XT660X touring trip to Italy. Advice please.
 

Sorry if this is in the wrong place but i cant find any specific areas for touring on an XTX.
Ive been saying it for years but finally have got get on and do it or i wont be able to for a great many years to come (pending family). I have a lot of family in Italy and go to the same place in the mountains each year. Ive always wanted to ride out and take in the sites but have just never gotten round to it. Last year i had to drive out as i got married but this year is my chance to do it on two wheels!
My only real question is how comfortable would it be to do the 1050 miles from Cardiff the town in Italy (each way) on an XTX? The most ive done in one go is 200 miles in a day in South Wales with no comfort issues at all. With a tall screen, sheep skin seat cover, allowing three days travel each way and mixing motorway and back rounds my gut tells me the bike will be more than up to the task and fun as well. The other option im considering (i can hear the gasps from the purists here) is to change my XTX for a bargain Kowasaki Versys which would be better on the open roads but i do have another reason for wanting to use the XTX. The mountain roads are awsome in that part of Italy! The XTX would be more fun than the Versys Plus there is a lot of off road i would like to explore in the immediate area, nothing major but off the tarmac. I planned on fitting some tires that could deal with a little off road (not a lot of choice for the XTX tyre size) so once i get to Italy i could strip the bike of its tall screen and luggage and have some fun locally. Was thinking of something like these (if you know of a better set let me know):
http://www.bits4motorbikes.co.uk/Tyr...tml?TryeID=122
The bike is already fitted with a 2 into 1 scorpion exhaust and a full TT sump/engine guard.
All in all im after advice from those who have done long trips on their XTX. Whats a comfortable sustainable mnotorway speed. ANy general advice atc?
Cheers
Dan

Perfect for the job, even better if you're going solo. I did a 5000 odd km trip around Turkey with the mrs using only an Airhawk for comfort without any probs or discomfort.

Do it :thumbsup: and post the pics here!!

Not sure if it was someone on here or another forum but he did a euro tour of the best mountain roads and said the bike was brilliant.

IIRC Dazzer went to Bulgaria and back with his other half.

We did Turkey back in 2007, which consisted a lot of mountain passes and the Mediterranean coastal roads which are really windy...if only I could have done them with no luggage (or wife :p)

As said before, more than capable :nod:

I'm fortunate as I will be travelling very light since family members flying out will take a suitcase for me. The plan is to take 2 weeks off, spend 3 days travelling out, the rest of the time using the house in Italy as a base for day trips and then 3 days travelling back. I guess the XTX will be fine. Not worried about reliability just comfort but doing the trip out over three days should make it good fun. Will let you know what I decide.
Anyone of good tires for a bit of offroad with the XTX?
Cheers

your x will be fine.just keep off the motorways .ive toured on my x all over no worrys loaded up .im doing france/spain this year on mine. you dont nead a z just a petrol can! As for tyres avon Distanzias (THINK THATS HOW YOU SPELL IT )enjoy your trip

Cheers for that, those are the tyres i was looking at. I guess they will do the job on and off road for what i want. I will stick with the XTX and bin the idea of changing it, the fact im reluctant to let it go says i should keep it. I can use a fraction of the cash i had for a repalcement bike to tweak my XTX for the trip and pay for the trip. The bike already has 2 into 1 stainless scorpion exhaust, full TT engine/sump guard and tall touring screen. I will also fit the on/off road tyres, repalcement K&N filter, sheepskin seat cover, hand guards and i guess thats the main things covered. Rather than mess around with a centre stand and tyre repair stuff i will just get european break down cover just in case i get a puncture on the roads on the way out. Once im in Italy there are loads of guarages in the local town should i get a puncture while off roading so no probs there. What about chanel crossing, ferry or tunnel? What are the pro's and cons of each for bike tavel?
Anything else ive missed or is it really that easy? Im going with light is best, Mondo Enduro/Terra Circa rather than Long way Round/Down if you get my drift.
Cheers all
Dan

Me and a mate were suppose to tour europe for 3months but its been put on a back burner for a while...uni. But we did a 2.5wk, 2500mile trip around england, i was on an XTR and he was on a Pegaso 650, both were fully loaded and we coped fine.

A couple of words of advice

Make sure your tyres are either just new or new as touring does take alot out of them

Make sure youve got the bike fully serviced before you leave or even just an oil and filter change

Check your chains got enough life in it and dont forget to bring some oil or your scott oiler is toppe up and youve a small bottle with you

Get a touring screen, ive the yammy tall black one and at 6ft4 it works ok for me

stick to the smaller roads as even though the XTR doesnt mind open roads they do get boring after a while

Think about changing your gearing either up 1 on the front or down 3 at the back, i did 3 at the back and it allow me to sit at 80mph no problem!!!!

Make sure to bring plenty of water with you as you will get quiet dehydrated

Bring some spares and tools and make sure you know what they do, you dont want the moment of....right weres the socket for the wheel nut.....eh ....eh....is this it!!!

Depending on your route bring a spare 5ltr can or at least a ltr bottle or something, ive read alot of routes dont do too many petrol stations, and i near ran out once in Germany with a bike that had an easy tank range of 270miles.

Think about maybe getting a air hawk or seat cushion (i read your taking a sheep skin but im sure that will be very hot in there hot weather). I got a �20 mini blow up cushion from a hiking shop, got my mother (yes i still live at home at 23) to make a wee strap on the seat bag for it and it works a treat, wee bit experimental at the start did the job.

Finally enjoy yourself while your out there and dont plan on pushing yourself too hard.

Think about changing your gearing either up 1 on the front or down 3 at the back, i did 3 at the back and it allow me to sit at 80mph no problem!!!!

Did you do any off roading? How did the gearing affect this if you did.Where did you get the different toothed sprockets from to fit the XT?

it dosnt affect off road rideing you just have to hold the gear a bit longer

I wouldn't mind having better top end, always thought he XTX could pull another gear and since i dont race from lights anymore its not a problem. What on the rear as standard, how many teeth?
Cheers for the help!

it will go out, but can be corrected with a speedo healer. http://www.bikersdiscountstore.co.uk...r-v4-pd-18.php

The bike is about ready for the Italy trip but in the mean time i will do a couple trips to North Wales and West Wales to shake it down. I've been looking at the fuel range issue and right now its going to be a plastic jerry can. I've got a 2 into 1 exhaust so only have the one silencer. I've seen on a forum, might be this one, where someone had a stainless steel cylindrical fuel can made up to replace the missing exhaust can. I'm going to explore this avenue with some metal fabrication contacts i have through work, they are pricing up a bespoke can for me now. I will post pictures here if i do get it made in the end. Depending on cost and demand i may get a few extra made up and sell them here if there is any interest.

Here is the bike as it stand:

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/o...10212-1341.jpg


Cheers

Bike's looking smart :025:

About fuel range...as you'll be riding through Europe will you need a jerry can/extra fuel on board?

Looks the business.

Looks nice.

Ive an R and for the past 10months have used a 3 tooth lower on the rear or the same as a 1 tooth up on the front, and ive had no problems. I use a Sat Nav a few times on the longer runs or non commutes and found the speedo actually now read correct were as before it use to read a good 5mph lower when at 70mph, so even though it said you were doing 70mph you were only doing 65mph.

I think the best is it allows you to sit at 80mph, comfortably.

Am i right in saying there are 15 teeth on the front sprocket on my X? So i would be looking for a 16 tooth to up the gearing. Would this be the right one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/YAMAHA-AFAM-ST...QQcmdZViewItem

Cheers

Yep

From my memory the X and R run the same sprocket number which is a 15:45 standard, ie 15 on the front and 45 rear.

As i said never really had any problems with running a 42 rear (same as 16 front), as the XT has so much torque anyway. Only difference is it take a bit longer for the bike to get from very low revs up, but a simple drop of a gear is simple to get the revs going and your away again

That advert is for a 530 sprocket which is thicker than the 520 chain/sprocket combination on the XT.

http://chain-guide.com/applications/...cle-chain.html

On a side note, I was thinking of doing a bit of a whistle stop tour of wales. Is it possible to ride south to north in day without it turning into a slog.

Yes that�s easily doable in a day and a great trip! Ive not done it on a bike yet but ive done it many times in my car for work. Here is the route i have done many times.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&so...766052&t=h&z=9

The highlight is the Llanberis pass in Snowdon National Park. You have to ride through here!. Its stunning and runs along the foot of Snowdon.
You can do the trip in about 4-4.5hrs in a car but if you get stuck behind a lorry your screwed, on a bike its not a problem. About 170 miles this way but is the best scenery.
This is going to be one of my shake down runs although i plan on doing it as a round trip in one day.
Enjoy!

Nice one, looks like a good route. Whats the A487 along the coast like.

Its a nice road but if you want a little more twisty go up through the centre of Wales. Brecon, Newtown but you have to go up teh Llanberys Pass. Stunning!!
Does anyone know where i can get a front 16 thooth sprocket for a 2005 XTX. Ive looked all over the net but cant find one?
Cheers

will a 16 fit?

Might have one in my garage.

Take 2 credit cards access and visa, alot of the petrol stations in France are unmanned. Alot of the stations will only accept access cards.

i would consider some crash protectors - fork protectors

a 16 tooth should fit on the XTX/R no bother, theres been a few people on the forum who have placed them on with no real problems.

Yep found it. When I got mine it had the 16 on it. I've gone back to 15 but will probably go down to a 14. Let me know if you want it.

chester0 was it worth fitting the 16th tooth for touring or is it not worth the effort. How does the bike ride with it, does it feel labored with the taller gearing or does the 660 pull fine? What you want for it?

Cheers

Dan

+1

Italy also, a few spat out my visa without much explanation.

Off in the morning!!!!!

Just reviewed this now and would love to know how you got on? Planning on doing the same myself.

Hi, just saw your post! Not been about for a while. The trip went very well thanks. Here is a rough map of the way out and some pics. The XTX was fine for the trip. Stayed at an indicated 80mph which was actually 75 on the sat nav and the bike did well.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msa...F8&z=6&vpsrc=0

http://s369.photobucket.com/albums/o...2011%20XT660X/

Hiya just saw your post and your bike looks good!! I would fit the DNA Stage 2 filter as it breathes sooooo much better. I live in Roma and I have an XTX so feel free to call me if you need help on the way, my Italian mobile is 333 8153190 ok?? Simon