Hello one and all. I have been looking on the forum and cant find anything specific about turning the XTR into more of an offroad tool.

From what I have read and what parts are available, I think having the XTX linkages will raise the tail slightly which will make the bike turn quicker. A plus.

Suspension spring wise, having progressive springs would make sense to help avoid bottomming out, but if they are stiffer overall they may affect the ability to soak up a landing from a jump properley.

Does anyone have any experience or opinions on this?

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XT660R 2008 - Yamaha Screen - Touratech Bash Plate - Touratech Exhaust Guards - Wezmoto Braided Brake Hoses - EBC HH Pads - Continental TKC 80 Tyres - Pro Taper Pillowtop Grips - Polisport Handguards - NGK Iridium Spark Plug - K&N Air Filter

I tried a set of x links on my r which does raise it up a couple of inchs but then I found I couldnt reach the floor properly as Ive only got little (stumpy) legs. I found I was having what I would call comedy offs where I was dropping the bike because I couldnt hold it up when trying to reverse or manouvre in tight spaces or on a failed hill climb etc.
If youve got long legs it probably wont be a problem.
The only issue Ive had with ground clearance was hitting the bash plate into the ground and because its made of toffee (the yam one) it kept denting into the exhaust pipes. Ive fixed this by changing to a two into one system so the exhausts are out of the way. Now it doesnt matter if it bottoms out.
The standard shock/spring setup has worked fine for me and what I do and the only change Ive made to it has been to fit fork spacers which has taken some of the braking dive away and firmed the front end just a little. I can and often do ride hard off road in fairly challenging terrain with good response from the bike. Ive not had problems with suspension bottoming out and Im 16 stone. I have the preload set just over half normally and a notch higher when loaded up with camping gear and or wife. I personaly have never felt the need to start changing suspension as in my own opinion if I need to do that its time to change for a wr or similar.
A bit long winded I know but hope it helps.

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I'm always in the sh1t, only the depth varies

Buy a KTM.. thats the best dirt mod you can make to a XT660R..
A XTR is what it is... They are a OK bike if used with in there abillity
I use my XTR mainly for easy dirt tracks & gravel back roads..
I looked at a shock & converting to a USD front end..Not worth the $
so put a 22l tank & high 2 into 1 pipe... It works Ok for what I use it for now..
I have a XR250 for the real fun stuff..
I fined thats the best option If yer want a XTR and want to ride dirt
have 2 bikes..

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Harley Davidson..
The easyest way to turn gasoline into noise with out the side efect of horse power...

That's great guys, thanks for that. I'm a ****** for tinkering with things, so will rein it back a bit. I'll set the rear sag then head to my local MX track with a zip tie on a fork tube and slowly increase my speed to see what they will take before getting too close to the bottom. (I'm currently 90kg).

I've come back to road bikes after riding MX for the past 2 years, before that raced road bikes. I'm trying to get the best go anywhere bike, something that will munch the miles, but also tackle my local MX tracks (slowly). I love the way the XTR rides on the road even with TKC 80s, so will see if in the standard trim it's everything I want offroad too. Will try and get some pics/video and keep you posted!

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XT660R 2008 - Yamaha Screen - Touratech Bash Plate - Touratech Exhaust Guards - Wezmoto Braided Brake Hoses - EBC HH Pads - Continental TKC 80 Tyres - Pro Taper Pillowtop Grips - Polisport Handguards - NGK Iridium Spark Plug - K&N Air Filter

Done a few rallies and used to take mine everywhere the enduro bikes would go, although i was a bit slower , the bike is fine in standard trim but would stiffen the front end if you more than 13 stone and get a good bashplate. Used to ground mine out all the time but it was a Touratech one and stood up to everything i threw at it.
Dont do the mods like removing the snorkel and drilling the airbox or you will drown it very easily

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OFFICIAL CRASH TEST DUMMY

I think for the �20 I can get an X linkage for I will give it a try, especially as I am going to change the gearing to 16/42 and keep the 110 link chain (will lengthen the wheelbase) so the jacked up rear will help compensate in terms of turning ability.

Going to take the bike to an MX track over the next few days so will take some video and post on here to show what it is doing in standard trim!

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XT660R 2008 - Yamaha Screen - Touratech Bash Plate - Touratech Exhaust Guards - Wezmoto Braided Brake Hoses - EBC HH Pads - Continental TKC 80 Tyres - Pro Taper Pillowtop Grips - Polisport Handguards - NGK Iridium Spark Plug - K&N Air Filter