Gear changing, general riding!
 

Hi guys,Just purchased a xt660x and love it, passed my test 2 days ago so I'm used to a 125!
I had 2 days training on a bandit and it was so easy to ride. Basically how do I ride this bike to its potential? I've been told that if I don't use the gears fully it will burn out the clutch, it's quite jumpy as I'm used to being able to go 30mph in like 4th on my old bike.
I just want to know what's the best speed to change from first to second and second to third and so on.
I'm a massive novice and do apologise so please just constructive comments and no piss takers!

personally just dont over labour it like say you're in third and it feels lumpy if u accelerate a little just knock it down a cog there a lovely bike u will soon used get used to kicking its head in and have SOOOOOO much fun lol smile factor all the way just watch youre self pulling out of streets tho cos when i went from my 125 to my xt i used to just flick through the gears and by time i was in 3rd i was doing 67 in a residential area lol

On my R 30mph would be in 2nd or 3rd gear. 40mph 3rd gear maybe 4th; 50 4th gear. 60 4th or 5th depending on the road, corners etc etc.

But just play it be ear, by how the bike feels. If its not pulling nice and crisply change down. If it feels or sounds like you are thrashing it either start grinning or change up. They are great bikes that thrive on being revved hard. Enjoy.


Sent from my iPhone with a smile :)

We all had to start at the same place, you won't get any negative consequences moments here on that score.

You will get a feel for the bike eventually, my advice, just get out there and ride the bike. Once you've got a couple of hundred hours of riding under your belt, then start to hone your skills.
Pay attention to your observations and safety before worrying about technique. The skills you are asking about will come without you worrying about it.

It's very difficult and potentially dangerous to take advice on your riding without seeing you ride. Get in contact with your local IAM OE ROSPA group and see if they would give you face to face advice. The can only say no!

Hi guys,Thanks so much. I do understand that in time I will get used to it.
I shouldn't have asked for riding techniques, I meant that as in when to change for the best for the engine. That's all I really wanted to know as a friend said I need to really use the gears. Just wanted some advise so I don't mess up my bike as I totally love it.

Just dont over labour it if it starts to feel rough and clunky change down and dont hold it near the limiter for long periods of real high revs i mean i hit the limited in just about every gear change up a gear as the peak power is quiet hi up but i do t hold it up there for long . Got 16000 on her now and still sweet as a nut

It will be tricky for you to damage your engine as the 660 is one of the toughest engines around. It will put up with almost anything. As u have no rev counter then you ask for speeds to change gears, but looking at the speedo does not make for good riding. So you must learn to "hear" the engine and to change up or down as required. Take it easy and you will start to learn to use your bike correctly, dont worry!!!!

I'm not sure if the gearing is the same on the XTZ but i found the following with my XTZ.

If you want to accelerate at all you must be above 3000 rpm. Below this and the engine will bang and bounce all over the place

Mine will bimble along at 2500 rpm in top eaisly but if i want to speed up i have to change down.

Make sure that you are in thr right gear for a corner. Changing down mid corner is not great as it can upset the bike..try to avoid it unitl you are happy with the gears and revs.

I've never really needed to go above 5500 rpm but it will do more. I stick between 3000 and 4500 most of the time on the road and this give me a top speed of around 75mph.

But the most important thing for me on my XTZ was the 3000 rpm thing. Below that and you aint getting much...on 3k and she will pull happlily.

Now others may be along to tell you that the gearing is different on yours so you will have to work out what 3k on an XTZ equates to on yours but you will get the idea.

Go play.

Mike

Chuffing autocorrect on me phone......

Should be 'comments' and 'or'......:028:

So then GULG are there any consequences from you comments...sorry couldn't resist.

I can't spell at all and when auto text thingy does it's thing i end up with all sorts of hassle.

Mike

Thanks guys really appreciate all the comments, I've been riding as much as possible and am deffo getting used to the gear changing as the ride is much smoother now. I think what got me was the fact I went from a ktm duke 125 ( no noise ) to my xt660x which has full akrapovic system so its really really sexually loud.
So obviously it sounded like I was revving the nuts of it compared to the duke. When really I wasn't giving it enough if that makes sense.
I haven't had it anywhere near to 75% of its potential but can't wait for a few dry days.

This might also give you some tips for improvement - Use it cautiously though

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=21598

Dont forget guys that he has the XTX so no rev counter.......

My experience with the xtZ tells me that it takes a bit to get to know and use that engine proficiently, but with time and... some thousands kms, you will get so much better you will amaze yourself when you will realize it. This happened to me at least. That engine sure is a wild horse, it surges under 3k rpm and has lots of engine braking which will have your rear wheel spin and drift on hasty clutch releases, the overall usable rev range is limited being a single cylinder motorbike, but it has plenty of torque and delivers it smoothly across the rev range. I was kind of worried the first period not to be able to manage to do it... now I don't need the rev meter anymore and can anticipate any change in speed in no time. Your Hands and feet will just move on their own, it's amazing and great to realize :-)

Also a stage2 air filter and fueling device makes the bike ride different/better.
My bike definitely pulls better at low revs with these mods ;)