Hi all, im looking to buy a 660x next month, and I wondered if there is a post on here with a bit of insider knowledge?

ie is there a particular single year or age I should avoid due to an issue with XYZ (gearbox, engine...)?

people seem to sell with the "much needed fuel mod" and talk of twitchy low speed issues - is this age of model related or all 660's?

last question! what is the difference between an X and R? is it just nobbly tyres or is there a whole change in suspension, steering rake that sort of thing? Im not going to off road, just hoon around europe.

Thanks in advance!

Firstly, to XT660.com!

Not particularly. Other than colours, graphics, a slight bodywork change there's little difference. The main one being the addition of an O2 sensor and cast aluminium alloy swingarm from 2007.

Some surge worse than others, but a lot of the early 2004/5 problems were related to a faulty TPS, which were replaced under warranty. Most bikes still going have been fixed in this respect.

Some ECUs are better than others regarding surging, depending on year. All bikes can be improved considerably, some ECUs are more responsive to changes than others, but all benefit from fueling mods.

Have a read of this thread regarding the different ECUs...

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=8546

Have a read of this thread which gives info on all the modifications that are possible to reduce surging...

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=23042

There are more differences than you might think. The R has 21"/17" wheels as opposed to the X's 17"/17" and much greater suspension travel. The forks and front brake are different too, as is the geometry. As mentioned above, the X since 2007 has different bodywork and a cast swingarm. The R stuck with the original bodywork and the steel box swingarm.

Either would be a great bike for what you want to do but clearly, if you're not going of the road, an X would make slightly more sense.

__________________

Thanks for detailed reply. Ive bought one!
A 2010 model with just 5000 miles on the clock.

No issues at all in fuelling int the test ride. Its a great fun bike to ride too. Front brake was rubbish, so I need to look into that.

200 for insurance with no ncb to speak off, so happy with that too.

Cant wait to put some miles on it.