I think the great advantage of and XT660R is they are so rideable. Take Tuesday, 800 km in ten hours return trip, to go and see the DENTIST (broken cusp on rear molar = $810 AUS Dollars, cheers).

Bike preparation; oil chain (look at adjusting it but okay), petrol in tank, check oil, adjust mirrors, jump on and ride.

Gee in some places 800 km is just about a new country.

Oh and by the way, yes I tried 34 local dentists before I got sick of being told:

"no we couldn't possibly see you before July 10 2051". So I returned to the Dentist I've seen since 1977 (except 2 other emergencies) god only knows what happens if he retires.

That comment got me thinking, what is the most countries you could visit within 800km?

Starting from England I reckon I could quite easily visit France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, (back to France) and maybe just make it to the border of Switzerland.

7 countries.

Wouldn't be a bad days ride.

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I think you are looking for occasions to ride....

Very nice mate!

But I could never have ridden 800 km on my old XT600 (and walked the next day) and on my former XJR1300 (power corrupts, absolute power gets speeding tickets) I would of been busted for doing silly km and hour by Mr Plod.

Surely riding east to west you XT660's in Europe could manage Turkey to England in a day. Mind you boarder crossings might be a pain. I remember someone in Australia did something like Gold coast to Cameron's Corner in a Solstice day ride.

Mind you my 2nd wife was a Tasmanian, some Tasmanians think going from one end of the island to the other is a major trip. Okay, so I also lived there for a time (time unspecific deliberately - I don't want to loose all credibility).

(you can circumnavigate the island in a day)

Yep these XT660's are as you say just great to ride.

Clocked up 2500km last week (4 days of riding) and longest day was 11hrs for 960km (Condo to Toowoomba), no way I can do that on my TTR600.

I have done long days on my K100RT but it's a speed issue as well and not as much fun as the XT660R.

In fact I think the XT is so good it has replaced my K100 as my main touring bike, having a 400 + km fuel range is great as well.

This little bike with a big heart always puts a smile on the dial I reckon.