I have the following question. I often do 300-400 km long motorway hauls at 100-130 km/ph to get to my vacation / long weekend mountain regions. I tried doing this on a KTM Duke II and it proved fatal for the Austrian to get to the mountains (oh, the irony!).

I was then told that you shoudn t take a big single on extended motorway trips: it will kill the engine. I was also told that I was a tit for having done so. So, apart from me being a tit, is it true that big singles die if you do several hundred km motorway trips on them in 1 go? I just can't believe that

I agree, that advice is crap. Its not the best bike for long distance for sure, and I'd suggest you vary the engine speed often, these motors are strong and if you look after them they can do the long miles no worries

I remember one year going to the Sachsenring for the GP and two Brits turned up at the hotel we were in one on 1000 Fazer and his mate on a 660X and they'd ridden there no problem.

It's where the XT with its cooking engine comes into its own,might be a little under powered but quite comforting to know that the chances are it's not going to eat itself but I can think of better bikes to do that kind of distance on.

Good advice about varying the speed...and keep the oil level good. I rode from Pembroke Dock to Chichester in one go apart from a ten minute fuel/ coffee stop ...80 mph all the way and the Tenere loved it. It actually felt more responsive and smoother the longer/ further you rode. Most bikes/ engines have a 'happy ' speed..a cruising speed that leaves a bit in hand for an overtake. A well maintained xt660 engine is reliable and tough! Steve

Rode mine pretty well nonstop from Newbury Berks to Luxembourg border in one day and the same again back after a one day break. The bike was absolutely fine doing it. The biggest problem for me was the comfort of the saddle and the low screen. But maybe I'm a bit fussy

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2010 XT660Z Blue, Exan can, UFO high front fender, SW Motech baseplate, heated grips, 12v point, Kevs Fuel & O2 mod, DNA Stage 2 Filter and cover, Givi tall screen, Mefo mfe 99s, Kevs throttle mod, TT high seat and 'compass'

In a word... NO.

Mine is eight and half years old and has suffered many a long arduous day at motorway speed. I ride from here in Norfolk to my parents' home near Inverness in the north of Scotland three or four times a year, and I always do it in a day with generally just one 15 minute petrol/coffee/WC stop. That's all the rest me and the bike get, and the journey is 500 miles (800 Km) mostly at 70-80 mph (110-130 Km/h). The Tenere is still as good as the day I rode it out of the showroom, if not better. Doesn't burn a drop of oil. Not a hint of impending death!

The XT motor is relatively unstressed what with its stock 43 horsepower and easy-going power delivery. If looked after properly it will give many many years of faithful service whatever use it is put to - city, motorway, twisty rural roads (or if an R or Z model, off road too).

You and your XT660X will have no trouble doing the journey to the mountains and back.

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Thanks for the replies guys. Puts my mind at ease. Stupid KTM has ruined my trust in big single reliability

Imma go to the Eiffel and Swartzwalt next year and I dont really fancy renting a van to go there. Imma take the XT X all the way instead