XT660R Review
 

Hi. I've written a review of my XT660R for my local bike forum. You can read from the link below if you like.

http://www.eastmidbikers.co.uk/660.htm

I'd be interested in other peoples experiences, whether they agree or disagree with my conclusions.

Cheers - Steve

I agree with you very much about your bike as i have just got an 06 XT660R the other day. The suspension is soft but i think after a few weeks of getting used to it i might buy a set of kevs suspension spacers to see how much that effects the first suspension dive. Some of the people that have fitted them say they give better ride, less dive on the forks, but a but of a harsher ride!!

Will have to see for my self but at around �25 or something they are a bargin.:icon_thumright:

You may find the suspension just fine seeing as the R is a dirt bike.

I myself, wouldn't touch the suspension on an R as you need soft suspension for riding the bumps. It's a different case on the X model as it's a road bike. The standard suspension on the X is fine for the road up to a certain speed. The spacer mod makes a much harder ride but gives me better handling and quicker steering when I'm pushing it. I personally wouldn't push an R model on tarmac as you won't have nearly as much grip as an X model.

I think the R is a good road/commuter/possible green lane bike, than a dirt bike ... Not an expert myself but many people who have tried it off road say that it is not particularly suitable.

From my point of view I intend to use it for 'mucking about' and some B road/green lane type touring, and for those purposes stiffer suspension would be a benefit.

I disagree that suspension needs to be quick to dive, to be good off road, my Range Rover suspension is excellent on and off road so I don't see why a it can't be made firmer whilst still working well 'off road'.

Just my 0.02p :-)

Good review Steve.
Only thing I would say is that with a new ECU, Throttle Position Sensor and richer fuelling my bike runs very smoothly. It was a pig at low speeds before as it was part of the 2005 production which stalled at low revs. The new ECU fitted under warranty fixed that problem. It's smoother now than any other short stroke big single I have ridden.
I agree with you about the fork dive and will be fitting a Kev spacer mod when they next become available.
Final point: why did Yamaha fit an 'off-road' seat with seams on the ridges? Style over function? Mine will be re-covered with some BMW 'coarse' fabric to make the ride more comfortable - �50 by Tony Devlin in Huddersfield.

Yep, got the latest ECU and TPS, upped the fuelling - but still far too snatchy - looks like a Power Commander for me ... Good tip on the seat ... Cheers - Steve

I know Manic mic is well gone,, but if ye do read this Mic,, ave got to dissagree wi ye,, yes teh X is a good handlin bike.. but ad say the R will give ye a real good run fur yer money... mic said,..... I personally wouldn't push an R model on tarmac as you won't have nearly as much grip as an X model.

Gee! John, get on with the times, ManicSmeg left on bad terms over 2 years ago, and he won't be reading the forum.

Aye a thought he`d left.. i bought a bike from his pal, an a met him wi his KTM that day... a cant remember whit he was sayin , but a know he wisnae happy wi the Forum it was yes around two years ago at least.. john

John that man wans't happy with his own image in the mirror, he cocked things up left right and centre and then kept coming here saying that, Carbon Cans were faulty, that the Garmin were faulty, we all tried to help him but he was one of those people that can't be helped. He was such a pain in the ass that even after 2 years the memory still hurts. All I can say is good riddance.

He went to the KTM forum and tried to slag us off but within 2 days of him joining, they all turned against him and ended up hating him too. He belongs in a mental institution.

I cant understand why people say you cant push off roady styled bikes, you can push them more than you can with road tyres cause at least you can give you more and more feed back from the tyres trying to let go therefore you know where your limits are more often.

Do that on a road with road tyres you will end up completed on the ground before the tyres even think about letting go and by that stage a car with have either wiped you off the road, the fuzz will have pulled you for dangerous driving or you will have chickened out (alot of people its the last one).

Talk about hitting a bullseye!! There's no greater pleasure in life than giving a so-called "SPORTS ROAD BIKE" an experience to remember on a twisty back road.

Ive done it a couple of times on the XT but most stick to what they know best, big open roads were the nearest thing to getting to the chicken strips on there tyres is when they put it on the side stand.

I think most riders think you have to be going 70mph + for your tyres to grip but you'd be surprised at the amount of grip you get at around 10mph+

Hi Steve, I found the r's suspension a little too soft for my liking so I fitted Hagon springs up front. It still rides the bumps well and It feels much more stable under braking. I paid $120 all in. A lot more expensive i know but well worth it

Agree the progessive springs make a big difference.

Agree the progressive springs make a big difference.