large capacity bikes for the 20+ yrs I'd been riding I really fancied a supermoto and got myself a CCM R30 a few years back, which I think is broadly comparable to a DRZ in a power/weight/comfort kind of a way. Although I loved it to bits it didn't have the power or comfort for more than a couple of hours riding on the back lanes. Trying to get around cars that were doing 60mph+ took planning rather than just being able to nip past which was frustrating. So when some toe rag pinched her I mulled on what bike to get for a few months and finally bought an XTX without even seeing one in the flesh.

Fell in love with the XTX immediately, first roundabout I came to inadvertantly caught my boot on the tarmac :) Mine had no modifications when bought and it took me an hour or two's riding to adjust to the 'feel' of a fuel injected bike as I'd not had one before, it just felt different to a carb'd one. My (2006 model) did have some of the surging people report but I never found it a problem, just adjusted riding style a little at the affected speed e.g. more clutch work. No surging at all these days after a few mods have been implemented.

So now I have the XTX i have just as much fun on the back lanes, but long trips are no longer a problem comfort or power wise, I can even put up with an hour on the motorway if circumanstances require it. The BHP means it's never going to be the fastest thing in the world, but 0-80 it can pretty much stay with the t'other halfs TDM900 and tho it tops out around 100 my licence is much safer than it was when i was riding my EXUP1000.

The one thing the Yamaha Salesman won't tell you is that getting an XT also qualifies you to partake in the best forum :660: on the planet :p

Hope that helps a little, I know I absolutely love my XTX bits having had her just over a year now :)
Best of luck,
SelinaXT

I've got an 09 and it doesn't suffer with poor fueling unlike the 05 bike I test rode before the one I bought. 5k seems alot, I'm selling mine at the moment for 3.700ono.

used my 06 plate XT R for commuting a 50 mile round trip daily on A roads for a year now covered 10.5K miles in that time and rarely run below 80MPH up to 100+ on my private sections!!! (road that is not danglies!)
a good part of that which is described a surging will be just poorly adjusted chains any way, keep it adjusted and well lubed and its all good
MOT'd mine today and only needed rear wheel bearings, not bad for a bike which was used all but a few days last winter and has 21K on the clock
my only gripe is hard seat for longer runs

Hello and welcome to the family.

I came to my xtr from a sports bike, looking for more fun without such a risk to my licence as I drive for a living.
That is exactly what I got, I've never owned anything like it for smiles per mile.
Mines a 59 plate "r" and I've modded mine with stage 1 and 2 filters, kev mod and cans and I have no problems at all with surging, I've just got a bike thats so much fun to ride I cant leave it alone.
I dont miss my sports bike at all, I can ride this all day and still walk straight when I get off. Its got plenty enough power to wheelie in 1st 2nd and even 3rd coupled with great handling means I can leave pocket rockets looking seriously stupid through the twisties but then I can go off down green lanes too and see things other riders can only dream about.

I wouldnt dream of parting with mine now, she's my baby :SpinHappy_15XK8L:

Hi, I had a DRZ400S before my XT660X, as for the fueling / surging issue mine has a little, but no worse than the DRZ, but over a smaller rev range, hot enough to warrent anything NEEDING to be doing to it, but I'll never say say never LOL. The XT was the perfect upgrade for me, a little more power, a little more speed for motorways etc and a little more comfort, the list of "a little bit more ---" goes on, oh yes the bad bits a little more to tax & insure. The DRZ is a fantastic little bike with no complaints at all and I was a little unsure about changing it, but the XT is just as nice and I'm loving it, all the above posts really do say all you need to know, hope you make the change, Mike

Reprofiled seat??
 

Thanks for all your replies and opinions. I noticed a pic somewhere in the gallery which was titled 'seat mod'. Is it possible to buy a slightly lower seat or reprofile the current one? I'm not vertically challenged, but I must admit that I was on the toes of my boots when I was sitting on the bike in the showroom - a little offputting really.

We have a "forum mate" upholsterer name is Lee, that will lift the seat vinyl and scoop out your saddle to match your inside leg measurement, then re-staple it back, he did the same to me and quite a few members here, his details are:

Viking Vinyls
Seat upholsterer. Will come to you and re-do your seat in any combination of colours/materials you like, for �50.
Call Lee on (07977) 874075 and mention the forum for a discount.

Thanks Captmoto - just spoke to Lee. Doesn't 'come to you' anymore but seeing as he's only 30 odd miles away from me it's no problem to go to him. Thanks for the pointer - just need to make my mind up as to whether to get this new XTX or not...!

Just a little something to bear in mind regarding seat height,
When I got mine it was new out of the showroom and I too was on tiptoes to reach the floor, 6 months later and the suspension has "settled" and although I still cant put both feet down flat its a lot lower than it was.

are you sure that's not 'Pie' related ?

:wicked01:

Thats a very good point, now you come to mention it I have noticed my landy leans when I get in it :lol:

The more I ride my XT the more I realize I made the right choice. I simply love this bike. As a commuter or weekend adventure ride bike it does everything so well. Don't let the surging worry you, it's not a big deal on the newer models, and certainly no worse than other thumpers on the market. Once you start tracking down some aftermarket bits for it you'll realize just how good the bike is. I was worried about lack of info and support for it, but that too was unwarranted. If you've ridden a DR650 or KLR then you'll certainly know why the XT is worth the extra dosh. Only complaint I have is the weight, it's a beast, but all the 600+cc thumpers are. This is truly a bike you could ride for days and days on end.

Hi, the xt660x is starting to interest me. I currently have a sv650 but fancy something with less top speed and more fun!

Just wondering what year bikes you suggest the surging fueling etc got better? Then I'll know what to look for. Thanks in advance.

Ps Also how would it feel compared to my naked 2006 sv650 with akrapovic and power commander?!

It would feel slower and the handling will be very different. Good at keeping the speed down. Thats why I got mine.

ok...i also had a DRZ..A really nice bike. The DRZ is more "offroad" orientated, but in the same, opposite, way the XT is "road" orientated. Both are good bikes in my book anyway.

and I know a really good trimmers in Oxsted, for your seat. !!!

The XT is the bike for you. FAR better, as a .."easier -to -live -with" bike.

"and I know a really good trimmers in Oxsted, for your seat."

Would that be Oxted? And if so whereabouts please? I really could do with removing the hump on my Z.

Thanks

I'd say don't buy new, 2010 pricing is crazy. How about a low mileage second hand still in warranty? It should be mint and a fraction of the price.

Been there done that with a new xt and to be honest second hand minters are easy to find at a proper price.

I'm 5'9" I can get the balls of my feet on the ground, I fitted XTR suspension links, it dropped the seat about an inch, then I dropped the forks 10mm in the clamps, 2009 XTX.

I've just come from an FZ1 to an 09 X and I can recommend the change. From an online 4 the difference in the way the bike makes power is marked..... But similar to a twin. They are surprisingly quick and handle well.... But I've found this goads me into riding like a tit everywhere. Good fun! After 350 miles I'd recommend one, try and get a test ride. I bought brand new old stock and paid 1200 less than current list price, so there are deals to be done! There is lots of good advice on here, well tested by members, so do lots of reading and choose your tinkering carefully. I've done the snorkel removal and CO1 mod and sounds great!!!!

no problem...I have used them to trim a single seater seat ...very good work, and not as expensive as you imagine.

http://www.oxtedtrimming.co.uk/

XT660Z Tenere
 

Hi All, myself and two mates are looking at doing Cape to Cairo. Two of us are fairly large fellows. Myself being 120Kgs. Do you think the 660 Tenere can cope with my weight plus all the gear or should I be looking at the 1200 Super Tenere. I did the desert run in 2005 on a BMW GS1100 and it was an absolute nightmare to keep on two wheels in the sand and mud. I want to be macho and say Power is the key but with all those pony's under my behind on the GS, it didn't help me much in the desert with 125cc's zooming past me. Granted I had dual purpose tyres but still.

A friend has used the same Ten' to do both RTW and London to Cape Town, with only minor problems. Pretty much just punctures and a cracked engine guard. Kudu use them for three RTW trips I believe, before selling theirs on. So all in all, I think you say that yes it would be a good bike to do your trip!

Just Purchased XTX
 

Hi Loadmaster

Just purchased this week an XT660X and glad I did, Great fun!

I have had a 56reg 5500 miles. I had advice from these guys before i purchased and they were spot on. Bike has surging issues etc etc but followed the mod instructions on here and its ten times better!!!
Just adapted my riding style to suit and it doesn't bother me at all now.

If you want practical but fun I can't think of anything better, I have ridden most things and for the money you can't beat the XTX.

As Nike say 'Just Do It' and any issues and these guys are here to help.

Cheers Bil