Long distance trials on an XTR
 

Hi, I'm new to the forum but have been riding bikes since 1978 (yes, I'm that old!)
Having had my XTR for the last few years and absolutely loving it, I'm planning to do some long distance trialling. I'm starting with the Lands End event at Easter.
Anyone else tried this on an XT660? Am I mad....???
A few mods will be necessary and I'm planning to use a bigger back sprocket (or smaller front?) to get the gearing more practical for the rough stuff.
Any one out there got any advice?

hi and welcome to the forum

Not done any big events when I had my old xtr but I did quiet a few days out and they can some amount of off roading. Ok they are not a moto x bike but good tyres, sump guard, off road pegs, crash bars and a full tank of fuel and your off

Thanks!
I'll let you know how I get on (or off!!)

:hello: and :welcome: to :660:

Hello mate, anybody correct me if I'm wrong but if you put a smaller front sprocket on the front to lower the gearing it messes up the the speedo to read faster than you are actually traveling so you would also need a speedo healer to correct it.
But if you enlarge the rear by 2 or 3 teeth which works out similar the 1 down on the front, you may have to extend the chain, unless you are putting on whole new set of chain & sprocket's then not so much of a problem.
I would favour making the rear sprocket bigger as the no healer needed, & also keeps the chain a good distance from the chain guides on the swing arm thus reducing wear there at bit.
Hope that was of some help and good luck on the Trials.

:006: Welcome on board mate.

Don't see any reason why the XTR should make a decent long distance trail bike. So no, your not mad! ;)

Bigger rear, or smaller front - same difference. They will both lower the gearing and will both affect the speedo reading in the same way. It is the net overall final drive ratio that is the influencing factor.

Down side of smaller front is increased (front) sprocket wear and as you mention, the chain is closer to the swingarm, which is vulnerable to wear when rear suspension is loaded. Upside is it's cheap to do.

Going for a bigger rear is indeed the more complete solution, but is more costly to do.

Sump and hand-guards is a must. Enjoy.

Hi & Welcome,

I have a XT660R also and am keen to use it off road... nothing too radical though.

Love to hear what mods you make!! Good Luck.

Welcome mate.

Thanks for all the input. Sounds like a bigger back sprocket is the sensible way forward.
More practice definitely needed!