Hi everyone,

I promised Kev and Francis that I would do a bit of a write up following their over and above customer service and assistance with moding my XTX. I finished a couple of weeks ago (better late than never) and have been for a few rides since plus got a track day coming up next weekend.

Here�s my experience (warning � I am a complete noob when it comes to anything mechanical so bare with me and apologies if I get some of the terminology wrong):

So around early September I got in touch with Kev expressing my interest in getting an exhaust for my bike. I had already done a bit of browsing online and found a few places selling cans and the 2-1 system on Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Yamaha-XT-660-X-R-GPR-Exhaust-Full-System-2in1-GP-Evo-/280757753911?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash =item415e775837

Further Googling is actually what lead to me stumbling across this site in the first place. I had been into a couple of local bike shops too and one had quoted me AUD$1,100 for a set of Akrapovic cans installed (nice cans but ****** paying that much!).

So after learning of MTC�s sponsorship deal with XT660.com and having a look at their products I decided that�s what I would go for. Kev put me in touch with Francis (owner of this fine site) and both gave me the same key piece of advice: basically whilst installing a set of cans on their own would make the bike sound better and may give a small increase in performance, there is basically no point in changing the way the bike gets rid of air/gasses without also adjusting the way it takes in air (i.e. doing something to the air-box).

Whilst I loved the XT as it was, I was missing the power I had on my previous bike (650 v-twin) and was lucky enough to have some spare cash lying around. Having seen Kev�s posts on the forum and being really impressed at the prompt and informative responses I was getting, I decided to just go with the best of everything.

Here�s what I settled on:

1. MTC Cans (Stainless round)
2. Power Commander 5
3. DNA Stage 3 air-box kit
4. Kev�s O2 Mod
5. Kev�s mods encyclopedia (a bloody good read!)

I was really looked after on cans PCV and air-box kit (especially with regard to postage) as I got them all through Francis. The cans arrived all the way from the UK (to South Australia) within something like 4 business days! With the PCV and Air-box kit taking a few weeks from Greece, which was still good considering they needed to order more stock before shipping. It felt good to be supporting their economy in these tough times too ;-)

I won�t reveal the final cost (if you want to know, PM me) but let me just say that all of those items ended up costing me not a great deal more that my original quote for the Akrapovic cans locally! The help I received from the guys was worth A LOT in itself anyway, plus I was happy to be supporting a site that is dedicated to the XT.

So once it all arrived I downloaded all of Kev�s installation guides and clarified a few uncertainties via email. I set aside two afternoons in the garage and recruited the help of my old-man before getting to work.

Having a second person to help was really critical (especially for me) as it really helps to have another set of eyes and hands when doing things like getting the bike up on stands (didn�t have a race-stand), unplugging the petrol tank, cutting wires etc�

Kev�s O2 mod was the easiest thing to install and took all of about 10mins. I then spent some time doing a dodgy �heat shrink� job on the wire that connects it (just wrapped it in insulation tape).

The PCV went on fine too but it was a little hard to unplug the fuel line from the tank as the clip can be quite stubborn. The other issue I had was that whilst Kev�s installation instructions are great, I think they are for the PCIII and the ones that came with the PCV were quite vague. Nevertheless, it was mostly a matter of unplug this and plug it into that�pretty simple.

The air-box was a very big job and took most of the Sunday afternoon to get on. It�s pretty straight forward but requires you to take a lot of things off the bike while it�s jacked up (a daunting job for someone who has never really been hands-on). The only real issue I had with it was, once installed; the outlet from the air-box kept slipping off the throttle body after I tightened the clamp. I removed it and wiped off some grease that had made its way onto the pipe, which seemed to solve the problem.

Believe it or not, it was the cans that gave me the most trouble. Not that there was anything wrong with them, it was just hard getting them all lined up and I had some trouble with the outlet pipe touching the chain. It was hard (by myself at this stage) to hold the can in place and get the bolt done up on the clamps. I managed to get the pipe to clear the chain by fiddling with some of the bolts underneath the bike (there�s a bracket that connects the pipes under the crank-case). I also added some extra washers in-between the spacers that come with the clamps and the mounting point up near the seat.

Finally it was all complete, I got the PCV software installed and took my laptop out to the garage to load up one of Kev�s maps. The bike started and I took it for a short ride very proud of myself for managing not to stuff anything up.
The cans are loud. Very loud. But they have become a bit more bearable following a few long rides, still ear-plugs or a better helmet are in order I think.

My very non-technical description of the ride now is as follows: Torque across the entire rev range is now pretty damn awesome. When you get on the throttle out of corners the bike just launches away. Engine breaking seems a lot smoother and the back wheel doesn�t want to lock up like it used to. There is no surging and very minimal popping from the cans. I have to be a bit careful now though as the front end can get very light under acceleration and the bike will get the wobbles at speed on occasion. I put this down to the suspension not being optimal for the power the bike now has. Not a major issue though.

Overall, I just want to say that I am very happy with the outcome and it was money well spent. As well as a much more exciting bike I have gained valuable experience from the process.

I cannot express enough how helpful and patient Kev and Francis were and I would not have been able to do it without their help.

Next things I want to do are as follows:

� Pro-taper bars (like Kev�s gold ones) with new grips
� Smaller mirrors
� Bark-busters
� Fender eliminator (tail tidy)
� Frame/axle sliders
� Re-upholster the seat in black

Any questions or clarifications please let me know. I will do my best to explain.
Pics located here: http://imgur.com/a/GZSqB

Happy riding!

-Stewart