Hi

Im Tom as i posted in the newbie section i am currently in the process of getting everything in place for a trans-africa trip from UK to Capetown. Leaving UK next september and am looking to buy a bike this side of christmas.

Have decided on the XT660R it is a good bit lighter that xt660z tenere, have riden both bikes and far prefer the XTR.

I think the XTR is a lot more bike for the money and just as capable.

Its cheaper so can spend the extra on overland bits 2in1 exhaust, bashplate etc. Can have an overland XTR sitting ready for the same price as a bog standard Tenere.

Anyway been looking a a few standard XT660Rs. Price for a standard with no extra bits is around the �2500 mark for a good clean low mileage example.

Was going to buy a standard bike and add the required overland bits but then i came across this on horizons unlimited.



http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travel-bikes-for-sale-wanted/u-k-yamaha-xt660r-adventure-84049



It looks great and the owner has spent some serious money on it. It does pretty much look like its ready for anything. I have been looking at the prices of exhaust etc brand new and it quickly adds up. This bike seems to have had a lot of sensible and practical mods to make it the perfect bike for my trip and all the additional bits are brand new. Pity the owner cant use it on the trip he built it for but their misfortune is my opportunity and all that!! And will save my wallet giving me more funds for the trip.

Anyway it looks like a really good deal.

What do you guys on here think??

To buy or not to buy?? Ready for capetown??

All opinions and views most welcome.

Thanks everyone

Tom!

Looks ideal to me. Some of the parts looks good and low mileage too for one of that age. The only things I'd change are the Tourance tyres, regardless of how many miles are left in them - IMHO they're horrible! Not too keen on slime either - causes more problems than it fixes.

Beat him down to �3350 so you can get yourself a half decent pair of tyres!

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Thanks for casting an eye over it Pleiades.

Yeah for a trip like im planning i would be changing all consumables to new: tyres, oil etc. So while a good point not really fussed. What tyres do you recommend?

I calculated up and there about �2000 of extras fitted to the bike. More money than sense some people!! It will be end of the month before i have enough money to purchase so i hope it still available!

Anyone else got any views on it???

As always thanks and your help and opinions greatly appreciated!!

Tom

That's a quality piece of kit for sure. I'd be on my way to Belfast by now if I were you.

Tyre choice is very subjective and as much down to personal preference than anything else. For me, all the tyres I like don't last very long, which could pose an interesting conundrum on a trip such as yours. My prefered choices would be Continental TKC80 or Michelin Enduro 3 Sahara, but you be changing the rear every 2000-3000 miles!

As much as I didn't really get on with them personally, you wouldn't go far wrong with a Heidenau K60. I didn't think they were a bad tyre, they actually did everything OK, it's just they were a bit numb and unresponsive. However, what I would say is the last a proper long time. Ideal if you don't want to be searching out places to buy tyres on your travels. There are other similar long-lasting options such as the Mefo Explorer and Mitas E-07 which seem to be popular amongst long haul travellers.

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Hi I would use KTC80 on the front, and the K60 scout the perfect combination for me. If you dont get the R Iwould recommend the tenere for the tank range and crash resistance.

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XTz 660 tenere, adventure spec bash plate, main stand, skid marks tall screen, Oxford tail pack 36 litre. Kobra hand guards, Bigger cast footpegs, Zen overland luggage plate, USB power point, iridium spark plug, TKC80 f k60 R tyres, o2 and fuel Kev mods, DNA stage 2 filter. bark buster bar wieghts, Touratec side stand base and GPS mount. Led spot lights

Give us a shout for a beer when you hit Johannesburg!

Maybe I'll rustle up a few guys and we'll meet you in Botswana and do the Botswana to JHB leg with you.

If you need help with anything this side being South / Southern Africa let me know. I've traveled pretty much the whole lot from Malawi down albeit in car's and planes.

Take a look at the TKC70's. Much better mileage than the 80's, the road grip is superb and they look like they'll do well on gravel, but not so soft sand and mud.

I've put a set on the Tenere and I really like them (and I swore I'd never move away from TKC80's after the last disaster with them Michelin things)

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>-------<

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Hi everyone.

Unfortunately circumstances beyond my control I'm forced to delay my Trans-Africa trip for at least a year!

Thanks for everyone's advice. I hope the xt660r I was going to buy goes to a good home!! A real bargin for someone to have an amazing adventure!

Unfortunately just not in a position to buy at the minute!

Tom