Seriously.. Been riding the XTR for the past few days while the 1400 is in the garage with its belly on the floor...the R just has so much personality.

Yes it burps and farts. Yes it shudders and moans. Yes my feet dangle in the air... But the thing launches like a rocket, easily gets to 100 and stays there, corners ok even on the Metzlers and is light to manouver.

I get such a kick riding it.

I bought it 6 months ago, second hand, 3 Years old with 1800kms on the clock... Have now tripled that almost and it still looks brand spanking new.

Lovin it...

Marc
Oh and it's now fully paid for :-)

+1 to all of that. I'm on my second XTR (can't think why I sold the first one) and I'm 'lovin it' too.

All Yamaha XTs (I've had five and still own two) have personality by the bucketload. I could never sell my old XT600E. It would be like selling an old and faithful dog. ('Old dog' just about sums it up.)

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XT660R (2006)
XT600E (1994)
Triumph Trident 750 (1992)
My blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

although I didnt buy an r again I bought a z after year and a bit on a triumph tiger 1050 I love the big single thump, the shunt and bark when you jam the throttle on and load the engine up. that and the off roading is so much easier than on the tiger 1050!!!

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Plough on

Cant agree more

Thunder, I have just gotten back on my XTR after a longish illness. Flat tyres, rusty rotors, the odd spider web dealt with, quick test ride on Wednesday to get used to her & a big 600km ride on Sunday (with a Buell & GS800). It cracks, backfires, surges, but like an old Lancia or Alfa these "flaws" are character traits that make you love the beast even more.

People look, ask what the hell it is and nod appreciatively when you explain what the XTR is all about... It keeps up with riding mates without a problem. The service intervals are long, the drive train is bulletproof. What more do you want? I'll be keeping mine!

@Boneman..Glad to hear that you managed to keep riding after your illness.

I am approaching 50!! And have only been riding for just over 5 years..
WISH I had taken it up so much earlier. I dread the day I can no longer swing my leg over the seat..

You're right you know.. I get more looks on the R then I do on my GSX1400.??

Anyway it's at least 3 weeks before the parts for the GSX come from Japan so with our glorious summer weather I'm riding the R every day :-)

Regards all

Marc