This post is not intended to offend anyone, its just a realization of all the experience that some of you have been going through.

Some of you guys, (no need to give out names), have been with us for quite some time now, you have all owned an XT wether it was the X or the R doesn't matter. What matter is you have all experienced the satisfying factor you get from riding this bike, the low maintenance required, i.e. long service stretches, and you have also learnt that whilst the XT is not a bonafide out and out SuperMotard, or a kick arse off roader capable of impressing Pastrana, there is no other bike out there at the moment there that will replace the all-rounder flexibility of an XT.

A few of you, sold your XT and got SV's , Fazers, Beemers, while some even went for a proper Supermoto, only to realize they got bored quickly or that a 4 in-line speed machine is no thrill in their ordinary riding needs, ie commuting or other.

I only want to name one person as an example that is afk40, he sold his R got a SV and hated it, then he sold that and got a Honda FMX and thought it couldn't perform more than 80mph, finally he listened to my advice and got a new 07 XT and now he is very happy again. This is a man who has owned over 200 bikes so he is no fool.

I think anyone else wishing to part with their existing XT should follow this advice and hold on their impatience to try something better when unfortunately there is not really anything at the moment worthy of replacing or even matching the low maintenance cost and performance that you get from an XT. You would be burning a hole into your pocket buying and selling other bikes to try and get an edge on the XT.

If of course someone is looking for a different bike with the idea of touring long distances then I'll be the first to tell them the XT is not for them and they are better off with a TeDiu M or a Cruella (Deuville).

This is going to be a looong thread, Don't say I didn't tell you (no offence)

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Nein my friend this is not meant to be controversial, this is meant as an helpful suggestion to people that are somehow in doubt whether or not to sell their XT for something different and then being later disappointed of their choice or change. Better the devil you know, my brother, and if people will take this advice as a controversial issue it's their choice.

You are spot on there CaptMoto. I went out last night following my cousin on his Aprilia Tuono tearing up the country lanes. Today I've done 150 miles around London following 4 monkey bikes. Now, an R1 would have been fun last night but no fun today at slow speeds cutting through traffic. An XTX is so much fun going fast or slow. Not many bikes can do both and also have a very comfy riding position. They are a blast and have a huge grin factor. I love 'em.

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

I think this thread could be the best one in ages. It helps us focus our minds on what we are about, what bikes we love and indeed if we still love bikes.

I need to confess, I have considered a trade in for either a different bike or the 07X. I went out a couple of weeks ago and had a good luck at what is around for about �3k. I sat on loads of bikes and came to the conclusion that nothing floated my boat. I tell you all this, the 40 odd miles ride back even on a super fast A road was brilliant because it made me realise what I had and that was a brilliant all rounder. Not a particularly brilliant A roads speed machine but for everything else excellent. Its nice to realise what you have before you do not have it...

Anyway, I had a go on the 07X and thought/tried to sell my 04X to help part fund it but after a test ride I realised although the 07 is brilliant, it is not IMHO �2K extra brilliant. My bike is in A1 condition and runs as good as it can. My focus has now returned to playing with the idea of putting some new cans on it but cant decide if I can live with the extra noise (whole different story I know). I want the looks, weight saving, bling, I dunno!

Back on track, when this poxy weather improves I'm straight out on it again. Still the best bike for me considering my situation.

Thanks to all and thanks to the Capt for a great forum. A 100% plus to owning an already great bike.

Tony

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

OK, I know at least part of this was aimed at me, so I'll chip in briefly.

For me, the XTX was a fantastic bike - I loved it, and it taught me a fair bit about riding quickly. The issue I had with the XT was that I wanted it to be more than it was. It wasn't quick enough to ensure that I was going keep it for the long term, and the cheap build was a bit of a let down too. I'm not trying to slate the XT, far from it.
I chopped the XT for the WRF so that I could have the pleasure of building a pukka SM machine. I knew it would be compromised on the road, and I had no intention of keeping it for a long time. If fact, I sold it with 788 miles on the clock after 2 months. Some would call me mad or say 'I told you so', but the way I look at it is that I had great fun building it and riding it (it was purely a toy), and I got the 'hardcore SM' bug out of my system.
I'm now back to my summer norm of riding a sportsbike (CBR600) with the BMW as my daily hack. I love sportsbikes, and will probably change for a new R6 in a month or so. The bike after that will be a KTM 690SM for the winter. I love bikes, and change them often during the warm months so that I can experience more of them. I get different kinds of enjoyment out of the different types of bikes I have owned.

I guess the real point I am making is that whilst the XT is a great bike, it is not all things to all people, and you have to understand that no-one will keep theirs forever.

I see XT660.com having moved into it's 'second generation' of members, where most of the original members have either sold their XTs or have another bike too. I think that's great for the site as it means that the membership didn't die out when the first wave of members sold up.

I think trying to convince existing owners not to sell is a fruitless excercise, as everyone will view their XT slightly differently. If someone thinks about selling their bike, it'll be for a good, valid reason to them, even if that reason is simply 'I fancy a change'.

This is the time of year where a lot of people will change their bikes, so you can expect to see many more people leaving the XT fold, but at the same time, many more will join. My XTX was sold within 2 weeks of me trading it in, and I suspect it will pop up on the forum again in due course.

I know that you hate people talking about other bikes within this forum, but I hope you can understand why people do - the XT is not perfect and will not be the perfect long term ownership proposition for many people. Most importantly, we are bikers! Bikers are fickle creatures and many change bikes yearly as the cost of doing so is affordable for many people.

I have said this before - I have made many real world friends on this forum, but have not felt very welcome since I decided to sell my XT. This is also why many other old members don't post anymore.

I would like to urge a little more tolerence to the inevitabliity of people selling their bikes sooner or later.

Storm

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Racing
(a. & n.) from Race (v.t./i.)
The alchemy that turns base metals into heat, noise, power and motion.

Well captain what i have to say is simple , and i am a professional mechanic who works on formula cars, Bosch motorsport ecu and telemetry systems , won asian Championship in 2004-2005 , i am also the data technician as well as team mechanic for a Formula team.Qualified Motorcycle mechanic ,and my experience with my xt660x has been absolutely dreadfull.i have had a lot of motorcycles and each of the one i have owned had something outstanding about them.The xtx 660 (2004) is fantastic with the choke on , thats about 45 seconds before it leans out.See in order to pass euro 3 emissions Yamaha decided to make the lemon of them all ,nothing and i mean nothing in terms of a lemon even comes close to it.Its quite simple to explain if an engine doesnt burn fuel then there is no emission ,Fact.
Another fact is that without the proper amount of fuel , especially in a single , it cannot run properly.
My xt 500 from 1977 has more bottom end, and more midrange and is easily ridable at the speed limit or thereabouts as with the new xtx660 i have to be at least above 80-90 km/h for it to run properly , and in australia thats particularly handy in schoolzones (where the speed is 40) its also fantastic at roundabouts which can only be taken at some very minimal speed and best of all i absolutely love the stalling in between gears especially from 3rd to second where i get to test my skills everyday while my rear wheel compression locks.Its also quite demanding to restart the bike at roundabouts while engaged and with a pillion , never have my riding skill been tested so much in such a short amount of time.Now for now id would be happier and safer to ride my neighbourghs lawnmower,as everytime i take that xtx660 i wonder if i am going to make it back home without getting runover.The bike is still under warranty and is with yamaha Australia wich i am sure are having a very close look at it.and for good measure and in case you havnt noticed on page 7-16 of the yamaha workshop manual cd.the air intake sensor reading according to the manual should be between 2.22-2.69 ohm well that is wrong that should say Kohm that will avoid half the xtx660 owners ordering a new air intake sensor as if it was between 2.21 and 2.69 ohm that means it would actually generate heat...lol!!!!
That having been said Captain everyone is entitled to their opinion i lok=ve the brembo brakes and the small front wheel and the new Michelin pilot i put on for ......20 kms.Thats how long it took me to find out that it was unridable especially in town..total cost for this lemon
purschase price at 8000 kms 7500.00
new tyres Michelin 400.00
new air filter 110.00
rego transfer 200.00
Insurance -Gio wont insure it!!
Kilometers done in unsafe conditions 120 which is 1 full tank for 110.00 kms talk about great economy and value for money.!!!
add all the fluid changes when i got it
brake fluid, coolant, spark plugs, valve clearances check,engine oil , oil filter,and my time for checking ALL fuel injection components etc..Frankly this bike apart from being a lemon is a money pit...The cush drive is almost destroyed due to the ongoing "surges" and guess what i am riding now ??my xt 500 and yamaha Australia including the dealer who originally sold it have had it longer then me now...this bike is frankly a joke...a bad Joke....

Ok :suicide: