xt660x as a starter bike
 

Hello guys, first post here!

Looking into buying the xt660x as my first real bike. I had scooters before that so no real experience on bikes.
Looking to start slow and not rush things and also looking at taking lessons to get my license too!
Do you guys think i can handle the bike? I am on the market for one as we speak and if a good one with the right price comes up i may grab it before getting my license.
Am not going to drive it in traffic whatsoever before getting my license just on private roads.
I know that being an one big cylinder bike can make it quite unhappy on low speeds but what do you guys think?
Any input is appreciated!

tbh i think that as long as you have respect for the bike and live within your own capabilities youll be fine with it. Bit different to a scotter but they both got two wheels ...road sense ,traffic awareness etc will be known ..do it:woo:

Am not a total stranger on how a bike works mechanically as i am a car mechanic.
Not very experienced tho just finished my studies. (I am 24)

I know how to handle a clutch, brakes but thats all in theory :P

any tips?? i will be driving a cpi 250 for the weekend just to get started and will be taking proper driving lessons in about two weeks but the right xt660x might just came up..

if its your first bike your not going to have anythig to compare it with so just relax and enjoy the expierience, Take your time and wear the right clothes/gloves.

Big single wouldn't be my choice of first bike that's for sure,they are only forgiving when you have some idea of what you are doing.

thank you very much!
will do

by saying they are not forgiving what do you mean in actual driving?

I think the XTX is a good choice, comfortable riding position not to powerful. all in all a friendly bike to learn on.

Ideal first bike IMHO. :023:

I run 5 bikes,two 4 cylinder bikes a Triple a twin and the XT,the least forgiving by absolute miles is the XT single.

You need to be in the right gear at the right time and if your not it will fall flat on its face like singles do any of the others will dig you out of a hole not matter how ham fisted you want to be.

Don't confuse that with me not enjoying riding it because I do and it can be ridden quickly but it takes a lot of application that Twins and Multi's do not and the same applies to beginners or guys like me at the end of a long career riding bikes..

Well here is my 2 pennies worth, I also have some grey hair and I have several bikes.

The XTX is a very simple and tough bike and if you fit some hand guards and some rear pannier holders will also survive the abuse that a neo rider is bound to give it, and it is quite cheap to run and to repair. I always used mine in all weathers and she never let me down.

And you can make her much better to ride by following the excellent tips on this wonderful site. Enjoy your bike!!!!

sounds good and am very happy to hear that
thank you! glad to hear that!!

the think is live in cyprus, and i dont have many bike choices when it comes to super moto style like the xtx
sounds like its gonna need some getting used to!

glad to hear this!
I wont be doing any wet driving soon tho! just on sunny days! hand guards and pannier holders will be orders as soon as i get the bike! wont be modding the bike really, maybe a set of 2 sportier tailpipes and some of the mods listed on here to make it run better but no performance mods. At least for now :P

Good thinking!! The XT660X is quite high, so a spill is almost inevitable. The hand guards will protect your levers (and hands!!) and the pannier holders (I fitted Givi) will protect your expensive exhaust pipes and the X has 2, so well worth protecting!!. And most of the mods on this site (such as the air filter and exhausts) are to make the bike run better, not really faster. Have fun!!

Hi mate,

Not sure how the Greek system works, but don't you get a riding course before getting your motor license?

Personally I think it's a great first bike..

But do you really want to have a beautiful shiny bike as your first bike?

Anyway, whatever choice you make, enjoy riding and wear riding gear (also in the Greek heat).

What do you mean a spill is almost inevitable? :D
I dont think i will be needing any performance mods at this moment :P , maybe in the future but now i think the xtx will be an absolute handful for me!
Whatever i can do to make it run better and more efficient i will asap.

Am in love with akrapovic carbon tailpipes so will be looking into those. Prices are not that bad either!


It requires 7 hours of lessons for the right to take the test for the A license (which is the last one).
The tests for the A1 and A2 do not require any lessons by law but i will be having some whatsoever.
According to the authorities i only need the A2 to legally drive the xtx so i will be getting that and slowly get the A just for the sake of it and future bigger bikes ofc.

If am not mistaken i think we have about the same laws as the uk.

You are right about the shiny new bike thing but...dont want to spend 1k euros maybe a bit more to get a 250 (or something cheaper) and then sell that to get the xtx.
1st reason is 250's are hard to come by in cyprus and they dont sell so i may be left with a bike that wont sell.
And also good xtx's are rare in cyprus too so if the right one comes up am grabbing it!

Thanks for your advice mate!

Over the years I've been very often been asked if I smoke!! No I reply I ride a motorcycle that will kill me quick enough!!!.

From day one I've treated it with the respect it deserves its only an enjoyable game when you have some idea what you are doing,I took 5 years going from a 200 to 750 treated like a job it had nothing to do with money it was all about a learning process.

I realise we live in a world of I want it now but biking can be as dangerous as it has ever been,it's not a hobby for me it's a way of life most of my friends and their children actually make a living from motorcycling and I love it more than ever but you try taking short cuts it'll turn you into an organ donor in a millisecond unless you one of the lucky few.

Buy the 250 and learn your trade if it costs a few pennies to do so so what,long term it will be money in the bank you can come back to an XT as part of that learning process at a later date.

I guess I could take the view I don't know you so I don't care but that's not me.

My opinion is that any bike is good for a starter bike as long as you can handle it properly and are confident on it.
I've had spills on 50cc, 250cc, 660cc and 800cc bikes. Luckily not in contact with other vehicles, which I reckon as the most dangerous. One has to be vigilant to no end on public roads, be it on a scooter or big bore bike.
The XT660 is not a overly powerful bike, but faster than most 250's to get away from traffic when needed. I ride a lot in the city and despite the height of my XTZ, the bike handles exceptionally well and is quite forgiving when you do make mistakes.
The XTX is lower and a very good handling bike too.
I'd say, go for it, enjoy and be safe - take it easy :)

Hey when I said spill I really meant to say fall, when I had my XT660X I fell over twice when the bike was stopped, just because it is a bit tall and takes some time to get used to it. Thats why the handguards and pannier holders are a good idea to prevent damage to the bike.

my first bike was an 2005 xtx, I was completely new to riding and as long as you dont drive beyond your capabilities you will be fine. its a good reliable bike, a little on the tall side and a little on the heavy side,but not too powerful either.

hand guards are a good idea, along with proper riding gear and you'll be fine.

good luck