hi every one im new currently have 600 transalp i find it a bit slow and boaring. but i cant folt it for what it is could a xt660x be a good replacement, i use bike every day and for fun and touring whats xt like 2 up and a with luggage dont do it much but i will start doing it more is the xt up for it thanks owwww and whats it like to wheelie thanks lol any info usefull

Hi there, and welcome.
Just been looking around on the site for some interesting threads and came accors something in that line a while ago,
Go have a look at :

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=9958

There is some advise and talk about this issue in the general section, as well in others i think...look under Preparing XTR for long trips, and Riding techniques as well.

But i can vote for the XTR being pillion friendly compared to oither bikes. The Transalp seat might be more suited for pillion, but with a little bit of determination your misses will get used to the XTR seat at the back....i love the rubbing part after a long day in the seat...
GB

Hey man welcome to the forum!

The XTr/x is a fantastic all roun bike, I used mine everyday for everything! (in 13motnhs I have done 18k miles!) Riding by myself I've had no issues at all very comfortable and very reliable! Did a 3k plod around wales and back and could still ride again!

As for two up, I took a trip up to avimore in scotland with the missus on the back 500+ mile in one go! We were both very saddle sore after that distance!
I recovered fairly quickly being used to it, the missus said she could still feel it a week later! I think however this was due to the fact I only have soft luggage. This meant that the small(ish) seat had to be shared between me, the missus and the kit (tent, sleeping bags, clothes etc) I ended up virtually on the tank all the way. Under normal circumstances I.e if you had the hard cases fitted on racks you would be fine. We have done day trips since to skeggy and the south with no problems at all and she hasn't moaned once about a sore backside!

hope this helps! :P

PS.... Its too easy to wheelie!! Drop the clutch and boomph your up! thumbs up on this one! :P

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live Free, Ride Free!
No maps no plans, just get on your bike and go!



XT660z......What a machine!!

Current mods:- Yamaha top box, Yamaha hanguards, Heated grips, High front fender, Aux lighting front/rear.

Ive an XTR and dont normally do any 2 up riding really. Also being 6ft4 i take up alot of the seat.

The XT can cope with 2 up for say a weekend or possibly a week but wouldnt really think constant 2 up riding would be its area. The engine/gear box needs to be worked to keep the revs on the boil if you want to keep a good pace but it can plod along if you want with the torque. The seat for the rider is good but can get sore after 2-3hrs in the saddle or say 150miles. But at that stage your ready for petrol so the wee walk around is welcome. The pillion seat is ok but is no pan european seat.

I would possibly say the R would be better suited to 2 up riding as the bigger wheels keep things more stable, the tyres last a bit longer and the position or more sit up and beg, less pulled over the front.

Get a test ride booked thats really the only way you and your missus is going to know what its like.

As for wheelies, first gear, mid revs, dip the clutch and your away. Hard part is getting from 1 to 2nd. You can get it going in second but you need to slip the clutch a good bit and is best to only try this with air filter mods which give the XT a bit more power.

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Plough on

I chose the XTZ over the XTX/R mainly because of the wider seat/bigger tank (more range) and slightly better weather protection.

I went from Dublin to Venice (and back) 2 up.
I've done 22k km in 11 month, ridden the Tenere 3 days a week in all conditions.

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former Red owner !

Mmm difficult one, I'd hate to put you off an XT, everyones expectations and experience are different. People have done serious milage two-up on all the XT's. But personally I"d only take a pillion for a short blast on my XTX, no way i would consider a serious trip with a passenger, not enough power, seat comfort or space. But that's just me and my personal exprience of the XTX.
Good luck, let us know!
Selina

As has already been said the two up thing is down to personal preference, I myself have no probs two up on my R with mrs stumpyd and soft luggage / top box / camping gear.

Wheelies?

Oh hell eye, lots of em in 1st, 2nd and when two up, even in third!!!

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I'm always in the sh1t, only the depth varies

Likewise ^^^^ Me & the Mrs have clocked about 30000kms two up on the X with similar luggage to stumpydave's. A few creature comforts like a touring saddle + Airhawks go down a treat mind. I think the only thing I really need is a larger screen for the windblast on motorways!

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I couldn't agree with you more.

I gave my mate a lift to work for a week, the bike felt so under powered and the backend felt too soft.
My mate even commented of the lack of comfort and that he would of preferred to have grab handles behind him.

I just hope it was his mobile phone that was poking me in the back!

thanks every one, i am about 6ft and skiny as a twig and the missis is the same. i think the xt will be good for me it will only be for a weekend camping about 300 miles a pop and thats not every weekend just now and again, maybe the odd one to spain and back and i love them wheelies,
if a xt comes up at a good price i will have it thanks every one you all have been very help full