XT660X for long-distance riding?
 

Hey guys

I'm starting to look at a 660 again. Bought the R last year but only got to keep it for a couple of weeks before someone knicked it... After that I went for a Suzuki GSX650F which is allright but I find it to be a bit too heavy and not really exciting to ride.

Since I'm based in Belfast there's plenty of twisty roads around here (and no gravel, which is why I'm not going for the R model again) where I think the X will do just fine. The thing that makes me a bit indecisive is that I've planned for a trip down to Europe this summer. Roughly 2 weeks in France, Germany and what ever neighbouring country down there. Will ofc avoid the motorways but still, is the X comfortable enough for several days of consecutive riding? I know the Tenere is also a well-tried option, but it's a bit more expensive and I'm not sure it will be as fun on the roads around here with it's added weight and softer suspension.

I'm looking for a bike that's a bit more playful but still reliable. I've also looked at KTM 950/990 but I'm not sure about the reliability on those, especially when they're starting to get about 10 years old. Any thoughts or recommendations?

Hello again John.
10 year old xt660z
https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-...aha/1291806445
@�2500 is fair.
Could probably get a newer X model for a bit more but for traveling the bigger tank and fairing is nice.
The bigger KTM bikes seam to hold their value very well,even 12-13 year old ones with the clutch slave/water pump mods.
What's your budget this time?

Hey man!

Another year another thread about buying a XT! ;)

I haven't looked that much at the financials as I first need to get rid of my current bike. I would think I'm the area of 3500.

I know you have your Tenere, would you describe it as a fun bike of you're just out riding one afternoon?

Found these two, which is roughly 10 years apart:
https://www.gumtree.com/p/yamaha-mot...ory/1292253679

https://www.gumtree.com/p/ktm-motorb...-sm/1290063749

Also, if I go for the 660 I can keep riding in my A2 license, which means less hassle. And yes, Ktm does seem to keep their value very well!

a friend of mine from Marriots Motorcycles on The Wirral, Merseyside rode his X every year to Portugal.

I find the X a really comfortable bike to ride all day. the only thing I would add is a small screen (I have the Puig) it makes a difference.

Hello John.
I have no experience of the KTM brand but even following Lyndon poskit on YouTube traveling the world on the 690 you can see issues he has with rocker arms, and I guess the 950/990 bike would be powerful and fun.

Like you said I really liked my xtx, comfortable seat and fun to ride, but I preferred the xtz style for weather protection and increased tank range.
Your more than welcome to call down and see my bike,or meet up in Belfast sometime.

Colin J

Hi
I have the xt660r at the moment and had the xt660x 18 months ago the X is much more comfortable than the R I found. I did 1200 miles in 3 days on the xt660X about 7 hours each day had know problems at all. No motorways mind you. I took the xt on the motorway for about 15 miles, that was hard work. I also have just sold my tiger 800 now that is a much better bike for doing long distances and also is a lot of fun. You can really rag them. But both are good bikes. One thing I will say, you could not pay me to ride the xt for two weeks over seas for me it’s just not man enough, it’s fun for 100 to 200 miles days out did that Sunday on the xt But that’s enough. It’s just to much like hard work. Now the tiger 800, I would do 500 miles all day long every day just a pleasure to ride. Took my fz1 out today for around 300 fast miles. Nice bikes the xt660 lots of fun but would not have it as my only bike. Having to fill up every 100 miles the tiger 800 I could do 240 miles on a tank I think. The xt is still a great bike mind you that’s why I have one, well I have two of them one with all the mods and one standard.

We were at the Sachsenring a few years back for the GP Hitlers autobahns were built north to south so crossing Germany can be a hike always remember two guys turning up at the hotel one on a Fazer and the other on an XT660X and he reckoned it was fine,a bigger tank would help but after 100 miles i�m More then happy to get off mine.

Here's another John
https://adventurebikerider.com/forum...ic.php?t=46103

Have you changed your mobile number recently?

When we did the Scotland nc500 route we had to Carry fuel containers on the back of the xt660 as could not take the risk of running out, It�s not a nice feeling when you hit 70 miles on your trip/dash and you know you better start looking for a fuel stop. I found I was constantly stopping to fill up even if I had only done 40 or 50 miles, as just did not know when we would see another satiation to fill up and that�s not fun. We were out in the sticks and they were far and few between.

Sounds promising. What's roughly the range from a full tank?

Gotta check that channel out! At the moment I think I'm passing on the KTM, it will be too expensive considering new license and all, at least for now.

I just can't make the decision whether to go for X or Z. It would be great to meet up some time, first I just need to get my MOT through, it just expired on my Suzuki.

Z,Z,Z,Z,Z,,,Z........did I mention Z? Yep, slightly more expensive but not KTM money, (although I loved my 950 - mistake in selling). Plus the Z has a 23 litre tank and is world tour capable / comfy, as proved by so many.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I was leaning towards the X but this really puts me off. One of the things I'm looking forward to the most is touring Europe and hopefully a second trip to Scotland and I want it to be enjoyable.

Oh that one looks really interesting! Gotta create a profile so I can get in touch with him and find out where it is. Well yeah my UK phone is currently offline, forgot it during a trip and haven't bothered to get a new SIM yet. I'll let you know once I'm reachable again.

No bother. I work in Belfast and use the tenere sometimes so I'm not far from you.


I'm slightly Z biased also,but the X is a good contender In this single piston fight.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...8c2dnBczmWYo60

Seller is based in Dundee

Yes you are making a strong point. I've also discussed this with my co-worker today and I've decided that it's going to be a Tenere.

It's a good choice imo.
I watched this boyos travel log around Africa on a Z , while I had a 12gs and an X,and it got me thinking about the adequate performance of the 660 engine in the X,which I felt was fine, combined with the style of a Gs,so I sold the X and bought the Z, and rode it and the GS on alternative days for around 3 months.
The Z won me over.

https://youtu.be/QuiCIvo-y9s

What about an Apirila Pegaso (factory) like this one on eBay item number 263194696118, same engine Just a thought as can be a bit cheaper

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aprilia-P...IAAOSws1ZZs-dI

This one

yes looks a very good bike for the money. better than the X for long distance but still fun on the back roads ?. looking at the condition closely the low mileage looks right

Just to annoy you here's a local orange beastie just advertised
https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-...-sm/1292646347

If your looking Pegaso’s then it’s the strada you want with the mag wheels and no inner tubes as for the one in the link he’s had it for ever way too expensive.

As for KTM’s any talk about such normally gets banned,but just be aware of what you are getting into they make very focused bikes that really do get to the human parts that most bikes do not!!! But as someone who has an interest in a small motorcycle repair set up we view them with complete dread because with most things Japanese a combo of plenty of spares and relatively cheap new ones make a far better option than genuine KTM parts which always results in a repair bill close to telephone numbers.

Assuming you have a decent bank balance then it doesn’t matter.

and also if you have a KTM in your garage it will get stolen or they will try thats for sure. And your right the one in the link i would say �2600 would be a better price, you never know when someone needs the money. that's how i buy all my bikes,just keep kicking people in the nuts on price someone always say yes in the end and if not they can only say no so no harm done.you never know an less you ask

So........let's see the TENERE you're looking at at / bought.

Well that happened to the 660R I previously had... :P But I've decided to go for a Tenere, now it's just about finding the right one.

We'll, currently waiting for more photos of the one posted on the ADV forum. Besides that, there's not too many around that's appealing to me. If this one https://www.gumtree.com/p/yamaha-mot...54856?srn=true
was any closer to me I'd probably bought it by now. Still looking in to if it's possible to arrange with flight or so but it's not looking too bright right now.

I'm keeping an eye out on Gumtree, eBay and ADV and something should come up soon. I still have my old bike so I'm in no rush.

persevere brother, the right Z will turn up.

Thanks for the idea but it's simply not appealing to me. I've got my eye set for a Tenere now

Fortunately KTM is off the table now as I just got a new job starting soon where I'm gonna commute so no time to upgrade my license before that. It's a possibility in the future though!

More pictures added to the ABR advert

Local xtx
https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-...008/1293559494

Xtz on ABR
https://adventurebikerider.com/forum...p?f=27&t=46298