|
XTR660 offroad in Aus
Hi to all, great forum, been lurking for a few days but first post here....
I'm seriously considering selling the TDM900 and getting an XTR660... I'd almost decided on a DR650, but I'd really like to stay with Yamaha.... So, some background - I grew up on dirtbikes, first bike was a YZ80C. More recently owned a TT350 then an XR400. I bought the TDM about 18 months ago cos I wanted a bike that could do big trips but cope with some dirt roads. It is BRILLIANT at this (really, I love that bike), but it seems I need a bike that can handle more dirt than the TDM is happy with. I can't afford two bikes. The XTR looks like a good alternative for me, but I'd like to hear others opinion on it's off road ability. I plan on a lot of dirt road trips (3000km+), including a fair amount of desert sand and some rocky country, but this will also involve some short distance bitumen (2-300km stretches). Is the XT up to some serious long distance off road work (dirt roads and roughly formed tracks)? What are it's weaknesses reliability wise? Can anyone point me to some posts on guys who have taken the XT off road in a serious fashion? Thanks, and by the way, good forum here.... |
the xtr is a good ride - (I have one)
But
have you considered retyrering
the TDM 1st, you could get some serious 17 inc
h o
f
f
road rubber and see
h
ow it goes??? |
Quote:
For some reason Yamaha decided to put an 18" front wheel on the TDM, which seriously limits off road tyre choice. Basically I need to put a rear tyre backwards on the front, and lift the guard for clearance. If I did this Distanzias will work, as would TKC80's. Problem is it's still really a road bike and even a minor crash will cause a fair amount of damage. Just rough corrugated roads will shake the plastics apart if I keep riding it the way I have. And it's 220kgs or so which is a lot to manhandle over rough ground. And it has road bike steering geometry which makes it a bit twitchy on rough roads. Basically it's a great dirt road bike for Australian roads, but if I ride it where I want to I will wreck it, and it's too good a bike to do that to it. The XTZ looks like a good option for me - still able to do some big k days, but lighter and more agile in the soft stuff than the TDM. The only thing holding me back is is it off road worthy enough? It would be great to see some ride reports on the XTZ offroad.... |
Do I understand this right?
The current model XT660Z Tenere has basically the same engine as the XTR (same power/torque)? The XTZ has less fork suspension travel than the XTR (according to XT660.com comparison chart). The XTZ weighs 22kgs more than the XTR (wet with oil and coolant, but no fuel so it's a fair comparison - based on Yamaha web site specifications, and fuel at 0.75kg/L). On specs then the main advantages the XTZ has over the XTR is fuel capacity (easy to carry 7L of fuel), and ground clearance (a 2-1 high exhaust from Metal Mule will fix that, as well as shave a further 8kgs off the XTR to make it 30kgs lighter than the XTZ!!!) Someone set me straight - this seems too good to be true cos I can pick up a low km XTR and modify it to suit me for much less than an XTZ. The XT660Z Tenere has had some good reviews in Aus, main complaint is excessive weight and purchase price..... |
I have ridden both the XTR and XTZ. Another plus to the XTR is that you don't get the vibrations through the seat like you do on the XTZ.
The XTR is better looking, in a porky-sort of way. Some say that the XTZ is a better road bike.....but I can't see why. Buy the XTR !!!!!! |
Quote:
The XTR is more than capable of doing a good bit of off roading but the R's had a few problems with the electrical connectors being pretty bad, but all it takes is a day or so take the tank off and a few other plasitcs and a tube of electrical silicone (similar to bathroom stuff but doesnt do something to the wires!) and your sorted. Youve a good range of tyres, and the bikes pretty good with the likes of TKC80s. A good bash plate, and crash bars are a must as although the bike doesnt sit that low hitting the odd bumps and jumps starts to test the suspension, and also the water pump is pretty exposed so a set of crash bars will protect that. Some people complain that the R's seat isnt that comfortable but its like any bike you do get use to it. Also some complain that the tank only holds 3 gallons, and pretty much youve 2 gallons before your fuel light comes on. But ive had 78mpg out of the bike (full tank, 65mph till light came on) |
Quote:
Quote:
Soon as I cash up by selling the TDM I'm in the market for an XTR... |
Yea the XTR's seat is way better than an WR, most bashplates are made for the standard exhausts so you will need to have a wee search about for others than are made for a 2 into1. I know Metal Mule do a bash plate for there 2 into 1 system but with most things metal mule its �������. As for the crash bars, same thing, most are made for the standard exhausts.
|
Just got back from a weekend riding mostly on unsealed roads and foresty tracks (with a few creek crossing thrown in for luck) through northern New South Wales on my XTR. Had a friend with me on an XTZ and another on a TE510 Husky. With all our gear for the weekend loaded in panniers both XT's did great. What really suprised me was that the XTR was just as capable as the XTZ. As mentioned, the only real negative to the R is lack of protection and ground clearance as stock. Other than that, they both perform as well as each other off road. Thr R suits me because 99% of the time i use it to commute, but when i do take it off road it can keep up with the best of them and carry all my gear. The Z does have better suspension with adjustable forks which would be nice on the R. Engine feels smother on the Z but I guess that has a lot to do with the hugs bar end weights. Also has twin disks on the front so it can stop pretty sharply when it needs to. If your going to sit the bike in the shed and bring it out on weekends to go adventure riding, the Z is the bike for you. If you want to use the bike day to day on the road and take it off road now and again, the R's the answer.
|
Quote:
I won't be commuting on mine, it's purely a weekend bike, but I do want to go away for long trips, a week or more at times so I need something comfortable. The Z is right out of my price bracket which is why I started looking at the R, and I am pleased I did, it's a better bike than I had given it credit (to be honest I knew very little about them). In fact it seems far better value than the Z. For AU$7000 I can pick up a very low k used XTR, then spend about $1000 on exhaust, bashplate and crash bars. The cheapest XTZ I can find is still around AU$12,000 (with higher mileage) so I'm $4k better off, spend some of that on suspension upgrades and I've got a lighter bike that has been fitted out to suit me, not a generic Yamaha setup. I can't afford the XTZ anyway, but even if I could I'm wondering if the XTR would still be a better choice. |
Hope your keeping dry down in Mildura.
|
Quote:
I flew back in from Melbourne today, and the pilot came in relatively low for a scenic view of the flooding. I was able to make out some of the dirt roads leading to the tracks I normally ride, and they are all underwater.... better take the TDM for a run this weekend.... |
Have you takenn the XTR for a test ride yet?
|
Quote:
Being up here in Mildura I'm not expecting to find an XTR locally for sale pre-loved. I can see if the local Yamaha dealer has one and test ride that, although I'm too honest for my own good and would feel guilty test riding a new one with no intention of buying. Other than that, it's a 6 hour drive/ride to Melbourne, 5 hours to Adelaide.... I bought my TDM from Melbourne before I'd ridden one, based mostly on others opinions (which is why I'm asking so many questions about the XTR here :confused1: )... The more I look at it the more I think this bike will suit the riding I want to do, but I do need to ride one to be sure... |
Do you go to Melbs much? I own a 2009 XTR which is stock standard and I live in Melb. Next time you are down this way I'll let you take it for a ride if you promise not to drop it :) I'm not selling but just so you can get an idea of what its like and start the obsession of owning an XTR!
|
Quote:
I'm really impressed by the enthusiasm of the people on this forum - it's a good sign for the XTR, reminds me of the TDM forum.... |
It`s a pity the TDM has to go but you won`t be dissapointed with the XTR.
I am sooo happy with my XTR and I never rode one before I brought it (although have ridden the XTZ a few times), the motor is a gem. I will be in the market for a new TDM in a year or two to have the best of both worlds. How good is the XTR, well it replaces my K100RT as my touring bike untill I get a TDM. I now compare it to my R100GSPD (except fuel range but almost have that fixed) and better in some points. My mate rode mine the other day and said it`s better than the XTZ as well. I have only ridden it on the dirt a few times at present (to new haha and I have a TTR600 for that) great if you like feet up power slides :toothy5:. Good luck with it all. |
Quote:
The motor is the best thing about the TDM too - such a well engineered engine, lots of discussion about jerky throttle but it's never bothered me and I ride in loose gravel/sand a lot where I would imagine it should be an issue. I don't commute on the bike though. Bit of an issue with buffeting that is hard to solve - some can, some can't, I'm happy with mine. I do like feet up powerslides, the TDM is rather good at that as well with 85hp and road tyres on gravel :045:. Which is why I need to sell it - before I crash it.... Thanks for your feedback, very helpful. Sounds more and more like the XTR is the bike for me.... |
There's only one problem that I have encountered on the XTR !!! And that is because I'm not one of those "RIGHT THINKING PEOPLE" who brought a Tenere I'm not able to attend the Trail Zone Tenere Tragics ride to Arkaroola scheduled for early March.
Now I've heard of One Make rallies before but One Model !!! The excuse is that this was a requirement imposed by Yamaha - if so I respectfully suggest that Yamaha take their head out of their own collective rear-ends (see I was too nice to say arse :nod:) blowup |
Quote:
Yes it's a Yamaha thing, I saw the Yamaha dealer notice when it came out a few months back. I guess they are marketing the Tenere name and wanted a nice group photo without any "other bikes" in it.... I won't have an XTR by March (errr... March is next week?) but wouldn't it be good if a heap of XTR's found them and tagged along? heh heh heh... An Arkaroola trip is one of the reasons I am trading the TDM for an XTR. FWIW, I was originally hoping to get a XT660Z Tenere but couldn't afford one - but now that I've found out I can get an XTR for less money, and modify it to be just as capable offroad yet quite a bit lighter, I'm happy. :038: |
Quote:
But hey I think an XT only rally could be the go in the future, any takers. |
Quote:
Link to media release |
going to?
" XT only rally could be the go in the future, any takers."
Depends on destination. |
People, I'm very happy that you love your XTRs so much. But we Tenere people seem to feel the same about our bikes, with just cause.
As for being sad about a Tenere-only rally, well, that's a perception thing. I will not weep one tear if you lot have an XTR-only ride. Good on you if you do. There were only 50 places available for the Tenere thing as I understand it, and so I missed out. And so would most of you with your XTRs, were they accepted. Please relax and accept we are all XT660 owners who like our bikes. |
Quote:
As far as I'm concerned, a future XT ride should include all XT's from the early models to the current XTZ. When I get my XTR I'll be up for a ride like that, especially if it goes to the Flinders Ranges.... |
As far as I'm concerned, a future XT ride should include all XT's from the early models to the current XTZ. When I get my XTR I'll be up for a ride like that, especially if it goes to the Flinders Ranges....[/quote]
I`m all for this, open to all XT`s would be grrrrate maybe TT`s as well. I think most if not all owners of XT`s feel strong about their bikes and why not, after all they have always been great bikes no matter what model. Ok so the Flinders Ranges sounds good to me.........any others ? |
Quote:
|
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:02. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2019, vBulletin Solutions Inc.