Hi everyone, I am a relatively new rider, especially on the road and I am looking at the xt660r as a possible "Learner" machine.

My question is about this throttle surge everyone talks about. Could the surging be dangerous to a new rider? how bad is it?


Or should I just go with the KLR instead?

Cheers

Funkydruid

Welcome on board mate.

The surging has become XT folklore and as such is often exaggerated. Some bikes are worse than others, but it's nothing dangerous - NO reason to stop you buying an XT anyway!

Most of the surging issues can be fixed easily and cheaply. Have a read through this thread; it covers almost everything regarding surging and the fixes.

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and to

Welcome mate

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Mods that I have done to my XTX's

My 04 XTX
Stage 1 & 2 DNA filters / Kev fuel mod / snorkel mod / Drilled air box mod / Engine breather mod / Fork Spacer mod / 15w fork oil /
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My 07 XTX
Raptor 700 cylinder 102mm / Modified Crank Case to take a 105mm Raptor Cylinder / 11:1 102mm JE Raptor piston / Stage 1 Raptor Hot Cam / Ported head / Colder Spark Plug / +2mm Throttle body / DNA stage 1 & 2 filters / Modified Air Box / Snorkel removed / Worry Brothers stage 2 filter cover / 6mm & 8mm Bolts Replaced with Titanium Bolts / Recovered seat in Black / O2 Eliminator /

My 09 XTX
59HP at the rear wheel / Stage 2 Raptor Hot Cam / DNA stage 3 Air Box / Carbon Can Exhausts / Modified Exhaust Link Pipes / PCIII With Custom Fuel Map / Wideband Commander O2 Data logger / LCD100 Dyno Jet display & fuel adjuster / 2500 OHM HT lead instead of a 10K OHM XT lead / Extra Coolant Cooler / Protaper Fat Bars / Tail Tidy With LED Tail Light / OKE Protection Knobs / LED indicators / AIS blocked / Modified rear sprocket rubbers / Rear Foot Pegs removed / 09 ECU With 02 Sensor Changed To A 06 ECU / Complete wiring harnes Changed from 09 to 04 / Home made LED resistor flasher / Hole drilled in the fuel tank filler neck to allow quicker filling / Modified Bar End Weights / Progressive front fork springs, 15W fork oil, forks lowered 25mm, used XTR rear links lowering the rear 20mm, rear spring one click stiffer / Changed front & rear guards from blue to black / 47T rear sprocket / Speedo Healer V4.0 / Kev throttle cam mod / Throttle grip mod / The new 2010 O2 sensor mod is out, works a treat, The new 2012 O2 Controller is out, PM me for details

Now ride a 2018 MT09SP ABS + TCS

My KTM 990 SMR Mod book. http://www.ktmsmt.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=4946

Hi there! Most novice riders won't even notice any surging - it is something that has been blown out of proportion by reviewers. The XTR isn't fine machine to start out on and I'd have one over the Kwak any day.

Dave

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If you can read this you're faster than you look...

Welcome Buddy,
There aren't many bikes 'perfect' from the factory with the intervention of greenies.With some minor tweaking the XT's are a really solid bike. And that's half the fun is getting your bike just how you want it. I'd go XT before KLR any day.