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Yamaha XT 660 R Yamaha XT 660 R
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  • 1 Post By Tiger68
  • 1 Post By Wauschi

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  #1  
Old 18 Apr 2017
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Yamaha XT 660 R
Ok after Much test riding and I have decided to go with the Yamaha XT 660 R , why may you ask ? my short list was the KLE 500 and the new SWM 650 Super Duel which I test rode both ( well the SWM was the R but same frame and motor ) Ok I wanted a bike for the following
(1.) One up traveling and comfy as well with long seat
( 2.) not to heavy under 200 kg wet "660 R 181kg we "
( 3.) Seat height not to high I'm short "660R is 860mm ", That's why I didn't got for the 660z plus its over 200kg.
(4.) Yamaha Back up support for parts and also loads of Aftermarket as well.
(5.) Reliability the 660R motor has been used in the Aprillia Pesago, Trail , 660 X /Z models MT03 and Yamaha 4 wheel Raptor ( so a proven engine since 2003 )Two reviews I have read were they have gone around the world over 100,000kms with little problems
(6.) Fuel Economy is brilliant on the XTR around 380 on a 15 lt tank
(7.) Suspension Travel R200MM/F 220MM plus 21 front for off road
( 8. ) Does Dirt well, HWY Ok , back roads very well and twisties very well so I think its as close as you can get to a 50/50 bike.
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  #2  
Old 18 Apr 2017
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Nice choice, although have to correct you as I believe the pegaso had the rotax 650 block used in the f650gs and not a 660 yam block.
Enjoy the bike!

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  #3  
Old 18 Apr 2017
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XT660R is a good bike, the reason people don't use it for serious off-tarmac is the fact the exhaust goes under the engine and can get hit.

As an aside, part of the reason for the difference in the XT660R and XT660Z wet weights is that it's measured with 90% fuel in the tank and the XT660Z has a much bigger tank.
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Old 18 Apr 2017
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I've done quite some travelling on various bikes. Here is what I would contribute:

After doing the Sahara on a heavy XTZ750 we changed to a light weight XT660R and XT660X and again returned to Morocco.
What a change!
We enjoyed the ride on the lighter bikes way more than on the powerful XTZ750.
We felt sad for the many GSA riders on their shiny bikes who just couldn't enjoy or even do some offroad pistes.

Our findings:
The XT660X has better handling than the 'R'.
We've converted the 'X' to a 'R' by mounting 21" wheels and a WR450 Kayaba fork. This transformed the bike into a proper, reliable travel/offroad beast.

XT660R - good choice.

Cheers,
Wauschi




@ AntonioVdE: Tiger68 was right! Only the early Pegaso had a 650 Rotax motor. The later Pegaso models had a Yamaha 660 engine. One gets to know those details if you look for a budget 2-1 exhaust for a XT660.
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Old 18 Apr 2017
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Quote:
the reason people don't use it for serious off-tarmac is the fact the exhaust goes under the engine
Tim, you are absolutely right, however....

Have a closer look at the images I've posted.
When we got the bikes we measured 19cm of clearance before we installed the mentioned Pegaso 2-1 exhaust (see image).
A XTR 2-1 manifold is 300.- but you can get a Pegaso 2-1 for 30.- on Ebay.

With the fork upgraded we measured 30cm clearance on the XTX and 25cm on the XTR.

Cheers,
Wauschi
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Old 18 Apr 2017
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Congratulation. Good choice. Safe and happy miles.
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Old 16 May 2017
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Indeed, great choice. Drive safe.
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  #8  
Old 30 Jun 2017
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Tiger, May I ask.....what was your opinion of the SWM SuperDuai? On paper it looks to be a nice package, based on the Husqvarna TE630 I believe
169kg dry weight with luggage, 600cc, ........but what's it like on the tarmac and 2-up touring?
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