What is it about these bikes indeed!!!!!???? I went for a play today and decided I hate it more than I love it......... I think? Rode through Doncaster to get to j&s and it was awful, bloody thing.... anyway I've only done 300 miles all told on it so it only has 2340 miles on the clock.... trouble is, it only seems happy when you're dogging it..... bloody thing.... anyhow if I don't get on with it shortly it'll be off!!! So I'm now looking at possible pt ex's. I have had klr's and xlr's before and though they do seem a little more user friendly (my opinion) they don't go round bends like this black bast*rd (my opinion) ........... The saga continues!!!!!!!!! Tony

Having changed the fork oil, regreased the head bearings and refitted the standard dogbones, I had to take my XTR out in the wind and rain for a test ride today. I've had, and still have, more expensive bikes, more technologically advanced bikes and certainly faster bikes but this thing is such good fun, I can see me holding onto it for a good while. It's so good for exploring back roads,does U turns on a sixpence (that's an obsolete coin for you young members),and scoffs at potholes, gravel and mud. I'm definitely loving more than hating mine!

papa dae ye ever go down tae the Cove at queensferry,,, i may see ye down there in the better weather.. how long ye had the Xt... maybe we could meet up sometime...

I've only been to South Queensferry in the car or on my pedal cycle so haven't been to the Cove yet, John. When I have passed by, it has always looked like a cruiser riders' hangout but I probably should pitch up on the bike one sunny day.
I bought the XT in October and I'm having a lot of fun with it.

Love or hate
 

Hi Tony
Don't give up mate
weather is starting to clear and you ll be able to get out on it and see its full potential.
Here's an example of the effect this thing has on me
Now it could be that there's something not quite right with me but a week ago I couldn't sit in another Sunday soooo
5.30am sees me and the xt off to wales
Bear in mind it's dark and icy(didn't know this till I arrived at Denbigh and nearly fell off on me arse) blasted here there and everywhere what a laugh it's icy muddy,single track roads dual carriageway,motorway on the way back. Got back around 11.00am covered in mud (me and the bike) still smiling about it all day Monday and then the ride home from work in traffic and it's a piece sh#t again
So you see its love love hate hate for some of us but it's going to stay with me
The XT is not my only bike I have a really tidy TDM850 which I've had from new,trouble is I find myself taking the xt all the time

ha ha Geoff, I love that thread! Yep you are completely barking.... but that's good! I like the love.. love ... hate ... hate thing? It sums up the relationship I have with this Black Bas*ard................. thanks for that, Tony

my XT is a ***** but i wouldnt be without her

Got my first ride on the XTR today from the shop. The first few minutes the surging was awful to feel but after my three hour ride the general feeling is happiness all over. From cruising in 3rd gear without being annoying to anyone to lifting the front wheel, it all feels great.

The rear locks up very quickly on the new tires but I'll keep on using both brakes and learn some specific XTR techniques to not go wide while cornering.

My background: had all bikes you can think of - but this is more pure then anything else. Love it, Hate it - it's has character!

Tony - your more than welcome to take mine out for a ride - see how it compares to yours :icon_scoot[1]:



:112:

Love my XT660R
 

I have had my XTR for just over 3 years, Almost 10000 miles on the clock now.
Every time I take this bike out I become a different animal :) in a good way. Coming from a sports bike background, I love this bike with all its glory!