Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and relatively new to my '08 XT660Z, in mud brown, with 23,000 miles on it. So, hello!

I'm contemplating a reasonably big trip, relative to my experience at least, and wanted to get the bike fighting fit. I've owned the bike for the best part of a year, and have only added pannier racks and some protection.

I was hoping you experienced people may offer some advice on issues the bike typically develops over around 23,000 miles. I'm not modifying to enter the Dakar, I just don't want to encounter any problems I could've avoided with a little money and some foresight. My shopping list currently has Hyperpro fork springs and a rear coil, and an Exan oval classic exhaust (the latter mostly for cosmetic/weight benefits).

Any tips, advice or generally commentary would be appreciated!

Jonny

Welcome on board Jonny.

At 23K miles you'll need to be casting an eye over the steering and suspension bearings (head races, rear linkage, swingarm pivot etc.) They do suffer quite badly from the ravages of time/miles if not attended to. If you don't know when they were last stripped and greased, do it ASAP.

The OE rear shock doesn't last well either. A fresh spring will help, but that won't do anything for the damping which isn't exactly great on a brand new shock!

Do you know when the valves were last done which are due a check every 12K, so yours will probably need doing as you're closing in on 24K.

__________________

Hey Jonny,

It appears you've got yourself the second best colour of Ten, next to black of course!

I found that right around 20,000 miles, that engine got a lot nicer. I don't know what it is, but treat it right and it will look after you.
In my own experience, here's how I made my bike (and myself) happy:


Regular servicing, use quality consumables. Motul semi-synth oil, NGK sparks, EBC pads. The money saved on cheap ****e just isn't worth it.

Grease those bearings yourself, that means strip down your suspension and get those bearings cleaned and greased.
Also do your steering head and wheel bearings while you're at it. Trust me, it's worth it. I bought brand new wheel bearings for the whole bike, greased them myself and got the shop to fit them.
The suspension, I did myself and I'm not a mechanic. Just followed the excellent guide here:

Changed the front fork springs for Hyperpro and added 25mm risers which made standing up a lot more bearable.


At 20,000 miles, I would change the chain, even if it doesn't look knackered. A DID X-ring will set you back �90. Might as well change the sprockets at the same time, don't go for anything but steel sprockets. JT front and SuperSprox rear.

Change your brake lines and fluid every 3 years, probably due for you.

You're taking weight off the back, 8kg standard exhaust to a 1.5kg Exan, so you can afford to add some weight down low. Get a bash plate. My bike has gone down a few times and always ended up scratching my AdventureSpec bashplate. That would be engine casing and water pump without the protection. Get one.

For a smoother ride, get yourself Kev's O2 sensor eliminator. Don't ask why, just get one. No clutch for roundabouts, no chugging, no stalling in second, twist and go. Almost the best bit of money I spent on that bike, apart from the bike itself.

For someone who rides a lot (45,000 miles in 2.5 years) I can tell you the two things that made me really happy.
Givi clip-on screen extender - Wind noise and resistance in my face has really disappeared and my neck is thanking me.
Touratech seat - A wider flatter saddle stops you from the numb bum that I used to suffer on 100 mile+ days. I usually have to ride at least 100 miles every Sunday for work and it's much more comfortable. Saved my arse riding every day, 9000 miles round Europe this summer.


Just get playing with it, it's a really simple bike to work on, learn all you can and do as much yourself as you can.
Of course, all my views are my own, and bikes are subjective, but I learned a lot from other members of this forum who I'm sure will be along shortly to give you more ideas.

Have fun!
Steve.

__________________
Bike: 2013 XT660Z, TKC70 tyres

Mods:
Barkbusters, Scottoiler, DIY Tail Mod, DNA Stage 3, Power Commander V & O2 Eliminator, Exan X-Black Stainless exhaust, Tool tube, Ohlins linear front fork springs, Nitron rear shock, JT front and Supersprox rear sprockets, D.I.D. VX 520 chain, Adventure Spec bashplate, DIY USB Outlet, DIY chain guide, Kev's Throttle mod

http://www.facebook.com/onemooseonemotorbike

Thanks for the welcome Steve and Pleiades, that's exactly the kind of information I was looking for, and is gratefully received. The limit of my mechanical expertise is chain tightening, tyre changes and oil changes, so it sounds like there's some learning I can do here. Is it worth changing the bushings on when swapping out the fork springs?

I'm planning on splurging on off-the-road's online shop (esp. springs and bashplate), but being based in Manchester do you know anywhere that can offer the same things for similar prices?

Lots of stuff online for us:

Farkles and un-necessary crap from Touratech, Off-The-Road and AdventureSpec, but be prepared to spend money!
I bought my springs and other bits from OTR.

Spares and stuff from wemoto.

Genuine Yamaha parts from AJ Sutton.

Consumables from eBay.

Bike related gear and clothing from Adventure Bike Warehouse in Manchester (Pendlebury)

Keep an eye on Zen Overland, he's going to start doing stuff for the Ten shortly.


Would replace the fork seals since they're only cheap. You'll have to wait till you get the forks apart to check the internals, but the spare bits aren't that expensive.

-sorry, would post links but on my phone. Get googling!

__________________
Bike: 2013 XT660Z, TKC70 tyres

Mods:
Barkbusters, Scottoiler, DIY Tail Mod, DNA Stage 3, Power Commander V & O2 Eliminator, Exan X-Black Stainless exhaust, Tool tube, Ohlins linear front fork springs, Nitron rear shock, JT front and Supersprox rear sprockets, D.I.D. VX 520 chain, Adventure Spec bashplate, DIY USB Outlet, DIY chain guide, Kev's Throttle mod

http://www.facebook.com/onemooseonemotorbike

and to

I am amazed as how good the people in this forum are, in no less than 4 post replies, some of you have all provided valuable suggestion and tips for our latest newcomer.

You do not get this level of professional and courteous advice anywhere on the web.

Well done to you all for doing us proud at

Yes, thanks everyone!

The adventure spec baseplate is surely the ugliest, and yet provides the most coverage. I think baseplate is first on the list once wear and tear issues are resolved.

As far as bash plates go I would whole heartily recommend the Adventure spec bash plate its the best on the market by far.

__________________
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