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?

Use to have an R with standard underslung twin exhausts and if your only doing gravelly rocky stuff you will be grand, and as you said if you slow down on the rough stuff you will be ok.

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Plough on