According to the yam on-line parts book this model was still being made in 1999.Is it useful for overland travel?(Does anyone know anything about it?)

XTZ 660 is a good bike for road use ..particularly the last models with same fairing of superteneré 750 are very protective

downturns are that are really not good (imho) for off-road and overlanding because of :
-Weight is 30 Kilos more respect 600
-Motor have just 8 HP more (worse w/p ratio)
even with the added complexity of 5 valve head
-Liquid cooling and fairing makes them much more prone to heavy damage in case of a fall
-Frame and suspension intended most for road use
- difficult to fit a large tank.

Not sure I agree with the last post.

I live in Aus and have an XTZ660 that's been just about everywhere, including across the nasty Gunbarrel. Compared to the Dommie and KLR's it's a much more versatile bike both on and off the tar. Stock standard it has a superior suspension setup, longer fuel range and is more comfortable.

Sure its watercooled and weighs in quite heavily. But then so is the F650GSPD, and what's an extra 30kgs in return for extra comfort when your bum might be in the saddle for 6 months and 20,000kms.

A mag over here called 'Sidetracks' - aimed at the Adventure Tourer market - has rated the XTZ second only to the F650GSPD for functionality, but above that bike when price is considered.

I agree with you ...since you are confronting the XTZ660 with Dommie and F650 ..in fact these bikes have similar (if not worse) offroad attitude than XTZ ....for me it's VERY surprending that 10 years later BMW was not able to produce a trail bike (good !) like F650 GSPD with a dry weight of 191 Kg ! 20 more than XTZ ...However pre-electric start XT's are a different thing ...much more near a TT or XR than a Dommie ...

I have just bought a XTZ660 Tenere with the view to setting it up for a long RTW trip. The advice given above is great re. the pros and cons of having one, but, can anyone suggest changes that can be made, things to be looked at, etc.

Does anyone have any photos of them set up ready to go - the only ones I have found are of dommies which show some good ideas but do not show a loaded bike.

How do you design luggage to go around the exhaust? How do you adjust the susspension for a light rider now and a heavy loaded bike? what problems have come to light from owners of these bikes - mine claims only 4700 miles on a 96 model but I do not beleive it - what should I look for?

All suggestions welcomed?

cheers, Tony.

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hi mate, dont think the XTZ660 is current in UK anymore, but the engine is in the current MZ BAGHIRA.you can also order it in a variety of styles(super-moto,enduro,etc) with different sized quality rims, and touratech do a load of interesting( but pricey!) goodies for it. i had a good look at a new one couple weeks ago, it seems at least as solid as any yam ive seen.

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dave