1979 I bought an AJS18cs for �275 and I really loved it I actually managed to ride the AJay to the top of Snaefell the only mountain here in the Isle of Man. But then 1988 with a new baby and a mortgage to pay it had to be sold �2200. It was replaced with a 10 year old SP370 it was a non runner and I paid �160 for it. I drained the float bowl and a drop of fresh petrol and away it went.
Anyway 1993 I was tempted by a Suzuki GS550 and for the next 19 years and god knows how many bikes and �s latter. no matter what i got with in the year it was replaced by another, I tried Sports, Muscle, Cruisers and Adventure bikes, I think I was looking for the perfect bike what ever that is

Just over a year ago I was fed up with a Tiger a had and one Friday afternoon i was wheel kicking a BMW I tried a XT660Z as well.

Hmmm Bye Bye Tiger Hello XTZ deal done a year latter and no regrets :O)

8 weeks ago I sold my Varadero because in the last year It only did 50 miles. Simply I did not want to ride the Varadero it had become a chore in the same period I had knocked up nearly 5000 miles on the XTZ
6 weeks ago I came across a 5 year old XTR for sale locally I Hummed and hawed and i bought it without even taking it for a test ride.
550 miles latter I go into the garage and its almost down to tossing a coin to which one I use and which ever one I ride it will make me smile.
Now instead of using the bike to get for A to B I will just go out for the pure enjoyment of the ride. "Fantastic" I must admit prefer the XTZ on the trails and the XTR on the twisty A & B roads

What is perfect the bike I don't think its made yet and never will be
The XTz & r aren't perfect far from it but they have something that I have not able to find in almost 20 years

XTZ mods
Snorkel removed
pipercross Air filter
Kev mod
SW Motech adjustable footrests
Touratech High seat
Bark Buster Hand guards
Givi high screen
Oxford heated grips
Home made Sat nav mount
2 power sockets
Honda xr400 plastics
SW Motech Rack
Yamaha Panniers
Givi Top box
Handle bar raisers
Handle Bar Bag
Iridium Spark plug




XTR Mods
SW Motech adjustable footrests
Bark Buster Hand guards
Yamaha Bash Plate
SW Motech Crash guard's
Handle bar raisers
Iridium Spark plug



Anyway I will stop now and give you a bit of peace

Keep up the good work XT660.com this web site is a credit to you

Love the story and sounds like mine.......I too enjoy my XT660X and it always makes me smile, loads of fun at very tame speeds equals not too much danger I hope, or thats the plan at least hehehe. Welcome on board!!!

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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 like my XT660R a lot too. I sold a varadero 1000 when I got it but rarely miss the power and never miss the weight. For most of the time I have owned it I also had a transalp 650 which was great in its way but rarely fun like XT is.

I have done 16000 miles in two years mostly on bigger trips rather than commuting or day rides. It's been round Scotland three times, Wales several times and to the Mediterranean and eastern Europe this summer. Last year I rented an XT660Z for 6 weeks in southern Africa which was nice but not fun like the lighter easier to handle and significantly more comfortable R. My wife rented an R for the same trip which did everything the Z did but better mpg and much more comfortable.

It is not the perfect bike though. I think it's built down to a price using cheap components in places. Just think what it would be like with quality suspension, decent wheels, better 'bars, akra high level exhausts, a modest uplift in overall finish like better nuts and bolts, and a bit better storage and all fitted as standard along with some engine / electronic tweaks for modest gains of 6 or 7 bhp. It would probably be �1000 -1500 more expensive but it really would be approaching my perfect bike. I am slowly turning mine into that perfect bike though.

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Sent from my iPhone with a smile

It must be a single Cylinder thing and being a lot more involving to ride than the multi cylinder machines and I agree with regards the Transalp,

loved my r so much that after a year with my xiger 1050 I needed a big single again so got a z for a better fit for my frame

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Plough on

yes I too keep goin back to a xt.. ave always been a trail bike guy,, ave had cruisers, harleys, road bikes, an out of all ma 350 odd bikes,, ive always came back to a trail bike ,, an i think the xt, does it all... i too have had 5 varaderos.. good bikes,, but not as fun as the xt.. the xt to me is not too heavy. but heavy enough for it to stay planted,,, handles fine.. its punchy , an it looks great... great MPG.. so fur me the xt is teh only bike out there.. a dont think al get anything else.. ave had a few xt 600s an i do like them.. but the xt660 x or r is the bees knees

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1st post of 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2014 gold star award

Perfect bike not made yet.

You could have a garage full of bikes and still want something different for a different use.

from a 50cc scooter to pop to the shops to a big tourer for the road trip and all in between. XTZ fair all rounder but so was the Fazer 6 I had. But like you the list keeps growing.

But best of all enjoy riding the bike whatever it is.

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Colin
09 XTZ in Blue and its nearly Stanard.
My Mods - Peatbog rear rack