Well, 'Hi' :-)

New to this place since this morning, to be able to search your wealth of information on all things XT!

I don't own one, but I'm looking for a bike to take me half way around the world in 2016/2017 and I believe that the XT660Z (or perhaps XT660R) is one of a few candidates to help me achieve that dream. In my eyes, the bike needs only a few essential modifications or accessories to prepare it for the trip. The reason I am looking to buy an XT660Z now, is that I want to get familiar with the bike before I set off. Getting to know it by doing my own services and modifications and learning about the potential problems is essential on a trip from Switzerland to ~Australia via the back of beyond.

I have a question for you connaisseurs already:
XT660Z with or without ABS? There will probably be an increasing number of off-road sections as my confidence builds, but I read that the ABS cannot be turned off? I have a bad feeling about the ABS unnecessarily releasing the brakes on a bumpy stretch! Is there a simple and practical way to turn it off while still remaining good braking control?

I'm sorry if this question has already been answered somewhere on the forum, but the term 'ABS' is apparently too short to be accepted by the search function (strange..)

Thanks! Cheers,
Mark

Welcome on board Mark and your plans sound wonderful!! You sure found the right place to learn all about the XT range of bikes and perhaps the Z would be a better candidate for the much larger fuel tank?? But some experts will surely reply to you soon. Good luck!!

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(Now sold on, sob) 2011 Blue XT660X with gold wheels, was 26,500 km.
Engine mods: K&N Stage 1 filter, DNA Stage 2 filter, snorkel removed, Kev fuel mod fitted.
Plus: smoked Puig screen, Yam aluminium sump guard, Yamaha / Acerbis handguards, Givi Trekker aluminium side cases, Leo Vince X3 cans plus Kev front fork mod and Fender Xtender. Just fitted Michelin Road Pilot 3 tyres.

SOLD the XTX for a Super Ten 1200. And just bought a Raptor 700 so staying on here for some tips....

Welcome on board Mark.

Pull the fuse, or fit a switch on the bars to cut the supply? Warning light will come on while it's disabled, so it'll fail an MOT (or whatever road worthiness test you have) and your insurance will be invalid, but I guess none of that matters particularly off the public highway?? Anyhow, you can refit the fuse/flick the switch back easy enough...

Only had one bike with ABS, a GS, and TBH it was (the ABS) nothing but a pain in the arse! Not in terms of braking, but the fact it kept breaking!

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and to

Welcome mate, if you want to serach ABS add ABS* to the end of the 3 letters.

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Click here to join the XT Supporter's scheme

Mods that I have done to my XTX's

My 04 XTX
Stage 1 & 2 DNA filters / Kev fuel mod / snorkel mod / Drilled air box mod / Engine breather mod / Fork Spacer mod / 15w fork oil /
[
My 07 XTX
Raptor 700 cylinder 102mm / Modified Crank Case to take a 105mm Raptor Cylinder / 11:1 102mm JE Raptor piston / Stage 1 Raptor Hot Cam / Ported head / Colder Spark Plug / +2mm Throttle body / DNA stage 1 & 2 filters / Modified Air Box / Snorkel removed / Worry Brothers stage 2 filter cover / 6mm & 8mm Bolts Replaced with Titanium Bolts / Recovered seat in Black / O2 Eliminator /

My 09 XTX
59HP at the rear wheel / Stage 2 Raptor Hot Cam / DNA stage 3 Air Box / Carbon Can Exhausts / Modified Exhaust Link Pipes / PCIII With Custom Fuel Map / Wideband Commander O2 Data logger / LCD100 Dyno Jet display & fuel adjuster / 2500 OHM HT lead instead of a 10K OHM XT lead / Extra Coolant Cooler / Protaper Fat Bars / Tail Tidy With LED Tail Light / OKE Protection Knobs / LED indicators / AIS blocked / Modified rear sprocket rubbers / Rear Foot Pegs removed / 09 ECU With 02 Sensor Changed To A 06 ECU / Complete wiring harnes Changed from 09 to 04 / Home made LED resistor flasher / Hole drilled in the fuel tank filler neck to allow quicker filling / Modified Bar End Weights / Progressive front fork springs, 15W fork oil, forks lowered 25mm, used XTR rear links lowering the rear 20mm, rear spring one click stiffer / Changed front & rear guards from blue to black / 47T rear sprocket / Speedo Healer V4.0 / Kev throttle cam mod / Throttle grip mod / The new 2010 O2 sensor mod is out, works a treat, The new 2012 O2 Controller is out, PM me for details

Now ride a 2018 MT09SP ABS + TCS

My KTM 990 SMR Mod book. http://www.ktmsmt.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=4946

Hi

Thanks for the welcome and the good tips. I'm leaning towards a non-ABS version right now. I've read some disturbing stories about XT660Z ABS with knobbly tires on a German forum ( http://www.xt-660.de/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=10893).

Disabling the ABS with a switch can be interpreted as a "deliberate act" by an insurance or the law. A "burnt" fuse can't

Thanks guys
Mark