I know round the side 2 into 1 exhausts are a recommended mod for the XT660 to get better ground clearance, but its �400!

I bet more people have the original underslung pipes than the round the side ones.

So how many people with an XT660 have actually had a problem with the ground clearance using a standard bash plate and standard underslung exhausts?

I'm only ever using the bike off road for green lanes in Northamptonshire, Northern France and the occasional trip to Portugal. 99.9% of the time that means trails and tracks that you could probably get a road bike down if you really had to. It's very rare I do stuff with big rocks or steps, I might go to Wales or the Peak district once or twice a year, and if I do come across something where ground clearance is an issue, I'll just go slowly.

I very rarely ever hit my bash plate on my XT600E with the type of trails I do and my relatively steady style of riding.

So do I really need the round the side modification? Does anyone who hasn't got it really wish they did because ground clearance is being an issue? Or is it just a nice to have?