Well i'm now back from Plymouth after a bloody long day collecting the bike.

It was as expected basically brand new. 5 seconds looking at it and i handed over the cash. The rain was falling.. ewwwww.

First impressions in the wet is that on the open roads it's smooth. Mini roundabouts and junctions the fuelling isn't great and makes it a bit tricky.

Onto the motorway and the bike cruises nicely at 85mph, and tops out at 105ish. It's comfy and the windblast isn't too bad. It's a little strange on the power delivery but i think 99% of that is me not being used to a Single.

It was only when i turned off the A303 that the bike came into it's own. The B roads. BLOODY HELL is this thing light.... it weighs next to nothing. Turning and cornering is stable and quick. It handles on B roads better than ANYTHING i've ever had the pleasure to sling a leg over. I can honestly say it's the best bike i've ridden (on these type of roads). I don't know if it IS faster... but it deffo FEELS faster than other bikes. Again, this could be down to being a single and high in the RPM range at 75mph...
Braking is sweet, smooth and hard enough to slow you down with ease.

If i were using this every day for the A1 and M11, then Nope, i'd hate it.

For the roads i plan on using the bike on, i could NOT be happier

Sounds like your becomeing an XT660 addict. Your not far wrong the XT loves the those twisty B and even A roads.

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Plough on

Im glad you like the bike click on the mods link at the bottom of any of the moderators posts and you will find ways of toning down the surging that you are feeling on rounderbout I have also fitted a pair of Kevs fork spacers changed the fork oil to 15w and droped the forks through the clamps by 10mm and stiffened up the rear shock by 2 clicks you may find that helps on the back roads too

First mod is the FJR/XJR brake lever. Simply too far from the bars for my liking, always liked the levers soft on road bikes.

Will get some cable ties on the forks to see how much i'm using and look into the rear etc

Need a new rear tyre really first.

Bear saying wise words and get some tyres that suit XT and yourself and you will find it a great bike in the twistes