John here and having had the XT660R for 6 months and having done just over 20,000 km's I can honestly say I'm chuffed to bits with the bike. The first stop was to see Kev for his mods and since then the road and off road has been pretty smooth.

I'm currently on a RTW having started in India 5 years ago on a Royal Enfield, then onto a BMW GS1150A and now hopefully on my final steed the XT660R.

I'm not too great at putting info out as it all turns to waffle, but anyone need any info on India/Asia just send me a message I'll try my best to help.

John

PS, Home is Wolverhampton, England.

Hi John - welcome on board mate.

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Hey John
Sounds like a grand adventure! I'd be interested to know how you compare the XTR with the GS since you've obviously spent a long time in the saddle of each. Also why did you choose an XT for this leg of your journey?

I guess I ask because the grass always seems greener and I've been lusting after a big GS lately. Happy for you to talk me out of it...

All the best for the rest of your journey!

Cheers Pleiades.

Hi Dan,

Many will argue over my decision but for me the only downside of the big GS is exactly that, with the big comes the word heavy, also being the 1150 it's heavy enough to start with plus kit and it's very bloody heavy.

Going RTW on your lonesome means when you come off it's up to you to lift it. Whether going up a muddy track to visit a volcano, being pushed off the road with oncoming traffic and sliding down a riverbank or hitting bull dust and losing it in the outback. The first lift is ok but when it happens more than once you know about it.

My poor old body has had 22 years of military abuse and 5 years in the saddle so now I'm not so fit. When I saw this little beauty on Ebay I went for it. My good friends James and Emily went RTW on an XT without any snags and most people I meet going RTW are on smaller bikes.

You see I waffled a lot on a simple answer, I hope this helps. The GS is a great bike, more comfort, speed, reliable, great for two up and would out last me on the road but for off road and weight the XT wins.

Hi John,

First off, Good on Ya! Done your time then off round the world is just brilliant.

I'm an armchair dreamer when it comes to RTW trips. Read loads of books and visited many a show but I know deep down inside I could never leave my family for any great length of time so I take my hat off to you (Well I would if i wore one).

Take it steady and if you bump into Bruce Smart (TeaPotOne.Com) on your travels say hello to him from me. He's on his RTW on a GSXR1000 but I'll tell you about that another day. For now keep us all posted & I look forward to the book. ;-)

Ride well & Stay safe. All the very best Ray

and to

Awesome trip, love to hear more!

Where are you headed after Alice?

Matt.

Hi John glad to see you are still carving up those KMS, you know how to get hold of me if you ever need any help.

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Click here to join the XT Supporter's scheme

Mods that I have done to my XTX's

My 04 XTX
Stage 1 & 2 DNA filters / Kev fuel mod / snorkel mod / Drilled air box mod / Engine breather mod / Fork Spacer mod / 15w fork oil /
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My 07 XTX
Raptor 700 cylinder 102mm / Modified Crank Case to take a 105mm Raptor Cylinder / 11:1 102mm JE Raptor piston / Stage 1 Raptor Hot Cam / Ported head / Colder Spark Plug / +2mm Throttle body / DNA stage 1 & 2 filters / Modified Air Box / Snorkel removed / Worry Brothers stage 2 filter cover / 6mm & 8mm Bolts Replaced with Titanium Bolts / Recovered seat in Black / O2 Eliminator /

My 09 XTX
59HP at the rear wheel / Stage 2 Raptor Hot Cam / DNA stage 3 Air Box / Carbon Can Exhausts / Modified Exhaust Link Pipes / PCIII With Custom Fuel Map / Wideband Commander O2 Data logger / LCD100 Dyno Jet display & fuel adjuster / 2500 OHM HT lead instead of a 10K OHM XT lead / Extra Coolant Cooler / Protaper Fat Bars / Tail Tidy With LED Tail Light / OKE Protection Knobs / LED indicators / AIS blocked / Modified rear sprocket rubbers / Rear Foot Pegs removed / 09 ECU With 02 Sensor Changed To A 06 ECU / Complete wiring harnes Changed from 09 to 04 / Home made LED resistor flasher / Hole drilled in the fuel tank filler neck to allow quicker filling / Modified Bar End Weights / Progressive front fork springs, 15W fork oil, forks lowered 25mm, used XTR rear links lowering the rear 20mm, rear spring one click stiffer / Changed front & rear guards from blue to black / 47T rear sprocket / Speedo Healer V4.0 / Kev throttle cam mod / Throttle grip mod / The new 2010 O2 sensor mod is out, works a treat, The new 2012 O2 Controller is out, PM me for details

Now ride a 2018 MT09SP ABS + TCS

My KTM 990 SMR Mod book. http://www.ktmsmt.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=4946

Cheers All,

I was hoping to make Cape York but I doubt it now as I'll be here (Alice) for a while. After here I'll head towards Cairns if the seasons right, either taking the Plenty Highway or the Highway (I hate corrugations with a passion). After this it will be south along the coast to Tasmania then Adelaide for The Ashes in December.

Cheers Kev,

Always good to have your support, I'm sure i'll be paying you a visit when I pass by your way, maybe I'll be able to afford to get the beers in.

Good luck and keep the chat coming John, Simon.

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(Now sold on, sob) 2011 Blue XT660X with gold wheels, was 26,500 km.
Engine mods: K&N Stage 1 filter, DNA Stage 2 filter, snorkel removed, Kev fuel mod fitted.
Plus: smoked Puig screen, Yam aluminium sump guard, Yamaha / Acerbis handguards, Givi Trekker aluminium side cases, Leo Vince X3 cans plus Kev front fork mod and Fender Xtender. Just fitted Michelin Road Pilot 3 tyres.

SOLD the XTX for a Super Ten 1200. And just bought a Raptor 700 so staying on here for some tips....