XT660R

So for one reason and another I felt the need to have a newer, more
reliable 'adventure style' bike.

I'd had a good look over Andy's Tenere when trying to repair it and was
quite impressed. The fault was so trivial to be blunt it didn't bother
me.

I sat on a couple of Teneres and whilst the price was fine,
unfortunately they're far too tall for me.

So had a look around Fowlers two weeks ago and they had a '08 XT660R
with a little over 10k on it. Scottoiler touring kit, Hepco and Becker
top box and pannier rack, touratech engine bash plate, Acerbis brush
guards, new set of tyres.

Sat on it and it seemed to be an OK height.

Didn't get away before the salesman approached and ended up shaking on
it and paying a deposit.

Picked it up last Saturday. It's amusing.

Single cylinder, lots of urge but little power. Kind of accelerates
fast as you change gear gets to 80 swiftly and then gathers pace to
about 100 slowly. Seen 110 but wouldn't want to hang on for more.

Suspension's quite good. Got quite blase about speed bumps etc. and
used the pavement to pass a car manouvering in the road today. Very
nimble bike. Also very narrow, am sure it will fit anywhere; much
quicker using this to go into town on than the K1100LT.

Noise from the engine encourages me to rant it everywhere. Riding it
like a teenager, everytime I've gone out someone's either flashed lights
or beeped their horn at me. Marvellous, this is what riding bikes is
about.

Not ridden a single since the CB250RSs I had ten or more years ago (hard
to believe I used to commute 120 miles a day on them!) Not ridden a
'trail' styled bike since the XL250 I had 25 years ago (gulp).
Forgotten what fun single cylinder trail bikes were.

I like it. Fast enough really. Wondering whether I want to use this on
the trip to Slovenia in June. Maybe.

Only criticism I have is the fuel tank is tiny and there isn't a
cheapish Acerbis one for it, only an expensive one from Germany (about a
thousand euros).

And the fuel consumption; it's all bollocks that they do 65mpg; this one
certainly doesn't. It does about 43mpg. Not sure why *all* of my
vehicles return poor fuel economy.

Oh, it's mostly matt black.

 

I haven't. I'm after another XT600E.

(Well batted, btw)

 

**** that single cylinder crapola. I outed the CCM R30 for that
reason, you want a nice Tiger 955i you do.

But the MT500 is an absolute hoot. Lots of sideways glances, as they
know it's an industrial piece of hardware that *is* going to cut them
up.

Very sprightly to 60 too. The drum brakes are more than a little
exciting though. You do need to plan ahead somewhat ..

Paul.

 

What's the weight of this? cc/kg is a good indicator of urge, from low
RMPs

That's why my (ex) XL600R remained my commuter for more than 10 years.
140 kg on the road, with petrol.

1. Riding style
2. Carb setup

 

You should speak to Whinging Courier of this parish - he had the
XT660X for a while and did some mods for more power, etc. Rather liked
it, but found it too slow (having traded an '03 R1 in for it) after
not very long.

I've just realised that I've not seen a post from him in a good while.

 

Full Akropovich system and Power Commander. Dynoed at R&T in Aylesbury.

He's retired

 

172kg dry, which it certainly doesn't feel like because that's
give-or-take the same that is claimed for the GSXR1000.

 

Are that bunch worthy of recommendation, Dan? I need the Bandit
fuelling sorted and they're the closest to me, apart from the
dodgy-looking bunch in MK.

 

Yes. Danny had the ZX10R dyno'd and set up there a few times and that
always ran flawlessly, also the RGV was in there for jetting and he did
say there's no way it will ever run right with those huge flatslide
carbs/pressurised airbox and will probably seize again... he was dead
right.

 

Yes. Well, sort of.

A trip with Simon and others last year (Slovenia?) had us limiting speed
to 80mph due to oil consumption concerns on someone else's bike. The
fuel consumption was a revelation. I really tried to continue that when
I returned but I couldn't.

Anyway... doesn't matter anymore because I've hardly used a bike this
year; 2000 miles to the Elefant and maybe another 1000 in the odd trip
to Newbury and general riding around. *sigh* I *miss* commuting by
bike. Don't miss the 4:30 starts for early morning heathrow flights
though.

 

Careful, some do-gooder will report you for encouraging dangerous riding.

 

Got that printed in my wallet ready for when I get stopped.

"I'm easily led, officer, he encouraged me"

 

Chris ( him wot runs it) seems like a top bloke, very knowledgable.
Take a look at his website ( you'll need to google for the URL).
There's a cafe just round the corner too.

 

Maybe from UKRM, but his presence was felt at the BOSM ..

Paul.

 

Believe me, it was felt on the journey there

 

Thanks for that - I'd heard a couple of reports of them, but couldn't
remember who from ... or even if they were good or bad, tbh. I think
I'll go there.

150 quid (max) for the dyno requirement plus 45 quid an hour if they've
got to dick around for more than a couple of hours sounds tolerable if
not generous. Plus VAT, natch.

 

And an update from storage shed #3 ... the Stage II Dynojet kit has
been uncovered. Inna box inna box inna box (box cubed, I guess) right
at the back bottom corner, of course. Therefore they can have the bike
next week and do their thing.

 

*waves* They sorted out some NCC upside downie head bikes including an
XS650 that I'd never seen running properly before hand.

Do it.