Last week I had a brief test ride on an orange version of this new bike, they have this on demo at Alf Englands Bedworth. Oh my goodness, I am still smiling, it is a truly AMAZING bike! With about 115 horses on a bike weighing in at 188 kgs wet, the front end rarely wants to stay on the tarmac. Try one!!!!!!

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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....

All sounds very good on paper I must say, but for me, it just doesn't look quite right. They've clearly used the V-Max for inspiration, which is not good in my eyes, as that's a horrible monstrosity, best suited for Yank tastes. There also looks to be something missing from above the headlight too? That area just doesn't look right/finished, same with the tail light/seat area - or maybe that's just a scam to sell genuine accessories, such as a screen and different seat?

Personally, I'll be more eagerly anticipating something based on the same engine with longer legs, a bigger tank and a badge hinting at a dessert region in Western Chad.

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Well yes I semi agree with you!! I think that this wonderful motor will be used in about 10 new models to be rolled out from now thro 2016, and in my opinion they have got this engine right on the button!!!!!

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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....

I hope so.

To me, it looks like Yamaha have lost their way a little lately. With the SuperTen, they could have had a real winner but they chose to compete directly with the GS, and that was always going to be hard, especially as the prices were so close too.

They were still developing the R's, but with sporsbike sales on the decline, it was bit of a loss...

The MT-09. I'm guessing, hoping even that they are using this as a test bed for the motor, to iron out the gremlins. But the MT-09 looks to me to be aimed at the Street Triple, and that is a big gamble as the Triumph is a spectacular bike to ride.

I expect they will drop this new motor into a 'soft roader', in the same category of the Tigger 800XC, something like the out-of-marriage offspring of a Tenere & TDM. But with Triumph sales as strong as they are, it would put Yamaha a little late to the party. It might even be the decline of the 660 Tenere in favor of a 800/900 derivative - Who knows what goes through the minds of those men from the east....

I just wish Yamaha would do something original, new and refreshing rather than playing catch up with others.

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.