After viewing threads about engine problems or even failure I have some doubts about reliability of this bike. I never heard so far about other motorcycle engine fatal problems e.g. honda, triumph etc. My question is were these cases only some specific year model related problems and it is now fixed or it is rather random?

I placed an order on new xt660z and have cold feet to be honest...

Mine was 2009 with 12000 miles when gearbox fall apart. Some offroad riding and some light jumps though.

It was ridden this way ( Mine is blue one - its last action - about two weeks after this it was death):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c2c...qEhM9Qy091yaQA

And onboard:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIdz_QMbLwU

I would not say bike was too much abused.

If you want to find scary stories of bike problems, come to a forum! But remember, all bikes have issues and for everyone who comes to a forum to post on an issue, there will be hundreds (maybe even thousands) that never even visit a forum. Basically, forums can give you a distorted view of problems since that is where they tend to get reported.

If you looked at the UKGSER forum you'd never buy a BMW. But thousands have and have been happy. But the forum makes it look like you are guaranteed a life of pain and sorrow.

If you take that view and then review this forum what you'll soon see is that XT ownership appears to be a pretty reliable and hassle free experience. Of course there are the odd problems. I've never seen a bike or car forum where that's not the case.

I'd be sleeping easy if I were you. Chances are you have nothing at all to worry about.

yeah, but like 50/50 or more chances? LOL

Of course you're right with forums opinions but show me any adventure bmw, ktm, suzuki, honda, triumph threads with engine failure at that kinda mileage
because I couldn't find it. Other problems yes, like BMW broken forks etc.

12k miles that freaking low mileage for any engine/clutch problem not to mention failure...

Nice videos BTW, indeed you din't abuse it in any way.

+1 We have 9635 members here (at last count) and just a handful of cases of 3rd gear failure and two or three iffy main bearings, so let's say ten cases of engine failure for argument's sake. Now that equates to somewhere around 0.09%! (Alright, I know not all members have owned/do own an XT, but most do, or have done and it gives a reasonable illustration of pifflingly small the issue really is in numbers.)

Now if you had owned the bike from new, then I guess you could say this with some authority, but you bought it at 3 years old if I recall? So how can you be sure? You might service it fastidiously now, but anything could have happened before, regardless of "service history" too. The other recent 3rd gear failure (Chenko's) also relates to a previously owned bike.

I'm not really trying to suggest or infer anything other than it is impossible to be objective about engine/gearbox failures with a pre-owned motorcycle. Yes failures might be down to manufacturing/assembly faults, but they could be just as likely, if not more so, be down to a clumsy-shifting previous owner...

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I have just read here
this thread

I don't know...you guys call that engine bullet proof???
Actually it looks like the hole from the bullet...

Yes that one had issues....

I tell yer what fined another 11 see if yer can get to a even dozen....

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Harley Davidson..
The easyest way to turn gasoline into noise with out the side efect of horse power...

This engine has been around for quite a while now, fitted to various brands and models.

As far as I know, the biggest km haul here is enough to max out the odo ie> 200,000km. I know that engine had some issues along the way, but I don't think the gearbox was one of them.

The problem is too much communication! Everyone knows the instant someone has a problem. And those who haven't had a problem sympathise. And we hope it doesn't happen to us or anyone else. Statistically, it probably won't.

But motorbikes are man-made, and thus are fallible. I know this for a fact. I will not buy another BMW . My problem, not anyone else's.

Well I have owned about 20 bikes over the years and 3 XT660s. Mine were all the X model and I still have my 2011 version, all bought new and serviced at Alf England (great support). I have had zero problems with the 3 bikes and the latest one is now over 28,000 kms. Forget the horror stories, these bikes are bulletproof.

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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....