Xtz660

[martync]

Does anyone have one of these to travel with?
First trip is Morrocco but then a longer trip or organised (gentle) rally

I like the look of them, however have a few concerns.
A BMW F650 is just bare-able 2 up for a week or so in Europe (short distances per day), is the Yamaha capable of this?
Cruzing speed? Can the XTZ keep up with motorway speeds 80 mph without vibrating you to bits, most of the world is paved roads so if the XTZ isnt up to that then I will look at something else.
What is the fuel range on a full tank?
The fuel injection is snatchy, anything to smooth this out (anyone fitted a power comander).

cheers

[Haakonbj]

all over, and lately in North Africa and across the Central Sahara. The tank contain 20 litres. From that you can get from 200 k to 400 k depending on how you drive and surface conditions. Normal drive, luggage and two people, 300 k incl reserve.

Before the last trip I changed the rear suspention to a stronger and more adusteble one from WP, and have never regreted that.

I am not sure about mph, but fully loaded and two people I have not problems going up to 140/150 km on highways in fx Germany, though 120 is more relaxed.

Happy trip!


Cheers
Haakon

[Walkabout]

Martyn,
No I don't have one; currently riding a TT600R, so similar principle; single cyl thumper.

I agree about the F650GS - I have tried my wife's bike with her as pillion (as she won't take me pillion in any circumstances - who can blame her!). Just don't want to do that for too long or too far - crash helmets bump into each other because we are so close together.
So, for my 2 cents worth, I am giving lots of thought about why we have 2 singles in the garage!! The whole thinking is leading to the conclusion that this is not logical, and part of that is what you are asking. I'm inclined to think that a V twin around 650cc, or bigger of course, is the way to go - this points toward the Vstrom/Transalp world of course.
There are loads of factors of course and I am not sharing them all here, but you may want to develop this argument for your own circumstances.

Dave

ps I much prefer to ride the F650GS at speed (boring motorways and that sort of thing) than the TT600R - completely different characteristics of course. Also, the GS does around 70 mpg consistently (range = 170+ miles easily and loads left in the tank) with the TTR returning around 45 mpg or thereabouts (10 litre tank and somewhere around 100 miles to filling up again).

meant to say: it all depends where you are going and what you are going to do with the bike along the way and when you get there!!!!!!!!!!

[Tony Robson]

I can't praise this bike enough for what you have in mind.... I owned one for 4 years.... kitted it out with Touratech stuff and a top box - 2 up for long journeys was great loadds of room - I even fell asleep on it with my better half riding..... Rear suspension needs changing if you want to use 2 up and fully loaded for a long time - apart from a stainless exhaust mine was stock- loved it - did UK and Ireland 2 up no problems - wishing we hadn't sold it but leaving the country forced our hand!!!!!

Buy and enjoy...

Tony.

[oldbaldrick]

XTZ660 or XT660R?

2 very different bikes. You mention fuel injection, so I guess you mean the current 660R. But Haakonbj mentions a 20 litre fuel tank which is not the 660R!
I'm confused.

[Walkabout]

Well spotted OldB - maybe there is an Acerbis (or similar) aftermarket tank for the bike?

I noticed at the BMF show in May that Nick Saunders is now riding one of these in place of his RTW Yam R1.

[Walkabout]

For those in far away places who may not have been aware of NS up to now:-
This is him.
Nick Sanders - homepage