First of all may I say on behalf of the whole worldwide biking community, sadly RIP to the poor bloke that fell and died. It's a real shame.

Kev, your review puts it all into prospective,

I had no doubt that Yamaha, would have received so many complaints worldwide, that even if they opted to ignore them at the end of the day they must have received the negative reports from their accountants as a result from the fact that they had to replace God knows how many ECU's and TPS's WOLRDWIDE that these surely must have blown a hole in their estimated profit.

Something had to be done, and like you've said apart from the cosmetic changes of the light cowlings and fairings, they have managed to carry out 3 major improvements such as the new mapping and ECU, the TPS and finally the rear swingarm.

Well people as you can see there is still faith in this great manufacturer of bikes we have all come to love after many years of service, the reason why we have all put up with the problems of the 04-06 XT's didn't take away the passion and fun we get from these bikes.

Here's looking at a much brighter future for all the 07 plus owners of these wonderful bikes.

Great report Kev and... once again

R.I.P. fellow biker our thoughts are with his friends and family.

Update
 

Hi all...

So sorry to read about our fellow biker that fell in the previous thread. RIP and our thoughts to the family at this time.

To business then...

My XTX (in racing blue) is just as awesome as before with subtle differences:

The fuelling is much improved. Still some surging at low speed and I have increased the CO by 10 from 8 to 18. Much better though!

Details:

Engine

The pick up and response is much improved. Does not bog down at all. The engine braking is incredible. I know the ratio has not been changed but it seems stronger than before. The engine has NOT stalled (ever) even when I have blipped it several times off the run at the lights! Wow! Getting around 50 MPG commuting at the moment. The 1st gear is short but I quite like it (no difference to before then). The bike revs out easier this time with stock pipes. No issues, no funny noises and sounds great even on stock cans.

Clurch / GB

The clutch (mine anyway) is super smooth. Slick gear changes throughout up and down the box. Nothing dropped or slipped. Clutchless changes, no issue, even down the box (just watch out for slides).

Chassis / Suspenders

The frame and shocks look nice. The new 07 ones are still Paoli and are now BLACK and look really nice. Softish but fantastic on blighty roads, no issues. The rear is slightly harder and better for it. Will be great two up.
The grab rails and pillion pegs are excellent and much improved in terms of appearance and comfort values.
Excel rims as before are to die for and I have to say the stock boots are great as before but will lob AVONS on when I have worn the P's down. Should get around 3k out of the rear! The brakes are awesome, both front and rear so far, no issues.

Looks

Superb and different but not overly so but the net result is more SM look which I prefer. Both the front and the back are better finished and the quality of the plastics seem better, thicker and richer colours.
The sidepods of the X is different and better I think. they fit more flush!
The lights are essentially the same as before with the exception of the main light which believe me (at night commuting) is awesome to behold. I get myops in cars flash me BIG time if I leave the MB on!

Idiot lights / Cockpit

These are unchanged and I like them that way. Simple and effective. The front cowling though is much lower which tends to expose the speedo to muck, especially in off road mode. Which (these bikes will do)! I know, I have been over mud, gravel, through a flood and in a field so far. No issues and I mean NONE and using the stock tyres too.

Costs

Running costs are low so far. 50MPG and 35 TAX 6 months/ �100 FC insurance and you get all this fun! Wow.

Is the 07 model worth it:

On the engine mods and looks and improvements alone...YES!

I have owned a KTM LC4 640 before my XT660X 04 model and I have to tell all that given the slating this bikes receives from certain London based groups and SM forums; the comments are unfounded and are plain WRONG! Any proper SM pilot will tell you after just 10 miles your arms will vibrate off for a start using a KTM / Husaberg / CCM / Husqvarna etc, forget taking the other half and your looking at 1500 mile services and 70 miles range for starters. With exception to the latest KTM 690 and Aprilia Pegaso the XTX will handle, make a ton, beat a 911 Turbo from a standing start to 60, beat sportbikes around twisties, carry your other half, go off road and all on a budget!

This is my second XTX and in two years time I will look to change it either for another or maybe the new XTZ which looks tasty. Either way, another XT!

Go and get a test ride and be prepared to be converted!

Have a good Christmas everybody!

foxthebiker
great post i think you are what they call hooked on the XT as am i at the moment, ive got the R which can still get the naughty side out but i wouldnt say as much as the X with the more road basis tyres would. But i still have fun taking on anything on my daily commute to and from uni and still get great pleasure taken it up old country roads with sh+t, grass, gravel, hedges, cows etc on the roads and it just keeps wanting more and more.

Coming from a V twin i understand what you mean by the bike picks up but still its a single which means you have to have it in the revs to pick up unless you get the dreaded chain slap/slapping. But as you say compared to proper SM bikes this is a do it all type but master of none type. Same as sports bikes great for doing one thing and thats it but all rounders will keep up but most people say oh but a sports bikes better (yea when on a race track and not the normal roads, yet us UK people still havent seemed to grasp at that concept yet)

O and as for running costs you said
"Running costs are low so far. 50MPG and 35 TAX 6 months/ �100 FC insurance and you get all this fun! Wow."
I can see where your coming from depending on my riding style on the tank of petrol i can get anything from 50mpg-70mpg on my daily commute but dont tell me about your insurance i am still only 19 so Mr insurance still thinks i havent a clue how to ride even though i have 2 years no claims bonus, ride all year round, and still they all think norn iron is all like belfast (even though crim rates in belfast have been going down insurance people dont see that!!! k+obs)

I Wanted a full SM and i got one ( In my eyes anyway)
Sounds the dogs, looks the part, handles like a dream.
2 year warrenty, and good service intervals,
Let the better waether commence.

Cheers Fozzer...shame your so far away....love to give it some beans on some back roads with you....

The insurance can be nightmare I agree, sorry to hear over there it's high. Actually, I have heard this elsewhere so I am not suprised.

The bike is wicked it's true. Can't wait till I get on it again in a few hours......

Take care and stay safe bud....

fozzer
what i meant about the SM bit was most people will only class an SM bike as one of those bikes you see flying around a race track sliding it sideways into corners with no worrys about engine life, wrecking the bike etc. Most people will not class th XTX as a true out and out SM but as fox says why would you want one of them anyway after 10miles your arse is numb, you cant see anything cause of the vibs, and the thing soon runs out of petrol anyway, or breaks down.

That's not right. The XT vibrates more than any other bike.

wot even a hardly dangerous?

nah.....

Oh no
here comes the satnav holder story.............. ha ha:laughing11:

Well concidering my friend rode my bike and he has riden 1000's of bikes (he's a bike mechanic) and his comment was he had never riden anything with so much vibration. Don't get me wrong, I like my XTX. It looks the biz, goes like stink, handles well but vibrates it's head off. As I've stated in other posts, I've killed 2 sat navs in 5 months and according to Garmin no other bike has done this. Not even a Hardley. This distruction process is totally to do with vibrations.

Oh, one other thing. I'm not the type of biker that raves about his bike trying to kid myself it's perfect. It is good but far from perfect.