Hey Guys, greetings from a prospective XT owner...

I've recently had my DR-Z400SM stolen and am looking to replace it and the XT660R is a contender. I liked the DRZ but found it a little gutless even re-jetted and fitted with a Yoshi RS2 system. I know the XT is not a powerhouse but I reckon it should have a little more torque, right?

I would mainly use the XT to commute to work about 30km each way in Sydney. DRZ was a good commuter, super light clutch and great balance. How's the clutch on the XT and does it make a decent commuter? I have read about surging but would look to buy a later model and do the O2 mod.

I would also like to do some trail riding every few weekends but the XT seems heavy. From reading it looks like with single pipe and replacement battery I could drop maybe 15kgs, is this a reasonable assumption? How does it carry it's weight?

Does anyone know the genuine wet weight of this bike, I've seen figures of 181kgs and if I could get this down to 165kgs odd I'd be happy. My main bike is a 2013 R1200GSW so 165 sounds amazing

Thanks all and sorry for all the questions in my first post.

Hi Mike
Welcome to the forum. I wouldn't like my XTR half as much if I hadn't found this site (and learned about the subsequent mods necessary to turn the bike into something awesome).

It is so hard to advise because everyone's requirements, tastes, riding styles, body sizes, and usage varies - so I can only tell you my experience...

I'm 6'5" so I wanted a big-sized bike to suit (can't fit on a sports bike). Some easy mods lifted the suspension so the bike is super comfy now. The front forks are crap in standard form - dive badly under brakes, and the standard ground clearance is ordinary. I've sorted that now relatively cheaply with new linkages at the back and new fork springs/emulators up front.

The surging was bad, even on my 2011 model, but the O2 Controller and Fuel mod from resident forum guru Kev made a HUGE difference. New air filters took advantage of the extra latent HP available too - so the bike is well torquey now (I also put on a bigger rear sprocket because 1st gear was too tall for my liking - which improve torque feel even more).

Riding in slow stop/start traffic is not its preferred domain. Clutch is light enough but it's here when I notice the residual surgy-ness. Don't think you can cure it completely - it's in the nature of the big single. However, if you've got an open road or forest trail in front of you then this is where the bike really shines. It goes, stops and turns amazingly well and can keep up with sports bikes through the twisties. Can also carry a fair bit of kit for adventure getaways. Plus it's super reliable and there's a long time between scheduled services (big consideration IMO, and why I shied away from some other brands).

Perhaps I'm so used to it now, but the weight is not an issue to me. I definitely noticed the extra kilos thru washed out fire-breaks, compared to my mates Gas Gas 450 - but again, the XTR is certainly not a pure dirt bike even though it will get you there. Going to a single exhaust is definitely the easiest way to drop kilos - but it makes it plenty noisier (which might be an issue if you're commuting thru quiet streets in the early hours).

For me, it's a perfect all-rounder. I'm addicted. Pity you're not in Bris or else I'd say come over for a test spin.

Hi mate,

Welcome to the forum. This is a great place especially if you become full XT owner.
As for the advice, well Spinner Dan said it all. Do i like my bike? Hell yes! And I will highly recommend it to you. There are a lot of mods and everything will depend how far you want to go....

Give it a go, enjoy the ride.

see you around

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that is how i feel about my XTR
Mods so far:
Hyperpro front springs; Hyperpro rear shock spring; modified air box; LED tail light; LED indicators + new relay; YZ pegs; Lucas aluminum bar; brisk spark plug; snorkel removed; DNA stage 1; second hand DynoJet O2 mod; crash bars; front and rear steel braided brake lines; soft EBC brake pads; mitas 07 tyres, 2in1 Metal Mule exhaust, Blocked AIS, tall OEM screen, OTR bash plate

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I use to own an xtr and i have similar comments like spinner dan. I'd say it's got plenty of grunt, can do plenty off roading normally with better off road type tyres but you'd be surprised what it can do.

get a test ride on one and I'm sure you'd be surprised

I now have an xtz after a year and a bit with a triumph tiger 1050 and just had to come back to a big single

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Plough on

sorry to hear about your stolen DR having had a couple bike stolen myself i know exactly how it feels as for the XT660x ive owned mine just over 3 years and i love it i thought about changing it when the finance finished a few month ago but decided i really couldnt be without it.

ive been out riding with all sorts of superbikes supermotos and adventures never lets me down and have several comment from the other riders as to how they really didnt expect me to be doing what i do on my bike and i know my bike is far from being fully modded so i see myself being happy for atleast another 2-3 years

and to

Welcome on board Mike

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Hello Mike and welcome to

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2011 XT660Z

2008 TDM 900